Hey! Do you still want to get that sexy summer bod?
Or, maybe you’re on the rebound from a joint injury…
Or, maybe you’re just looking for that cool piece of equipment that is super fun and will get you fit and lean in a short amount of time…
Or, you just like toys!
OK! So, remember I told you that I would find ways to work out to keep me in super duper shape before my pending hip surgery?
Well, I had this super idea that I could design running shoes with springs on the bottom that would take the impact off my joints and it would be less painful to walk and super fun to use, as well as keep my booty in shape. But then I said, “Hmm! Why invent the wheel when somebody else has done the work for me? Why not ask the Kangoo Jump people to help me?”
So that’s what I did.
And I think these Boots were made for YOU!
Boots Not Just Made For Walking!
My first try with the Kangoo jumps was back in June. It had been raining the last couple weeks in May so I had to put trying the boots out on hold. But finally the clouds separated, and the sun shined through and I got off my ball ( I use a stability ball as my desk chair) and decided to hop down to the Lake. No, I hadn’t put the boots on just yet. That was actually a pun. And since it takes too long to hobble on my hip, I got in my car and headed 4 blocks to Lake Merritt.
Another Lake Merrit July Drama Sunset
But something compelled me to take a detour and instead I drove over to the Piedmont High School track where there wouldn’t be any stray ducks, dogs or pelicans underfoot; I could count on level ground; and there was no chance of bouncing into the lake…with the pelicans.
Pelicans at Lake Merritt, Oakland, CA
I’ll tell you this: in retrospect, walking down the steps to the track in my Chaco sandals and getting onto the track was actually the hardest part. Because once I put on the Kangoo Jumps it was shear joy to ‘walk’ and ‘run’ and just be able to amble pain free.
Check These Out
All Kangoos are a cool, ninja, space age ski/roller blade-like boot design with cambered curved springs on the bottom. And they’re reasonably light, and lighter than roller blades-well, at least my roller blades-with just enough weight to give you the right amount of stability and a good workout. I mean, you’re still lifting boots with every hop!
My feet in Kangoo Jumps
Getting into them was pretty quick and easy. Adjusting the cleats no problem. Figuring out the pressure to secure them was hit or miss and I probably will need a few more romps before they feel comfortable around the shin.
The track wasn’t crowed but just carrying the boots in my hand drew attention to me. I wasn’t going to complain about that. I’m a fitness diva, remember!
In fact, I’m hoping that I can get more people involved in using these boots and coming to my bootcamps. (HA! HA! Boot Camps! Kangoo Style!)
Once I had them securely on my feet I was like the Jolly Green Giant. I was amazed at how stable they were. Everyone kept asking me if I felt like I would topple over or twist my ankle. Absolutely NOT. Have you ever felt like you would fall over in ski boots? (assuming the ski is not attached to the boot and you’re not ripping down a mountain). There is absolutely no inclination to fall over. And that is a good thing! seeing that I’m only planning on having ONE surgery.
Giving It a Go On My Kangoo Jumps
Because this was my first adventure out in my Kangoos I didn’t want to over do it. They say to hop around, up and down, break them in. So I tried that, but was pretty tentative, babying my hip. But I soon realized that the boots actually roll you forward and the impact isn’t directly on your hip. So I became more bold, and set off down the track… at a slow run. And behold, I was bouncing with no burn in my joint.
The track is 1/4 mile around. After three times around-running, walking, hopping, and repeating that-I was already working up a sweat and I could feel my running muscles in my legs-the ones I hadn’t worked in that running way since December ’10- start to come alive. I felt alive! And free……..
I spent 15 minutes Kangooing and by the time I stopped I felt like I had instead sprinted up a mountain. It was that good of a workout and my legs and glutes felt pumped. All without any pain in my hip joint. In fact, my hip feels better in these boots running and walking than I do ambling, or more like hobbling right now, on my own two feet, whether in my shoes or Vibram 5 Fingers.
Here’s a video of me in San Francisco bouncing in my boots:
Putting The Spring Back Into Your Life
The Kangoo Jumps are designed to take up to 80% of the impact off your joints. So for those of you who have osteoarthritis in your hips or knees (I’m not sure about back pain but you can check out their website) and have had to give up your favorite sport or activity you may have a second chance. So I highly recommend these Kangoo Jumps for anyone who has had to give up their favorite impact activity, things like hiking, trekking, and even martial arts, due to joint pain in their knees and hips and possibly back. Because you can do all of these sports in Kangoo Boots. Obviously do your research and consult with your doctor first. I certainly did before I started using them.
In fact, I contacted one of the leading hip surgeons in the world, Dr. Koen De Smet, to get his opinion and approval. And after he reviewed the website he said that they were suitable for what I wanted to do, and as long as it I didn’t hurt I was fine.
