If I don't get skinny they're gonna cut me!

Yoga would be great I would think. Aslo, swimming or water walking

Because of your injury I would suggest what ever work out you do that you consult your doctor about it first, Also take it slow, no need to go all wild man right out of the gate. Maybe some light weights, some cardio, and get up from your desk once and a while and walk around, use stairs rather then elevator.

Both my Dad and a family friend named Wayne lost huge amounts of weight following the Atkins and South Beach diet plans. Just a suggestion, but talk to a nutritionist about it to see if either would be for you.

Looking into various work out options. I've heard crazy stuff about Crossfit from a co-worker, I'm not sure if my back can handle it right away. I may want to lose some weight before I jump on that psycho boat. I was also debating Yoga for a few months to strengthen the core first. Any suggestions?

any CrossFit box worth the money they charge should be able to work with you and your back problems. CrossFit isn't only for people who are fit; CrossFit is for people who want to get fit. There are people at my box who are in their 60s. There are people with bad knees, bad shoulders, bad backs, heck there's even a girl who only has one arm. (These aren't CrossFit injuries, but mostly injuries from doing other workouts that weren't good for them.) The trainers have modifications and alternatives for everyone and are willing to work with people at every fitness level.

When I started, I had never, ever worked out in my life. Yes, it was hard. Yes, I couldn't always finish the workout. Yes, I heavily modified. Did it matter? Not one bit. I'm in so much better shape -- all over. I'm able to do stuff I never would have even though possible.

I strongly suggest going to your local CrossFit affiliate and talking to them about your concerns and limitations. Try it. You might just fall in love with it. (I know I have.)

1sto of all.. go see a Chiropractor.... My husband and his father fell off of a 2 story house while roofing when DH was 16. Both are able to keep the mobility of their arms because they sought help from a Chiropractor.

Recently DH began to develop carpel tunnel from work. Our chiropractor was able to save us about 3 grand in surgery..

Chiropractors can solve a lot of problems.

Ok.. Chiro rant over..

Anywho.. I too would also ask your doctor before you start any exercise.

Ok, so it's not that bad, but I thought that sounded funny.

I just had back surgery about a month ago as a result of a car accident. I had a lumbar lamenectomy and a discectomy on l4/l5 double major herniations. They were aggravated by the accident, but initially injured when I was in the Army.

Doc basically told me, I need to lose weight because if I blow out the disc above it (which is bulging already), I'm gonna get fused... and I like my ribs!

I'm a 33 yr old male from Jacksonville, FL. I work in an office all day sitting on my *kitten* giving financial advice. Divorced, no kids, small herd of animals, gamer, and geek.

Looking into various work out options. I've heard crazy stuff about Crossfit from a co-worker, I'm not sure if my back can handle it right away. I may want to lose some weight before I jump on that psycho boat. I was also debating Yoga for a few months to strengthen the core first. Any suggestions?

First of all, you need professional advice so I would take whatever you read here with a grain of salt, including my post if you want.

I had a laminectomy and microdiscectomy on L4/L5 in 2005 at the age of 23. My doctor also told me to lose weight or I would be a candidate for a fusion within 5/10 years. My weight has fluctuated over the past 6 years, but I do feel much better when I'm carrying less weight. You probably will too.

With that being said, your biggest priorities right now should be strengthening your core, improving flexibility, and losing weight. You're a beginner and more prone to injury, so throw out programs like Crossfit, P90X, Insanity, etc. Don't do exercises that move your joints in ways that they aren't meant to move ( yoga). I know that a lot of people will disagree with me on this, but I find it to be true. It doesn't mean you can't get into it eventually, but I'd start with the basics.

Remember that certain joints in your body are meant for certain things. Ankles for mobility; knees for stability; hips for mobility; lower back for stability; thoracic for mobility, etc. If you're using your lower back for mobility, then you're going to get hurt. The key here is to have a professional tell you what you need to work on.

Do some research and look for a really good physical therapist in your area. Do an assessment and find out if you need to work on your hamstrings, hips, thoracic or all three. All 3 of mine get really tight if I don't stretch at least every other day. If they get tight I use my lower back and get injured. Work on stretching and flexibility at home. Keep a careful eye on your diet. And add some cardio in as you see fit. When you're ready to strength train I would look into a highly recommended personal trainer from the physical therapy office. It will be an investment in yourself, but you will feel so much better in the end.

Good luck! If I can be of any help then please add me as a friend.