Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Wednesday Workout Update

I've been active, but I haven't been "working out" - and while I feel a little guilty, it's actually been a sanity saver for me to not add the 2.5 hours of gym time to my day.  I know that for those of you who work full time must think I'm being a baby, but dang, people...between my part-time seasonal job (retail at the holidays - what was I thinking?!?), the extra stuff I need to do for Christmas, and the super-cold weather (seriously, what's up with this - I thought Texas was supposed to have a mild winter this year), I'm hanging by a thread some days.  My lists have lists.  I'm working at getting things done while actually remembering to take time to enjoy the season - some nights I even turn on the lights on the Christmas tree, sit down, and just relax.  What a concept!

OK, so in the REALLY?!? category of my life, I have developed tendonitis in my left foot/ankle.  Which would explain the pain I've been experiencing since walking (walking!  I can't even walk!!) the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day.  Honestly, it was hurting so bad that I had convinced myself that I had the same injury on the left ankle as the right!  So I guess tendonitis is not terrible, but frack, it hurts.  My doctor said it's because I've been favoring the right ankle.  I swear, I can't win.  He had me get some arch supports, which do help when I can wear them, but they don't fit into my dress shoes, so I'm still standing at work for 5 or 6 hours without them.  He also said to lay off the walking until the swelling goes down.  Not easy to comply with that, between the job and participating in life, aka spectating the half marathon in Dallas and working a water stop at the BCS Marathon last Sunday.  I guess I'll heal in January?  Needless to say, I'm beyond frustrated at this point.

To recap:  No swimming.  No walking.  No formal exercise at all.  After the first week in January, I'll be done with this job and can get back to my regular life - and even if it's too cold to swim, I will find something to do at the gym...maybe I'll get brave and take a spin class!

28 comments:

  1. 2012 - the year of spinning. I will look forward to a recap if you decide to go in that direction. I am really frustrated for you with the whole ankle situation. It is one thing to not have the desire to exercise, but to have the desire and then to be sidelined with injuries just stinks.

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  2. Don't you wish sometimes you could just saw off your feet? Hmmm....maybe that's just me? Anyways...have you ever worn Danskos? I'm not sure about your ankle (and you do have to be careful about the Dansko "roll" where your ankle gives out) but they are fabulous for standing around for hours on end. My feet and back are only happy in my Danskos if I'm on my feet for a long time. Maybe treat yourself to a snazzy pair? They are totally worth the money!

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  3. Anyone who has worked retail during the holidays will be able to sympathize with you. When you're on your feet all day that is activity-but not so good when your ankle's giving you issues, right?

    Have you considered pilates? It's my go to workout whenever I have any kind of injury. I own won dvd that has two 20 minutes routines, perfect for days when I'm not open to an hour long workout.

    Good luck!

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  4. Don't feel guilty Shelley. You've worked out the entire year, even with your injury. It's okay to take it ease these last couple of weeks of the year and go full speed ahead in January.

    xoxo

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  5. Plain and simple, tendinitis sucks. And it soooo annoying! At least it does get better without surgery, eventually. Try to remember to KT tape that thing, espcially as your schedule gets more hectic these next couple of weeks.

    Here's hoping you find a few quiet moments to enjoy your tree, and the season!

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  6. I agree with the recommendation of pilates - it was the exercise I did when I first started working out and it did (and still does) amazing things for me -- not just on the weight loss/sculpting front but since starting pilates, all of my back pain (which was chronic, for years, and required surgery at one point) disappeared. Amazing stuff.

    Also, on the tendonitis front, I am currently dealing with it in my hamstring. I haven't found a cure (unless you sit on your butt all day, you can't really rest your legs/feet) but I did find something that helped - it's a cream called Penetrex and I ordered it off Amazon. I was highly skeptical that this would work but it does seem to take the pain away. Unfortunately, as soon as I stop using the cream, the pain comes right back, so clearly the problem isn't fixed (I've been in PT for several weeks for that, but am not seeing any improvement.) But for tendonitis pain relief, Penetrex is the bomb (and no, I don't work for them, LOL!) - it doesn't work immediately, but within a couple days you should feel a difference. It would at least help get you through the holidays. Good luck!

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  7. Hey Shelley!

    I'm so sorry to hear about the tendinitis. Uh, one thing after another. It reads as if you are taking everything in stride, however, and that is really all you can do.

    Spinning is a lot of fun. I can't wait to hear what you think about it. What about going back to the work out group you used to have, with the trainers? Or doing some of those workouts on your own? Strength training made you feel so good...

