When I walk a great deal, I start to have pain in my lower back.  I suspect it is due to the fact that I am way overweight, and I carry most of that weight in my abdomen.  So, I am pulling on my lower back when I am walking.  I really need to lose weight.

I decided to bring a day pack on the trip to the Yellowstone, and emptied it as much as I could of extraneous materials.  But, a flashlight, extra set of batteries, bird book, sunscreen, bug spray, Kosh, and two wallets adds up in weight.  I was concerned how I was going to manage.

But, I did.  The extra weight is hard to carry, but I think something else is going on here.  I suspect the weight on my upper back counterbalances the weight of my abdomen pulling my body forward.

I may have already documented how certain postures and activities really bother my lower back: vacuuming, raking leaves, sweeping, standing at a counter that is too low, and I have to lear forward to work at it. 

I do not think that I have documented that at work, or shopping, I use a cart that provides me support and prevents me from putting pressure on my lower back by having something to lean on. 

If I have this kind of success walking at home with weight from my backpack counterbalancing the weight from my abdomen, maybe I can do more regular walking!