Boots for your Booty
I have to admit I was getting a bit soft in the inner thigh and butt since I wasn’t able to run in the hills or do any of the sprint training that I love to do for the past several months. But in the past month I have seen a noticeable difference in the tone of my inner thighs, quads and butt and the Kangoo jumps have miraculously toned up my legs in just this short amount of time.
And here’s a bonus for those of you who have some extra weight to lose: They say that you burn twice as many calories using the Kangoo Boots and that 30 minutes in your Kangoos is like an hour in your normal training shoes. That’s not hard to believe. After bouncing around San Francisco and Lake Merritt for just 30 minutes a pop these past few weeks it felt like I had done a six mile trail run in the Berkeley hills.
So, not only are these a great workout, burn calories, tone up your booty, and are a hoot to use, they are a time saver as well. What’s not to like about them!
What’s Next ?
So, my game plan is to Kangoo Jump for the next two months which will take me up to the week that I leave for overseas for my hip surgery. There will be no more Kangoo jumping for at least 10 months after surgery. But I’ll have other exercises that I will be doing to keep our butts in shape, literally!
So be sure to follow my blog, and watch the videos, for more cool stuff that will keep your legs toned, your booty nice and round, and your body fit and lean.
Stay tuned for more Kangoo Jump videos so you can get the ‘JUMP on fitness!’
First, I want to let you know that there’s a super workout posted at the bottom of this blog and anyone can do it, even if you don’t have a TRX, yet!
I’ve been working away at my TRX training to help strengthen my hip, glutes (butt) and core muscles, before my surgery this fall, and I wanted to update you on my progress. Even if you don’t have a TRX ( I know, it also took me a while to become a convert!) there are variations of all of these exercises you can do using a stability ball, bench, cables at the gym, or a mat. I’ll be sure to update you with some tutorials on variations for those of you who don’t yet have a TRX.
Think Outside The Box (You know…As in Gym)
The beauty of TRX system is that everyone can do the exercises and follow the many routines. However, they can be varied depending on your needs and ability. TRX even has an entire rehab series which, for now, is what my program will mostly be based on. So as I get used to the system and get stronger Ed Le Cara will show me how to increase the load and make the exercise more challenging simply by making micro changes in my body positioning.
I can see how, at times, this can be so much better than a machine at the gym. At the gym you can only increase the load by 5 lbs, unless they have those small weights that you add onto the stack. But they are so inconvenient, since you have to spend an extra few minutes scouting them out.
And then after you find them-if your machine hasn’t been snatched by someone else-and you spend another minute trying to configure them onto the stack while staying put between the pulley system, or you dangle them from the pin in makeshift fashion, they end up bouncing off in the middle of a set. Right? Hasn’t that happened to you?!
With the TRX all you need to do is change your body position just an inch or two while working in any of the three planes, which will either increase or decrease the load.
So for example, if you’re in a position and find it too difficult to make it past a few reps to complete the set then all you have to do is adjust your foot distance from the anchor and…Presto! the movement becomes easier and you can concentrate on your form and breathing and get the work done.
So even in the middle of a set you can make these micro adjustments so the continuity of the exercise, and set programming is not lost. And as you get stronger you can move farther away from the anchor point which is like putting extra weight on a machine. Only now YOU are the machine!
Now that’s intuitive training to me.
And just as examples you can also add weights, kettle bells, and the Ultimate Sandbag into the mix for even a more intense workout. And remember, you can do all of this at home or in a park, anywhere and everywhere.
As I progress I’ll have more workouts for you too!
Fit For My Hip
Here are the first few exercises that Ed Le Cara, the Master TRX Rehab Guru, gave me that literally kicked my butt. They had me going in a sweat in a matter of minutes! The breakdown of my workout is below the videos.
Before I jump into my workout I like to warm up with what I call Running Man’s (Mountain Climbers) for a few minutes. You can also skip rope or do high knee running in place.
Then I will go through this routine on my leg and glute targeted days, as well as another day in between.
For added intensity and to keep your metabolism stoked you can add 30 seconds to 1 minute of skipping rope, high knee stepping, running mans, or even marching in place in between each set. Since my hip can’t take much jumping right now, I have gone from skipping rope to doing ‘running man’ instead, and it still kicks my butt.
The plank exercises I try to weave in throughout my workouts on most days, to work on shoulder and scapula (the wings of your back!) stabilization. You can do regular planks on the mat or using a ball or even a bench or chair.
Note: Start with the lower number of reps until you feel comfortable with the movement. You will feel a burn in your hamstrings for sure!
