Desperate for fresh air and exercise!!
kathg
Posts: 142
Hi all. some advice needed please...
I had foot surgery on 16th January and after a couple of weeks of doing nothing except elevating foot and swallowing pain killers I have now moved on to doing ab work, sitting weights (just bicep curls and shoulder presses) and a brisk walk up a hill on my crutches (about half a mile) whenever its not raining.
The problem is my arms get really tired using crutches for any longer and my wrists are starting to hurt. I'm finding my arms are getting tired before I actually start puffing so am struggling to get any sort of aerobic exercise. My bike fitness has been really hard won and I'm getting depressed at the thought of another couple of months with no riding and getting so little fresh air and exercise. It's really amazing how dependent I seem to have become on riding for making me feel happy and healthy. Am def starting to feel a bit down in the dumps
So, any ideas for a) strengthening muscles specific for using crutches and b) any other exercises that could be done to maintain a bit of fitness (bearing in mind I can't use an exercise bike for another few weeks). Any tips gratefully received!!
Kathg
I had foot surgery on 16th January and after a couple of weeks of doing nothing except elevating foot and swallowing pain killers I have now moved on to doing ab work, sitting weights (just bicep curls and shoulder presses) and a brisk walk up a hill on my crutches (about half a mile) whenever its not raining.
The problem is my arms get really tired using crutches for any longer and my wrists are starting to hurt. I'm finding my arms are getting tired before I actually start puffing so am struggling to get any sort of aerobic exercise. My bike fitness has been really hard won and I'm getting depressed at the thought of another couple of months with no riding and getting so little fresh air and exercise. It's really amazing how dependent I seem to have become on riding for making me feel happy and healthy. Am def starting to feel a bit down in the dumps
So, any ideas for a) strengthening muscles specific for using crutches and b) any other exercises that could be done to maintain a bit of fitness (bearing in mind I can't use an exercise bike for another few weeks). Any tips gratefully received!!
Kathg
0
Posts
Muscle-wise I'm guessing its your triceps and latissimus dorsi (the ones below and slightly to the back of your armpits)that need building up to keep you up on crutches. So maybe press-ups - resting on your knees rather than your feet - and push ups - imagine sitting in an arm chair, put your hands on the arms and push up to lift your body up off the seat. All do-able in the comfort of your living room :-)
Bruiser
Panzer
Commuter
"I spent most of my money on birds, booze and fast cars: the rest of it I just squandered." [George Best]
Kathg
Best of luck, I've been out of action due to injury/ops a couple of times and I remember how far up the wall the lack of exercise/fresh air etc drove me.
Bruiser
Panzer
Commuter
"I spent most of my money on birds, booze and fast cars: the rest of it I just squandered." [George Best]