On the shelf with a broken foot - ideas for exercising?

jdleaser
jdleaser Posts: 1
edited October 2 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey gang. Great stuff on this site - I love reading through all the challenges-turned-success-stories.

To make it quick, I'm a very active guy - lift and run 4-5 days per week on average, mix in some Yoga, etc. Since April I've dropped from 198 to 184, mostly by cleaning up my diet and watching the starchy stuff. If not for all the ice cream and beer during the summer, I'd probably be at 175. : )

Anyway, I fell the other day and broke my 5th metatarsal in two places. Not sure yet if I'll need surgery (screw/plate/etc.), but running, walking, pretty much anything that requires me to bear weight on that foot is completely out of the question for the foreseeable future. I can do modified push-ups and pull-ups, and it appears I can continue a reasonable upper-body weight-lifting program as long as I can do everything from a lying or seated position. Any thoughts on what kind of cardio options might be workable w/o using my legs? I'm thinking at some point I can perhaps jump on the bike trainer, but anything like that is several weeks away.

Thanks in advance for your input and ideas.

J.

Replies

  • jreese5226
    jreese5226 Posts: 328 Member
    Shadow boxing on a balance ball. Works your core and if you go hard enough, you'll work up a pretty good sweat.
  • emiller1983
    emiller1983 Posts: 5
    Are you able to do crunches? I would check out Men's Health if you don't already read it. They have great ideas. I read Women's Health and have gotten a lot of great excersise ideas. I would also look for apps if you have a smart phone. Good luck with the rehab!
  • ooOOooGravy
    ooOOooGravy Posts: 476 Member
    The last gym I used to attend had this machine which was an upside down bike I guess, you sit down and pedal with your arms, no leg muscles required. And it was give you a hell of a cardio workout if you gun for it. I don't know if your part of a gym that has one of these or could mock something up with you own bike maybe? Hope that helps
  • ooOOooGravy
    ooOOooGravy Posts: 476 Member
    Oh, Just a thought try googleing how sportsman and atheles keep fit during long term injury.
  • dieseljay74
    dieseljay74 Posts: 376
    Honestly JD,

    I got my best results in losing body fat by really pushing hard with the weights. Also at the same time completely cut out cardio. I would go pretty intense on your upper body and work to failure to get some more muscle packed on....don't forget , intensely working muscle elevates your metabolism for half the day following your workout.
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