Doc says no running, so......walking?!

Have you tried water running? While I was dealing with a hip injury, my physiotherapist suggested water running. She cited studies that have shown that running in deep water (with or without a float belt) provides the exact same benefits as running but with no impact. I've tried it and it's really difficult and a great workout.

Did you do all your running on a treadmill? Perhaps running on softer surfaces (trails) might have helped.

Whatever the cause, if you are in serious pain you've got to stop, if not permanently, at least to heal. Now would be a very good time to visit a sports medicine clinic if you have one in your area. Even my doc - who is an athlete, but is a GP - would send me to one. A sports med doc may be able to give you more insight as to what's going on and what if anything can be done so you can return to what you like.

In the meantime, when you are ready, cycling is something I did with vigour while my ankle injury (a range of motion problem due to an injury) was keeping me from running.

What about the rower, bike or eliptical? Ask tiyr Dr or physio whats acceptable.They are low impact. Plenty of people walk though and the weathers nice now.

When I was a lot heavier I started learning racewalking because didn't want the joint impact of running. I run now but still do racewalking sometimes for variety. It uses slightly different muscles. Useful life skill, to walk somewhere quickly when in a hurry without breaking into a full run. I'm walking around a 10 minute mile which is pretty good for a 5'5' middle aged female, though of course not going to win me the Olympics where they are in the 6 min range! But it is still a good workout, my heart getting up into the same range as it does with running intervals.

Because of a motorcycle injury to my right ankle years ago I have a terrible problem running for any length of time so I walk every day. The trick is to switch it up, walk different places at different paces and get those arms a pumping in time with your breath. I also do yoga and work out on the bag and weights. I lost 40 pounds just doing that and logging in my food. You can walk with weights or add a bag to your back and get out on the trails. If you have a dog...All the better, they just love to go!

All the best to you

There is no reason to run to lose weight or to get/stay in shape. Yes, walking works just fine. But if you are in pain from running, are you sure that walking until you recover will not also hurt? How about swimming, or cycling?

Honestly? As much as I love running, from a pure weight/weight loss perspective, I've maintained without much effort on the diet front at my lowest healthy weight when all I was doing for cardio was walking. 4-6 miles/day (plus a short bike commute). My best theory is that walking is low enough intensity that it doesn't ramp up my appetite the way running and long cycling do. I didn't follow any kind of program or challenge app; I just put in my headphones, had a few routes I knew were 4-6 miles long (I walk outside--I canNOT walk on the treadmill at the gym), and used the time to think.

If running bothers your knees and ankles, have you considered either spin classes or road cycling? What about, at the gym, the elliptical or arc trainer? Those can feel somewhat similar to running but are much lower impact.

matchbox_girl wrote: »

Despite my love for running, it's taking a terrible toll on my knees and ankles and doc suggests I find something that won't screw with me.

It's useful to understand how long you've been running, what distances you do, and how regularly you run. All of those are material to how walking might challenge you. It would also be helpful to understand what you mean by "taking it's toll", as running per se isn't damaging to the knees, although running with poor form can be.

I'd echo the points above about speaking to a sports medicine doctor, rather than a run of the mill GP. The myth of running being bad for the knees still has some hold among generalists.

It may be that what you need is something that strengthens the knees, so perhaps some cycling to complement the running, or some form of resistance training to help your core strength and the various muscular structures around the knees.

Hi such great advice from everyone on here. I've had knee & ankle pain for over 12 years... I loved running my passion but it finally caught up with me & I just had to stop I have severe osteoarthritis. I finally came to terms with my grief & haven't looked back. I do loads of weight training HIIT exercise kettlebells, rowing, cycling & swimming I mix it up. A good strength program will help build the strength in your legs to support your knees. I've also invested in Zeira shoes best thing I've ever done my ankles & knees have stopped hurting going down stairs now not a problem. I also have had two injections of PRP treatment which is where they inject your platelets into the knee joint. I am back squatting at the gym which I love. Running is hard the body especially if your mechanics aren't perfect. If you have had children or sit at a desk all day the chances of that is minimal & can cauae like mine a great amount of pain. I have opted out of the knee replacement I was to have Thai month. I'm only in my 40's. Best of luck & don't give up because you can't run Sorry that was so long!