TRX Beginning Glute/Core Workout
Round 1
Bridge: Hold 10 seconds, lower, repeat 10 reps
Hamstring curl with hip extension: 8-12 reps
Hamstring curl single leg: 5-15 reps
Lunge: 10-15 each leg (Watch video where I did 40 on each leg! My butt, legs, and even the muscles in my feet were burning!)
Repeat this sequence 2-3 times
Round 2
Supine Plank with Pushup: Hold 7-10 seconds for 8 reps, (rest at bottom for 3-5 sec between each plank)
TRX Resisted Rotation (eccentric and concentric) 5 plus, til you fatigue.
Repeat this sequence 2-3 times
This is just the beginning. I have more exercises that I have learned that will get your butt and legs in super shape. And the TRX is ALWAYS working your core, even when you’re not doing the core specific exercises.
OH! Now that the weather is nice I’m toting my TRX to the pool, hooking it up to the lifeguard chair after my swim and deep water pool run, and exploring my core. I just love it that much!
Does your program give you these results?
Get with the program!
And be sure to let me know how I can help you by leaving your comment below.
Make it YourFit Day!
With DebbyK!
P.S.: Remember, I am not in anyway prescribing these exercises to cure any skeletal or muscle problems you may have. And always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program!
I hope you’re all enjoying the spring weather. Here in the Bay Area  we’ve had some pretty picture-perfect days. And the days are still getting longer.
Hey! You know what that means, don’t you? More daylight hours… for… ex-er-cising! So no excuses; at least for the next 6 months, anyway.
Go enjoy the great outdoors and make fitness fun. Grab your kids-or someone else’s-and Go Go Go. Visit your National parks, (hurry, while you still time, since many are set to close in September). Play on the swing-sets. Bike the trails, and run in them thar hills!!
Hey! Speaking of running…that’s something I won’t be able to do for a while, and I wanted to give you an update on your trainer’s life.
My Hippy News
In my Part I of Key to Pain Free I mentioned seeing a second surgeon after I was ‘misdiagnosed’ by the first. Â The first surgeon, let’s call him Dr. Compassion (not!), advised Motrin daily; told me to come back in six months if I was still in pain; and, without even looking at an X ray or MRI, told me I was too young for any type of surgery and to come back when I was closer to age 60, and sent me packing.
Huh? Â I see. Â At my HMO it’s obviously all about patient care!
Let me give you a brief synopsis of our email conversations:
Dr. Compassion: (no x-ray to look at, but moves my leg around, taking all of 1 minute) “Yup, just as I thought, you have arthritis.”
Debby: “Gee doc, everyone my age and even younger has a little bit of arthritis. I’m in a lot of pain. It came on suddenly. I had a weight training injury in June of 2010, I train a lot. I really think we should think about stress fracture of hip and/or possible labral tear, seeing that I have been quite an avid runner all my life, as well as a myriad of other sports.”
Dr. C.: “Nope. Even I have it.(he’s sitting back down at his computer now) It’s arthritis. Do you get pain in here?” Â He says, Â talking to his computer screen and pointing to his lower back. I’m assuming the statement is directed towards me, but with no eye contact it’s kind of hard to tell. He keeps scrolling back and forth, up and down looking for something, obviously not my X-ray. I just keep wondering… ‘what’s so much more important than his live patient in front of him?’
Debby: “Huh? No, I don’t. It’ in my hip, the top of my butt. I can’t squat right”, as I get up off the table and hobble two steps over to the door, the only free space in the room.
“Look, watch me squat; look at my right leg, how it doesn’t rotate out like the left. It’s stuck. This makes it hard to work. And look at my hips. I’m like a tea kettle when poured, off kilter. Something isn’t right. I can feel it, look Dr. _…”, I’m pleading. He turns his head around for a split second as I’m squatting, then quickly turns back to the computer screen. What on earth is on that screen? What is so much more interesting to evaluate than his live deformed patient, standing sqautting right in front of him?
Dr. C.: “Yah, arthritis, like I said. That happens.”
Wha..?
Debby: “Listen, I know my body and something is going on here more than a little arthritis. I need this fixed. I need to be able to do my job, teach my boot camp style class that I just licensed, and build out my new fitness website with  my workout videos for online training. I need to be able to move without pain, be nimble…you know, be in good form for presenting great content to my viewers, who depend on me for their workouts. This is my job.”
Dr. C.: “Well, my advice to you is to change your lifestyle. You can stand on the sidelines like the football coaches who yell at the players, and do just like they do. And I’m not going to give you surgery so you can do some You Tube videos and teach a ‘boot camp’. My suggestion is to start thinking about your lifestyle and change it. Do yoga, swim, walk. Now, Â go home, take Motrin. Â Then, Â stretch it when you don’t feel pain, and keep stretching farther and farther, Â and maybe some of that flexibility will come back.”
