Question:
Suggestions for Exercise while recovering from injuries
Hi all, I am just about 2 months out from a serious car accident. I have been rehabilitating from knee injuries, head injuries and a broken clavical while finishing law school. Needless to say I've been exhausted all the time and getting through each day takes a lot of effort. I have not been paying a lot of attention to trying to exercise but I've only been losing about 1.5 lbs a week since the accident. So, I am going back to the gym soon to start swimming again. I am looking for other exercise ideas that wouldn't be too taxing on my knee and shoulder or ideas on how to swim most efficiently to make it more aerobic. Thanks! — susanje (posted on May 9, 2003)
May 9, 2003
Susan-- sorry to hear about your accident-- I hope your recovery is going
well. Have you ever tried yoga or Pilates? There are classes all over the
country for gentle and beginning yoga, as well as beginning Pilates
classes, which will help you strengthen your core muscles, which could help
you recover faster and allow you to do more than swim. Even if you think
you aren't flexible enough for yoga, don't worry, even men and women in
their 80's do it.
— lizinPA
May 9, 2003
You might want to try deep water running. You don't feel like you are even
doing much more than walking when you are in the water but the next day you
feel it. It is no impact just like swimming but it works you differently.
I am a chronic astmatic along with MO and while I have problmes walking
without pain I can do this. Check out a class if there is one available in
your area.
— Beth E.
May 9, 2003
Susan, I'm so sorry for all you've been through, and give you credit for
wanting to go back to the gym already! Start out slow and you can always
build up to do more, but take it easy, and know that you're weight will
still come off, even if it is slower. I believe someone suggested yoga,
which I think is a great idea. It's actually a great way to build muscle,
you can eventually get strong enough to lift your own body weight, plus its
slow and relaxing so it's not to strenuous. Many leg exercise at the gym
could be too impactful on your knees, so you'll have to be careful. I think
swimming is a great idea as well, you can burn alot of calories doing laps!
If you can, I would hire a personal trainer (just for a week is really all
you need) and they can walk you through everything that wouldn't be too
hard on your recovering areas. Goodluck to you and hope you feel better!
— Lezlie Y.
May 9, 2003
At the gym I go to, there is a realy great machine called and eliptical
trainer. It combines cross country skiing, walking and mountain climbing.
The motion is oval instead of linear or round, and has absolutly no impact
on joints. Most of them also have bars you can use to work on your upper
body as well. It's not jerky at all, and is very smooth, and has no jarring
at all. I had a bad knee injury, and my doc recommended using it. Good luck
and God bless! 2 weeks out, down 20#
— mellyhudel
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