Walk or jog? Knees and shins hurt.

Options
kals25
kals25 Posts: 11 Member
edited August 2019 in Health and Weight Loss
So I just started going on morning walks with my daughter on Monday. The first day I did 3.7 miles in a hour, I walked that. Did the same Tuesday. Wednesday and today I started jogging. My times are slower by like 5-10 minutes. And when I started jogging my knees and shin hurt so much. This morning I thought my right leg was going to break.

So my question is, should I continue to jog and hope the pain will ease or stay walking? I prefer the jogging because I feel so great after and I sweat so much and that makes me feel like I did something. When walked I would still sweat but not nearly as much.

ETA- my goal is to lose weight, about 25-30 lbs.
«1

Replies

  • LyndaBSS
    LyndaBSS Posts: 6,964 Member
    Options
    It sounds like you just did too much too fast. You should've weaned yourself into it instead of taking the weekend warrior approach. 😉

    Drink lots of water and listen to your body. Do gentle stretching and walking so your muscles don't freeze up.

    Feel better.
  • showjumper
    showjumper Posts: 335 Member
    Options
    Great job! I would get your shoes looked at first off.... then slow down! Have fun!
  • kals25
    kals25 Posts: 11 Member
    Options
    @LyndaBSS ugh you’re probably right! I was kind of hoping to be able to jump into it! Desperately needing/wanting to lose weight! Thank you!
  • apullum
    apullum Posts: 4,838 Member
    edited August 2019
    Options
    How much had you been walking before this week? If this week is the first time you've intentionally walked or run, then you're doing far too much too soon. Rest until the pain is gone, and then after that, follow a structured training plan.

    If you are not comfortable walking for 30 minutes on a regular basis, start with this walking plan: https://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@fc/documents/downloadable/ucm_449261.pdf

    If you can walk comfortably for at least 30 minutes, then you can start C25K after the pain goes away. Go to a running store and get fitted for shoes while you are resting, before you start your C25K plan.
  • LyndaBSS
    LyndaBSS Posts: 6,964 Member
    Options
    Slow and steady wins the race in both diet and exercise. 🐌
  • fitoverfortymom
    fitoverfortymom Posts: 3,452 Member
    Options
    If walking doesn't irritate it, walking is AOK. I had to lose a lot of weight before running became comfortable. Chances are you have weak hips/glutes that are contributing to the knee pain. If you Google Myrtle Exercises, you will find some teqniwies to strengthen those areas and avoid pain while running.
  • kals25
    kals25 Posts: 11 Member
    Options
    @showjumper I bought these shoes a couple months ago because just walking kills my knees. They’re great! And wear knee braces my knees did feel uncomfortable but honestly it was more my shins!

    So should I not aim to walk/jog that distance? I kind of just thought one hour would be good and that’s what I got done..
  • kals25
    kals25 Posts: 11 Member
    Options
    @apullum i do slow paced walks every afternoon about 20-30 minutes while my daughter rides her bike. I started doing that about a month ago. Thank you so much!

  • kals25
    kals25 Posts: 11 Member
    Options
    @LyndaBSS you’re so right!! I need to actually to the diet part, too! I’ve been telling myself I will, but I will lose the dedication if I change that because I have no clue what else to eat. For the most part we eat great, my daughter eats way better than I do, I should learn from her lol. So I just started eating less and drinking more water.
  • kals25
    kals25 Posts: 11 Member
    Options
    @fitoverfortymom hm good point! Being super honest right now I guess I see myself and don’t think I’m too big so I guess I thought I could just jump! But I’m about 5’4 and weigh 165. I know to feel better to need to do this!

    Thank you for the advice!
  • apullum
    apullum Posts: 4,838 Member
    Options
    kals25 wrote: »
    @showjumper I bought these shoes a couple months ago because just walking kills my knees. They’re great! And wear knee braces my knees did feel uncomfortable but honestly it was more my shins!

    So should I not aim to walk/jog that distance? I kind of just thought one hour would be good and that’s what I got done..

    It's not about how old the shoes are. If you're going to run, you have to have properly fitted running shoes. Your symptoms sound like shin splints, which are exacerbated by (among other things) overuse and improper shoes.

    Rest. Ice your shins if needed. Go to the running store and get shoes. Then, C25K after you've recovered.
  • kals25
    kals25 Posts: 11 Member
    Options
    @apullum thank you so much!
  • Hyacinth_Hippo
    Hyacinth_Hippo Posts: 51 Member
    Options
    If it hurts so much it feels like a leg breaking you need to figure out why. Check that the shoes you are wearing are giving you the proper support (this is often the culprit for sore shins). Check your form, that you aren't hunching over, tensing your shoulders or trying to take extra long strides. Try to maintain good posture (i.e. engage your core) when doing anything physical. Make sure to stretch BEFORE and AFTER. If it continues to hurt, talk to a professional - don't ignore it.
  • showjumper
    showjumper Posts: 335 Member
    Options
    Hi @kals25 have you looked at the C25K program? I would start off slow and get your body used to hitting the pavement........before you literally hit the pavement..... :) I know when I started running outside (as opposed to a treadmill) i had dreadful shin splints. I slowed down and went day on day off of "running" and it helped.
  • kals25
    kals25 Posts: 11 Member
    Options
    @Hyacinth_Hippo definitely will! I was doing this while jogging I kept telling myself head high and to loosen up! I’m definitely going to talk to a dr! Mostly because I desperately want to lose weight and need a lot more guidance! But my SO just got a new job so waiting for insurance to kick in!
  • kals25
    kals25 Posts: 11 Member
    Options
    @showjumper I’m going to! Someone else suggested that as well🙂 I have access to a gym, I don’t want to go to an actual gym because, embarrassing and also because I’d have to leave me daughter. But my apartments has a small gym, should I run on a treadmill instead?? I thought about that today because I thought maybe the ground is too rough hahah
  • showjumper
    showjumper Posts: 335 Member
    Options
    @kals25 I became dependant on the treadmill :( so depending on what your ultimate goal is (besides weight loss) then I would get outside as much as you possibly can.... not sure where in the world you are, but you may have to rely on a TM for quite a few months (or 6) the adjustment can be tough between outside and a TM.
    I think you taking your daughter with you is so awesome! good going.... the subliminal messages will be rewarding.... you are showing her healthy ways and you are spending time with her which is THE BEST!!!
  • kals25
    kals25 Posts: 11 Member
    Options
    @showjumper oh good point! I’m in CA and right now summer is pretty intense hahah so I run about 7-8 before it get too warm. When summer is over we’re at the zoo every week for an hour or two.

    Thank you so much!
  • showjumper
    showjumper Posts: 335 Member
    Options
    oh I like San Diego!! I am in a place where we are about 6-7 months indoors due to weather.....sometimes too hot, lots of times too cold or icy, rainy days and everything in between!
  • kals25
    kals25 Posts: 11 Member
    Options
    @showjumper ouch! Yeah it doesn’t get THAT bad here. I’m actually in SD! It just been so humid I don’t even want to be outside hahah. Winters aren’t bad at all here.

Categories