Huh? Did he just tell me what I think he did? Stretching is his answer? Stand around and yell? Don’t they have a reality show for that?
Debby: “Listen Dr. C.  I’ve been in the fitness industry my entire life. I’m young, strong and extremely athletic. I have many more years. I’m not here to talk about career changes. I’m here to rule out the possibility of a stress fracture or labral tear that could be casuing this malfunctioning hip. [OK?] I need resolution.  And even if I were to take  Motrin-which I will not-how long am I supposed to take it for? What’s your plan? Do you even have a plan?”
Do HMO’s have a plan for patients anyway, or is all the bottom line for the HMO? This is NOT a trick question.
Dr. C.: “I would say come back in six months. And if it’s still the same or worse then we can do an MRI, maybe. But I want to see the X-ray first. And if it’s arthritis, like I’m sure it is, then we wouldn’t fix a labral tear anyway.”
Debby: “Well, I don’t want to take Motrin indefinitely if you have no game plan, and you won’t give me an MRI. That’s ridiculous. I need to know NOW what this is. And if the X-ray doesn’t show a stress fracture then I want an MRI; I am entitled to one.”
Dr. C.: “Get the X-ray. I’m sure I am right. Oh, and don’t bother making another appointment. You can just email me and we can discuss your options online. Â Save your co-pay . Now, I have to get going I’m late.”
And he slid out the door trying to make a getaway.
Late? I waited for over an hour, he spends 15 minutes with me, max, and he’s late? This is my hip.This is my life. ‘I’m in pain here Doc’, I was screaming inside.(I had just started with M.A.T. again)
I shoved all my stuff into my backpack, slung it over my shoulder, half open, and I rushed after him down the hall.
Debby: “Wait, what do you mean I can just email you? What about patient/doctor relationships? Why are you so concerned with my co-pay?” And he was through.
In the big picture, when you want a resolution, that co-pay is insignificant. And emailing your provider at my HMO only allows 1000 characters per email. Now, assuming you’ve been reading my blogs that’s hardly a conversation for this blogger.
I want one-to-one interaction; I’m entitled to one-to-one interaction with my provider; And, hey! I pay my HMO membership!
Well, I didn’t wait for him to email me, nor did I set up that one to one with him. I high tailed it online to my former shoulder surgeon, and in under 1000 characters she was able to find me a wonderful, compassionate, caring female orthopedic surgeon who happened to be a competitive runner, skier, swimmer herself, and was privy to my pleas for help. Let’s call her Dr. Yours Truly Compassionate.
But I wasn’t going to see Dr. Yours Truly until I made sure I had my MRI. And getting that was like finding water on Mars.
The Expansion Of Black Holes
Sometimes, trying to get through the HMO system is like falling into a black hole. And once you get stuck in their vortex you have to be pretty strong to pull yourself out to get something done, and in a timely manner.
Well, since I was stuck in the HMO vortex, for now, I had to resort to their emailing system. Â And since I could only write 1000 characters at a time, I was usually cut off mid sentence, even half word. So it took me quite a few emails to finally get through to that first doc and get my MRI.
Here’s how that conversation went:
Debby: “O.K. Dr.C., so you say I have moderate arthritis. But I am entitled to an MRI, and I’m entitled to a second opinion. And I’d like to have the MRI first. I need to see exactly what is going on inside my body so I can move forward, make a plan, and visualize the healing and get on with the process.”
Doc: “Like I said, take the Motrin and if that doesn’t work then we can go in a different direction. There is nothing you can do about the arthritis. Change your lifestyle. You may have to give up some things”
Debby: ” I’m telling you, something is wrong with the structure of my body. I can tell. And I can’t move forward if I don’t know what’s wrong. Â I can’t start my group exercise camps. At least if I have an MRI we can rule out what it’s not. I use my body to make my income. People are depending on me to provide workouts on my website. I depend on my body like you do on your hands for surgery. Please, I want my MRI.”
Am I actually begging my HMO?!
Doc: ” I am 100% sure that it is only arthritis as we see it in the X-ray. And it’s moderate arthritis at that. You are not a candidate for surgery with moderate arthritis. There is no reason for an MRI. Â ”
Debby: “Listen, nobody is 100% sure unless they are God!. Just please order the MRI. Look at it this way, if there is nothing in the MRI then you can pat yourself on the back, and you were right. But if something else shows up then we will all be happy, and we can move forward and fix the problem. But I can’t wait 6 months to find out. And you should not make me wait six months. Well, if you don’t order the MRI now, then I might have to hold my HMO accountable for anything that happens to my body from the day that I saw you.”
