Stress fracture, can't exercise, now what?!

lealorali
lealorali Posts: 22 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I suffered a stress fracture in a half-marathon 8 days ago. Doctor ordered me to rest, ibuprofen, ice, etc. I am now beside myself bored and depressed without exercise. Can't even do long walks with the dogs! Last week, I lifted, did the elliptical and hiked (because they were "low-impact"... not) and my foot is now every further from healing.
I was burning around 450-800 calories with my distance running 4-5 days a week. Now nothing. I miss running so much. I feel almost despondent and I CAN'T STOP eating. Not too much but I know the lbs will creep back up on me. I don't have a pool close that I can afford, but I might splurge on a pool membership if I have to.

Has an injury derailed your fitness goals? How did you deal?

Replies

  • TigerBite
    TigerBite Posts: 611 Member
    The rower or stationary bike for cardio and seated (like on a stability ball or bench) weights ... circuit training equipment (not ideal under normal circumstances, but when rehabbing an injury it's great)

    I am a runner and had (have ... comes and goes) tendonitis in my ankle ... it sucks, but you just have to deal and find alrenitives for the interim ...
  • happycauseIride
    happycauseIride Posts: 536 Member
    I'm with Tiger on this one. Like you, I have a stress fracture in my shin. I have learned to like, no love, biking. I'm on the healing side, I could at least go for a walk now but I'm still on low impact. Work with free weights, and get on the bike. The bike is also good for strengthening your legs for when you start running again.

    Sorry for your injury. Keep your chin up, it will get better. :)
  • WinwillLose
    WinwillLose Posts: 101
    Try weight lifting, from a sitting position focusing on upper body and core. Try something new and focus on something more positive. Like building a stronger core and upper body because when you can run it will make you faster. You need to put a positive spin on it, and embrace the change.
  • kbmnurse
    kbmnurse Posts: 2,484 Member
    Sounds like you might need to talk to a professional.
  • michellechawner
    michellechawner Posts: 892
    I agree to speak with a professional, I am not a doctor, I don't know where the fracture is, now badly fractured/shattered/muscle involvement, etc.

    On that note, I say low impact is swimming. - if the fracture is in your foot, work on arms. Do sit ups. If it's in your arm, do legs (I assume since it was during a half marathon, it's in your foot or something).

    you may be beyond bored, but it's been then re-injuring yourself over and over because you didn't listen to your body.
  • lealorali
    lealorali Posts: 22 Member
    True. I really want this to heal. It just sucks feeling lazy when exercise is such a big part of my life!!
  • just_Jennie1
    just_Jennie1 Posts: 1,233
    Listen to what the doctor says. I know it sucks but he/she obviously knows what to do and you really want it to heal.

    If you're *that* upset about not being able to work out then go to the gym and do some upper body exercises that don't require you to stand.
  • lealorali
    lealorali Posts: 22 Member
    I did. My MD said it doesn't sound like a serious fracture at this point and "it's not worth an x-ray or MRI just yet;no exercising for 8 weeks." !!!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Of course injury sets your fitness back...but it's just a set back...it's just temporary.

    1) continue to lift but do things from a seated position and focus on upper body and core

    2) get into cycling...it's a great low impact aerobic activity,

    3) swim; public pools are relatively cheap

    4) row
  • ottilieziv
    ottilieziv Posts: 5 Member
    Just wanted to chime in and re-iterate what other have been saying - stationary bike, cycling outside, seated free weight exercises will keep you going.
    Background: I somehow picked up stress fractures in both legs (tibia) last year and the enforced lack of running drove me crazy! I wasn't even allowed to use an elliptical or a rowing machine - hell, I wasn't supposed to even *walk* for more than a few minutes. I really hate cycling but it kept me reasonably fit and sane while going through the healing process: please take the time to heal it - my fractures took far too long to be diagnosed so I kept walking on them in agony for ages. It set back the rehab process by months so I've only just got back to running 20+ miles per week over a year after diagnosis - if I'd only rested more and sooner I could have been running ages ago! I know you'll hate the enforced rest but just keep in mind that in the longer term you'll get back to it quicker if you let your body heal now :smile:

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