What's up with this workout advice?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I just started working out again after almost a year of neglecting fitness. I did it for the same reason I started working out the first time a couple of years ago.

I have chronic back problems, and I’m doing it to strengthen my back muscles (as well as my abs, since they play a huge role in posture and back support)

I’m usning the Bidasha Twins’ Bellydance: Fitness for Beginners DVD’s. They saved me from a lot of pain once before, and after two days, I’m already noticing some improvement (although I woke up in pretty severe pain this morning because I failed to thouroughly stretch out last night).

The chiropractor I was seeing the last time I started with this workout program told me that in order to get any benefit, I need to do a full-tilt boogie forty-five minute workout four times a week. Others have told me the same thing.

I’m wondering why.

The routines on the Bidasha DVD’s are about a half-hour long and fairly easy on the body. Right now, I’m doing the basic, lightweight wuss workout until I’ve built up some strength and stamina, then I’ll move on the the more intensive ones. There’s one for arms and abs, one for hips thighs and buns, and I plan to do them on alternate days, probably 5-6 days a week. I also walk 1-2 miles a day, five days a week.

There’s also a cardio workout, but I’m avoiding that one because it’s too rough on my lower back.

When I was doing them before (until I got lazy) my posture improved, I dropped a few pounds, my abs were nice and firm, my waistline got skinnier, and I looked good in a midriff baring outfit at 140lbs (I’m 5’2" tall, so carrying a few extra pounds, I had to have really good underlying muscle structure to be able to bare my tummy in public)

So, if I’m accomplishing my major goal, which is relief from back pain, plus having a few pleasant side effects in the form of losing weight and having a prettier body, why are people so hung up on the 45 minute four day a week thing? When I tell them what my workout program is, they kind of sneer at me and say, “That’s not going to do anything”, when it’s obvious that it already has. They almost act like I’m not really working out if I stick with my program instead of adopting the one they’re advising.

Is it some kind of fitness superiority complex, or do they have some kind of body image problem and think they have to go at it full tilt boogie with the cardio lest they have an ounce of fat on their body?

Personally, I think that look good and feel good, it’s my business. Maybe they’re just jealous because I don’t have a lot of body image problem? (The other day, I weighed myself and I tipped the scales at 150, down from 156, and that’s just from walking… I can’t wait to see the results from adding the workout)

2

Ignore the nay-sayers. Kudos for working out.

The best thing to do is continue as you please until you stop seeing results. Once that happens, then consider the 45 minute advice.

Are the people avocating the 45 minute routine already in pretty good shape, and so need a long workout just to maintain?

3

Bah. If it’s working for you, don’t listen to them. You’re doing GREAT!!!

4

**

I’m not sure I’ll be going there. I’m not very good at improvising workouts, hence the DVD’s. Maybe I’ll just bellydance for the extra fifteen.

Yeah, they’re usually pretty fit. Also, they don’t seem to get the back pain part when I tell them about my workout. Really, if I did the kind of workout they’re advocating, I would probably end up injuring myself further. It would be counterproductive. My main goal is to tone up my postural muscles and not be in pain. High impact aerobics would be counterprodutive because they would be too jarring on my spine.

5

If you’re having back pains then you should definitely just stick to a pace you feel comfortable with. When you start feeling that you can do a longer workout without risking injury, then start considering their advice. Be sure to always stretch before your workout, though!

Good luck!

6

There is always an ample supply of bad advice about exercise. You’ll meet obsessive aerobics instructors with 2% body fat. There’s power lifters who are often limping around with back injuries. It’s hard to separate the wheat grass from the chaff.

The things that work for the superfit are probably too strenuous for ordinary humans. Stick with what works for you. If you can add another notch without hurting yourself, that’s okay. When you’re tempted to add more time or weight, stick with the present level for another day. Don’t rush.

7

I’ve been taking belly dancing lessons for a few months now. Like you, I’ve noticed some weight loss, a definite decrease in my usual lower back pain, improved posture, some general slimming down, and besides, it’s just fun! Sounds to me like your naysayers are part of the “no pain, no gain” crowd.

I like this cartoon. (Scroll down to see it.) If you enjoy what you’re doing and you’re seeing the benefits of it, just blow some loud raspberries towards the uber-fanatics and keep on like you’re going.

8

Slight hijack to offer my two cents: Started having back pain after running. Tried various back stretches; relief while stretching, no relief after. Saw another woman stretching her glutes after a workout. She put her foot up on a bar with the knee bent, leaned forward. I tried it and WOWZER! Eeyah! Didn’t know I had muscles in so much pain! Recalled the Pigeon from yoga, tried that, double wowzer. Back pain has gone away. FWIW.

Back to topic: People like to be the Voices of Authority, but there is no one so much an authority on your body as you are. Compare people who tell you how to lose weight. Yeah, right. I know what’s right for me. I think of pain as a teacher; I like to approach it just close enough to shake its hand. Maybe the fingertips of its hand. Any closer, I’m gonna be doing myself an injury. Those 45-minute people gonna take over your work and home life for you after you get an injury for following their advice?

Book to recommend: Ultimate Fitness, bu Gina Kolata. Persevering journalist with a fitness addiction takes on the Industry of Fitness Advice, finds out how much of it is bullshit. Sample truths: you want to improve your life expectancy, move from the bottom quartile of non-exercisers to the middle; walking half an hour four days a week does that. You want to look like the gods and goddesses who sell fitness equipment? Way, way, way, way more exercise than what is necessary to improve your life expectancy. Huh. You mean, they didn’t get that way using that Electro-Belt Nike-Cizer?

9

If you’re happy with the results, it’s working for you.

10

I’m with the group. Good for you for taking care of yourself! We get all kinds of bad advice on physical fitness because of trying to fit individuals into all kinds of crazy molds.

If it accomplishes the goals you’re looking for, you’re doing the right thing!

11

You’ve gone and gotten me all excited about using bellydance as a work out. I looked at the DVD’s that you are using, and they arent even too expensive. think think think

12

Marlitharn, I actually used to have that cartoon, but I lost it a while back. Thanks for the linik.

Papaveraceae, go for it. Not only wll you get a good solid workout, but you will also pick up a few moves to play around with when you go dancing. And Neena and Veena are so cute…
and they have just a little bit of tummy fat- just enough that you don’t feel inferior to these slender little girls in their sports bras and tights and little hip scarves…

I just adore those girls.

13

Thea Logica, you’re welcome. I always wonder where those women with the concave stomachs keep their uteruses.

14

Marlitharn, you get to come over and clean up the tuna and cracker crumbs I just sprayed all over my room…

15

Hey, any amount of exercise is better than none.

good for you :slight_smile: