Exercise Challenged

2ahealthyme

I have a bum ankle, and can't do any walking or weight bearing exercises. The past few weeks I've tried water aerobics and swimming, and stationary bike, but now it hurts more than ever.

I am able to lift weights for my upper body, and do some floor exercises, but that's all I can think of to do. Does anyone have any ideas of how I can get some cardio or other exercises in?

kganc001

Most gyms have the hand pedal machine...not sure exactly what it's called. But it has handles on it and you use your arms to pedal like a bicycle. When my dad had heart surgery that's the rehab cardio he did. Not too strenuous, but it's still a good workout.

http://images.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=hand+pedal+cardio+machine&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=lCFiL5dKaGMIJM&tbnid=OJqa9aExsVGzDM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.bayoufitness.com/Exercise-Bikes.htm&ei=XwyoUeqECKztiQK3jIHgBA&psig=AFQjCNG16l2jltrLbh3Z3cZAwJMouOmpIQ&ust=1370054083533252

meshashesha2012

you can still swim, just use the prop that makes you keep your legs together and you move yourself with your arms. cycling you might b able to do if you use athletic tape first to stabilize the ankle. you'd need someone to show you how to properly wrap an ankle for sports use.

Hexahedra

Is this bum ankle a permanent condition, or is it just temporary? If it's temporary, I suggest you wait until it fully recovers. If it's permanent, then you need to start looking for creative solutions.

2ahealthyme

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm hoping it's temporary, but my recovery is taking way longer than I thought it would. It's a two steps forward and one big step back recovery.

I'm just anxious (and not too patient) to be among those burning 500-1000 calories a day!

Hexahedra

I had a bum knee. Since I was impatient, I pushed and worked it two weeks into the recovery. That was stupid, I got hurt again and I had to wait two more weeks until it recovered. I spent 4 weeks not running, I could have spent only 3 if I were patient.