Getting fit with back problems

2 bulging discs, 1 herniated one that I had to have surgery for (and a portion of that disc had broken off entirely and was pressing on a nerve, making me unable to feel my right leg/foot until after surgery -- which was a year ago now), and Spondylitis. MRI showed my back is riddled with arthritis.

Does your gym have a pool, by chance? Water exercise is great and much easier on your joints/bones/previous injuries.

Hello! I have fibromyalgia, arthritis, chronic fatigue and joint hypermobility. As someone else stated, everyone is different so what works for me may not work for you but I wanted to give my input anyway. As far as managing my pain, I received a tens unit from my physical therapist a few years back and it has been a life saver at times. It's great if you have constant joint pain like me. Also heating pads and cold compresses tend to give me relief if my medicine isn't enough. I have found that on the days I'm hurting, but not too much where I can't get out of bed, if I can just push past the initial pain and stiffness and start moving, I feel much better. Because I have joint Hypermobility, I can't do yoga but I have heard that it has helped a lot of people with Fibro. I focus on low impact and resistance exercises like an elliptical, light walking, wall push ups, pilates, and free weights. I love free weights because they are beneficial in muscle development as well as helping to strengthen where my joints connect through slow and controlled movements. During the summer I LOVE swimming, it is an amazing work out for arthritis! Whatever you do, don't let yourself get down if one day you don't exercise as much as before. I have had to learn to celebrate small victories. If all you can manage is a 20 minute walk one day, that's okay! Cheers and good luck

Oh, also, I switched to a gluten free diet a year ago (although the holidays have gotten me off track lol) and it has helped a great deal in reducing my joint pain and swelling!

Hi all! I'm 37 years old & I had cervical disc arthroplasty (total disc replacement) at the c5-6 level on January 5th of this yr. I have full range of motion, so that's awesome. However, I still have c3-c4, c4-c5, & c6-7 that are causing pain. I also have 4 discs in the l-spine that are messed up & dr wants to do surgery. My back & neck injuries are from a random act of violence back in 2008 that have progressively gotten worse. I also have bilateral carpal tunnel & the doctors diagnosed me with fibromyalgia...I'm trying to get back into a routine, but it's hard when I'm in pain. I'm a mom to a 17 yr old son who's graduating high school this year & going off to college soon. I have a 3 yr old daughter with my husband of 5 yrs, and a step mom to a 7 yr old boy & 11 yr old boy who we have joint custody of, every other week. My husband is in law enforcement, so we works a lot. I'm also in college... I have a lot on my plate, but I want to get back to what I was when i met my husband. I don't feel attractive anymore... so, it would be nice to make some friends. Let's do this!