Tamar Cohl Gluten Free Fit Guru

Well, I am training at a pretty decent pace and pretty darn good intensity for my upcoming shows in the later part of 2008.

Since I had my knee surgery, it has been slow going with the right knee.  I will forever have problems totally straightening my leg as the cartilage damage is REALLY bad!  My knee cap rides on the smoothed out portion of my femur and it still KILLS ME!  Sitting to long or standing to long KILLS me!

I have really modified all leg training!  I do exercises that do not hurt my knee.  Leg extensions are pretty much OUT.  I cannot really do leg curls, either.  I know that some people do not agree with Stiff Legged Deadlifts, but they are the only exercise that I can do that does not HURT MY KNEE.  I do not ever lock out on the exercise, I keep my back flat, and can go deep.  Some people do not agree with my stiff legged dead lifts, but they are not in my body, nor do they know or can feel exactly what I am feeling.  I have been weight training for many years and I know what works for me and what does not.  I can do leg presses and walking lunges (not with weight).  People do not agree with the lunges, either, but I do not HURT when I do these exercises.  I hurt with anything that makes me straighten my leg all the way.  I LOVE the spinning bike and have started using the elliptical again as well.

I appreciate people telling me their opinion, but I do know what I am doing.  I did not get the injuries from weight training.  I got them from HIGH SCHOOL…running track….and then doing a stupid cardio kickboxing class at my gym.  Weight training has been nothing but beneficial over the years and have kept my quads strong and probably kept my knee in better shape than if I had been sedentary.  So, thanks for the advice, but do not tell me I have bad form, etc.  I do not have any other problems and I know how to take care of myself and I also am doing what my Doctor, trainer, and physical therapists tell me to do.