When I first started exercising, I couldn't do a single squat. I always felt like I was going to fall. This was surely because I was uncertain of how to place my back. I'm a short girl (56" tall), so I arch my back much more than someone who is 64" tall. I tried to focus on the position of my knees and it all started to make sense. I watched my form in a mirror to be sure my knees didn't pass my toes. Now I can feel the angles of my legs without a mirror. I used to think a squat was feet shoulder-width apart, back straight the whole time, and making sure the toes didn't pass the knees. I'm pretty sure that it's impossible to form a right angle with your body without a chair beneath your bottom. Squats focus on your legs and feet a lot more than your back. Just let your back do what it naturally does.
I don't always have the motivation to run downstairs and do the elliptical every single day. Sometimes it's too cold, sometimes I'm on antibiotics for a dental problem and afraid to strain myself with heavy breathing, sometimes I'm just not ready to hit a workout...Squats are the one exercise that I can do every day without hurting myself. I play my favorite song and perform a different squat for each chorus and verse. The music distracts me from the resistance pressure and times my reps for me. I've even brushed my teeth while performing squats to a song because I had to get ready quickly. You make time! Lol It's all of 5 minutes worth of dedication per day that doesn't make you sweat. Because I've seen such fabulously quick results, I want to propose a squats challenge to everyone. You don't have to commit right now. Stew on it, look into it, and try it here and there. The challenge is not like others where you have to do a bazillion sets of each form for a week. Nope, this one is easy.
Challenge
Every day, once or more a day, perform squats for the duration of your favorite song. Do 8 squats shoulder-width apart for a whole chorus. Then either do hip rotations/rocks or leg stretching movements for the verse, whatever makes you feel good while moving. Change to 8 elbow-width apart squats for the next chorus. Experiment with different forms of squats, such as standing up between them and holding different angles. A chorus is less than a minute, so be fearless about it. Keep your dedication for 14 days and you will see a difference in the front of your thighs and your bottom. If it doesn't change a thing, you've only wasted about an hour and a half in two whole weeks. You've got nothing to lose.
I don't know why I wasn't encouraged to do squats before. It would seem like the first thing people should've suggested to me. Maybe, like twerking, they did and I just chose not to do it because I found it distasteful. I'm extremely self conscious of my thighs, particularly the dangly layer of skin that has formed itself at the top inner part of my thighs despite my diehard dedication to weight loss. I have always had genetically big thighs, but (after forcing myself to look in a mirror) my thighs are not as grotesque as I like to think they are. I imagine someone whose thighs are not a lifelong embarrassing area will see a lot more benefits from performing squats. That's why I'm preaching the word! Partake in squats for five minutes of your life each day. The tone they give your butt and thighs will make it all worth it.
I am considering doing a video demonstration of different squats, but I get so worried that I'll use an incorrect form or term without knowing it. Maybe I will do one eventually.