Sometimes All You Need Is A Little Break
One of my “fitness friends” (Krista) who reads my blog, posted a comment on my last article, explaining a problem she is facing right now with her exercise routine. She injured her leg doing a new workout and now feels so much pain, that she’s having trouble sticking to her regular routine. She’s feeling really down and discouraged because she doesn’t want to get out of the habit of exercising and is looking for some advice. I thought this information was important for everyone to hear, so I thought I’d just answer her by writing a post about it.
First of all, I think Krista and I must be twins who were separated at birth! From reading her comments on my blog, I have come to the conclusion that she and I have a lot of similarities regarding our exercise obsession. Basically, we are a bit fanatical about it. Am I right Krista?
Because of our similarities, I understand 100% what she is referring to, when she says that even though she’s injured, she does not want to slow down – let alone stop working out! Krista, my dear, I have been there, done that! (Just ask my husband!) It didn’t matter if I was suffering from an illness, recovering from a surgery, or dealing with low back pain – I wanted to continue exercising. And if I didn’t, I felt completely depressed and scared that I would suddenly balloon up or that I’d never get back into my routine.
Well, once again I hope you can learn from my mistakes! If we want to be our best physical self, we have to listen to our body and respond to it’s needs! Did you get that? If not, go back and read that sentence again. It is extremely important! Unfortunately, it took me a long time to understand this crucial concept and to actually allow myself to rest and relax when my body was screaming at me to do so.
If you stop and think about it, you’ll realize that our body is very in tune with what it’s needs are. When it’s hungry, it will tell you. When it’s tired, you’ll know. When it needs hydration, you will feel thirsty. Well, the same thing applies for when we have pushed our bodies too hard and it needs a break! If you have overtrained your muscles with weight training or worked your body to exhaustion with cardio sessions, you can be sure that your body will let you know you’ve gone too far! In your case, your body decided to send the message by giving you an injury!
I’m no doctor, so I can’t answer your question of whether or not you’ll do more damage trying to continue on in your workouts – HOWEVER, it is almost certain that you will slow down your recovery time if you don’t stop for a time and let your body heal. When it’s injured and you keep placing stress on it day in and day out, it really doesn’t have the TLC that it needs in order to recuperate. I’d have to agree with your husband and say, “Yes, you need to cool it for a bit.”
I promise – as soon as your leg is feeling better, you will have what it takes to get right back into your routine! I can tell that’s true, just by how dedicated you are! And don’t worry – you won’t suddenly become two sizes bigger either! Have faith in your body and know that sometimes, all it needs is a little break. Soon, you’ll be good as new.
Good luck Krista and let us know how you’re doing! Anybody else have some advice for her?
Take Care,
Make A Comment: ( 12 so far )
12 Responses to “Sometimes All You Need Is A Little Break”
Krista
October 6th, 2008
Your post is good common sense that all should follow. You have to let injuries heal. If they persist, see a doctor. Start back slow. That’s the way to get back on track. Otherwise you will have a long and drawn-out problem.
James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
October 6th, 2008
Thanks Dr. Hubbard for your comment! It is always nice to hear from someone who really knows and understands exactly how the body works! And Krista, I understand completely what you mean about how exercise is your mood booster! I often say that exercise is my daily dose of prozac! 
ha!
Liz Rosenbaum
October 7th, 2008
good advice! and lots of good things to remember!
Annies last blog post..Mona Vie And HEALTHY!
Annie
October 7th, 2008
It’s pretty amazing how quickly our bodies “remember” when you can start working out intensely again. Doesn’t take long to get back into it when your healed.
Super Healthy Kids
October 7th, 2008
AMEN SISTER. Ive taken as long as 4 months off KNOWING I had a plan and would get back to it when my needed rest was done.
MizFit
October 8th, 2008
“If we want to be our best physical self, we have to listen to our body and respond to it’s needs!” YES! Great post!
