Personal Trainer - Back Injury!

AnnieLou · 12-08-2011 11:55AM #1

Hi folks,

I am a keen fitness enthusiast, but have had a nigling problem with my lower back for the past 6 years, last February it deteriorated and I saw my neurosurgeon last friday.... I have two discs which are essentially f**ked

he is proposing I get an epidural injection and with that be 'obsessive about my core'. I am 4 stone overweight and need to get it off fast along with strenthening my core. Problem is I need some professional advice. I swim regularly, so it isn't helping me loose weight - my body is too used to it

I need a personal trainer who will 'take me under their wing' until I get this sorted. Am in the south dublin area...

Please advise! Any comments greatly appreciated

Thanks for reading....

SBWife · 12-08-2011 11:59AM

It's going to take diet to remove the four stone.

In terms of a personal trainer I'd look for someone with Pilates training and certification and make sure they are aware of the situation with your back.

AnnieLou · 12-08-2011 12:02PM

Thanks for reply - my diet is pretty good but could do with some help - I'm not into carbs really at all, have salads most days for lunch, am dairy intolerant so that eliminates most fatty foods. Snacking is my vice and I am working on that. I really would need someone pilates certified and someone who has experience dealing with injury.....

SBWife · 12-08-2011 12:22PM

Your diet's not pretty good if you are 4 stone overweight. If it were good you would be at a healthy weight - you're obviously eating much more than you should be (and probably more than you think) and I wouldn't be surprised if many of the foods you are eating are higher in fat and calories than you think and less nutritious in other ways. Not eating dairy does not eliminate most fatty foods - for example; mayonnaise which is pretty much pure fat is 100% dairy free.

This girl works out of my gym at times and is well qualified http://www.personaltrainerireland.com/trainers/tipple.html I've not personally used her but have seen her get results with others.

12-08-2011 01:32PM

SBWife wrote: »

Your diet's not pretty good if you are 4 stone overweight. If it were good you would be at a healthy weight - you're obviously eating much more than you should be (and probably more than you think) and I wouldn't be surprised if many of the foods you are eating are higher in fat and calories than you think and less nutritious in other ways. Not eating dairy does not eliminate most fatty foods - for example; mayonnaise which is pretty much pure fat is 100% dairy free.

This girl works out of my gym at times and is well qualified http://www.personaltrainerireland.com/trainers/tipple.html I've not personally used her but have seen her get results with others.

High levels of dietary fat are rarely the cause for people being overweight in my experience. Rather excessive carb intake (Bread +Pasta frequent culprits) is usually the problem. In fact switching to a higher fat + protein diet with a small caloric surplus combined with a decent physio supervised core strengthening programme would be a good idea. My suggestion would be to find a good sports oriented physio who could help suggest a trainer/coach to work with!

Zamboni · 12-08-2011 01:34PM

A personal trainer qualified to deal with that level of spinal issue would be few and far between.

You need to really take control of your diet and lose that four stone.

holdfast · 12-08-2011 01:43PM

hello Annielou

I had a back op and after the op i went to dominc munnelly he is in south dublin. I found him very good. you will find him at

give him a ring to see what he can do. but as with back injuries, something that works for one person does not always work for some else.

best of luck

AnnieLou · 12-08-2011 01:44PM

Thanks for the advice Columok, I was in a bad way with the dairy intolerance for a good while which had the knock on effect of slowing my metabolism, which I find no problem to manage when I am exercising but unfortunately with the back problems my GP warned me off doing anything strenuous at all until I saw the surgeon who has now told me the opposite! Argh its very annoying! Going around in circles :mad: Thanks for all the input guys!

AnnieLou · 12-08-2011 01:46PM

Thanks holdfast - was hoping he would send me for the op but we are trying the injection first - thanks a mill for the contact name I will look him up.

metamorphosis · 12-08-2011 02:22PM

If you layed out a typical days eating intake, including warts and all i guarantee you that your diet is not as good as you think it is. Most people think they have a decent diet when it isnt. You can loose that weight all through decent diet.

