Standing close to your tot, place one foot in front of the other and lower yourself onto your back knee while maintaining a straight spine, says Patrice Winter, a spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association. Put your weight on the front foot as you grasp her with both arms, holding her close to your body. As you slowly return to a standing position, contract your abs and push up with your legs, shifting your weight toward your back foot.

Grocery Bags

Who knew milk and potatoes could add up to such a hefty load? Bend your knees and tighten your abs as you lift the bags from the floor or the trunk of the car, says Winter. Redistribute the weight in the bags if necessary, so heavy items don’t pull to one side. Square your shoulders and remember: Handles belong in your hands. “Slinging the bags over your forearm is bad for circulation and puts undue stress on your elbows and wrists,” Winter says.

A Pencil

While sitting in your chair, think of yourself as a human tripod, supporting your weight on your feet and tush. Then put one leg, still bent, in front of the other and shift your weight to that front leg. Without coming off the chair, bend over with a straight back and reach for the pencil. Once you’ve grabbed it, push your weight back into your hind foot and the chair, making sure your back stays straight!

A Bag of Fertilizer

It’s ideally a two-man job, says Winter, but if you must haul that bag of soil amendments into the trunk by yourself, get into a crouching position, with one foot slightly in front of the other. Scoop your arms around the bottom of the bag and clasp it to your belly button. Tighten your tummy, bend your hips and keep your back straight but horizontal. As you rise, shift the weight to your back leg and pull in your tush so you can bring the bag even closer to your body at waist level. Then prepare for the final heave-ho: Keep your back vertical and your knees bent, and use the muscles in your hips and legs to shift the bag into the car trunk.