Being hurt is never a fun or easy thing. It’s even fewer giggles when it interferes with your practice on a long-term basis. Such is my case right now. Come to find out the spraigned ankle I experienced about 9 months ago was not, in fact, a muscle injury. My foot had been broken, but it was misdiagnosed. Last week, while simply stepping back during a martial arts class, I rebroke the foot to a more severe degree. This same poor foot has experienced a hairline fracture, a broken little toe, and now a more severe break to one of the center bones. The doctor’s recommending at least 6 weeks in a lovely “boot” brace, and I’m on crutches for at least 2 more weeks. What goes through a person’s mind after injuries like this?
How do I keep exercising with a broken foot?
How can I continue my weight loss when I can barely move around?
How long will I be out of commission and unable to teach?
It’s a frustrating time for anyone, but it’s important not to give up and just put a hault to your exercise regime. Just change it. For instance, with my broken foot, I obviously can’t do anything in which I’m standing. So what can I do while sitting or lying down?
1. Many poses in yoga do not require me to stand or to put pressure on the broken foot.
2. Most Pilates movements would allow me to get a great strength training workout.
3. Some weight lifting exerices targeting the upper body could provide more variety. Plus just using the crutches is a workout in itself. I’m burning lots of calories just getting myself around without being able to use one foot.
So don’t let an injury keep you from staying healthy, continuing weight loss, and fine-tuning your body. You may find you need to lower your caloric intake a little to maintain weight loss, if that’s your goal, but that’s okay. Because of your reduced activity, you don’t NEED as many calories to maintain brain function and energy.
