Fitness issue

[Gonnabethin]

I have 7 herniated disks from middle back all the way down.  Walking, lifting, jumping, running etc cause a great deal of pain.  What alternatives can anyone offer to substitute as much as I can in the beginning?  I'm optimistic that after weight loss things won't hurt so much. My frame is supporting 40 pounds of fat.  My BMI is in the danger zone at 34%. 

[Lilnicki]

Could you manage swimming?

Nicki

[Gonnabethin]

I tried swimming as well, not so good either.  It's terrible. I have had one surgery and need several more but I am putting it off for as long as I can.

[JohnnyC]

would probbably goto the doctors and see what they reccommend you do for excersise

[danburge82]

On swimming:

Breast stroke can be bad for your lumbar spine (too easy ro overarch into a lordotic position) and your knees (you're pushing/pulling your knee ligaments into angles they don't normally move).

Front crawl or free style can be very tiring, very quickly, unless you're technique is spot on.

Try back stroke. It keeps your back in a good postural position, you can kick your legs normally, it's not as high intensity and you can breathe all the time.

[MrChris]

Gonnabethin, if you're still on here, I just wanted to add my 2 cents...
There are more exercise programs out there than anyone can count and of course, each of them claims to be the best.  For the most part, it's just a big marketing ploy.  Anything you do is good, some things are better than others, but as long as you're doing something, you'll be headed in the positive direction.  For example, if you simply laugh for a total of 30 minutes a day, in a year you will have burned enough calories to lose 4 pounds.  That's obviously not a lot, but it proved that every little bit does make a difference!
My advice, is pick something you can do, walking at a good pace and swinging your arms, or maybe yard work.  Anything that makes you sweat is "burning" calories.  "Calories" are a measure of heat being created, by work being done, and work is simply an expenditure of muscular effort.  Of course, remember to drink plenty of liquids also, to replenish what you lose.