Hey Debbie..AKA...Fitness Freak...

[Worknprogress]

I am posting here because so many people talk to you through this thread. And I am thinking I am probably not the only one here to wonder where you get your motivation!!

In reading your success story - your highest weight of 180 pounds - and look at you now!!!! To hear where you were and see where you are now is so inspirational.

Like you, I had extreme lower back problems last year plus other problems and the weight came on due to my lack of exercising and emotional eating. For the first time in a long time, I am finally pain free yet still lack the motivation to get my fitness back on track. I know I feel best when I am physically fit and haven't gone through this long of a period where I am so unfit and lack any motivation to get it back.

How did you do it?

 

[Fitnessfreakk366]

I'm not really sure. LOL! It just happened. Back in 1985, right before my first marriage, I was very overweight. I got fitted for my wedding dress and it was all I could do to get in it, zipping it was a no go. I joined an aerobics class with one of my friends and did that for a while. It wasn't until I was introduced to weight training, courtesy of Shape Magazine believe it or not, that I saw changes to my body that I really liked.

After doing a rotation they had in the magazine and losing enough weight to get into that dress, that was all I needed. Up until I hurt my back I worked out like a dog. It is just something I love doing and quickly became obsessed with it. I think being able to see me leaning out and gaining muscle mass really motivated me. Still does.

I have always been athletic in nature so that could be why I love it so much too. It's just something I was born to do.

 

[Aaroneet]

....So I'm definitely not the only one with lower back problems?

A question for whoever can help- Is there a way to do deadlifts so that the muscles will only strain in a way that strengthens them?

 

[Fitnessfreakk366]

....So I'm definitely not the only one with lower back problems?

A question for whoever can help- Is there a way to do deadlifts so that the muscles will only strain in a way that strengthens them?

Deadlifts is what caused my low back problem, but it was because I did it really heavy and kept doing it after the pull. That is a mistake I will never do again.

I am able to do deads again, I am just really careful with my form. Very careful. And if I do them right, I don't really feel it much in my low back, just in my hamstrings where I'm suppose to feel it. Don't go all the way down, stop at your knees and concentrate on squeezing your glutes and hamstrings when going back up. Keep your back at it's natural curve while doing the entire movement.

I don't suggest you do these until your back is 100% back to normal. I know you want to strengthen your low back, but I feel it's more important to heel then irritate it any further.