Back Pain

I had an email from someone asking me about my back injury; how I recovered and used it to lose weight and change my life.

My back injury was a result of obesity, inactivity, and misuse. I was almost 300 lbs and never exercised. I used to work for a company that required heavy lifting. One day I lifted an extremely heavy box incorrectly and that was the first of several, painful back injuries over the course of that year. The last injury happened in NY. I stepped off the plane at LaGuardia and my oblique muscle (QL for those anatomy people) snapped. I collapsed and people stepped over me. I had to get a wheelchair and fly back home. It was a humbling and humiliating time for me, but I realized that I was reaping what I had sown. I hadn't taken care of my body and it was crying out for help.

My road to recovery requires daily action, but it first started (once I could move) with water aerobics. I highly recommend swimming or aqua exercises for anyone that is recovering from an injury or is taking care of their joints, etc. Believe me, I DID NOT want to put on a swimsuit, but I DID want to help my back to feel better. I remember being parked outside of the YMCA and praying for the strength (physically and mentally) to get out of the car and get into the pool.

After a few months of water aerobics I realized that I had lost some weight but it wasn't enough. I was working my tush off (or so I thought) and I wanted to see more results. So, I started to change my eating habits. I read a book, WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT HEALTHY LIVING and it changed me. I stopped drinking pop. I started eating more natural foods and slowly cut out the processed foods. Don't get me wrong, I still have pizza and brownies, just not everyday or even on the same day.

As the weight came off, I became more determined to be as healthy as I could. After about 6 months, I started lifting weights with a group of wonderful women. I was so encouraged and humbled the first day when these women (some seniors) pumped more iron than I could!

I loved the weight lifting instructor and followed her to a Yoga class. Then I tried Cycle. Then I tried Pilates. Then I tried Zumba. And the rest is history.

As I said before, my road to recovery requires daily action. I have to eat healthy, drink plenty of water, and exercise. If I don't, my back reminds me. I practice Yoga 5-6 days a week. I have to walk and stretch. That's what our bodies were made to do. We weren't meant to sit in a chair and surf the net or watch tv and yes, I do both of those. But, I also MOVE! I have now lost 118 lbs and teach fitness classes and personally train. I look back and I don't recognize the person I was. I'm not her anymore. I'm now a raving, health conscious lunatic:)

EAT INTENTIONALLY AND MOVE!