Working through the pain

dreamwellali
dreamwellali Posts: 42
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Joint pain, illness, whatever...how do you decide whether it is too much and you just can't workout? What keeps you going during your workout if something is hurting? When do you know to quit or just work through it?

For me, it's telling myself that things will likely stop hurting when the weight comes off and the joints get stronger. But these last couple of days I've had arthritis in my hip so bad that saying that isn't enough to convince me. I'm trying to convince myself to go do water aerobics tonight - something that shouldn't hurt - but I can't seem to get motivated to do it. Is the pain just an excuse or is it actually a valid reason?

Replies

  • pdcarrell
    pdcarrell Posts: 101
    My Shin has started hurting tonight I plan on pushing through the pain tomorrow morning I really don't know everyone is different and can only know what is best for them You don't want to hurt yourself worse by straining an injury? I think water arobics would be awesome I wish I had a pool or access to one and a babysitter although this time of year an Indoor pool Of course! ;)
  • lguy29
    lguy29 Posts: 131
    I've always been told there is a difference between being hurt and being in pain. If youre hurt, its something that you should probably be able to work through. However, if you are in pain, thats most likely when you need to stop, and have the possibility of getting even more injured. However, all injuries are different. I am not familiar with arthritis. I'm more familiar with sports injuries. Water workouts are great tho, and I know what its like when you dont feel motivated. Just make small goals for the day, and maybe even take a day off and save the water aerobics for tomorrow.
  • singer201
    singer201 Posts: 563 Member
    I evaluate whether exercise makes me feel better or hurts more, especially if it's a new or different pain. When I started walking a couple months ago, my hip felt tight and uncomfortable, but now that I'm walking 30-45 minutes a day at 3.5+ mph, it doesn't bother me at all. My knees and back feel better or worse depending on the weather, but they haven't kept me from walking. Getting stronger and weighing less can only help.

    Illness is different--I take it easy if I have respiratory or GI symptoms, with an easy walk instead of more vigorous cardio.
  • B2BB
    B2BB Posts: 222 Member
    U should never feel pain, burn yes, pain no. The muscle should burn and feel uncomfortable but pain is not an option. Stick to low impact exercises till u work up the strength in your muscles to endure the workouts without pain. Especially arthritis, the more it hurts the more inflammation and the longer the pain will last for u. I would say work out on a cycle bike or elliptical they are smooth motion with no impact on the joints.
  • dreamwellali
    dreamwellali Posts: 42
    Thanks for all the great responses. I especially like the idea of a difference between "hurt" and "pain".

    I did decide to go to water aerobics, because it's the only class I can easily fit into my schedule this week. The warm-up hurt a lot, but once I was warmed up I was just fine. Hip is still a little sore now a few hours later, but it's better than it was before I went.

    It's just always hard for me to make the decision of whether or not to exercise because I often wonder if I'm just using my ailments as an excuse. Tonight it would have been really easy to just not go, but in the end I did and I was fine, so I think it would have just been an excuse.
  • Levedi
    Levedi Posts: 290 Member

    It's just always hard for me to make the decision of whether or not to exercise because I often wonder if I'm just using my ailments as an excuse. Tonight it would have been really easy to just not go, but in the end I did and I was fine, so I think it would have just been an excuse.

    I think that's a good approach. Try the work out. if the pain gets worse or doesn't work out, stop. If the exercise eases you into feeling better, then keep going. My brother has a herniated disc in his back and he swims a lot with his wife who has a chronic pain condition. They genuinely can't do running or weight lifting, but water sports keep them in shape.
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