*OUCH* I'm beginning to get that same lower back/upper buttocks pain that I got when I tried to jog a couple of years ago. NOT GOOD. The last time that I felt this pain, it completely put me out of commission for 2 weeks, barely able to walk.

My girlfriend suggested a back support belt that wraps all the way around my lower stomach area and my lower back. She said my lower belly fat might be putting too much strain on my back as I'm jogging, esp. if I'm not holding in my stomach tight while jogging. My husband has one, but it doesn't fit properly!!! I could barely close it around my midsection, but once I did squeeze it on, I could feel the relief instantly. I just need one that actually FITS me comfortably!

Can anyone recommend a good quality, but affordable (under $30 or so) one? And where do you suggest I get one?

Thanks guys!

And has anyone else had this problem while jogging? It seems to happen to me within a week of my starting to jog again... *argh*!!!!!

I have had this problem and I think your friend is right. I specifically was not holding my stomach in for some dumb reason I don't know, for a long run, and later that day my back was in so much pain I could hardly sit down. I have to make an effort to always keep my stomach in and I can tell when I don't from the way my lower back feels.

I'm not help though otherwise, sorry! Just that it has happened to me too.

Another suggestion is to not increase your exertion by more than 10% per week. That means that if you are running for 1min (60sec) and walking for 9min out of each 10 minute circuit, that you should do that for 1 week (preferably 3x's a week) then only increase your run time by 10% (or 6sec) the next week.

I started running in the 200's as well and found that whenever I broke this simple rule (in an effort to progress more quickly!) I always paid for it. Even now, I am off for a week recovering from a knee injury that is directly related to my increase in mileage. I went from 14mi one week to 17mi the next. On my 6mi run that Sunday my knee cap started to give me trouble.

Get the brace, and don't try to increase to much to fast!

Thanks ladies!!! I will take your advice and not overdo it. I felt so good, that I pushed myself a little too much. And I knew better. I was supposed to stick to my routine for exactly one week before I tried to push further. Hardheaded gal that I am, I broke my own rule!

And so true that I have to consciously tell myself to hold my stomach in tight while I'm walking and jogging. I was concentrating so much on breathing and how my calves felt, that I forgot about my gut!

Lesson learned...

Can you just get the one your husband has, but in a different size?

His doesn't seem wide enough for me. It doesn't even cover my full 'lower' belly! LOL!!! I think I'll go to CVS or Walgreens to try to find something similar, but with more coverage.

Can people actually work out in those things comfortably?

Well, I went to Walmart yesterday and found a larger one, similar to my husband's. Mueller Sport Care Adjustable Lumbar Back Brace--One Size. It has a Lumbar Pad in the back for concentrated support.

It wraps around me PERFECTLY and is really comfortable. I used it during my walk this morning and it really helped support my back and reminded me to suck in my gut!

I would suggest going to any running website (maybe runnersworld.com) and getting tips on your form. When my buttock hurt it was b/c my strike was off when I was hitting the ground. It helped me to look at what your form should be (i.e. your heel should be hitting the ground first) which will take some of the impact off your back/hip. But, if you don't have the right running shoes you will be stuck with foot problems. The running magazine helps with that too.

ladyrider72472, thank you. I was just looking through my YMCA Summer brochure and they actually have one of those machines that you can run on and get a Running Form Analysis. It's $40, but seems well worth the money. It says:

"Come have your running form analyzed by a YMCA running specialist. Videotaping from multiple angles while you run on a treadmill will be used to let us take a close look at how you run. Suggestions on improving form will be made during the session. Bring your old running shoes; we will look at your wear pattern to see how your foot strike affects your running efficiency."

I forgot all about this until you posted! Thanks for the suggestion (and reminder).

It would be a good suggestion to use a back support belt that impacts on the stomach and lower back. For a better suggestion, I would like to tell start wearing compression shorts it will keep you tight and comfortable. I will be relievable in pain too easy in the walk and running.