Last week, I introduced “my fatty muscle” to you. I have a weakness in my lower back that comes from lack of exercise in that part of my body. Injuries stink! When you can’t do what you’re used to doing- it puts everything in perspective. How you should be grateful that you can walk, run, swim, play ball with your kids, dance, or compete. Just because I can’t run doesn’t mean I haven’t been exercising! Ha, I just find things my body can tolerate. Last night, for the first time in years, I swam for exercise - 25 minutes of freestyle swimming in a lap pool. According to CaloriesPerHour, that only gets me 274 calories burned. I can do yoga and pilates as well, I just can’t run or jump or kick off the wall in the pool. After walking all day I look like an OLD BAD LADY with a lump in her back (picture the movie Triplets of Belleville? I remind myself of the mother in that movie!)
What did I learn in pilates today?
*You are only as strong as your weakest muscle
*Pilates is weight training for your whole body in one hour
*Must use your core muscles for each exercise
*You can adjust the weights high or low and get a fantastic strength training workout
*Pilates forces you to engage your mental toughness because you are asked to do at least 3 things at the same time (this is not the time to check your brain out and let your body do all the work)
*Performing a pilates routine once per week can strengthen and tone your whole body
Help me in my quest to find the right exercises to strengthen my back and core muscles that will get me back out running and cycling! If you have some advice for me, I’d love to hear it.
6 responses so far ↓
1 kch // Mar 18, 2008 at 5:13 am
I’m sorry you’re still suffering. It does suck not to be able to do your favorite exercise!
Yoga and pilates sound like just want you need at this point. But think about doing some targeted weight work too - deadlifts (probably with very light weights to start) - would really target that lower back area.
Good luck!
2 » Pilates can strengthen your whole body // Mar 18, 2008 at 5:27 am
[...] Learn Yoga, Live Yoga | Yoga Healthy Yoga Lifestyle wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt Last week, I introduced “my fatty muscle” to you. I have a weakness in my lower back that comes from lack of exercise in that part of my body. Injuries stink! When you can’t do what you’re used to doing- it puts everything in perspective. How you should be grateful that you can walk, run, swim, play ball with your kids, dance, or compete. Just because I can’t run doesn’t mean I haven’t been exercising! Ha, I just find things my body can tolerate. Last night, for the first time in years, I swa [...]
3 kch // Mar 18, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Just got this in my email this morning - a back strengthening video from Runner’s World: http://www.runnersworld.com/video/index.html?bcpid=717784762&bclid=1126074425&bctid=1348327116&cm_mmc=training-_-2008_03_18-_-training-_-VIDEO%3a%20Build%20Back%20Strength
4 Fit Mommy // Mar 18, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Thank you Kristen! That video is exactly what I should be doing.
5 Lisa // Mar 19, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Hey there! I just came across your blog and love it! Also, you have reminded me I need to get back into pilates. I was doing it for a while after the birth of my son. I love pilates - it’s great strength training. Sounds like that’s what you need - to strengthen your core.
6 Cindy // Mar 20, 2008 at 5:14 am
Oh, I am so with you. I still need to get to the Y and jump in the pool. I’m avoiding it! I have a great book from Denise Austin and Pilates. It’s always a bit humbling to say the least. Have you worked in Standing dead lifts into your strength training routine? They’re really helpful for developing that lower back. If you’re still injured, then it’s best to let it rest. When it gets better, you can start with a non weight bar or a couple of light weight dumbbells, keeping your back straight and knees soft. Lower and lift.
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