    Keep on keepin' on! xoxoxox

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  8. This sounds like it might be a perfect time for the 200 situp challenge: http://www.twohundredsitups.com/

    Doing this would get you off your feet. Plus, the first few weeks are very short and easy to fit in around other things. By the time you get up to the longer sit up sessions, heck, it'll be January :)

    I hope your feet feel better soon.

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  9. I had severe plantar fascitis (sp?) about 5 years ago, it was painful to walk too.

    I went to a podiatrist, got fit for inserts and I've never had problems since - only my inserts only fit 2 pairs of shoes - which is half the shoes I own!

    Hang in there - you will be exercise again!

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  10. Correction: Speaking for your ankles, they would like to point out that they consider STANDING for 6-8 hours at a time an EXTREME WORKOUT!

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  11. Yes, spin! You'll love it.

    So, you're not swimming because it's cold, not because of your foot? You could swim with tendonitis? I need to know these things in case I ever decide to become a swimmer.

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  12. Foot pain is killer. It has taken me out of the exercise loop often. It's always something...

    Happy holidays :)

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  13. tendonitis is the worst! I've struggled with that in my legs and arms for years.. I hope you can shake it off fast, mine had a tendency to last!

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  14. Man, it must be so frustrating to still be having that kind of pain after all you've been through this past year with your ankle.

    As usual you handle it with grace and patience. Thanks for your example. Take care and don't over do it. That's probably the worst thing to do now, right? Patience is a virture. You've certainly earned it.

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  15. Ugh on the tendonitis. That is the problem with my wrist and overuse. It's getting better but taking for*ever*!!

    Might I suggest more biking? :D Lots of biking! We could meet half way.

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  16. I'm sorry, Shelley :( I can imagine how frustrating these injuries are to you. Hang in there! I know you'll find something that will be right for you and your feeties :)

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  17. Hi Shelly. I GRRRR on your behalf at the tendonitis!!! Hang in there!!!

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  18. Interesting that you are having unusually cold weather. We have been having unusually warm weather. For the last week, it has been too warm to use the wood furnace.

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  19. Hi, Shelley, I'm sorry to hear about the tendonitis. Keep look for and working on a solution and don't get discouraged. If you are on your feet all day, you should definitely look into getting some Danskos or Sanita clogs/shoes. I have several pairs, but I love my dansko mary janes. They aren't the height of fashion, but they are comfy.

    Rose

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  20. I fear I've had tendonitis in my elbow for about 1.5 years so far...it flares up periodically no matter how much "rest" I give it...this is one case where I'd almost rather see if a surgical option could address it once and naively for all!

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  21. Deep breathing and yoga stuff? Even people in Wheelchairs can do *something* like really easy stretching of the non-effected limb, of course!

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  22. Shelley, I think keeping active is good - even if you can't get the formal exercise done. I'm sometimes prone to drive when I could walk or minimise EFFORT involved in something, but then stress when I can't get to the gym. (Not very sane at all!)

    Hope all returns to normal in January.

    Deb

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  23. I hate when real life gets in the way of my exercising life. I'm trying to plan ahead for the juggling of that right now, since the school gym will be closed random times and I have really long work hours.

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  24. ARRGGHHH frustrating to become even more injured! But rest that foot and take every bit of advice so that when the tendonitis is healed that it doesn't reoccur!!!

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  25. I'm just stopping by different type of blogs and thought id say hello folks. So greetings from an Amish community in Pennsylvania, and wishing everyone a merry Christmas and a healthy and happy new year. Richard from Amish Stories

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  26. Must be frustrating, will you beable to manage some yoga?

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  27. SPIN? You are brave! I say go for it! sorry your other foot is bothering you now. It does make sense though with everthing you have gone through with the other that you would use it more, or differently.

    I hear you about the whole frustration thing. But hang in there. It will get better. Plus if the weather is crappy you arent missing out on much anyway right? hehe. Here in NY it has been abnormally warm this fall/winter. ITs December (duh) and usually we have several feet of snow by now. Ummm, we havent even had an inch! We live near the lake so we usually get way more. Nope. You know what? I am going to soak it up and block out all the "its so sad not to have a white Christmas" people. Now... I have to hope this weather isnt just stalled. Otherwise it will be snowing here in May :(

    Ps-whats "cold" in Texas? I was thrilled to see the temp in the 50's today! HEAT WAVE!

    Jennifer

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  28. Sorry to hear about your tendonitis, that just plain sucks! I am going to try spin class too. Everyone that I talk to at the gym says it's a great work out and it's not as scary as it looks (it looks very scary to me). One of my favorite trainers at the gym teaches spin on Sundays at noon, so maybe this week....

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