Why Our Kids’ Backpacks Might Be Breaking Them

The Timeline blew up over a halftime show, and suddenly everyone had a take. We acknowledge the friction, then turn the spotlight to something more practical and personal: how we treat our bodies when the noise dies down. That shift sets up a candid wellness check-in—what changed after dropping 30+ pounds, why the gym went from dreaded to doable, and how small, sustainable habits created room to feel strong again.

From there we zoom in on a quiet culprit you can spot in any school hallway or office corridor: overloaded bags. We unpack the everyday mechanics behind back and neck pain—strap height, load balance, and the way a low-slung pack rounds shoulders and compresses the spine. You’ll hear simple, no-cost fixes that make a difference fast, like keeping bag weight within a safe range, choosing two straps over one, using sternum clips, and rotating materials to avoid carrying a mini library all day. We also share quick posture resets that fit into a busy schedule and explain why hydration, protein, and sleep are the real recovery tools.

We don’t stop at tips. We invite the community to help design smarter solutions: polling students on pain points and style preferences, testing rolling options without stigma, and organizing a “lighten the load” day to trim non-essentials. A basic strength circuit—rows, planks, split squats, carries—builds the capacity to handle what life throws on your shoulders. Along the way, we keep the tone grounded, human, and hopeful: culture wars come and go, but the way we carry weight—physically and emotionally—shapes every day.

If this resonates, tap follow, share with a friend who hauls a heavy bag, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find the show. Your feedback guides future episodes and fuels better, stronger content. Please remember to Like and Comment it helps the algorithm. Thank You 