You’ve Got Mail
Almost as slow as Snail Mail
Well, the next day I had, in my HMO Patient Inbox, a referral to the NMRI department. (The N stands for Nuclear, by the way). I finally got my MRI. Then I had a second opinion from the compassionate female orthopedist. Just for the record I’ll rate her a 10 on the scale of 1-5!.  Well, that was the visit where the  Dr. yours Truly  read the MRI.
And folks, it doesn’t look good. I’d include the actual MRI but it’s a bit too graphic for this G-rated blog. But here’s what the X-ray looked like:
What do YOU see?
Cool, Huh?
Now, if you’re like me you have no idea what you’re looking at.
What’s not so cool is that I don’t have many options, and not a lot of time to decide, given my age and progression of the osteoarthritis. and the pain and lack freedom it causes me.
Options:
Do nothing and become a cripple
Learn how to hop on one leg. Great for training but not very convenient in the real world day to day existence.
Get the top of my femur chopped off and replaced with ceramic total hip replacement, THR, which is great for the avid golfer but not the active multi sport fitness gu-ress and trainer like moi.
Go with the new innovative technology of hip resurfacing,HR, which saves most of your bone, the head of your femur and allows for full activities after a year of rehab (Weight training, running, skiing, martial arts, surfing, splits, and all other sports).I can basically do everything except skydiving. Â Note to self: Set up sky dive session before surgery.
What would you do? This is NOT another trick question.:)
It’s kind of a no brainer, wouldn’t ya think?
Although the HR is a more complicated, it saves most of the bone so there is more to work with in case of a revision down the road (ie. chop off the head of my femur, lots of thigh bone, and replace it with total hip). However, if the HR is done with precision, and by the right surgeon, who has logged 1000’s of procedures, and uses the correct prosthesis best suited for women, especially on small framed women such as your princess of fitness here, the chance for the best possible outcome is optimal.
Just My Luck
Well, not only did my HMO ‘mis diagnose’ me as having just some arthritis, they didn’t even notice in the MRI that I had congenital hip displasia-or they forgot to tell me-which of course changes the playing field when considering what device to place in my hip, not to mention the experience of the surgeon placing it.
So before even consulting with a possible surgeon-who is NO. 3 below-I logged about 60 hours online researching procedures, prostheses, and the top surgeons around the world who had performed thousands of hip resurfacing, with a high percentage of them on female patients like me.
And when I finally talked to a Surgeon No. 3 , I came prepared with a file busting at the seems with documentation on the pros and cons of the two most commonly used devices: the BHR and the Conserve Plus. The research for the Conserve Plus shows that it is better suited for small women with hip displasia cases; it comes in many size increments; and there is less potential for rubbing and leaking ions.
The research shows that the BHR is suited for larger men; or women who are 5ft 8 inches and heavy boned. I am 5ft, 6 inches, if that.
And I am small boned. The BHR is large and bulky and does not have as many of the smaller sized options suited for women my size.
There is also documentation showing a higher number of cases of ions being created when the particular metals that are used in the manufacturing of the BHR ball and socket are rubbed together. These ions would leak into my bloodstream. They can never be cleared.
My life’s work is about keeping the body toxin free and creating a life free of disease for others as well as myself; not creating a potential breeding ground for cancer, or…whatever else. The goal is to create environments that are not potential breeding grounds for issues like cancer and other health concerns. As part of this commitment, mycotoxin testing kits play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of living spaces. These kits are invaluable tools for assessing the presence of mycotoxins, which are harmful substances produced by certain molds. By identifying and addressing these potential hazards, we contribute to the creation of healthier living spaces and a preventive approach to overall well-being
Compared to the Conserve Plus device, the BHR has also been documented to show more groin pain after full recovery from surgery, limiting activities. The point of the hip resurfacing is to restore my lifestyle back to a fully active one… pain free!.
These potential problems, Â as well as ions streaming through my body, is not my idea of fixing the problem.
And based on a report written by Dr. Koen De Smet, who is one of the top-five leading hip resurfacing surgeons in the world, (and speaking with him through extensive emails, where, by the way, I was allowed as many characters as I could possibly write), I am NOT a candidate for the BHR.
Guess what folks?
My HMO only uses the BHR.
Synopsis:
I saw three doctors. The first told me to go home. The second told me I had to have surgery, but did not perform that particular type. The third looked at my X ray, told me I hip resurfacing was difficult on women, that he had not done manywomen out of his 300 surgeries, and after looking at my MRI forgot to mention I had a congenital hip displasia. On top of that, even though I had shown him the report comparing the two devices and the how the Conserve Plus had a better track record for women he could only use the BHR.
