Abwork

I've mentioned, I think, that I'm a colon cancer survivor. My recovery has been going very well so far (knock on wood), in large part because I've been following a whole foods plant-based diet.

Unfortunately, one consequence of that combination is that my digestive system has been highly reactive, to the point that I need to make sure I'm in close proximity to a bathroom most of the time. This is worthy tradeoff to, you know, cancer, but it can also be extremely awkward.

For a couple of reasons, I laid off of floor work for my abs for over a decade. (Those reasons would be a minor separation in my rectus abdominis and a minor reverse slipped disc.) I enjoy standing abwork, which uses the whole body and can be aerobic, but a few weeks ago, I was exhausted and figured some cautious floorwork was better than nothing at all.

I was very pleased to discover that this had the effect of, basically, stabilizing my digestive system, which was a stunning relief. Now when I think about "toning my abs", I'm really thinking about my abdominal organs, not my muscles (although I think those are getting helped, too).

I now add ten moves to the physical therapy exercises I use for my back/neck (that would be rows and knee pushups) and my glutes/lower back (that would be single leg deadlifts, single leg bridges, side step ups, and standing side leg lifts with a band). In case you're wondering, it's a very good strength workout. I alternate this workout with an interval cardio workout--more on that later.

Let's hear it for safe workouts.

Deb in the City