Transcript

Welcome And Super Bowl Reactions

SPEAKER_00 0:03

What's up, party people? Welcome to another episode of LQate Your Life. I am your hostess with the most S. L is in the letter L and key is in the key to your heart. I'm not really liking this glare that's happening. I'm trying to do a video and audio with you folks this evening. Uh welcome to Wisdom Wellness Wednesday on this February 11th, I think. Um, okay, I might just have to move this because I am not liking what is happening here. Hi, everyone. Not really liking that there is a glare. Sorry about that. So you're gonna get like the many looks of Elkie and Elkie Vate Your Life. There we go. Let's try this. Let's see if this is better. So thank you for tuning in. Thank you for listening. Um, I got a lot of feedback from Monday's episode about um the Super Bowl and everyone's thoughts and opinions on Bad Bunny versus um sorry, still trying to find the perfect light. Okay, go to the light. Okay, let's see if this works. Anyway, uh so basically I wanted to just kind of recap on um first, well, first of all, on the commentary I got. I want to make sure I address everybody. Thank you for speaking up about your thoughts and opinions on the Super Bowl. Uh, there were some mixed reviews as far as, you know, I guess um Kid Rock put on a show that was uh, I don't remember what platform it was on, and I'm sure you guys will chime in and tell me if you feel the need. But basically, uh Kid Rock did like a wholesome version of the Super Bowl because there were some mixed opinions about how come a you know Hispanic, a Latin person is gonna be doing the Super Bowl. And um personally, like I said in Monday's podcast, I said I love Bad Bunny. Um, I've always liked him ever since my daughter introduced me uh to his music and kind of his background. And uh I was really sad to hear and read the commentary, although I do understand it. And basically, people had thoughts and opinions about, you know, uh he was singing all Latin songs, and so nobody can understand the music. And then there was the issue about um understanding the music and that the performance kind of fell flat and it didn't feel like he brought us together, that he kind of divided us, and people were already feeling a certain type of way about that. Sorry, my dog is sweet Chanel is over here laying on um some pillows that are holding up the laptop right now. Anyway, I wasn't planning on doing a video, I just decided to, and now I'm kind of regretting it because I'm not a fan of this lighting and what's happening here. Um, at any rate, I did want to talk about the Wisdom Wellness Wednesday, but I wanted to say thank you to everyone who chimed in. Thank you for sharing your feedback, your thoughts, your opinions. It's unfortunate that it has divided us on social media, and there are people that are to the left and to the right of this whole movement. Um, because I feel like, well, that's the goal in politics is to divide us. And I feel like they're succeeding in that way, which is disturbing and frustrating, but not surprising. But I do appreciate the commentary and the feedback, and I'm sorry it fell flat for a lot of you, whether it was the game or the halftime show. Moving on to wisdom wellness Wednesday, I have a couple of things. Bear with me. My drink here, my mama, mama, mama cup. Why? Because I'm Mama Elkie. Hele. Okay, so um Wisdom Wellness Wednesday. So this came to mind today, especially because I work at a school, as all of you know. I talk about it all the time how I work at Fallon Middle School. Um, so what I want to talk about is to any of my students out there listening or anybody that carries things throughout your work day. I myself I carry a backpack, my crossbody, and I carry a lunchbag backpack. It's it's basically um like something you use to go to the game with. Okay. So basically two backpacks and then a crossbody purse. And I'm 57, and while I'm in great shape, what came to mind today is for this Wisdom Wellness Wednesday, how are these kids walking around with these heavy backpacks? What is it doing to their spine? What is it doing to their body? And so it just got me thinking because I'm somebody, so a lot of you know that I've been on a health journey, a wellness journey, where I've been watching my weight, watching my calorie intake, my protein intake, working out every other day, even though I despise when I tell you despise, I'm not joking, but I despise going to the gym, but I have learned to embrace going to the gym. And now, interestingly enough, when I do go, I actually enjoy it, I actually love it. I feel so strong, I feel younger, I'm able to participate in PE with the kids at school now. They ask me to play soccer, even if I'm in my boots. Yeah, sure, let's go play soccer. Oh, come and play football with us. Okay, yeah, let's throw, catch football, play flag football, play basketball, whatever it is. I'm now inclined to do those things because um, well, I'm 30 plus pounds lighter, so I can move around a lot easier. Um yeah, I just feel more fit, more in shape, and am grateful that I now listen to my body when I'm hungry, when I'm full. Um just making sure I'm I'm putting clean foods and things in my body. The one thing you saw me drinking is probably one of my few vices, which is a diet soda. And I allow myself one diet soda a day. Uh not even a diet soda, it's like a Pepsi Zero or whatever. Um other than that, it's water, water, water, and a cup coffee in the morning. Anyway, back to Wisdom Wellness Wednesday. So today I noticed my shoulder blades, my back, my everything. The reason I'm bending down now is because of the glare of the light. And I don't want to have to get up and move around and change everything. So it is what it is for now. So I have to sit like this. But um I just thought to myself, how how are these kids, middle schoolers and up, carrying these heavy backpacks? And theirs are much heavier than mine. Mine is the small child backpack, and I keep all my fidges and things in it. Um which ends up weighing, I don't know. I I haven't put it on the scale, but I mean, if I had to take a guess, this shot in the dark, maybe 10 pounds, maybe, I don't know. Um but I was just thinking, what are these backpacks doing to our kids and their backs? And what is what can we do to come up with a better solution? Well, there's the backpacks on wheels, right? But those probably aren't cool. I haven't taken a poll, but I think I'm going to. I think I'm gonna ask my kiddos. And then the