It’s quite obvious that it’s not in the best interest of my only right hip, and my future as a fitness professional, to use my HMO’s one option, or even their surgeons.
What would you do?
Make Lemons out of Lemonade
Well, that’s what Dr. Koen De Smet, the surgeon who wrote the comparison report, and the doctor who I have picked to do my surgery, can apparently do. Make the lemons whole again. Kind of like putting Humpty back together again!
Who doesn’t like Lemonade?!
As for me, I’ll stick to making lemonade out of lemons and take this as an opportunity to find a silver lining.
I have spent thirty plus years of honing my body and mind and, well… I was born with my spirit! So now, I must take on another great challenge in this life of mine. (If you know me personally you know the others).
But I think of it like this: I will take it on like any other challenging leg day sat the gym; attack it with a plan and put in max effort.
And while I am still fairly mobile and can control the pain I’ll prepare for the battle and have the best positive experience that I can doing it.
Yup! You heard me right. Stay positive. Look towards the future. Make lemonade. Â And here’s how…
The Plan
Anyone going into battle has to have a plan. And this woman warrior is no different. So from May until September’s surgery I will work on getting into the best PREHAB shape of my life, given the limitations with my hip and the pain, of course.
Since I’m a girl who likes to lift heavy objects with my legs, and since that is no longer an option I am learning new methods of training for my lower body.
(And NOTE to all the ladies out there: lifting weights does help keep body fat off your body).
I am also finding alternatives to running too. Plus, this will be a good time to explore other new ways to keep my body and mind strong and centered.
Eating healthy whole foods and maintaining my 23 years of an unprocessed and sugar free diet to fuel my body is a no brainer!
The Team
Back to the lemonade!
I decided to compile a team of experts who could help me get into the best shape of my life pre surgery, as well as post rehab conditioning.
And here’s where the new experiences come into play!
It’s obvious that I am limited in my mobility now, and I will not be able to go to the gym right after surgery. But it’s paramount that I be able to stay in shape and do progressive athletic prehab and rehab. Â So setting up a system that I can use at home, or even in my backyard, or anywhere for that matter, is really important.
So to date, with the help from sponsorships by TRX,
TRX Suspension Training Pro Pack
Kangoo Jumps
and Kangoojumps, as well as pre and post rehab conditioning programs from Josh Henkin of Ultimate Sandbag Systems, and Ed Le Cara of Sports Plus, I’ll be ready for battle.
What You Get!
Remember, this is a team effort and you are part of it. If I don’t win, you don’t win. So, I will be chronicling my experience through this blog and You Tube channel Your Fit Day , pre and post surgery.  All of the workouts I do with the Ninja equipment will be workouts that YOU, too, can do. Right now. At home. Anywhere. No excuses!!
So I want all of you to workout along with me. I plan to incorporate all of the prehab and post rehab exercises into exciting kick-butt workouts, show you knew techniques, and post periodic updates and videos…all to help you get in and stay in the best shape of your life.
And as I bring you along on my journey I hope to be an inspiration to all of you out there who may have limiting beliefs around getting into the best shape of your life. You can do it. Trust me. Â But you may have to dig down a little deeper this time.
Remember, I’ll be working out as hard as I can to stay in shape. I’m not going to let hip surgery steer me off course. Not for a minute. I’ll just be working smart, and around the pain of my hip.
But I will never give up what I have achieved and I don’t want you to give up on reaching your fitness goals either. We can do this together.
What It’s All About
Although I’m a super fit chick, remember this:Â I still have to work hard at it every day. It doesn’t come easy. I live and breathe health and fitness every day. Every minute!
But know this too: Â being in the best shape of my life every day will make it easier both physically and mentally to get through this challenge and bounce back.
And that is why it is so important for you to get in and stay in the best shape of your life, every day. Nobody has a crystal ball, and you don’t know what curve balls life will bring.
Be prepared. Be Strong. Both physically and mentally. Be ready to play ball.
And that is what this blog is all about: To inspire YOU to stay on a path that will lead you to a lifestyle of health and fitness where you will never give up on yourself in becoming the best YOU.
You Give Me Inspiration
And while I’m rehabbing, I want you to inspire me.
Tell me about your workouts and your accomplishments and how YOU feel. I’ll be here to cheer you on in your quest for your bad ass bod.
Tell me, what is your greatest challenge right now?
I have to admit, this warrior woman had been suffering pain for the past 3 months or so. It started back in June 2010 when I pulled my inner thigh muscles (called adductors in fitness speak) most likely doing dead lifts. After rolling it out using the foam roller, and taking it easy on the lifting for a couple weeks, I was soon back to running, as well as training hard for a figure competition I had penciled into my schedule for the June of 2011.
