Due to my spinal condition I haven’t been able to train at the gym since 2010.
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| Me 2009 |
The pain started when I was weight training at a central London gym and was later diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis. I was told I could no longer dance or do any heavy exercise by every doctor and specialist I saw. I was even told last year by my physiotherapist that I would never dance again…
I will prove them all wrong!
My latest MRI has said I don’t have stenosis as my spine is repairing. Since receiving that news, I am doing everything I can to get my life back on track. After being on the waiting list for what seems like an eternity, I have just returned from my Exercise On Referral (EoR) assessment. After a lengthy questionnaire, I was accepted into the program and start my induction this Friday. There are three fitness centres close by where I can attend for three one hour sessions a week. It is a little restricting as these are set times varying from early morning to early evening. Also, swimming (which is the best exercise for my spine) is not included in the program. That said, there is always a trainer on hand to help me and a personalised week-by-week exercise regime is being designed to help me lose weight and rebuild my core muscles.
I am scared though and told my trainer so. I don’t want to push myself too hard and fast and injure my spine again; which is why I think this program may be perfect for me. It has only been since my latest scan that I have started to feel better and the pain subsiding. A lot of the pain I have been in this past year was in my head because I was told it would only get worse over time. The brain is an amazing thing but you can quite easily believe something is there when it really isn’t. The pain was very real but the cause was all in my head. I never imagined my spine would repair itself and I could be a well man again – but now I can see light where there was once only dark. With the help of a personal trainer and tailored instructions, I can hopefully strengthen the muscles around the spine and protect it from future damage.
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| Me 2014 |
I will never be 100% better. My spine is still narrowing and I can’t go running up walls and crashing down on the floor any more! But as for general exercise, bike rides in the sun, swimming and cross-training; I hope to be back doing these things in the next few months.
My goals are simple: strengthen my core muscles and lose weight. The program is for twelve weeks and I want to lose 10kg in that time. My goal in the next year is to get down to my ideal weight of 80kg, I am currently 106kg – so I need to lose 26kg. I know I can do it. I stopped smoking this year, I’m getting back into acting and I’m no longer depressed. Nothing’s gonna stop me now. (Thanks Starship.)
As for the dancing… watch this space!
UPDATE: 02/05/2014
Today was my induction and my first time back in a gym for four years. Wow! Hello endorphins, I’d forgotten just how great you make me feel.
My trainer has worked out the perfect fitness regime for me; starting with the basics and gradually working me back into good health. I started with cycling and it felt like a cool breeze over my legs – as if my muscles were taking a huge sigh of relief. We also covered weight training, bench presses and walking on the treadmill. I can’t run until my core is repaired and that also goes for the cross-trainer.
Kintaro has also put together a list of core stretches to help my spine. Some of them are difficult at the moment as my body is still weak, but I am determined to get them all down. I’ve also downloaded a fitness app which keeps track of my calorie intake and what exercises I’m doing. I’m trying to keep to 1600 calories a day. Low carb meals and lots of protein now stock my cupboards and fridge. I’m also cutting out chocolate and fizzy drinks. (Unless as a mixer!)
I have missed being able to keep myself fit and it feels so good to be back in the gym. I now have a trainer always on hand and a proper work out schedule. I’m gonna do this, I just know it!
#TerryGee