After being hired as a waitress (about a year ago), I started having back problems. I'm young, so it was dissappointing to find out that I started having back problems at a young age. Other than the pain at the top of my back, ab workouts have been very painful. I've tried many different workouts to tighten my stomach muscles, but every time, after a short time of trying, the pain in my upper back becomes unbearable forcing me to stop.
Are there any ab exercises I can practice without suffering back aches? Or, is there anything I can do to somehow dull the back pain?

Hi Malika, I'm not an expert - at all - but I can tell you from experience that waitressing can take a toll on your body. Especially your feet and your back! You might want to check with your doctor to make sure nothing else is going on - just in case. Strong abs are important but you also need to pay attention to your posture. Strengthen your upper body too. It's so easy to get into bad habits while working. And make sure you're wearing good shoes. Good support and wearing flats if possible will also help your back.

hi Malika!  in my late teens and twenties, i used to wait tables and bartend also. its a lot of "on your feet" time and i used to suffer ciatica from it. i, too, would suggest making sure you have shoes with really good support. also, you are expected to lift heavy things regularly in these kind of jobs, so make sure you are "lifting at the knees" and things like that, and ask for help from the kitchen guys, or whoever, for stuff that could be straining your core muscles and back beyond what's good for them. if you are of a small build, i can especially see how you would be having problems. i had to move full kegs, carry LARGE bins of ice across the restaurant, and haul very large, full loads of dishes to the back, just to name a few. its not easy on the body, so be careful with those heavy tasks!!

Hi Debi, thanks so much for responding! I have my yearly physical set up with my doctor in early February so I'll talk to her about my back problems and see what she suggests too. You are absolutely right about feet and back! Every time I come back home after long hours of work, I am completely exhausted, my back would be hurting so much that all I can do is lay down, and my feet would be hurting for a few days. It's really hard but I'm afraid to lose the job because it would be so hard to find another one :( And we have special shoes, that the company gave us. Their main purpose is to be "non-slip" and they're not the most comfortable but I am thinking about getting Dr Scholls pads to put in the shoes.
Hi Frisky! Yes, being on my feet all the time is very exhausting and you're right, being a waitress, there are so many heavy things needed to be lifted, and when bringing a tray to the costumer you're supposed to look good too, which is difficult when suffering from horrible back pains, but like I mentioned to Debi, I'm afraid to lose the job. And yes I do have a small build, which is why I try to work on my back and abs, and other muscles but its hard, especially with the back problems. I usually feel uncomfortable asking others for help, because it makes me look weak and like I'm a slacker or something, but you're right, it's a serious issue and I shouldn't be hesitating to ask for help. Thanks so much!

Oh, do either of you, or anyone else, have any advice on the working out part? Is there anything I can do to stregthen my core without suffering through back pains while doing it? Please let me know!

What kind of ab work are you doing? Or trying to do? One thing that is very simple but helpful is to just tighten those muscles. When you're sitting in the car, when you're walking, when you're doing other exercises, any time. All the time. 

yep, i know what you mean about not wanting to ask for help. i was pregnant at one point while waitressing/bartending and it KILLED me to have to get others to lug out the ice and such. i HATED having to do that, so i feel you. but it is for your own saftey, if you are in fact small, especially.
and Debi's idea is a great one. that's what i do while folding laundry. tee hee hee!! but also, i can see how crunches would irritate an already achy back. have you tried lying on your back with legs down flat, then pulling them up to your chest and bringing them back down again without them touching the ground? those kind of reps? that way your back can stay pretty stationary. just a thought. i KNOW this is one the J-man will have tips for. One look at him and its pretty obvious he has the ab workout down pat. LOL!!  good luck, sister!!

Well, I've tried crunches, which definetely hurt the most after only 5 reps. Also, I've tried lifting my legs up straight while sitting up straight in a chair, and my friends told me to try laying flat on my back on the floor and try to lift my legs up and try to hold it for as long as I can. Both of which also hurt my back after a short time of trying. Also, I've tried my mom's Biggest Loser workout videos and even though I know that the ab workouts are the ones I need most, I have to skip them because they hurt :(
Debi, I really like your idea, of just trying to tighten my stomach muscles, I've never thought of that!
Frisky, i haven't tried that yet, but I definetely will as soon as I get home today!
Hahahaha, yes you can definetely tell that Jessie has no troubles with ab workouts ;) I guess I'll wait and see if he says anything, because any advice would be great, and thanks so much, Debi and Frisky, you have definetely helped!!

Malika,
Try exercises from the hanging position, This should take the weight off the upper back and allow for a good lower abdominal routine.  Another bit of advice is to try and strengthen the upper and lower back by doing exercises for both areas.  A lot of injuries are caused from an imbalance and if you are focusing too much on the abs then your back is getting neglected and will let you know that through injury.   Also remember if you are wanting to tone up the abs the best way is through diet and cardio vascular exercise.  I hope this helps and let us know how it goes.
All the best,Jessie

Jessie,
Thanks so much for writing to me!
My stepdad has one of those things that you can hang on your door and hang from for exercises, but I've never used it before. What should I do? Hang, and then just try to pull myself up? I don't want to hurt myself by doing something wrong! And, yes, you're right, I guess I have been neglecting my back a bit, but now I don't know how I can work on it without causing myself pain. And I am currently working on the healthy diet part, although it's hard to cut back on the unhealthy foods especially after having a lot of it over Christmas! Cardio is also something I need to improve on, but I'll definetely try to find something! Thanks so much for the help Jessie!

Jessie,

I'm with Malika, I'm having trouble visualizing this......can you be more specific as to what moves would be good for an abdominal routine while hanging?  Thanks!

PJ

Hey Malika and PJ

I may not be totally correct but Jessie had me hang from a bar and bring my knees up to my chest for an ab excercise so that may be what he means. Also Malika when I do push ups it helps my upper back as well but you have to have good posture doing those. Keep everything straight or you could hurt your lower back.....
Hope this helps!!
Christi

Hey Christi

You are probably shakin your head :-)  I pictured that or possibly raising your
legs straight out?  I was having trouble figuring out how that would help relieve
pressure on the upper back.  I'm still looking for variety in my abs workout routine
and was considering this as an option.  Thanks Christi. 

PJ

Ohh, yeah I can picture it now. Sounds pretty tough but I'm willing to try it all! And Christi, yes I've heard that keeping your posture straight is one of the most important thing to do to keep your back from aching, and I try to sit up straight and walk with my back straight as much as I can, but there are times when I'm not paying attention and slouching over a bit, but I am working on that. And I have started push ups daily about a month ago because I heard it helps straghthen my back so hope it helps!! Thanks so much everybody! You all are so friendly and helpful, I love this site :)

PJ

Malika was looking for an ab excercise that wouldnt put pressure on her back right? Hang from a pull-up bar with your legs straight down. Raise your legs by bringing your knees up toward your chest, but only until they are even with your waist. Do it slowly and concentrate on using your abs to bring your legs up or as Jessie tells me my core..Least thats what I did and my back is always in pain and it didnt hurt it all all....And its an awesome way to get those rock hard abs!!

Christi