My Personal Journey After a Back Injury

Ever since childhood, I have always been active -- whether it was organized sports or playing in the neighborhood streets until the street lights came on, you would find me running, jumping, and climbing. This same energy carried on into adulthood and I have always tried to keep a childlike mentality when it came to fitness/exercise and physical fun. You can imagine my displeasure, then, when my physical journey took a detour on March 4, 2004.

I was working as an Educational Therapist at a school for students with special needs. In this particular school, the students not only attended a day school on the premises, but they also lived in the facility. As I was transporting two wheel-chair bound students to the classroom, the elevator malfunctioned and I raced to get the students out. The first one, success. The second one, also a success -- until I heard a pop and felt intense pain from my lower back and shooting down my legs. I lost my balance because I couldn't feel my legs or feet. I grabbed onto the wheelchair to stabilize myself and called for help. Long story short -- and 21 years later, I live in constant pain. I am not a candidate for surgery, have had many physical therapy sessions, and have adopted my own plan for maintenance and toleration.

It wasn't easy because my daily pain threshold ranged between 4 and 8. Some days, it felt more than 10. Simple tasks, like pulling on socks, or picking up something that dropped to the floor became complicated, painful issues. I began gaining a little weight, which caused more of an issue in my lumbar spine. I decided that I needed to find exercises that worked for my personal, unique situation. Research, trial-and-error, and daily journaling got me to my present state. Through my extensive educational background, I devised an individualized plan for myself focusing on core strengthening, leg conditioning, and stretching. I revamped my eating style (several times) and finally settled on my current eating habits.

I do not own a microwave and, even though I work full time in the field of education, I make all of my meals from scratch and try to use my Sundays as bulk-cooking day. That's when I make big pots of lentil soup, splitpea soup, and Giambotta (vegetable stew). I take them for lunch in my mini Crockpot and I have a nutritious, hot lunch every day paired with fresh fruits and veggies, nuts, and the occasional sweet treat. My plan works for ME. This may not work for someone else...why? The same way no two people learn in the same way can a one-size-fits-all fitness/nutrition approach work the same way for two different people. Body chemistry, genetics, food preferences, body pains/injuries, levels of fitness, etc. are all factors. That's why it's not only critical, but common-sensical, for each individual to have their own plan.

I work with women who wish to make sustainable changes to their current fitness and nutrition plans. We work together to build, tweak, and execute a plan of action specifically designed for them. As we continue on the journey, adjustments may need to be implemented if goals have been met, or progress has plateued. That's why I have to consider myself not only their ongoing coach/teacher...but their biggest cheering section.