M
October 10th, 2008
i went thru this exact issue this summer. hurt my neck and no matter how badly I wanted to run/lift weights/do yoga, I absolutely HAD to listen to my body or risk further and perhaps permanent injury. It wasn’t fun, but stepping back and evaluating things helped me put it all in perspective…Good luck to Krista!
WeightingGames last blog post..5 Ways to Master Your Emotions
WeightingGame
October 10th, 2008
Well, I have actually listened! I have really been trying to heal my leg. Usually, I don’t listen and later on say I wish I would of listened.
I have been taking it very easy. However, I haven’t totally NOT worked out. I have done a lot more walking, weights and upper-body workouts. My leg is really healing and I think in a couple of days I’m good to go again. I’m so grateful for all the comments because it really made me think…I better take it easy or maybe it will be months until I can work out high cardio again.
In spite of our computer getting hacked into all our credit cards stolen, mysterious packages getting sent here (that is how we found out) checking account number stolen huge virus on the computer, a bum leg, etc etc etc….I have kept my chin above water and moved forward. Not only is exercise great for our bodies but if trials (big trials) come up the one thing that keeps you going and positive is getting exercise in.
I’m excited for this next week to see what my body will allow me to do.
I can’t wait.
Krista
kristadeeann@yahoo.com
Krista
October 12th, 2008
how went the stress this weekend?
was it so much lessfraughtwithtension than youd anticipated?
MizFits last blog post..Monday Facetime: The Other Side of the PINK Couch.
MizFit
October 13th, 2008
“If you stop and think about it, you’ll realize that our body is very in tune with what it’s needs are. When it’s hungry, it will tell you. When it’s tired, you’ll know. When it needs hydration, you will feel thirsty. Well, the same thing applies for when we have pushed our bodies too hard and it needs a break! ” Great advice!
ms last blog post..The Benefits of Breastfeeding
m
October 13th, 2008
aaah Liz~ You made me teary eyed!
I guess I am obsessive about exercising!! For example, My cute little family went on vacation and I took all my exercise stuff with me. I grabbed the little T.V.’s in the car that my kids watch their movies on and took it in the hotel so I could work-out…2nd vacation this year we went camping…again I worked out on my kids little t.v. screen.
I can see how addicts to drugs are…I guess exercise is like a drug for me. (a healthy drug none the less) It’s the adrenaline that gets going..But, in all honesty #1 I just feel good when I work out and #2 I want to stay in the habit. Habits are formed so easily but also a habit can be broken just as easy. So, it’s a lot of little things that want me to KEEP on going.
So, this trial I’m going through is kind of a BIG trial for me. (sounds silly I know) but, I enjoy working out and I look forward to it. But, I know that with every trial comes strength and wisdom and a great learning lesson if I’m willing to ACCEPT what I need to be taught. So, I decided I would learn from this..Now, it’s the hardest thing in the world not to do high intense cardio–it’s actually had me in tears Saturday…but I decided I would work-out in areas that would NOT affect my left leg. This morning I did weights for 45 minutes. I worked out really hard where I could and when I needed to use my left leg I really didn’t put pressure on it. It turned out to be a good workout. I also walk my son to school every day and pick him up. So 5 days a week I’m getting 40 minutes (a day) of walk time outside. (So, I guess I shouldn’t complain) on top of my 45 minutes of weights I was able to get 33 *MAN* push-ups done. NOW…if you would of asked me to do that this past January I probably wouldn’t of been able to do 1. So, I need to accept how far I’ve come and be excited about that.
I will get around this injury and I will work out where I can and do those things that I can do right now.
Liz–thanks for all your great posts. They really are motivating and help me on days that I want to be lazy….
The re-assurance from everyone about taking a break and that it will be *O-K* has helped tremendously. It’s also helped me stay out of the dumps.
I am learning that getting that adrenaline going really is a great mood booster..So, I will find alternate ways this week to keep that mood booster going. I will be a bit more concious what I put in my mouth this week and keep more active at home. So with that said…TIME TO GET UP AND AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER!!
Liz–thanks for the smile today!! I needed it…
Krista
kristadeeann@yahoo.com