Thanks for the helpful post, Ed. My back problems don't result from age or strenuous activity - I don't think so anyway. It's usually just that towards the end of the day, after all the sitting around I have to do, my back is really sore. I was hoping that developing better back muscles would help me to maintain a healthy posture without getting sore. I also try to frequently re-adjust my position and take breaks where I stand up and walk around. I'm probably younger than everyone else here (16), but I want to make health and fitness habitual while I'm still young. I figure this sure beats wasting my youth, and then getting into health practices when I'm old, fat, and on the verge of a stroke or heart attack. As you've mentioned "inspiration," I can indeed say that the "Ministry of Healing" book has been invaluable to me.
I visited the Bill Pearl website a long time ago, while first looking for information on BB. I like the fact that he's a natural bodybuilder, as many (or most) of the others use drugs and such things. I've also noticed that there seems to be more emphasis on how good bodybuilding can make someone look, rather than how good they feel (elsewhere). That's probably why people are willing to trash their health with drugs.
I did a search on shopping.com and found an "exercise ball," like you mentioned: http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=8000&prrfnbr=2601215
Is this what you were talking about?
I don't know if my mother would take me to see a doctor, as I don't think I have back injuries - just a weak back. Most of my health problems are either hereditary or result from sedentary habits (I'm an intellectual, artistic type, not highly physical). I'll try to figure out a way to implement the exercises you've suggested into a routine. Only one thing you said puzzled me - what is the definition of "failure," and how would I find what it is for me?
[This message has been edited by Tony Mantara (edited April 11, 2001).]
