See her run, see her walk, see her cycle and swim? The Verdict
I don’t know how to react to this in a good way. I mean, I did say good bye to running 3 miles every day about 4 years ago after I injured my knee. I did say good bye to tae kwon do at the same time because I couldn’t jump anymore. I said good bye to aerobic classes I loved. I’ve changed my identity from “runner” to “walker” and was kind of fine with it. Then, last year, too much pain and swelling in ankles made me stop walking. I thought that I could recover and continue walking again which I did, or I thought I did…
Yesterday I saw a very good orthopedist and he again diagnosed me with “severe tendonitis” and told me to stop walking altogether if I don’t want to wear a cast for a few months and become really immobile. I am to have physical therapy for two months, wear special ortho shoes, and switch to cycling and swimming. There might be surgery in my future and some other restrictions.
My body is betraying me. I am mad and miserable. I picture myself using a walker or something in the future. I have to rethink the way we travel and go hiking and camping and walking everywhere instead of driving a car. No walking challenges either.
Now I have to teach myself to fall in love with cycling and swimming. See, the trick is that I only exercise if I love doing something. And I can only ride a stationery bike! I am ashamed to admit but I can’t make turns on a real bike, I fall. And swimming… I only swim for fun, not for exercise.
And yes, I totally realize that I am having a pity party here.
Life sucks.
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I can relate to what you’re going through because I have a knee problem that has prevented me from doing the aerobic activities that I used to do. Now about the only thing I can do is my stationary bike and walking on hiking trails (no pavement). Drives me crazy because I used to do some very strenuous aerobics, which I loved doing because it kept me so fit. I hate to say this, but there’s really no choice but to make the best of things as they are…as they say “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade”. I know we can’t do the things we used to do (at least for now), so let’s really go for it with the things we CAN do, like the cycling and swimming. I’m with you! : ) Debbie
Hey girl… ask your physical therapist to do a biomechanical assessment of your feet and hips. Usually people who have fot arches that are either too high or too low get recurrent achilles tendonitis. Also, if your hip muscles are too tight, or not in balance, that can cause problems like tendonitis down further. AND get her to check your true and apparent leg length. If you leg is even 1cm shorter than the other, you can get knee pain and tendonitis from it.
Hey girl,
I am sorry to hear about your troubles. But I am glad you caught it in enough time to prevent the cast. Do whatever you need to do to take care of yourself..mentally as well as physically.
By the way…we are all entitled to our pity party…cause its so much better to get it out here and then have everyone come and try to support you then to turn to like food or something..so write away..we are here to listen ..
Take care of yourself now girl.
Love Debbie
Everything happens for a reason…
when a door shuts a window opens…
trust and be hopeful! You may find you have found a new thing you absolutely love…I heard spinning classes are da bomb…and swimming is so easy on your joints!
I had to train today and do stuff I didn’t want to…and I think you told me to TRUST my trainer…so I am saying the same thing to you.
TRUST your Dr…and God will work it out for you!
See, the point is that my arches are fine and my hip muscles are in balance, thanks to a very good personal trainer three times a week.
If you look at the causes for tendonitis, among all the treatable causes you notice one, “due to aging.” This is what’s happening to me. I consciously invested money and time in removing all the other possible causes for tendonitis. Best shoes, balanced muscles, stretching, etc…
Thank you ladies for your understanding. Taking walking away from me is like taking a leg or an arm. It’s so natural for me to walk. Now, instead of thinking how far I should walk, I need to reverse my thinking into how I can avoid walking too far.
OH, I am so sorry to hear that. But at least you did find out early to where you are completely immobile. I hope that everyting works out and we can start biking threads instead of walking ones.
Ah geez…I am so sorry to hear about this all.
