Quote Originally Posted by Dogmama View Post
Hi Lisa,

I agree with Tulip about pilates. (1) I took private pilates lessons from a real instructor at a real studio. I learned a LOT about core strengthening. (2) I started to slowly strengthen the surrounding muscles around my spine. In the weight room I did very light squats, deadlifts along with my pilates routine. It was frustrating for awhile, because I had been capable of using a lot more weight but I knew if I pushed it I would regret it. Patience - a virtue (for somebody else!!)

Today, I have pain when I'm pushing gears that are too big for an extended period of time. I have to concentrate on spinning up hills, against the wind, etc. Other than that - I'm pain free. According to my MRI & x-rays, I should be hurting.

Keep us posted!
I used to do squats with 2 45#s on each side. i am 5'5 and at the time weighed about 145. i know all about the frustration of wanting to go heavy and then having someone tell me to just do light weight, etc. I, too, have ZERO patience.

Maybe I just don't know HOW to ride or HOW to use my gears? It does seem like I have problems finding the perfect gear. When we were in Nevada at Red Rock, I was able to use a bunch of different gears because I could tell what was up ahead since the terrain was WIDE open. I live in MN and the trails we go to have a lot of sand, rock gardens, trails between two trees ( i hit one last fall and had a bruise on my azz for two weeks that I never thought would go away) and I think I get very tense and that doesn't help my situation either!

I will have to check on info for hills and gears - I saw the sand one (thank you to whomever posted that!!!) and that was helpful too.