Whenever I post asking you about what keeps you sane, exercise comes up again and again. And also again. It certainly is an integral part of my own sanity.
It’s not only about the endorphins (which are very cool and most welcome, especially for someone who doesn’t drink coffee), but it’s also just time away from the demands of everything but your own body. Which is why I can really empathise with regular MM reader, Lozabelle, who wrote me the following….
I was hoping that some of the awesome Mamamia community could help me with a problem I’m having at the moment. It may seem trivial to a lot of people but it isn’t to me…
Anyway, I injured my ankle pretty badly at netball recently and have severe ligament damage, bone bruising, and inflamed and irritated tendons in my right ankle. This all means I can’t walk without a boot on my foot and crutches. My problem is exercise. Namely that I can’t do any at the moment. And it is driving me crazy. Pre-injury I was cycling (on the stationary bike) 10kms a day at least 5 days a week. I’m a student writing my thesis and a part time secretary so my day involves a lot of sitting and exercise is my way to keep fit and actually do something active for part of my day.
Does anyone know of a way for me to exercise without stressing my ankle further? Its been a week and a half and it is driving me crazy. Last night I got on the bike anyway and did a slow 6kms with the boot on, but I regret it a lot this morning. I am supposed to wear the boot for another 3 or so weeks and I won’t be able to go for walks (another favoured exercise of mine) for 3-6 weeks.
What exercise can you do when you can’t walk?
Top Comments
Oh my dear Lozabelle, I do sympathize with you, as I was just diagnosed with foot tendonitis yesterday. I am also in a small walking boot for at least the next 3 weeks. I am an avid runner training for a marathon and hurt it cycling in a spinning class. I am restless like you and have had these problems with my foot for over 2 weeks before seeing a doctor yesterday. I was applying the RICE method on my own before and all was well until going out for a 10 miler before it was completely healed. The rest is history. Some things I will be doing and thought I would share...
*aqua jogging--you can go buy a bouyancy belt and aqua jogging shoes and do it with minimal effort and pain on your foot, but ease into it.
*swimming with the belt on so that your lower half of the body floats and you don't have to kick at all.
*weight lifting for your upper body only while sitting down and doing these quick with out rest so that it's considered strength training.
*core work on the ball.
Take it easy and you are also in my prayers for speedy recovery!
PLLLEEEEEAASSSEEE ALLOW IT TO HEAL!!!! I did a similar injury and I am still suffering residual effects 18 months later because I did not see a physio. The damage was not picked up, as it was covered by EXTREME amounts of soft tissue damage.. I think the best for me to gain the strength and keep fit was swimming.. As it is low-impact and you don't even need to kick with the injured ankle..