Nothing wrong with having a pity party when hit with news of this magnitude. Just don’t stay at the party for too long, okay? ***hugs***
I am so sorry, you deserve a BIT of a pity party, But I agree, don’t stay there too long. I would say swimming would be excellent! You can do this, I know how strong you are. Hugs, Kama
oh, tatiana, we are tantruming together aren’t we? ugh! so so so sorry about this. with my back i was told i could never do certain things and turn out they were wrong. i know, though, that you have explored this carefully. you walk A TON, though, so your bosy must be ready for you to mix it up. i will do swim and bike forum with you soon! until then, have that pity party but stay away from the refreshments! writing to you with foot up and ice pack on (after going to farm, cooking two meals, and doing yoga today…)we’re so smart
wow- that’s tough. i’m so sorry to hear about that. i know its not the same thing, but… when i go to the pool here, there’s usually about 4 people swimming ane about 20 people waliking in the pool- would that be an option? and if you like music, they aren’t cheap, but there are swveral waterproof mp3 players now too. and i think its fairly good exercise. as for the bike- lol- no problem! learn how to turn! just take it slow and easy and you’ll get the hang of it. i hope you can something soon that you love. take care
Heya Tatiana,
I am *very* sorry to hear about your latest health issues. Sometimes it seems the bad things happen to the people with the best intentions. For what it’s worth, I happen to think swimming is the very best cardio/strength exercise out there. Hang in there!
And I agree.
I feel your pain Tatiana, specially because I know how much you love moving your body and feeling like you have accomplished something positive by exercising.
I wish there was anything I could say to make you feel better, but sadly, I can’t. The only thing I can do is encourage you to ask your doctor what suggestions he can make, aside from biking and swimming, so you can exercise.
I hear you on the walking too…now let me ask you this…if you rest up, like your doctor suggest and you follow the therapy, does that mean that you will be able to reintroduce walking back into your life, albeit slowly? If so, then it’s a matter of following the treatment and being patient, if not…then it’s time to do more research and perhaps get another opinion. And lady, let’s not be tragic here, I doubt you will need a walker anytime soon!!
I absolutely know how you feel and it is so scary. I know you can get into loving any activity Tatiana. I too need to take up something like swimming because it is just so much more gentle on the body. I also know I need to eat more foods that decrease inflammation. I love my cheese and chocolate and even some meats, but it does cause my joints to be more sore then they should be.
I have been pushing myself a little too much I think, not for long, but just since I have been able to. I hear you I want to run, fly, walk and it just is not so comfortable. Thank you for sharing. I want to take everything slow, but I have this same drive to go and go… I believe we have some work to do with patience, still. Just not so good at this, but I know we can do it, yes? Another challenge for us. Take care and be gentle with yourself. You are beautiful!… Mind, body and spirit
*hugs*
I for one am scared to death of riding a bike!!! I was really good at it as a kid, but then as I grew older, my knee gave out and I couldn’t ride a bike anymore, and then fear of falling set in and I refuse to ride one. Bike riding can aggravate knee injuries too. I can’t drive a standard transmission car anymore because of my knee. I feel for you!!! I know this is really frustrating you! I know how I feel when my knee flares up and how it impedes my progress and how I get so angry at myself for it swelling up and causing me so much pain. I am sorry you have to go thru this!!!
I’m sorry to hear this Tatianna. Know you are in my prayers. ((((((((Tatianna)))))))))))
Sorry to hear about no walking - What a shame! I know how you feel about walking because for me it’s just one of those really great meditative pleasures in life… the perfect exercise. You’ve got absolutely the right attitude I think when you say it’s about learning to love something else as much. I started bike riding earlier this year and it was just amazing once I got over the fear of crashing into things!
I read this and I can feel your pain - literally. When you say your body is betraying you, I know exactly what you mean and I am so sorry that it is happening to you. I love, love, love to cycle and last year I developed several bulging discs in my neck and (which I had surgically corrected) but I cannot ride without being in horrible pain. I have gotten so depressed and consequently ate uncontrolably because of it. I cannot figure out why the one thing I love and it is effortless, is the one thing I cannot do. And believe me I am not happy! What I have done is looked for other exercise and I’m trying mightily to like it (not there yet).
For me, my mental state and exercise are closely linked too and I really hope you find something that fits in your life and that you love!