other thing I observed in zipping through the halls, weaving in and out of the kids, is that they carry them lower. And I'm like, hmm, does that help? Does that make it easier? Does that make it harder? I don't know. So it just got me thinking that we might need to come up with something better. And I'm not an inventor yet, although I've come up with some pretty great ideas throughout my lifetime. And I just think there's got to be a better way. For I mean, this can't be good for the kids. I know for me, I immediately was like messaging my husband going, uh, can you rub my back tonight? Uh, I know we can't afford to go to a massage because we're it's Valentine's weekend and you know, we're doing the whole dinner gift exchange, yada yada. Um, but it just got me thinking, what is the solution to this problem? And I didn't have time to go on and look at the stats. I probably should have before I hopped on, but I want to make sure I hop on before it gets too late because it's already seven o'clock Pacific Standard Time, and I usually have my podcast out there to the world by this time. But uh I had some appointments after work, so here we are. Anyway, I'm curious, do any of you have jobs where you have to carry, you know, a laptop bag or a backpack or you know, tote bags with all of your equipment or, you know, your books, your binders, whatever. I'm really curious to know how how you do this and has it taken a toll on your body. So that's the observation I made today. I know it's kind of a boring wisdom while this Wednesday, but it's just something like things that make you go, hmm. If any of you remember that song. Things that make you go, hmm. Anyway, so I would love to know your thoughts and opinions. I think I'm gonna do a poll with my kids and I'm gonna ask them, hey, does your back hurt at the end of the day? And what are the doctors saying about this? Are they recommending for the kids to have backpack on wheels? Because I see a very small percentage of kids actually doing this. So my thought is it's probably not cool. Everybody has to have the Jan Sport backpack or you know, the name brand. And with the logos and the fancy graphics and all of that. And so, what is this doing to our kids? Are you our kids who will soon become, you know, are turning into young adults? I know for me, I mean, I exercise and I work out, and I'm a mess from carrying around these things. So, what is it doing to our kids? Inquiring minds want to know. So, before I forget, let me give a shout out to all my elcubators, my loyal listeners. Thank you, Namaste, for listening, watching, following. I appreciate you. As you all know, I'm trying to build up my YouTube channel. However, I'm on every platform: Apple, Spotify, BuzzSprout, Podchaser, Deezer, Podcaster. Oh my god. Too many to Amazon Music, too many to list. But I'm out there. The thing is about the YouTube, I like that I can see the progress. I can see the stats. I mean, I'd love to tell everybody, hey, jump on Apple, because that's the most popular one, right? And make sure you give me five-star reviews and all that. But there's so many people all over the world that listen to my podcast and listen on different platforms. So my request would be please remember to like, share if you know someone that can benefit from this, comment. I would love to know your feedback of, especially if you have kids, or if you are a kid and you are watching and listening to this. I would love to know what are we gonna do about this problem? Because I foresee it becoming a problem for our young adults. And so I would like to find a solution. Maybe the next episode you'll see that I'm inventing a new backpack solution. I don't know. I mean, miracles happen every day. Who knows? But that's on the forefront of my mind today for Wisdom Wellness Wednesday is it damaging our back? Or is it that's the reason they designed the backpack? Because, you know, we put it on our shoulders and it's strapped to our back, and if we're using our core properly, I don't know. So, thank you to all my loyal subscribers, Mike Kaufman. Thank you for being a loyal subscriber. Not necessarily loyal commenter or liker or share, but anyway, thank you for being a loyal subscriber. I appreciate you. Shout out to Angie Germer of Thrive Lavelle. I hope your health is improved and all is well with you and your family and your job and all that good stuff. Uh, Angie with Thrive Laval, uh, her supplements basically assist with all your nutritional needs, and they are all natural, so they basically fill the nutritional gaps. Whether you're looking to lose weight, gain energy, need help going to the bathroom, whatever the case may be, she's got it for you. Moving right along, Lisa Roberts Corbello. Hi, how are you? I miss you, friend. I hope to see you out and about at the local watering hole uh next weekend, I believe. And Jeff Potter, Namaste. I'm really sorry about your friend. I'm sorry to read and hear about your friend. Um, my deepest condolences to you and the family. Um creative cara, Cara with a K, Creative with a K. That's my little spin on Creative Cara. Be sure to check out her lovemyartist.etsi.com. Uh, she also has a linked tree. Both of her links can be found in my podcast description, along with Angie Germer, as I mentioned, of ThriveLaville. Roger Haven. Good to see you out there working out and getting stronger and healthier. I'm very happy for you. Thank you for being a loyal listener and subscriber. Um, and then of course, I have my usuals, Rhonda under the gypsy moon jewelry. Dory, shout out to Dory and shout out to Travis. Thank you for listening, watching, commenting. Oh, Andrew Mendoza, thank you. Thank you for being a loyal listener. And guys, if I haven't mentioned it recently, you can subscribe for as little as a cup of coffee. So three, five, seven, or ten is all it costs to subscribe to my channel. And how does it help me? It helps me with production costs. So you don't see me recording here, you'll see me in a studio. I'll be able to implement some intro music, maybe some exit music. I'll be able to upgrade my equipment, etc. So if you can afford it, I would appreciate it. It would go a long way. I've been plugging along for over a year now, and I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon. So I'm going to be continue to show up for you on Mondays and Wednesdays with bigger and better content with every week that goes by. Thank you for watching. Thank you for listening. Thank you for tuning in, and ciao for now.