Guest guest Posted May 7, 2006 Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 Hi Bob--what a great discussion of the many types of exercise available even for those who have to modify! I just wanted to add my own personal perspective coming from having a stress fracture in one of the tiny little bones on the top of my foot. Even though it was tiny, it sure put a stop to the regular movement I had been doing! It was a result both of repeated stress from running and step classes, plus the bunions that seemed to suddenly pop out during menopause. Anyway, I had to rethink my exercise plan. No flexing of the foot---I was clumping around in a flat boot. My solution was to start attending spinning classes regularly and modify by turning the pedal over for my injured foot and place the heel of my boot on it. This kept all the stress off of the broken bone, and yet allowed me to use most of the muscles in that leg. Interestingly enough, I lost 27 pounds during that time....(and have maintained it since Dec!) I attribute a lot of that weight loss to changing up my exercise to something I could really do to full potential. I had not been working to full capacity with my step classes because I was unconsciously favoring my aching feet. Suddenly the Weight Watchers plan the gals and I had been doing at work started actually showing results for me. And, of course, when you see progress, you start following the plan even better. (that's how it works for me, anyway) Just wanted to add another benefit about the elliptical machines. Not only do they have zero impact, they also have zero flexing of the foot which really means a lot to someone with a foot injury. They are what I choose when I go to the cardio room. I can get my heart rate up quite nicely on one of those, and the ones at our Y even have a feature where you can adjust the elevation to work specific areas such as calves, glutes, quads or combinations of those. Gotta put my plug in for music with a good beat. It sure helps me get off into another world where my body automatically is trying to match the pace! I agree about the weight training, also. I kept that up most of the time during my injury, even though I couldn't do the lunges. I also kept on teaching my little tai chi class, even though my balance was way off. All my friends were very supportive, and that helps so much, too, when you have a group of friends cheering you on! Good post--I can tell you're a fellow " movement " fanatic! This started as just a post to add my comment about the elliptical, that's why I've snipped your previous post down. I enjoyed it all, though! Paula On Sat, 06 May 2006 18:59:19 -0400 Bob C <rcomarow writes: Elliptical machines. For those who are too heavy to run or have knee problems, elliptical are wonderful. They simulate a running or walking motion with zero impact. You can read or watch TV. Some are cross trainers, more of a total workout. I personally love them. A good one costs serious $$$s, so they are usually used at clubs. I know they sell non-commercial models but I don't know much about them. The club ones are great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2006 Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 Paula K Ward wrote: > Hi Bob--what a great discussion of the many types of exercise available > even for those who have to modify! Thanks. > I just wanted to add my own personal > perspective coming from having a stress fracture in one of the tiny > little bones on the top of my foot. Even though it was tiny, it sure put > a stop to the regular movement I had been doing! It was a result both of > repeated stress from running and step classes, plus the bunions that > seemed to suddenly pop out during menopause. Anyway, I had to rethink my > exercise plan. No flexing of the foot---I was clumping around in a flat > boot. > > My solution was to start attending spinning classes I had planned to talk about spinning class. Of course I did mention getting a trainer like the cyclops squared That way you could supplement it at home. I suspect you're more sociable than I, and that's my failing. > regularly and modify > by turning the pedal over for my injured foot and place the heel of my > boot on it. This kept all the stress off of the broken bone, and yet > allowed me to use most of the muscles in that leg. Interestingly enough, > I lost 27 pounds during that time....(and have maintained it since Dec!) > I attribute a lot of that weight loss to changing up my exercise to > something I could really do to full potential. That's really wonderful. > I had not been working to > full capacity with my step classes because I was unconsciously favoring > my aching feet. Suddenly the Weight Watchers plan the gals and I had > been doing at work started actually showing results for me. And, of > course, when you see progress, you start following the plan even better. > (that's how it works for me, anyway) > > Just wanted to add another benefit about the elliptical machines. Not > only do they have zero impact, they also have zero flexing of the foot > which really means a lot to someone with a foot injury. They are what I > choose when I go to the cardio room. I can get my heart rate up quite > nicely on one of those, and the ones at our Y even have a feature where > you can adjust the elevation to work specific areas such as calves, > glutes, quads or combinations of those. > The elliptical are wonderful. When you're out of shape you can workout to your full potential safely. I'm glad you enjoy it. Honestly, I was in great shape, and after my accident I took it too easy, and got out of my exercise addiction. Now I face a long battle to get back to it. Yesterday I did swim 20 laps had have been doing shorter slow runs. Because of a seizure disorder I'm not allowed to drive, so getting to the club has been a problem, but I'm working up to being able to resume running there and back. > Gotta put my plug in for music with a good beat. It sure helps me get > off into another world where my body automatically is trying to match the > pace! I agree about the weight training, also. I kept that up most of > the time during my injury, even though I couldn't do the lunges. I also > kept on teaching my little tai chi class, even though my balance was way > off. All my friends were very supportive, and that helps so much, too, > when you have a group of friends cheering you on! > There's nothing wrong with light weights. Please, don't ever see how much weight is your maximum, it's really very risky. Always make sure you give yourself a day after pushing weights, so your body can rebuild the tissues. In fact, it's better to not do the same exercise 2 days in a row, so you body repair any micro rebuilds. > Good post--I can tell you're a fellow " movement " fanatic! I have a cousin who's a great chiropractor. His concept is the body heals best in motion. He had a patient in horrible shape, all kinds of problems. The guy told him that he intended to run a marathon. He gave him all the arguments against it. Then he ran the marathon, and continues to love running. He learned never to tell someone they couldn't do something. On those who run, dance, walk, strongly consider getting an orthodic for your feet. A good doctor or chiropractor will analyze your gait, examine your feet and construct them. I have three, two sets made by local podiatrists, and one made by my cousin the chiropractor. His is wonderful. While the other's are stiff, his are soft. They fit perfectly, because they are all designed to my feet. > This started > as just a post to add my comment about the elliptical, that's why I've > snipped your previous post down. I enjoyed it all, though! Much thanks. It's an area I've given tremendous thought to. I remember as a fat 9th grader, I wanted to join the football team. The summer before they set up a program where we combined walking and running till I could run a quarter mile. That was a great program, and I ran through high school , college and my younger life, till I got married. I also was an avid bicyclist. When I was in my 20s, I bought a used bike in NYC and rode it to may father on Long Island and gave it to him. Today his in his 80s, and credits that with keeping him alive. It's so easy to stop, and once you stop for a while, it's hard to get going again. The theory is, to make it a positive habit, force yourself to exercise for 12 weeks. Then it becomes a habit. I share this with Love and enthusiasm to everyone. > Bob > Paula > > > > On Sat, 06 May 2006 18:59:19 -0400 Bob C <rcomarow writes: > > Elliptical machines. For those who are too heavy to run or have knee > problems, elliptical are wonderful. They simulate a running or walking > motion with zero impact. You can read or watch TV. Some are cross > trainers, more of a total workout. I personally love them. A good one > costs serious $$$s, so they are usually used at clubs. I know they sell > non-commercial models but I don't know much about them. The club ones > are great. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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