Sciatica is a Bear

I could say sciatica is a pain in the butt too. It's getting progressively worse but still not as bad as it was last fall. I got to the gym late and unfortunately both viable elliptical machines were in use. I decided to give the Life Fitness cross trainer a spin, knowing that it's a poor substitute for the Precor elliptical. Fifteen minutes and I'm barely warmed up, alternating between the stationary and the moving handles so as not to tire my arms too much before pull-ups. 

Pull-ups are fine but the ache from my right glute down through the calf and into my foot intensifies with each rep. The foot is numb as I step off the Stretch Cage and head toward the Stair Master. This machine usually gets my HR up after the elliptical, but the cross-trainer is not quite as effective. (If I push harder to pedal faster on this machine, I wind up with shin splints.) Elliptical #1 is finally vacant so I hopped on that for 20 minutes plus a 5-minute cool down. Finally I'm so warmed up that I'm drenched. 

The Aerobics Room is cold and I get most of my routine done without any issues. It's only the Bird Dog planks and push-ups that make my glute ache and my toes go numb. I find push-ups especially painful as I've slowed my pace in order to correct my form. For some reason, I really need to focus on keeping my head up so my neck is aligned with my back and moving slower is a lot harder. I'm lucky I got 25 reps cuz those last five were quite difficult, especially with my entire right side from glute to toes screaming in protest. I think I might have to put Walking Lunges on pause. It's taken 3 days to get past the soreness and I'm not entirely certain it isn't aggravating that pesky sciatic nerve bundle. 

My only solace is that after years of not doing any bicep curls or rows, I still have biceps. A bit too much subcutaneous body fat, otherwise they'd be more noticeable, but they're overwhelmed by the triceps. I have big triceps, especially for a small woman. If I drop a few pounds and add some curls, maybe I can sport summer arms in a T-shirt... I might be a Senior Citizen but I don't have to look like one. 

24 March 2026 1:49-3:36

Sciatica is a Bear Tuesday

Basics w sciatica

Life Fitness X-Trainer #2

(1:52-2:07)

Program Manual L1

Time: 12 (+3 min cool down) = 15

Distance: 1.54

Cal: 116

Avg Hr: n/a

HGPU 18

Matrix StairMaster (L) (2:15-2:28)

Manual timer 11 + 2:12

Speed 5 (45) / 2 (38) / 1 (29)

Steps 591

Floors 36

Cal 89

Hr 111

Precor elliptical #1 (3:01)

Program 1

Time: 20 + 5 (3826)

Distance: 1.97

Cal: 216

Precor HR: 147, 179-77

Fitbit: 44-127

Skip HGPU 16

20 Piriformis/Hip flex

10 Hamstring stretches

DeadBugs 20 x 5 

10 Piriformis stretches

Child’s Pose

Cat/Cow stretch 12

Child’s Pose

Fire Hydrants 30 x 2

Bird Dog Planks 60s x 2 (sciatica)

Arm rotations 20

Push-Ups 25 (legs shoulder width while staring at side mirror—slower & more sciatic pain)

Air Squats 25 (right glute sore)

Neck Stretch / eye yoga