Exercise to lose weight with a foot injury??

Jess11Hope
Jess11Hope Posts: 2
edited January 31 in Fitness and Exercise
I had surgery on my ankle in December and ever since then my foot and ankle have been hurting quite a bit. The doctor isn't really sure what's wrong with it, so I have no idea when it will be back to normal.
My problem is that I want/need to lose weight. I've been doing pretty well for two months and lost 22 pounds by eating 1200 calories a day without really exercising at all, but my weight loss is starting to slow down and I was thinking that being able to do some kind of exercise would help with that. For about a week I've been trying to work out every day. I've been riding my bike or using the elliptical. I can only ride my bike for 6 miles or use the elliptical for 10-20 minutes before my foot becomes a huge problem and I have to stop. Would that amount of exercise be enough to speed up weight loss? Does anyone have any suggestions for cardio exercises that don't really use feet? I know I can do a lot of upper body strength exercises that don't work my legs out, but I'm really hoping to do some calorie burning cardio! We do have a pool, which I know is great cardio, but it's being repaired for the next couple of weeks.
I would really appreciate any help!

Replies

  • guif
    guif Posts: 23 Member
    I would tell you to look into a local gym, and find a fitness instructor who is certified to work with people with injuries or disabilities. I finally broke down and did it, and am VERY happy I did. I have a knee that historically even with swimming liked to hurt ache then blow up bigger than my thigh for no known reason, MRI normal, no bruising, just hurts and swells. Things that were completely off the table because of pain were ellipticals, some bicycles angle is everything, running, stepping, etc... I started working with the trainer he started me doing big body movements with the rest of my body but started me out strengthening "tiny muscles" in the knee. Some of the exercises were with machines but starting off they had either no weights, or like 5 lbs, and I was only to do 5-8. It has been a month, and for the first time in YEARS yesterday I was able to stand on an elliptical and just stepping up to it did not cause pain, I dared it, and It worked! I was sooo happy. I could feel it was tight at first but I could do it, 45 min worth actually. I did come home and take Motrin because my knee was grumpy about all the activity, but no swelling, no residual pain, it was awesome.

    If you can't see a trainer, talk to your doctor about getting a few visits to the physical therapist because you can't exercise and I'm sure they can get you going too.

    Good luck
    Christal
  • Jess11Hope
    Jess11Hope Posts: 2
    I would tell you to look into a local gym, and find a fitness instructor who is certified to work with people with injuries or disabilities. I finally broke down and did it, and am VERY happy I did. I have a knee that historically even with swimming liked to hurt ache then blow up bigger than my thigh for no known reason, MRI normal, no bruising, just hurts and swells. Things that were completely off the table because of pain were ellipticals, some bicycles angle is everything, running, stepping, etc... I started working with the trainer he started me doing big body movements with the rest of my body but started me out strengthening "tiny muscles" in the knee. Some of the exercises were with machines but starting off they had either no weights, or like 5 lbs, and I was only to do 5-8. It has been a month, and for the first time in YEARS yesterday I was able to stand on an elliptical and just stepping up to it did not cause pain, I dared it, and It worked! I was sooo happy. I could feel it was tight at first but I could do it, 45 min worth actually. I did come home and take Motrin because my knee was grumpy about all the activity, but no swelling, no residual pain, it was awesome.

    If you can't see a trainer, talk to your doctor about getting a few visits to the physical therapist because you can't exercise and I'm sure they can get you going too.

    Good luck
    Christal

    Thanks for the advice! I'm a broke college student, so I'm not sure I'd be able to go with the fitness instructor approach. I did do PT 8 weeks after surgery for about 6 weeks, but the pain never went away and it has started hurting in different areas. Even with the little exercise I do, I can barely walk the next day after working out. The doctor pretty much just told me to suck it up and come back in 6 months if nothing improves. So i don't think he's likely to send me back to PT just yet. I guess I'll just have to try to take it easy and wait!
  • spectralmoon
    spectralmoon Posts: 1,179 Member
    Swimming definitely works; use dolphin kicks to take strain off your ankles, or just use your arms (breast stroke, backstroke, sidestroke, and so on). This is great for knee and hip injuries as well, because it takes the weight off of your legs.

    I have a problem with shin splints so I need to keep my legs planted during flare up times rather than stepping/bouncing around; I used Tiffany Rothe's workouts on youtube and was losing weight and inches steadily. Some of her workouts have foot work or jumping, but a number of them don't, and those are what I used. Each workout is about 10 minutes long, which is great for low endurance (again, me) or just being stretched for time.

    Hope you recover soon!!
  • fitmom07
    fitmom07 Posts: 215 Member
    Swimming is great and punching (tae Bo moves) really gets your heart rate up
  • conniemaxwell5
    conniemaxwell5 Posts: 943 Member
    I think you should get a second opinion on the post surgery pain. You should be improving and your doctor telling you to suck it up for 6 months is not helpful. There could be scar tissue or the doctor may have missed something the first time. Make an appointment with another orthopedic surgeon to have it checked out.
  • thesupremeforce
    thesupremeforce Posts: 1,206 Member
    I had ankle surgery in January of last year and more than a year later, I could still barely function on it. I still have pain and general discomfort at times, but I'm doing much better now. You may actually need to focus more on the injured area when you work out, but I would advise something other than running on it. Mine STILL bothers me when I run (and I've been trying, so I know).

    I know you asked for cardio suggestions, but I can't see that doing much to improve your ankle. Believe me. You don't want to be limping around five months from now, not if you can do anything about it.

    I'd throw out a DDP Yoga suggestion (since it worked wonders for me), but since you're a broke college student, that might not be the most viable option. Normally, I'd send you a friend request, but since you only seem to have one friend on here, I'm reluctant to do so. You can send one my way, if you'd like.

    For starters, try gripping your feet into the floor (barefoot, preferably). Then flex your calves, quads, act like you're going to squeeze your legs together, but don't let them slide. Once you've engaged your entire lower half, just stand there for a bit. It might sound kooky or too easy, but it's a good start.
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