Question:
What is the best way to start exercising if you have a really bad back?

Can anybody from past/present experiences tell me what the best way to start exercising? I would love to take walks but my back is in bad shape and I really have trouble walking for any distances. Any help would be great! My back hurts so much that I can't even lay down on my back on a bed. By the way... getting nervous... Surgery date is on April 28, 2003. My sister had this done in January and down 50lbs! Way to go Tina! Another friend had this done on March 17 and she is already down 30lbs! Congrats to all! Please answer me directly: [email protected] Thanks for everything!    — Tanya H. (posted on April 10, 2003)

April 10, 2003
The best thing for bad backs, or hips is swimming. I can not walk much, but I would not miss a day swimming in the pool, I feel free from my weight in the pool. If you do not have a pool, then check out some fitness centers, they have ones for just women, some are expensive some are month to month, get one that has a indoor heated pool so you can use it year around, one with an arobic classes would be great. Most fitness centers do have financing. Hope this helps
   — cindy

April 10, 2003
Water aerobic and swimming would probably been the best. My mom is facing back surgery and found that she doesn't have the pain when she is in the pool like she did walking in a treadmill. - Janine
   — jmusser