Hey Zoe...what a great topic!!!
I, as you know, am a severe chronic back pain sufferer, and I find it very difficult to do many things...especially sport! BUT...I force myself to get out and do things even on days when I feel that I just can't do it. I love to go walking in the forest...I do a 3km loop through very uneven terrain, and it is a great workout for my legs, butt and lower back. I could give up after about 100m, because it hurts so much...but I force myself to continue for my cardiovascular health.
Swimming is another faveourite of mine, and while most strokes are impossible for me to do...a nice gentle front crawl is something I can do quite well, and it allows me to be in an anti-gravity state, and work out muscles I can't work out with just walking.
In the summer, I like to be out in the sun...and a sport I love to death is badminton...I can't play it properly with my back the way it is, but I do get out and have my husband play with me...I just can't lunge for the birdie, or bend down frequently to pick it up...so my hubby makes sure that he does his best to hit it straight for me, so that I don't have any strained movements...and that way...I can play without too much pain.
On the days where I just don't care about my pain...I will sometimes get onto my mountain bike, and hit the backroads for a few kms. I always suffer bigtime when I am done...but on the days where I just don't care...the pain is worth it!!
These are my sports, and hopefully when I am all better...I will get to enjoy them in their full capacity once again!
Jennifer
