Doctor's orders suck. Help?

therealklane

Even if they are for your own good.

Three trips to the pediatrist, two bunions, one needle to the toe, tendonitis in my achilles tendon, severe pronation, and a fancy new ankle brace and set of inserts later...I've been told that I can't have any fun for the next six weeks. Basically. I can't do anything that puts any type of stress on my foot/feet. I was specifically told (with finger counting and wagging) "No walking. No running. No treadmill. No elliptical. No biking. No heavy weights. No jumping. Nothing." I said, "Well what CAN I do?" Swimming the response I received. That's great I can do that. I have a pool. It just gets old after about an hour.

Six weeks is a long time. Especially when a lot of my work outs DO include my legs/feet. I've come this far and I don't want to backslide. It terrifies me even though I *know* I will not allow myself to do that.

So, here I post to you fine people looking for advice, upper body workouts, and full body work outs that 1. will not strain my freakin' foot, and 2. I can actually do at the gym (or in the pool).

:flowerforyou:

neveragain84

Water aerobics as long as you keep your foot steady. You could also do a variation of a squat thrust. Instead of standing, sit in a chair and punch). May look silly, but it can really get your heart pumping.

LoneWolfRunner

I would tell your doctor he better change his attitude about your health or you're going to stop seeing him.

FitOldMomma

Swimming doesn't need to be boring at all! Check out all the different water exercise videos on YouTube. Some are really quite fun and most are a decent workout.

Sorry about your medical setback, but before you know it you'll be back at it.

neveragain84

I would tell your doctor he better change his attitude about your health or you're going to stop seeing him.

How is that going to help? He's given advice to keep her from re-injuring herself or possibly making it worse. His attitude may not had been tactful, but his advice should still be taken.

OP, look online for possible pool workouts that could be fun and could help. Most importantly, focus on getting better and being at 100% again.

SomeGirlSomewhere

Go on youtube and do a search for "chair aerobics." There are lots of exercises you can while you are sitting down.

parkscs

I would tell your doctor he better change his attitude about your health or you're going to stop seeing him.

Yeah, you're right bro. Best she risk permanently injuring her foot so that she doesn't have to miss out on all of 6 weeks of training. Because, you know, there's just no coming back from 6 weeks of recovery. Her doctor sure is a quack.

therealklane

As I said, this was the third trip to see him. If it'd been the first, I may have been put off, but it isn't the first time I've heard it. Just the first time it was pretty much..the only option left before a real injury. He's a straightforward guy (typical surgeon, I suppose..haha) and I can appreciate that. I don't want a doctor that beats around the bush.

I'm not whining about the pool, but I'd rather be in the gym. So thanks for the attitude/bump. Much appreciated.

I'd be curious as to any type of weight training I could possibly do in the pool that (real) people have actually found to be helpful..not just people in videos doing it for the video.

LoneWolfRunner

I would tell your doctor he better change his attitude about your health or you're going to stop seeing him.

Yeah, you're right bro. Best she risk permanently injuring her foot so that she doesn't have to miss out on all of 6 weeks of training. Because, you know, there's just no coming back from 6 weeks of recovery. Her doctor sure is a quack.

Chill, my friend... it ain't rocket science. she'll figure it out. If I listened to everything my doctors told me, I'd be a fat crippled slug sitting on the couch eating cheese doodles...

therealklane

Cheese doodles, you say? Hmmm... :happy:

eyley

Just remember the pool rules too:

cw106

Just remember the pool rules too:

wow i havent seen that sign since the 70s !!


in response to op, swimming is my main form of exercise and can only suggest varying routines to overcome boredom.
i also have a tweaked tendon/ligament, and being able to swim will keep me sane.
your glass is still half full,remember.
gl

crispsandwich

I have been in the same position for last 3 weeks and another 2 to go minimum, but I cant even use the pool - so lucky you lol! does drive you mad though doesn't it when you are used to being active!? I've felt quite down about it all, but it's only a short time (hopefully) and then you can be up and off xx

can you do hand weights (sat down?) or something like pilates?

DavPul

Swimming gets old after an hour? Who wants to swim laps longer than an hour? And why would they need to? Your feet are perhaps the most crucial thing to your daily health and comfort, so if you want to, you know, be healthy and pain free, I'd just relax for 6 weeks and resume activities when the doc clears me. No one regained 80 pounds in 6 weeks

msf74

The problem is even if you did have seated exercises you could perform there is a danger that you inadvertently put excessive pressure on your injured foot by forcing down to stabilise a movement etc.

Frankly I think you are being idiotic thinking about it at this stage in your recovery.

Enjoy your swimming and if you want something to exercise during this time perhaps exercise your mind. Learn to meditate.

yogicarl

If swimming gets old after an hour - do it for 45 minutes.

