Hi guys,

I've been doing situps/crunches regularly (past 1-2 months) and I always have this problem where my back starts to ache really badly till I can't do more than 10 sit ups. And that happens even before my abs even feel anything (as in stress, pain etc).

It's a like an extreme pain/burning? sensation at the lower back. This isn't limited to sit ups only, any workout that targets the ab area. Eg: Leg lifts etc.
So I actually can't do any exercises that involves working out my abs.

Any idea what's going on?

Thanks a million.

Note: Started my 'losing fat' programme since like a month and a half ago. Have lost about 2-2.5 kilos (which is good because I'm not overweight, just wanting to trim down and go muscular). Am still within the ideal weight range for my height. I'm now ~62.5 kilos and am 171cm in height. Am looking way better than a month ago. Gonna start building muscles soon (ideally i want to lose about another kilo first). Am aiming for a well toned instead of buff body. So will be monitoring this thread often. Great reads here.

Just a note on what I've done. so do correct me if I'm doing anything wrong.

1. Have a regular Milo + Oats breakfast. Sometimes Low Fat Milk + nuts/raisins.
2. Regular lunch - No fried stuff, lots of veges, tofu, less rice, as much meat (mostly boiled chicken), fruits.
3. Very light dinner. Oats, milo again. Sometimes have a regular dinner which is something like lunch.
4. When I get slight hunger pangs i normally go for a small cup of low fat yogurt.
5. Cardio almnost every day. Minimum 4 times a week. About 4-5km nonstop runs. Basketball after the runs (about 2-3 times a week).
6. Simple weight exercises, sit ups, pushups, squats, bicep curls. Only really push it like 2x a week. Other days just a few reps.

Thanks again for any forthcoming advices.

bad posture or ur surface is hard.
try to add padded or cushion.
get a yoga mat or something as cushion.

Hmm, have been checking about posture online and I think I got it right.
Sometimes I do it on a thin mattress and the problem still persists.

do by sets, not forcing yourself to do too many repeats...

But erm, that doesn't really solve anything.
By the time i end the exercises no matter how may sets/reps it's my lower back that hurts and my abs don't feel a thing...

Stop doing situps/crunches.

You form could be wrong, causing you to engage your lower back instead of your abs. Or, you could have an injury to your lower back. To be safe, get both your form and back checked out.

Stop the sit ups and crunches.
They are bad for the back if you're not strong. Your abs are weak and let the back arched too much. Then hip flexors start to pull you up and caused a stronger arch on the back.

Do the plank or hanging leg raise instead.
Or maybe the swiss ball crunches. At least the back is properly supported.

P.S. Being toned = being buff. There's no way you're gonna have any tone without a lot of muscles. Those male models you see in the magazines... they are actually pretty big in real life.

Get rid of the stupid bicep curls and do pull ups or rows for now. Bicep curls can come later when you're much stronger.

Try twisting your back and pop the spine or stretch by bending forwards, I always do that when i feel some tension in my lower back.

Ah good advices.
thanks

Edit: Just tried the plank and leg raises. I think I might have a nagging injury. Will consult a physician soon. Sigh...

And erm, well maybe the definition of toned and buff is a little different for everyone haha. I'll be satisfied with a minimum fat body without extra large muscles.
Just a surprising note here. I actually asked a whole lot of my girl friends and like 90% of them actually don't like a guy who is buff. Eg: Models etc. They think its too much.
Maybe Malaysian girls are weird lol.

This post has been edited by strinq: Oct 5 2009, 07:46 PM

asian gals have this conception that muscle=ugly.
they want normal size as in not fat not skinny.
haiz... i asked many gals too. all also say dont like muscle... zzz

I think they talk cock only. They are probably referring to Jay Cutler/Ronnie Coleman type of buff.

When they see a dude who is athletic or a male model type, the reptilian brain terus activated. LOL!
Is Brad Pitt too buff for them? Obviously no, right? Heh heh!

Same here. Girlfriend complains I will squash her and friends say i am too big, not nice. Guys will either say:"You take protein powder ke?" or "Can you train me? I want to be muscular with definition but not too much muscle like you." Wtf.

I hear you. I've heard all of those before.

Nope guys, it's true. We musn't kid ourself by saying the girls are talking nonsense.
Most of them really are not into buff guys.
Just too many girls have told me so and actually have bfs like that and they're totally fine with it.
Just too bad that it's the mentality around here.

---

Added on October 5, 2009, 10:08 pmNope guys, it's true. We musn't kid ourself by saying the girls are talking nonsense.
Most of them really are not into buff guys.
Just too many girls have told me so and actually have bfs like that and they're totally fine with it.
Just too bad that it's the mentality around here.

This post has been edited by strinq: Oct 5 2009, 10:08 PM

I don't care what girls think. As long as I'm happy when I look in the mirror. *P.s: Usually the hotter, more knowledgable ones are more into buff guys, I think.

Aiya, they are not complaining when a buff mat salleh strip half naked in front of them. Few weeks ago I was standing near the stage in the black eyed peas concert, then 2 of BEP's matsalleh bodyguards came to the stage to guard the two ends on the stage the girls around me were whistling and wow-ing at the huge mat salleh bodyguards. They are as big as those WWE wrestlers.

when comes to mat salleh, they excited la.
we asians, they think tak boleh.
they all want those guys like the korean singers/dancers.
wtf... =.=
hahahaha... thats what malaysian gals are looking for in general.
those pop idols type...

Lol, not really.
I have a few pretty hot friends.
And nope, their not into buff guys.
haha, u really don't care what girls think. Too strong a statement man. Pretty sure u care a bit.
But again, as long as we're happy at what we look at eh.

No effort whatsoever. Maybe some regular sit ups, and some emo chinese/japanese/korean song hits. Shame on the girls who are crazy at bodies like this one.

But in the end, they look at your pockets.