AnnieLou · 12-08-2011 02:39PM

Hi Metamorphosis, Yeh I could definately improve on my diet - I find it so much easier when I am doing a good exercise regime and am really into it. Was told not to even walk up hills with the back problem so finding it really hard to find something I can do to get my heart rate going. Different information coming from all sides, but am really missing my exercise!!!

Thanks to all for your comments - am appreciating the full value of the impact diet can have, am missing my exercise the most though. I dont see how I can loose the weight by diet alone but will keep trying - your comments have given me a boost.

Hanley · 12-08-2011 02:46PM

AnnieLou wrote: »

Hi Metamorphosis, Yeh I could definately improve on my diet - I find it so much easier when I am doing a good exercise regime and am really into it. Was told not to even walk up hills with the back problem so finding it really hard to find something I can do to get my heart rate going. Different information coming from all sides, but am really missing my exercise!!!

Thanks to all for your comments - am appreciating the full value of the impact diet can have, am missing my exercise the most though. I dont see how I can loose the weight by diet alone but will keep trying - your comments have given me a boost.

You can lose the weight alone by eating less kcals than you need to sustain you daily. The difference is made up from your body fat (which is essentially just stored energy).

Eg, if your body burns 2,000kcals during the course of a day without any additional exercise, just eat 1,500kcals daily and the extra 500kcals will be made up from your stored fat.

Do that for a week and it's about 3,500kcals, or a 1lb of fat.

But those numbers are for illustrative purposes only

AnnieLou · 12-08-2011 02:55PM

Thanks Hanley! Will definately be trying that, simple maths eh

clubcard · 12-08-2011 08:57PM

I think seeing someone with a high level of Pilates is very important in returning from a spinal injury.

High levels of fat would be an issue regarding weight.It's not just about cutting down on Carbs and increasing your protein intake.
weight loss is just basic maths,calories in versus calories out.
Get a qualified Personal trainer such as the one suggested http://www.personaltrainerireland.co...rs/tipple.html
and have a consultation to see if she can help you.

Transform · 14-08-2011 09:05AM

clubcard wrote: »

I think seeing someone with a high level of Pilates is very important in returning from a spinal injury.

High levels of fat would be an issue regarding weight.It's not just about cutting down on Carbs and increasing your protein intake.
weight loss is just basic maths,calories in versus calories out.
Get a qualified Personal trainer such as the one suggested http://www.personaltrainerireland.co...rs/tipple.html
and have a consultation to see if she can help you.

so you suggest less carbs, less fat and more protein plus its just a calorie equation - hummmm

Transform · 14-08-2011 09:08AM

AnnieLou wrote: »

Hi folks,

I am a keen fitness enthusiast, but have had a nigling problem with my lower back for the past 6 years, last February it deteriorated and I saw my neurosurgeon last friday.... I have two discs which are essentially f**ked he is proposing I get an epidural injection and with that be 'obsessive about my core'. I am 4 stone overweight and need to get it off fast along with strenthening my core. Problem is I need some professional advice. I swim regularly, so it isn't helping me loose weight - my body is too used to it I need a personal trainer who will 'take me under their wing' until I get this sorted. Am in the south dublin area...

Please advise! Any comments greatly appreciated

Thanks for reading....

if you are 4stone overweight you know EXACTLY what you are doing wrong with your diet.

With that much weight to drop you just need to focus on cutting out the junk foods and eating higher quality food at first

Condatis · 14-08-2011 09:16AM

Annielou you have a word with Medbh at www.PhysicalRemedy.eu she's in Clondalkin Village (15 minutes walk from the Red Cow Luas stop).

Her clinic is mainly sports massage but she's very good.

juke · 14-08-2011 05:41PM

AnnieLou,

I guess I'm between 1/2 and a stone overweight, depending on calculators.

I've some rather recent intimate experience of injections for one displaced and a bulging disc.

I'm no where near in a position to work on my core yet.

PM if you want info on my experience

Personal Trainer - Back Injury!

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