Pinkranger626

I totally get what you're saying. I've been out for about 8 weeks with a hip injury, I've finally been able to recumbent bike and slowly start adding in upper body lifting again just in the last week. As much as it sucks I would just stick with the swimming and wait it out. I'd rather be sidelined for 6 weeks than 6 months... or longer if you keep pushing it.

kjurassic

Try to seek out a water tabatta class - it's awesome and really works you! (I don't know if I spelled tabatta correctly- )

therealklane

I typically swim 66 laps in my pool, 132 lengths, which is the equivalent to a mile. It takes about an hour and a half. Yes, it gets old but I still do it. Never said I quit or had a problem with swimming. It just gets old. Therefore, I was asking for tips from others that have been in the same position.

therealklane

Just remember the pool rules too:

I swim in the diving area. I'm such a rebel. :smokin:

Chaskavitch

Swimming gets old after an hour? Who wants to swim laps longer than an hour? And why would they need to? Your feet are perhaps the most crucial thing to your daily health and comfort, so if you want to, you know, be healthy and pain free, I'd just relax for 6 weeks and resume activities when the doc clears me. No one regained 80 pounds in 6 weeks

That's what I was thinking, lol. I don't swim regularly, but when I do, I'm exhausted and STARVING after swimming a mile (~50 minutes - 1 hr of swimming). I understand it getting boring, but man, it is a good workout.

acpgee

I like the rowing machine. It does use knees, but no pressure on feet. Rowing on water is probably more fun.

acpgee

And bike?

xixshaiyaxix

You have a pool? Stop whining and go swimming.

this. i wish i had a pool >.>

MeadowSong

Had similar problem a few years ago. It's a mess trying to deal with it. Besides swimming, take up cross-stitching or something you can do while your feet are up and NOT EAT. Reading/studying won't do it. Follow the dr's orders--getting well quickly rather than dragging it out even longer is good. Keep all the fitness you can and don't gain weight and consider it a raging success.

aylajane

I recently injured one shoulder... talk about sucking... EVERY exercise seems to use your shoulder when trying to lift weights etc! What I did was to use all the machines I normally avoid - the isolated muscle ones where you just sit and work your lats, or biceps, or hammies (no stress on feet probably). Can work with heavy weights without hurting your foot. I also used a weighted vest for squats and running (since I couldnt actually hold weights). That doesnt help you at all, but gives you an idea of how you can work around things. Put on a vest and do chair dips! Be creative

If its only the one foot, you can still do one legged squats (tho will make you lopsided in a smith machine (for stability) for example. You can also use the smith for inverted rows (like doing a pushup upside down under the bar set low - sit on the floor, stretch feet out straight then do "pushups" upside down). Lots of workarounds depending on what muscles you are targeting. Sit on a stability ball and do shoulder exercises or bicips/triceps, etc. - works your core at the same time, and you can cushion your foot on something so no weight.

For that matter, you can do regular pushups - just holding the one foot slightly off the floor. I do that (alternating) anyway. You can also use this time to work on all the various forms of pullups! No feet needed

BerryH

I'd be curious as to any type of weight training I could possibly do in the pool that (real) people have actually found to be helpful..not just people in videos doing it for the video.

Google aqua dumbbells (Amazon sell a selection). You use them like regular dumbbells but in reverse - they float so your pushing against gravity going down instead of up.

365andstillalive

Even if they are for your own good.

Three trips to the pediatrist, two bunions, one needle to the toe, tendonitis in my achilles tendon, severe pronation, and a fancy new ankle brace and set of inserts later...I've been told that I can't have any fun for the next six weeks. Basically. I can't do anything that puts any type of stress on my foot/feet. I was specifically told (with finger counting and wagging) "No walking. No running. No treadmill. No elliptical. No biking. No heavy weights. No jumping. Nothing." I said, "Well what CAN I do?" Swimming the response I received. That's great I can do that. I have a pool. It just gets old after about an hour.

Six weeks is a long time. Especially when a lot of my work outs DO include my legs/feet. I've come this far and I don't want to backslide. It terrifies me even though I *know* I will not allow myself to do that.

So, here I post to you fine people looking for advice, upper body workouts, and full body work outs that 1. will not strain my freakin' foot, and 2. I can actually do at the gym (or in the pool).

:flowerforyou:

Realistically, it's 6 weeks. My straight forward advice is to follow doctors orders and only swim or do any other activities that his office specifically clears.

Foot and ankle injuries can completely derail your life long-term if you don't take care of them. I ended up not being able to work, exercise, walk without crutches etc for 5 months because of an ankle injury, and now, a year later, I still have to be cautious when walking/running for long periods of time, jumping etc and I'm 22. This injury will literally impact my activity level for the rest of my life. If you don't take care of it now and give it the 6 weeks the doctor is telling you to, the likelihood of you ending up in a position where you need surgery (which means more recovery time) or end up with a chronic injury that will impair your quality of life significantly increases.

It's 6 weeks in your very long life; take it easy, do what the doctor allows, and stay on top of your logging and you'll likely still lose or be able to maintain your weight over the next 6 weeks.

Capt_Apollo

the foot is the most neglected part of the body. people just wrap a piece of rubber around it and expect it to be just fine. people just shove them in shoes and kind of ignore them. There are 26 bones and 33 joints in the foot. If you are holding tension in the foot muscles, the joints won't be able to move.

dbmata

I like the rowing machine. It does use knees, but no pressure on feet. Rowing on water is probably more fun.

Rowing machine exerts a lot of pressure on the feet. That's one reason you strap them into stirrups, because that's one thing you're pushing from.

OP - just go swim, don't overthink it. There's a reason your doctor wants you to rest. If you don't like the prognosis, see another doctor.

jessiruthica

Search for "water weights" on Amazon or similar. We used these in a pre-natal water aerobics class and they can definitely give you a workout. Not the same as "real" weights as they work against the resistance in the water rather than weight, but maybe something new to relieve the boredom?