Ouchy! Sore calf... advice please.

albali

HI
I had a very tender calf muscle last week after a few days of very long walks in rather flat shoes (tut tut). Today, whilst doing nothing more than climbing the stairs I have really strained it. Must have overstretched it! It's very sore now, and hurts on the top of my foot up to the inside of the top of my leg! Ouchy!
I am doing the ice and rest thing, but am really annoyed I won't be able to exercise. I had just got into a routine of running, zumba and rowing. Ok, so here are the questions; can I still lose weight as long as I don't go over my calorie goal or should I change my exercise target? Also, would it be ok to be doing cruches, sit ups and free weights for my upper body? Are there any other exercises I could do to keep my body from being 'too' rested?
Final little moan, I have had a cold for a week and lost my voice today so I can't even moan about my injury out loud!! That's why you guys are getting it!!

JDRBT

Take some extra potassium! Calf pain is a dead ringer for potassium shortage!

ProTFitness

Male sure you are hydrated! Try taking a soak in epsom salts. Stretch after a hot shower or bath.

sijohnson

Hi
Sit up and crunches are ok, but not really going to increase much weight loss. Try doing press ups on stairs(if you have any!) then press ups with legs on sofa. this will not impact on your calf.
if you use a gym, get on the rower, or the hand cycle, it should not impact too much on injury.
Take some ibuprofen to reduce inflammation and stretch the calf fully every morning and night to stop any tears causing scarring.
Hope it helps. Keep the faith!

RMinVA

Good advice so far. And there is nothing wrong with doing upper body and core as long as you do it seated and don't put any additional stress on your calf.

gigi130

I was hurting the same way and my friend who is a trainer told me it was because i was stepping wrong , too hard. so I still did my exersice but tried to slow it down and the pain went away.

runningathena

You say you hurt your calf, but you mention pain on the TOP of your foot going up the inside of your leg? I am curious if it's your calf (the back of the lower leg) or your shin (the front). Magnesium supplements are great for muscle recovery, potassium helps as well. You can most definitely do any kind of upper body strength workout, abs, Pilates, yoga (some poses will possibly aggravate the calf, but there are those that won't) and swimming.

R.I.C.E. (rest/ice/compression/elevation) is always the best way to come back from an injury!

Good luck!

albali

You say you hurt your calf, but you mention pain on the TOP of your foot going up the inside of your leg? I am curious if it's your calf (the back of the lower leg) or your shin (the front). Magnesium supplements are great for muscle recovery, potassium helps as well. You can most definitely do any kind of upper body strength workout, abs, Pilates, yoga (some poses will possibly aggravate the calf, but there are those that won't) and swimming.

R.I.C.E. (rest/ice/compression/elevation) is always the best way to come back from an injury!

Good luck!

Hi
It's weird but it is the calf and not the shin. So sore on top of the foot, calf and achey top of the leg!!