Backs are very important things.

I hurt my back at Jazzercise last night.  Growing up, I had a lot of back issues...even as young as elementary school.  But when I started Jazzercising several years ago, I really strengthened my core and I started limiting my back pain.  It typically flares up now once (maybe twice) a year.  I thought Jazzercise would be tough last night because I hadn't worked out in over a week and I thought the cardio would kick my butt...especially after being sick.  But it was quite the opposite!  After the 2nd song, I was fired up and felt invigorated!!  But as we were cooling down, something just clenched in my back.  It was that kind of pain that made me catch my breath every few seconds.  Yuck!  I wasn't able to finish the last part of the workout which stunk.

I went home and put BioFreeze on it which really helped the immediate pain.  Sleeping was horrible because the only low-pain position was on my back.  About 1am, I went and got an ice pack which helped and I finally slept.  I woke up at 3am with pain.  It felt better with pressure, so I rolled up a towel and laid on it (with the pressure right on the soreness) and that helped enough to get me through to this morning.  Today I have an anti-inflammatory patch on it and I'm able to function fine.  I'm supposed to set up at Jazzercise tonight though so that could be tricky.  Oh...and I'm supposed to run a 5K on Sunday which should be even trickier.  I'm just taking it as it comes.  :)  I'm sure I will be all better tomorrow.  That is the good thing about developing core strength...these things don't hang on like they used to.

Speaking of Jazzercise, last night I wore regular shorts for the first time.  I always avoided shorts because of my thighs.  While I have been blessed with a small waist for my size, I make up for it in my thunder thighs.  I think they look okay, but my thighs are still a little too big for me to be really comfortable.  I was too distracted with them throughout the workout.  It was probably that distraction that made me do something I shouldn't have to hurt my back!  Anyway, I will get there, but it isn't an "all the time" thing yet.

I've been picture happy lately, so I will spare you a pic of today's new outfit.  I'm wearing new khaki cargo pants with a black T-shirt I had.  Over that I'm wearing a new short-sleeved denim jacket from Jones New York.  The jacket is fitted and has good lines, so overall, I'm quite pleased with the look.  I do think that while the pants fit PERFECTLY when I put them on this morning, they will be stretched out and baggy by the end of the day.  I think I probably should have gone a size smaller.  We shall see.  Maybe I can dry them hot and shrink them a bit.

Have a wonderful weekend!  Next week starts May and that is the month I'm going to hit 100 pounds lost!!  See the ticker at the top?  I hit 95 pounds down this month!!  I just couldn't be more pleased.

Love & hugs, my friends!