Need to lose weight but have sciatica

TangledMemories_2

Hi All,

I've decided I'm sick of being overweight. I want to tone up my stomach, thighs, and my arms - one problem, I have sciatica.:o
Was thinking of borrowing my Nan's big "bouncy ball" thing that she uses to do sit-ups - but I don't know if it will do me more harm than good
Was also thinking of going swimming as it's the one thing I'm good at, but I'm unsure which strokes are good for stomach, thighs and arms?!

Anyone got any tips?

moomin_white

get the sciatica sorted out first as the wrong type of exercise could aggravate it and cause more problems.

I suffered with sciatica for years-just made do. Then i took up cycling(with the wrong type of bike)...anyway, this made my sciatica flare up so bad i had to take time of work(it was constant and down both legs) and was in constant agonising pain.

Finally asked my doctor to refer me to someone-which ended up being a physiotherapist who sorted me out. Never get sciatica anymore because we dealt with the cause and not just treated the symptoms.

Go to your doctor and ask to be referred to a physio and get it sorted - then get some exercise sorted!

TangledMemories_2

I can't get the sciatica "sorted" as it is caused by a "crack" in my L4 & L5 vertebrae which means the nerve is constantly trapped.
Have been to physios - private and NHS and scans have shown it's beyond repair UNLESS I have the vertebrae fused which they refuse to do as I'm only 23.

Ted_Hutchinson

While I am certain that regular gentle exercise will help your body and your brain Exercise will NOT help you lose weight.

I have successfully lost a lot of weight (and it's still disappearing like magic) and I haven't deliberately increased the very little exercise I am able to do because of my long term condition. Because I have lost a lot of weight I am a bit less sedentary because I find it easier to do things.

People don't exercise much because they are overweight.

Being overweight stops you exercising.

Not exercising is the RESULT of being overweight it is NOT THE CAUSE.

You do not have to exercise to lose weight.

Generally exercise builds up your appetite so you want to eat more.
Generally people who have exercised overcompensate and eat more calories than they have just worked off.

This is the plan I've been using.
It doesn't cost any money. You don't have to exercise, (though exercising will do you good in many other ways) You don't have to go to meeting or buy special foods.
You just stop eating those foods that make you hungry (that means you lose your cravings and it's easy from then on)
You eat only foods that don't raise your insulin levels (that allows the fat to come out of your fat cells and be changed into ketones that are either burnt as fuel or sent down the loo)

gozaimasu

Definitely start with swimming. It'll give you that all over body workout and will be much easier since your body weight is supported by the water. Breast stroke is the easiest and will work your legs as well as your arms and the muscles across the front of your chest. Front crawl does all that, but also works your shoulders and upper back. Swimming in general will help you strengthen your core muscles (lower back, abs, obliques) which'll give you better posture and help you stay balanced on that bouncy ball thing!! I had a friend who was quite overweight and she started swimming barely able to do 5 lengths and now she can do 50 in a row!

It's really hard to keep balanced on those ball things; you've gotta make sure that your back is straight though (which is why it's really good for your core muscles) otherwise you could do yourself some damage.

For your thighs you could try simple squats and maybe lunges if you're feeling brave. Maybe you could even take up a sport that you enjoy? That way you'll lose weight and tone up almost without noticing because you're having so much fun

onewingedangel

I used to do callanetics, and i remember reading that the woman who created it, Callan Pickney developed it as a way to exercise as she also suffered from sciatica. I find it great for toning up.
Might be worth looking into?
good luck.xxx

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

TangledMemories wrote: »

Hi All,

I've decided I'm sick of being overweight. I want to tone up my stomach, thighs, and my arms - one problem, I have sciatica.:o
Was thinking of borrowing my Nan's big "bouncy ball" thing that she uses to do sit-ups - but I don't know if it will do me more harm than good
Was also thinking of going swimming as it's the one thing I'm good at, but I'm unsure which strokes are good for stomach, thighs and arms?!

Anyone got any tips?

Please don't even consider the bouncy ball thing,my friend has L4/L5 vertabrae damage which is responsible for her sciatica.Like you she felt untoned and tried one of thos excercise balls.After having to be peeled off the floor she ended up in hospital on traction.She is now in a lot more pain and no more toned.

mumoftwins

Why not try AquaAerobics at your local pool? Like swimming it is good, fun exercise and you are supported by the water again. You may not feel like you've done much exercise but believe it will show results! Just the momentum of having to push against the water albeit gently will tone you up and use muscles that haven't been used for a while.

Hope this helps and good luck!

P.S I have a really bad back and hip problem and can't exercise at the moment but doing WW I have lost a stone so far and keep on going xx

shykins

i have similar problems to u and suffered constant sciatica from many years and was vastly (and i mean vastly) overweight

i took up atkins and gentle exercise and have lost it all.. i also find that doing some exercise actually now REDUCES my sciatic pain as i dont get quite so much stiffness when i exercise and when i dont i really notice the reduction in my mobility

i started off with some gentle working on a treadmill, a few strokes on a rower and some swimming.. when i say gentle i mean like 10-15mins altogether and then worked up from there, basically the more strength u build into your core the better u can support yrself and therefore reduce the sciatic pain

HTH

absolutebounder

Do not try sit ups. Swimming is good for you but you yould focus on getting fit and healthy not what you eat.

jinny

Thanks Ted gonna give it a go, tried everything else, have sent you a pm.