injured toe- can't run or swim. HELP! what can i do??

jillfrd

I'm so upset. I was walking up the stairs at the train and stubbed my toes- resulting in the big toe toenail completely ripped from the nail bed (agony and blood as well). but now I can barely walk, there is no way I can run. I am so upset, I've been running 30-60 minutes per day and been working so hard and going into the holiday season I really need my exercise!

I can't run, I can't swim (risk of infection from pubic pool) so what in the world can I do to exercise????

BeautyFromPain

stationary bike or elliptical or weights??

this is what i did when i tore ligaments in my ankle so it can be done

dippystick

Ride a bike? Lift weights? I lost both my big toe nails after my 1st marathon. Could hardly walk for a week, but it gets better.

BobbyClerici

Tune into your favorite music and dance without much stomping and a lot of body movement. It may seem awkward for a while, but you'll get into it and find the value one the heart starts pumping. Also work this into stationary cycling.

manjingirl

Most unlikely to get infection from public pool. Swimming would be great. Keep toe well wrapped up (just to minimise water movement causing pain on fresh wound) and change bandage after swimming.

LisaMariaCallow

Ouch!! Sounds painful,but it'll heal. In the meantime, try other machines like elliptical , gazelle, rowing, or try a spinning class. Also, you can do strength training. I broke my foot last summer & was in a cast shoe,so no cardio machines were allowed,so I walked ALOT & did strength training.

Good luck!!

VinVenture

Lift weights, sit ups, knee push ups, dips. If you're a member of a gym I suggest machines instead of free-weights, 'cause you can choose those that don't use your foot at all. (I use this when I manage to hurt my legs, or if I'm going to the gym and am beyond sore in certain muscles)

court182

Most unlikely to get infection from public pool. Swimming would be great. Keep toe well wrapped up (just to minimise water movement causing pain on fresh wound) and change bandage after swimming.

Agreed. My mom broke her foot last year and could do little else and that's how she got into swimming.

netchik

Punches, punches and more punches. You will be amazed at how quick.y you get your heart rate up!

jillfrd

thanks for the suggestions! I was feeling so down yesterday, it's such terrible timing just before Christmas too (i can't wear any shoes but thongs and just bought some gorgeous heels for all the Christmas parties!) Just got to remember to take it slow, let it heal, and do lots of weights and stuff that doesn't put pressure on the toes. I might try stationary bikes, that would be great.

and yeah decided to do a workout this morning- did an adapted Shred one with the three minutes strength, two minutes cardio, one minute abs but for the cardio i alternated between punches and then dancing around. sure felt funny but got me sweating which was the aim!!