The show must go on you know!
But by the time August 2010 rolled around I was starting to feel tightness in my glutes (called the butt in plain speak) and I noticed that running stairs (a great plyometric and fat burning workout by the way) were becoming a little painful with the high – knee lifts. So, in September I decided to lay off the stair-running for a few weeks.
Trail running, however, didn’t seem to bother me. Thank the universe, since I live for those East Bay trails!
Then, when even long strides started to be uncomfortable, and my butt muscles and Tensor Fasciae Latae ( no, this is not a cup of coffee) were burning when I walked, and Mr. Sandman wasn’t coming at night, I decided that it was time for a visit to my Muscle Activation Technique guru, Paul Ciske to relieve the pain.
Who Is Paul ?
Paul Ciske
I had known Paul back in the 90’s where he worked as a fitness trainer at the now defunct Courthouse Athletic Club, in Oakland CA. Even back then he was very innovative in the fitness movement, designing and teaching fitness classes and certifications.
What makes Paul different from most other practitioners and fitness trainers is that he knows body mechanics down to a ‘T’. Something I find that most fitness trainers and other ‘healers’ in our industry don’t have a good grasp of.
Paul applies his in-depth knowledge of joint and exercise mechanics – which, in a nutshell, is how the system of joints and muscles responds to both internal and external forces- as viewed through the lenses of Resistance Training Specialist (RST) and Muscle Activation Technique (MAT).
How I Discovered ‘Magic’ MAT
My first visit to Paul for some MAT work was in 2007. It was through a suggestion of a mutual friend of ours, the great Ultra Running Man Mike Palmer, who I literally ran into one day on Strawberry Canyon trail in Berkeley, CA. We trotted along for a while, catching up.
Strawberry Canyon Trail
I told Mike of a weird foot ache I was having. He told me about Paul and this MAT ‘magic’ that got him back to running after a major knee injury.
Now, Mike is an anomaly of his own. I don’t know how old Mike is, and I don’t want to ‘insert running shoe in mouth’, but if I had to guess I’d say that Mike is in his late fifties. And what’s not so normal about Mike is that a normal week of running for Mike is around 100 miles. Did I already mention Mike is an ultra marathon runner?!
Now, I love running as much as Mike. I live for the trails. And for a long time I have been fantasizing about completing an ultra (Note: it is still just a fantasy!).
But to be felled by pain and unable to run can be a hard knock to a runner. However, with MAT, Paul had literally saved Mikes career as an Ultra Runner. Check out his incredible testimonial here. (Scroll down to bottom).
I knew MAT existed as a certification for trainers, and I knew Paul was highly respected in the industry among other trainers and wellness practitioners, so I finally decided to give Paul, and MAT, a try.
What Does MAT Do?
“MAT gets to the root of pain or injury by addressing muscle weakness rather than muscle tightness. This helps to restore normal body alignment, thereby, decreasing pain and reducing the risk of injury.”
I Do Believe… In Magic
Wow! All I can say is that first visit back in 2007 for MAT work with Paul blew my mind.
Deb falling asleep while Paul works his magic_Elton Lobas Photo
One of the best parts about visiting Paul is that you get to lie on this really comfortable, cushioned, heated massage table. In fact, one whiff of the sheets made me nuzzle right into them. (Make note to ask him what he uses on them!) I felt like asking for a down comforter to pull up over my shoulders, and going to bed instead of the session.
But I digress…
Doing His Craft
On that visit Paul identified weaknesses in specific muscles by positioning my legs and feet in all the different planes of the body. In each position he would apply a force, have me resist, and see if that muscle could hold that position.
Test for Glute_Elton Lobas Photo
Applying a force in each position allows Paul to identify a muscle, or group of muscles, that may not be firing (working to stabilize, in plain speak). Once he finds a weakness he stimulates those muscles fibers to fire again by applying pressure with his fingertips along the muscle fibers. (That part felt kind of like massage!)
Then came the retests; he would apply force in same positions; have me walk around; then retest once again. It was like this crazy giant loop of testing!
YUP! Paul is very thorough. And he has even created a system which basically double checks his work, making sure the correct muscles are doing their designated job.
And what was amazing is that Paul also found weaknesses in other parts of my body that had everything to do with the ache in my foot. He corrected for those, and I was back on the trail, even faster than before, lighter on my feet, with more pep in my step.
After about an hour and a quarter I left Paul’s office with a few isometrics to do on my own.
Sidebar: I was so impressed with MAT that I signed up for the Jump Start program for fitness trainers and completed the Lower Body portion (which by the way, was instructed by Paul).
