Does extra weight cause....

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Last school year I only worked in preschool a half a day and worked out in the morning before work. I watched calories (it was always easier to watch calories when I worked out) and my workout was tough and 3-5 days a week. This school year I work full days and between work and family things (kids sport practice, housework, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking etc) Im struggling fitting in working out, therefore Im struggling with calorie counting too ( I always ate back a portion of my workout calories and lost weight that way and also gained some muscle). I haven't gained that much on the scale but I have gained so much fat and lost the muscle that I had worked so hard for. It has been probably 4 months since I was on the workout plan.

Ok....so that was a backstory, heres the question, first of all how do you fight off discouragement from being in one place and having to start all over? I used to pull out burpees and tire flips just to name a few things. Now if I go back I will have to modify everything. Its no fun feeling embarrassed that people will see how far I have gone backwards. Has anyone else blew it this bad and got back up and stayed? Heres my real problem though, since I haven't been watching as much, my back has been going out a lot more. Im at the chiropractor at least monthly. Im kinda nervous for the intense workout again. I wonder if I should start smaller at first and use walking to get some of the weight back off. My back pain has been crazy, it even hurts walking too long. I never would have thought I would be in this situation.Does the extra weight cause more back and neck pain? I don't like this but I feel trapped in a cycle. If I restart my last workout plan it may cause back pain but if I stay where I am, it is just as bad.

Please don't be mean, I know sometimes people on this site can be harsh.

Replies

  • angelb1983
    angelb1983 Posts: 159 Member
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    Thank you for the advice. The back problem started when I was a teen. We got rear ended by a pizza delivery guy. They pain didn't even start for months so I didn't have immediate attention to the problem. It tends to get better sometimes but football bleachers def don't help and neither does walking for extended periods.

    I didn't think about fat covering the muscle. If thats the case, it might not be as difficult to lose back. I will say though that I have ate MAJOR surplus. Im going to start working with a friend to try to figure out why I am struggling sticking to it this time. I used to be such an advocate for eating well and exercise and its like something switched and little by little I began picking up unhealthy habits.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,426 Member
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    I think with the severity of your pain while just walking and your history you should see a doctor and maybe then a physical therapist. I think you really should get some professional help to make sure you aren't making this worse.

    My uncle received and injury and decades later had trouble with his spine.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,898 Member
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    Another vote for baby steps and getting a referral to a PT.
  • Cbean08
    Cbean08 Posts: 1,092 Member
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    A few things

    1. Get your back looked at just to be safe. Go to a specialist, not your regular doctor.
    2. I'm a trainer and I get clients who have been in the same boat. Personally, I don't judge them. And I know none of my colleagues would either. Life happens. Things get messy. You caught yourself though, which is awesome. Get back in the gym. There is a lot to be said for starting over.
    3. Make time in your day. Sit down with your schedules and block out the time you can go to the gym. Stick with it and it'll become a habit! Hire a trainer so you have accountability and someone to help you with your workouts.

    You got this!!
  • Fflpnari
    Fflpnari Posts: 975 Member
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    Im going to tell you my story so maybe it will help you.
    Last year I had an injury that lead to a pinched nerve in my right arm. I have done crossfit for over 4 years, making progress, and now I can't do anything there that involves my arm. Cant touch a barbell, can't do a burpee, planks, whatsoever.
    As long as you have the medical clearance to workout, I would recommend being active. During this time I haven't worked out normally all my other joint issues including my low back, have gotten worse. You might have to modify things but you will get back to where you were. Start slow and work your way back up. You're body will thank you!!!

    It sounds like your fear of going back is more than the time to go workout. Im here if you need an accountability buddy!
  • girlwithcurls2
    girlwithcurls2 Posts: 2,261 Member
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    Start slow. Make one change at a time. You have the rest of your life.
    Do you have access to a pool? Deep water aerobics is great for your core. Stabilizing that might lessen some back pain. You might also gain flexibility, and you'll burn some calories.

    Don't beat yourself up. Nothing good comes of it. Just start by logging your food and making one change. Then make another. Little by little, those will stick and become new habits again. You'll get there. Be kind to yourself.

    :heart:
  • bikecheryl
    bikecheryl Posts: 1,432 Member
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    kshama2001 wrote: »
    Another vote for baby steps and getting a referral to a PT.

    Agree !

    I will say that losing weight completely got rid of my back pain - but I was closing in on 300 lbs.

    As to being embarrassed by how much you went "backwards"...... welllllllllll your not alone.

    In 2004 I lost 105 lbs, in 2005 I ran my first marathon....... in the next few years I ran 17 halfs, 4 fulls and an
    ultra marathon. I was actually on both Dr Phil and Oprah. I was know as the woman who lost 100 lbs and ran marathons.

    Then I had surgery on one knee, then another..... and kind of lost myself....... for a decade or so. :(

    In April 2017 I was 288 lbs..... forget running, I couldn't stand or walk.

    It's a bitter pill to swallow.

    It was especially hard when someone would mention my being on "Oprah" - there were times I wished the ground would open up and swallow me.

    I pretty much found what rock bottom looked like.

    It wasn't easy, but I've managed to lose 115 lbs since then.

    I can go for short walks now..... knees are shot and I'm actually scheduled for a double knee replacement January 9th. I miss running something fierce.... but I've realized I don't have to run marathons to lose weight.

    And although we can't always change the cards we are dealt..... we can change how we play them. :)


  • Cassandraw3
    Cassandraw3 Posts: 1,214 Member
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    There is a lot of good advice above. I would like to add that while you may feel you have gone backwards, regaining strength goes much faster than gaining it the first time. I ended up taking a few years off when I had my son, and it did not take long before I was as strong and stronger than before.
  • AustinRuadhain
    AustinRuadhain Posts: 2,574 Member
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    @angelb1983 - Another vote for baby steps here! Also a vote for going gently with yourself. I don't think your very busy life and our society are set up for super careful eating to automatically happen. I think it always takes an effort. So you might not need to dig into *why.* You might just take a look at what you can manage now, and work on building habits and practices that work now and that support your goals now (knowing that your back demands attention in terms of those goals). With all that's going on, you might look at breaking the change into smaller chunks. Take care!
  • Bchlvr64
    Bchlvr64 Posts: 89 Member
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    bikecheryl wrote: »
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    Another vote for baby steps and getting a referral to a PT.

    Agree !

    I will say that losing weight completely got rid of my back pain - but I was closing in on 300 lbs.

    As to being embarrassed by how much you went "backwards"...... welllllllllll your not alone.

    In 2004 I lost 105 lbs, in 2005 I ran my first marathon....... in the next few years I ran 17 halfs, 4 fulls and an
    ultra marathon. I was actually on both Dr Phil and Oprah. I was know as the woman who lost 100 lbs and ran marathons.

    Then I had surgery on one knee, then another..... and kind of lost myself....... for a decade or so. :(

    In April 2017 I was 288 lbs..... forget running, I couldn't stand or walk.

    It's a bitter pill to swallow.

    It was especially hard when someone would mention my being on "Oprah" - there were times I wished the ground would open up and swallow me.

    I pretty much found what rock bottom looked like.

    It wasn't easy, but I've managed to lose 115 lbs since then.

    I can go for short walks now..... knees are shot and I'm actually scheduled for a double knee replacement January 9th. I miss running something fierce.... but I've realized I don't have to run marathons to lose weight.

    And although we can't always change the cards we are dealt..... we can change how we play them. :)


    wow! Thank you for sharing. This made me cry. This is almost exactly my story except I haven't lost the weight I've gained back. Even the runner part. That was me too. I can hardly walk now.