Fisher's Mom
Executive Chef
I'm glad to hear your leg healed well, LT. After being semi-incapacitated for these months, it's little wonder you have some body changes. All the advice about lowering calorie intake and choosing lower fat foods is very good. You're also doing some excellent cardio with your bike riding.
You definitely want to strengthen your abs so that you can get your back and spine healthy again. Your abs are one of the major muscle groups that support your spine so you can't have a healthy back without strong abs. Since you are already experiencing back pain, I would add ab exercises carefully and work up slowly.
Crunches and leg lifts would be a good start. Don't push it to the point of pain in your back. Start with a low number of reps and work up. Concentrate on slow movements with attention to perfect form. Be sure and include plenty of stretches before, during and after all of your workouts so that you don't further injure your back, which would totally screw up your fitness routine.
If you can get your hands on a good yoga DVD, it would be an excellent way to increase your flexibility and balance as well as strengthen your abs without as much risk of injury. Good luck with this - you can do it!
You definitely want to strengthen your abs so that you can get your back and spine healthy again. Your abs are one of the major muscle groups that support your spine so you can't have a healthy back without strong abs. Since you are already experiencing back pain, I would add ab exercises carefully and work up slowly.
Crunches and leg lifts would be a good start. Don't push it to the point of pain in your back. Start with a low number of reps and work up. Concentrate on slow movements with attention to perfect form. Be sure and include plenty of stretches before, during and after all of your workouts so that you don't further injure your back, which would totally screw up your fitness routine.
If you can get your hands on a good yoga DVD, it would be an excellent way to increase your flexibility and balance as well as strengthen your abs without as much risk of injury. Good luck with this - you can do it!