Oh! Did I forget to mention that Paul is a Master Trainer for MAT?
Back To The Future
So now it’s September 2010 and I’m having a hard time walking without some pain and tightness in my front thigh, hip flexors and my butt. My thoughts are that it’s got to be from the pulled groin muscles. My intuition tells me that it’s time for a visit to Paul. So I hopped to it- almost quite literally on my good leg! – and after 1 1/2 hours of working his ‘magic’ I walked out of his office, again pain free, and feeling much better.
Pain free… that was in September. In fact I was feeling so great that I was able to lift heavier and really get into my training for a figure competition. So after about 6 weeks I backed off from doing my MAT isometrics…
And then they dwindled…
To a stop.
I was feeling great, so why continue the exercises?
Wasn’t I healed?
Well, sometimes maintenance is the key.
MAT helps keep the muscles around your joints stable. So, without continuing with the isometrics, by November the discomfort was getting to the point where I could not sleep. I was getting weaker in the gym, and I was feeling more discomfort within a day or two after my Sunday trail runs.
Physical Therapy: Beyond My Better Judgment ?
Apparently so in this instance. After three visits to PT at Kaiser in October, November, and December, I was actually worse. He couldn’t figure it out. But he did think the MAT exercises, which I had brought with me from September’s session with Paul, were helping. Yes they were!
So. since PT didn’t help I decided a visit to an Orthopedic surgeon was in order, to rule out anything more serious. However, with Kaiser I had to continue to suffer a few more weeks before I could get in to see the first doc in January.
Ouch!
But by late December the pain was getting so I couldn’t walk or sleep. My range of motion in my right hip had decreased considerably and I was having a hard time with squatting down evenly, so I decided to see Paul again to see if he could work his ninja magic. Check out Debby in wide squat. NOTE: Videos are sideways, sorry!!
When I revisited Paul that first time in January-the 18th to be exact- I strategically parked my car very close to Paul’s door so I wouldn’t have to walk very far. But even walking across the street was more akin to a hobble.
He spent almost 2 hours with me. I walked out 80% pain free. Six days later, to work more on my hip mobility and to address any lingering pain, I saw him again.
I made sure to capture what Paul does on video so you can see there is no sleight of hand!
Really, check out these videos NOTE: They are sideways, sorry!
The Takeaway
After Paul is all done (and it’s not about the clock, but more about when you are out of pain) the isometric exercises he gives you for the first time seem a bit strange. You will find yourself lying on the floor, rotating your feet and legs in or out; sometimes raised; pulling or pushing, using straps and bolsters; lightly pushing against a barriers for 6 seconds, resting a few, pushing for 6, and repeating 6 times with each exercise he gives you.
Like I said before, it seems crazy but it works.
The Economies of MAT
One of the great benefits of using MAT is that you only have to go once or twice to get to the root of the problem. And typically you should perform the isometrics to keep your body in check.
Some people back off from continuing the isometrics-like I did- once they are feeling less, or no pain at all. But if you do find yourself feeling tweaks of pain creeping back you can sometimes ‘Jump Start’ your muscles into a pain free state by going back to the isometric exercises.
But you know what?
MAT works. I mean I train hard; and I’ve been known to be called the ‘Super-Human Woman’ at the gym! So I’m bound to get out of whack once in a while. Yet every time I have visited Paul for pain or tightness in my muscles or joints I have walked away just about pain free.
My first orthopedic doctor’s solution was to pump me full of anti inflammatory drugs and stretch, stretch, stretch. Based on the principles of MAT both were the wrong approach.
Why?
Drugs cost money; are a band-aid approach; and don’t get to the root of the pain. Not to mention the countless times back and forth to PT that can drain your pocket book.
MAT…The New Motrin
MAT is great news for anyone who doesn’t like to take pain killers or spend their hard earned money on prescriptions and insurance co-pays month after month, or give in to the pharmaceutical companies and Western medicine.
With Paul’s help and with some new exercises I now have the pain in my hip at bay. I make sure to do them before I go to bed and sometimes before and even during my workouts. With less pain in my hip, I also sleep much better. And if I’ve been remiss in my isometric duties my body will tell me that I need to get down on the floor again!
The Key To Pain Free
I really urge anyone who is feeling tightness or pain to go see Paul Ciske; or seek out a MAT specialist in your area. Generally you’re given less than 10 minutes of exercises to do 2-3 X’s a day.
Not too much to ask of if you want to be pain free.
What About You?
Is pain cramping your lifestyle? (No pun intended)
Tell me your story…
Maybe MAT can help you, too.
Oh Ya, Forgot...
BTW: Did I mention I saw a second orthopedic surgeon?
