In a message dated 01-01-26 12:33:42 EST, you write:
>
> On Thu, 25 Jan 2001 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> > Regarding lifting- 10 pounds against your "old" belly was 10
> > additional pounds of back force. 10 pounds with your arms out two
> > feet is 20 pounds of back force. Non pregnant people can make a bit
> > more of a choice of how close they keep things to their center of
> > gravity, as babies grow out everything is a bit more "total" work when
> > you look at energy expenditure.
>
> If I can get a grip on everything from a position where my knees are bent,
> but my back is fairly straight, does it make good sense to pick up 5
> pounds in each hand and carry the loads next to each hip?
>
> Julia
Yes 'mam, the object is just to keep things as close to your center of
gravity (under your belly button and mid way through body prior to pregnancy,
a bit higher for the guys generally- which is why that parlor trick with
chair lifting works for women). I have a great book at work (Published in
England originally by Butterworth-Hanneman, IIRC, called an Illustrated Guide
to Back Care). Every right side page is pictures, the left the associated ed
materials. Great if you want to educate people. There is a chapter on
pregnancy/kids that I will try and send you two. IIRC under $30 US for anyone
interested I will get more info.
Over all the rule of thumb is that if you have been doing something
*consistently* then there is no huge problem continuing (not many of us
singlehandedly move the fridge on a regular basis or such).
Dee
