Dealing with Injury

A little over a month ago, I hurt my back.  SWIMMING.  Honestly, I may be the only person on the planet who has managed to take a non-impact sport and turn it into a sidelining experience.  So, for the last few weeks I’ve found myself trying to walk the line between not pushing myself too hard, and simply giving over to sloth.  It turns out, I’m not very good at finding that balance.

I realize that this may sound like the worst lead-in ever to a list of suggestions for coping with injury, but if I’m honest with myself, I haven’t exactly been a model patient. So, please do as I say (and not as I do) when you read over the following strategies for taking charge of your recovery.

• Give yourself permission to rest.  Whether you’ve been exercising for years or are just getting started in a routine, it can be hard to break away from exercise.  Some fear the loss of conditioning.  Others, particularly those new to an activity, fear the loss of momentum. Rest, however, is essential. We only get stronger when we allow our bodies to heal.  Try to look at your time away from your activity as part of a well-balanced training program, rather than defeat.
• Analyze the injury.  Take a look at what caused the injury, and come up with a plan to prevent it in the future. Whether it was over training, a misstep, or mechanical failure, understanding the root cause can help you feel a little less helpless.
• Seek early treatment.  Sometimes you’ll run into an injury that’s new territory for you, and it’ll be unclear what the best course is for recovery.  If you have the means, consider getting an expert opinion on the matter.  Physical therapists will tell you that it’s much easier to “undo” something when it’s tackled earlier in the injury process. With the exception of the hit to your pocketbook (no small thing, I realize), it’s unlikely to be harmful to seek out some professional help.
• Look into alternate activities for an active recovery.  There are few injuries that require you to remain entirely at rest as you heal.  Look for another activity that keeps you moving. Swimming and aqua jogging are common adaptive activities for those with hip, knee, or ankle pains.  Recumbent bicycles can relieve strain on the back.  Weight lifting and other strengthening exercises can often be isolated to the healthy parts of your body.  Keep in mind, if you have the forethought, try out some of these BEFORE you get injured.  It’s hard enough to motivate yourself to work out when you hurt, and you don’t need the stresses of exploring a new activity added to that.  (Ironically, this is why I worked very hard this year to become competent at swimming!)
• Have fun with it.  I’ll admit, this is more easily said than done, but there is no reason why injury needs to be a total drag. If you’re really limited in what you can do, take the time you normally set aside for exercise and apply it to other fitness-related activities. You might try to maintain your motivation by watching inspirational movies. You can work on making a few new music play lists for your workouts.  Now might be the perfect opportunity to map out a training plan.  Or, bone up on a more advanced aspect of your chosen discipline (like learning new basketball plays, figuring out your heart rate monitor, or understanding techniques for improving flexibility).

Just remember…no matter what your injury, it’s within your power to make your recovery a productive one!

And with that, I’m off to try to practice what I preach…

Diana Nyad: A Lesson in Tenacity

Nearly everyone has had had periods in their lives—some longer than others—where they have gone without exercise.   We all fall prey to the demands of work, family, illness, or injury.  Sometimes, it’s just a big, bad case of “I don’t want to.”  For many of my patients, admitting that they’ve hit one one these periods is a source of shame.  It shouldn’t be!

I’ve come to believe that what separates those who successfully embrace the fitness lifestyle from those who don’t is personal forgiveness.  Those who succeed recognize that any experience—no matter how brief, or ego-bruising—leaves you a little stronger.  They let go of what they didn’t do, leaving them free to apply their energies to what they’re going to do next.

Source: CNN

No one exemplifies this attitude greater than Diana Nyad.  Here’s a woman that had an audacious goal to swim from Cuba to Florida, at the age of 62.  When an unexpected and prolonged asthma attack required her to stop her attempt last month, she was profoundly disappointed.  But not long after, she came to look at that 29 hour experience as, in the words of one reporter, an “unplanned dress rehearsal.”  And now, only a month later, she’s at it again.

As I type, she’s about a third of the way to her goal.  She’s already been stung by jellyfish and received treatment for her labored breathing.  But she’s still pressing on, because these are things  she’s dealt with before.  She’s learned from them, and she’s stronger for it.

I have no idea if she’ll make it to Florida or not, but I’m certain that when she hits the end of her road, she’ll know herself a little bit better.  What a wonderful feeling it must be, to look back on your life and not have to wonder what could have been possible!  And all for recognizing that while bumps in the road can knock you off the wagon, they’re also handy for giving yourself a boost back onto it.

Go Diana!