For the past few years I have been having occasional lower back pain. I also noticed it took awhile sometimes to straighten my back after sitting on the couch too long. I always attributed these issues to a specific ski injury.
Last month when we joined the gym I quickly surmised that the pain was not so much a ski injury, but due to lack of core strength. Seemingly simple Pilates exercises were challenging. Then I began doing yoga too and quickly realized my limited ability to stretch. So of course I started doing more stretching routines at home. A month into it now, the back pain is slowly, but noticeably subsiding. I am grateful that I did not rely on medication as the solution.
This week I started looking at my side profile in the mirror and noticed my butt sticking too far out and my posture being whacked. This led me to online researching and discovering that I suffer from "lordosis," defined as an abnormally increased inward curvature of the lower region of the spine resulting in a concave back as viewed from the side. Seems I also have "swayback" due to my body's effort to compensate for the lordosis. Lordosis and swayback are correctable and are a result of not stretching my hip muscles (etc.) adequately. Sitting all the time will likely cause these conditions. I am 100% convinced that I correctly stumbled onto the reasons for my back pain. Maybe obvious to others but for me, this was my "a-ha" moment.
In general, I've considered myself fit. But what determines "fit?" Endurance. Agility. Strength. Hormone levels. Nutrition. Spirituality. Attitude. Etc. All are important puzzle pieces to being fit.
In regards to this group and the "weight loss challenge," I espouse that short-term diet goals only offer short-term solutions...the cravings are still there and the pounds eventually come back. Don't focus on the weight-loss because it will only make you frustrated. Embrace the bigger picture. Realize there are no short-cuts; the journey is life-long.
My new outlook is to focus on overall well-being. Going to the gym 6 days a week doesn't need to be indefinite...its just what I need right now and the coming months. Perhaps in six months my immediate goals begin to change.
So what does self-enlightenment mean to me? Answer: Being self-aware and making lifestyle changes as necessary.