Exercising Off My Feet?

As you guys know, I have a torn fascia, along with PF, which means being on my feet for too long leaves me in quite a bit of pain.

Even things like shopping for too long can leave me debilitated later. The other day I walked around Target for about an hour and spent the rest of the evening in terrible pain. So…walking is out.

The podiatrist told me that the PF is going to take 3-4 months to fully heal, and I don’t want to stop working out for that length of time. I’m close to my WLS goal requirement, and I don’t want to let this injury prevent me from getting it. Ironically enough, one of the treatments of PF is losing weight.

My go-to workouts lately have been biking (both outside and on the recumbent bike at the gym) and swimming. But those are so limited. As the weather turns cold, I’m less likely to want to wet (not to mention the curly hair factor). Biking is good, but it can be so boring, no matter how great the workout playlist I’m listening to is.

I know I need to hit an aqua aerobics class, but again, the being-wet-and-cold-in-winter factor. I think I’m just going to have to get over that one and not be a wimp.

So, I’m turning to you guys. What suggestions do you have for “off my feet” workouts that can help me get my cardio in?

(Keep in mind that I’m not supposed to be barefoot, so as much as I’d like to do yoga, I don’t think it’s an option right now).

Amber @ Hungry 4 a Healthy Life suggested working out with a big exercise ball, which reminded me that I bought a series of DVDs 3 years ago that use the ball. I think most of those are strength training, but there might be a few heart-pumping moves I can check out.

Advertisement

Read Full Post »

#30DaysofThanks, Day 29: A Diagnosis

This month I’m participating in 30 Days of Thanks (#30DaysofThanks) by writing a blog post about 30 things I’m thankful for. To join in, go to the link above. The best part is, you don’t need to have a blog or even be on social media to take part in the project; you just need to be thankful. I can’t wait to see how my life might change by spending the 30 days in November giving thanks for things in my life — every single day.

Today I’m thankful that my podiatrist was able to give me a diagnosis on the newest issue I’m having with my left foot.

You remember that I got a steroid shot a couple of weeks ago, and since then, things have been great.  The pain had mostly dissipated, and it’s been back to normal life.  Until Monday, that is.

I was on a normal late afternoon walk with Sofi, when all of a sudden, I took a step and felt a something in my heel tear apart.  The pain was instantaneous and excruciating.  And of course, I was only halfway through with the walk, meaning I had to walk about 15 minutes to get home.  I’ve got a high tolerance for pain, but tears stung my eyes as I hobbled home.  Poor Sofi kept looking back at me as if to say, “why are we going so slow and why are you walking that way?”

Since the initial rip, I’ve been worried about what actually happened.  I finally got in to see the podiatrist today, and after X-rays, he told me that I tore my fascia.  He said that while he knew it was incredibly painful, in a way it was a blessing in disguise, because the tear had actually stretched the fascia, which is akin to what they would’ve done in surgery.  He said that now I’ll be able to heal, as long as I keep up with the exercises/stretches.  The downside is that I can’t get another steroid shot for 3-4 months, and it will take at least that long for it to heal.

So I’m also thankful that I walked out of his office with an RX for prescription-strength Motrin to help me manage the pain.

In addition, I’m incredibly grateful to my friend Heidi, who is letting me use her night brace.  My doctor told me that it’s going to be an essential part of my recovery. I just hope I can sleep with this thing on!

I’m thankful to know what’s wrong with me and approximately how long it will take to heal, but I have to be honest, having plantar fasciitis and now a torn fascia sucks.  I have to admit, I’m not at all thankful for that.

Read Full Post »