Injured? Don't let an injury hinder your progress.

I injured my leg at the beginning of the year, on January 2nd to be exact. I'm not sure exactly what I did to it (the doctor said it was a muscle tear in my hamstring and/or calf), but I was on crutches and could not walk for about three weeks, then I was limping badly. Now four months - a lot of physical therapy, doctor's visits, and pain medication later - I am almost healed. It was hard these last few months to not be able to exercise - I couldn't even take Cleopatra for a walk.

I tried to keep to my eating plan, but it was a little difficult while I wasn't exercising. I have a new appreciation for my body and what it does for me after this incident. When I first hurt my leg I thought to myself "why, why, why, why now?" It was the beginning of January so I had big plans to exercise and eat healthy for the new year.

 Things that I have learned during the last four months:

 

· Keep up with your eating plan even if you have an injury. Good nutrition is very important for recovery. Take your vitamins. Your body needs extra nutrients to recover. Eat nutrient dense foods.
· Do your strengthening exercises consistently, once you are recovered enough to rehab.
· Don't baby your injury.
· Don't use your injury as an excuse.
· Get back to a regular exercise routine as soon as possible.
· It will be painful when you first start back to exercising. Take it slow, but do exercise.
· Listen to your body when you start back to regular exercise. You probably won't be able to do what you could before the injury at first, but you will improve with time.

Wednesday was my first day back to regular exercise. I did boxing with my trainer. And, it was way harder than it used to be!  But, I know with consistency it will get easier. Today was my first day back at the gym on my own. I did the stationary bike, not the treadmill because my leg is still not quite healed, and the bike is a better option for now. It did hurt!  But, I will continue and increase my intensity and time with each subsequent workout. I hope these tips help you if you have an injury along your fitness journey.