New & hopful that the future holds no more back pain

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mcgwnkrista
mcgwnkrista Posts: 53
in Introduce Yourself
Hey everyone!

I just started this last Sunday and I want to meet some of you all and hopefully exchange encouragement. My weight has always been a battle for me since I'm 5'8" and curvaceous in more bad ways than good. The rest of my family, health freaks, always seemed to have an easy time when it came to working out and eating right and although i tried to join them, my weight has now crept up to 184.8 LBS and I'm only 20. The kicker in all of this is that I was born with Degenerative Spine Disease and therefore, have a 50-60 year-old spine, a bulging disk and a narrowing spine. Since I was about 12 years-old, back pain has ruled my life to the point I would be unable to sleep at night, having shooting pains down my legs and often wake up from sleeping with one side of my body completely numb. I knew working out would help all of this (especially my arthritis tendencies) but the point of getting to where I was actually able to START working out has always been the issue.

2 weeks ago I got nerve ablation done to my lower back and since I've had this procedure once before--I know that I have almost exactly 6 months to lose 20-30LBs and strengthen my core before the nerves grow back and inflict the worse of the original pain. I would really appreciate some strong encouragement since I've never really been able to lose weight before in my life (Chipotle being a huge weakness as well as my detestation for running). This site has already made me realize how many calories are in such simple food items and it makes me appreciate the food even more after I've earned it by working out.

Thank you to those who leave feedback!

Replies

  • yukiokudasai
    yukiokudasai Posts: 9
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    Hi there. I just wanted to let you know you can do it. I hope that with losing the weight your pain stops or is not as intense. I will be rooting for you
  • katemarjoram
    katemarjoram Posts: 203
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    I'm having nerve ablation done in July and August. Have sent you a friend request.
  • mcgwnkrista
    mcgwnkrista Posts: 53
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    Thanks you guys! Yeah, the nerve ablation was probably the most relief I've found in my experience. Unfortunately, the doctors gave me an estimated 3 years before the nerves would grow back but they believe that due to my age, the nerves grew back exponentially fast in a mere 6 months. I hope it works for you as it has for me and hopefully it will last longer for you :)
  • Bringing_SexxyBack
    Bringing_SexxyBack Posts: 3 Member
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    Hi, Im 25 and in the military and have been diagnosed with 3 level degenerative disc disease, the specialist i see has told me he is surprised that i have feeling in my legs because of the narrow spinal canal....i have had different procedures done as well. i used to be 220lbs in high school and i am 5'9. i lost 40 lbs to join the military , got pregnant and gained 50 lbs , after my daughter was born was when the pain started. i just recently had my second child and the pain during pregnancy was getting worse, weight is a big part of it and i am also in the same position, trying to lose weight to relieve some back pain. My starting weight (2 days after giving birth to my son March 29 2011) was 218, today i weighed 204. This website was introduced to me by a friend and since i have a droid it is very helpful to log in food and exercise. I wish you luck in your weight loss journey!!! :wink:
  • jamielise2
    jamielise2 Posts: 432 Member
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    I feel your pain, having a compressed disk at L5 in my back. Not nearly as bad as your back, but it causes issues. Had to laugh a little because my GOAL weight is 180, All depends on our bone structure, I guess. My LEAN body mass is 155, so in order to have 25% body fat I have to be about 180ish.
  • kirstinkrueger
    kirstinkrueger Posts: 346
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    You can do it! Good Luck! I have a compressed disk and since I have lost weight my back feels sooooo much better!
  • mcgwnkrista
    mcgwnkrista Posts: 53
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    @jamielise2,

    I really just want to lose some weight so that my bra size (36D) will go down a size and hopefully it will be easier for me to keep working out and staying strong. People say that I don't look 184LB due to my distribution of the weight/height but they're probably just being nice ;) Plus having an entire family that's normal weight and I'm considered medically obese? That really motivates a person to lose weight, especially when their own mom looks better in a bikini than they do! Good luck to you :)

    @kirstinkrueger,

    That's what I'm hoping for! I just now stopped taking muscle relaxers and vicodin--so I must be making some process. Your pictures are so encouraging--keep up the good work, you look awesome.

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