How to not walk like a fat person?

When in an uncertain situation I tended to walk with a suken posture - hips and abdomen to the back, curving forward to the shoulder. I felt like my stomach was less pronounced that way. Naturally, my neck stuck out like a turtle's. I have made a concerted effort to stand and walk tall always as I've lost weight. I pretend there is a string attached to my sternum pulling it up and try to pinch the muscles between my shoulder blades AND keep the damned abs tight. Its' working, though. I'm catching myself far less often and I like seeing where I'm going rather than looking at the floor!

Strangely, at school (work) and in the show ring, I never slouched. Perhaps it is the confidence I feel in those situations, but in a social, party situation - slouch city!

Mine has been a lifelong posture issue, nothing to do with attitude.. I was an outgoing person big, still am.. but I still walk and hunch my shoulders and have the head down/forward turtle thing going on.. The neck head posture is physiological- I have military neck, with bone spurs- no curve at all in my neck.. It's a pain literally and figuratively as when I notice it and try to pull up into a normal straight posture, it kinda hurts.. 

My body is so used to the hunched/rounded shoulder thing that I'm having a hard time correcting it, decades of habit/muscle memory. I'm finding strength work is helping a bit, but still a long way to go! Plus, if you were anything like me- I had a big fear of tripping and falling.. a stumble wasn't easy to catch at 300lbs, so watching the ground go by was just self-protective!

 I was acutely aware of my posture presurgery, as the weight made it horribly hard to stand up straight.  I have been trying to straiten up and going so far as trying different posture type support braces.  Last one I tried I couldn't fit into- but just realized with your post that it is worth a try again as I lost a lot since then.  But yea, I can totally relate. The very worse part about it though is that my 12 year old mimics my poor posture.  I am trying to help her to break the habit, but it is tough for her.  She is 5'10 and only 115 pounds, so it is not a weight issue for her. 

If you find something that helps you to break the habit, please share!

 Hi, I am new here and still pre-op, but a couple of years ago I have lost 80lbs and had to re-learn how to carry myself, I found taking dancing lessons (ball room, group classes or with a personal dance teacher) made a huge difference, teaches you how to hold your back and shoulders and your head. I felt very insecure and ashamed dancing while still being quiet overweight, but I really enjoyed it and soon  found my confidence (to dance in front of strangers - was terrifying at first), and I actually enjoyed the new found confidence in other aspects of my life.  Plus, it's a great work out ;-)

As a 4 year old I started ballet classes and have always followed the rule of shoulders back head up tuck the abs, chest forward.  I have also heard the suggestion " imagine a string on the top of your head that is gently pulled upward until you are sitting up or standing straight and tall- now SMILE and take a step- it really works!

 
I still catch myself getting out of a chair and doing the waddle........

frisco