The Wednesday Wellness threads are meant to encourage users to ask for and provide advice and motivation to improve their lives. It isn't intended as a 'containment thread' and any content which could go here could instead be posted in its own thread. You could post:
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Requests for advice and / or encouragement. On basically any topic and for any scale of problem.
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A month and a half ago I started a new exercise routine and I've stuck with it longer and better than I ever have before in my life. However, I've noticed that squats cause me lower back pain. I have a pretty pronounced lumbar curve, and at a glance I might have mild lordosis. I tried focusing on making sure my core was tight while squatting and that seemed to improve it, but only slightly. I'm 25, work in retail and use good posture when lifting. Most of my leisure time is spent at a computer. I get 8 hours of sleep a night, usually sleeping on my side or back. I'm 5'7", 137 lbs. My diet is mediocre - I stay away from chips, soda, fried foods, and hydrogenated oils but have a mild protein bar addiction, drink an average of 2 alcoholic drinks a day, and have too many simple carbs. Does the motte have any idea how to fix the back pain, or failing that, any good leg workouts that don't use squats?
Some people cheat their squats by doing a semi 'Good morning' as they ascend from the bottom of the squat. Since you mentioned lower back pain, 95% prior you are doing that. Since that's a lower back exercise.
I don't squat because I dont want to grow a fat ass. Leg extensions, hack squats and deadlifts are all I do for legs.
I did a couple very slow squats with a lot of attention paid to my form and it's possible I was doing these. I'll focus on it next workout - I think I start off well and then my form degrades as I get tired.
Thanks for the exercise recommendations, but I'm working with zero equipment and don't yet feel the need to add weight to my routines.
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