Tips For The Unhealthy Who Want To Train

JoeD111

Hi,

I am 34 years old and suffer from a life-long health condition that has left me bedridden and inactive for most of my adult life. When I am able though, I enjoy training.

I go as slow as I can, doing light 10 or 15 minute walks, light calisthenics, things like that. I use plenty of protein/BCAAs/EAAs, but I keep hurting myself because my body is brittle from laying in bed for so many years, and my muscles are half-atrophied.

When I am able to get into a good walking / training routine, after a week or two I usually end up hurting myself, whether it be a knee, ankle, wrist, elbow, shoulder, my lat muscles, etc. When this happens I have to halt training until it heals.

On top of that, every couple of weeks my illness puts me back into bed, sometimes for as long as a month. So even when I get a good training and walking routine going, when my illness strikes, it puts me back into bed, and when I've come out of it weeks later, I have lost most of my slowly built up gains and it's as if I have to start from the very beginning again. It is very disillusioning, frustrating, and a vicious cycle.

I have various support braces that I wear, and they seem to help, but perhaps I wear them too frequently out of concern of hurting myself.

Does anybody have any advice for somebody in my position?

Thank you!

Joe

dawnkirkwood18

Joe- my first thought is work with your doctor and see if he can refer you to a physiotherapist, etc. who can help design a program for you specifically based upon your health status, goals, etc. If that isn’t an option or may not be for awhile maybe try something less impactful than walking- my mother has health issues and has had luck with a recumbent bike and hand cycle.

HeidiCooksSupper

Is there somewhere you can get pool-based exercise? I water walk and it is great exercise.