Here’s a letter I got from a reader recently:
I've been training for more than eight years, and although I've maintained my weight, I feel like my muscles aren't as toned as I'd like. I'm 5'6" and weigh about 145 lb. I have a bad knee with bone on bone and it's difficult to work my leg muscles, but I'm getting there. How can I keep motivated to work out strong without thinking that I'm just not going to get where I want to be? I still feel good after a workout and I have a trainer to help with my knee while I await possible surgery, but I've lost my motivation.
Thanks! Karen
I hate to admit it, but I am the least patient person when it comes to injuries...I just keep plowing along! But I learned a harsh lesson a few years ago when I sustained my first concussion – I kept trying to get back to my workouts but always had to stop, repeatedly, because I was simply trying too hard and moving too soon. It was a hard lesson to learn, but I know now to come back slowly and take my time after an injury. So, Karen, let me first tell you to seek medical advice. Then, do what I did when I was injured – be good to yourself and don’t rush back too quickly. Finally, read the real-life motivational stories in our Oxygen Collector's issue, Off the Couch! You'll get loads of inspiration, believe me! Motivation comes from within, ultimately, but reading inspirational stories of women from across the country just might help too! How else do you stay motivated? Let me know!
Note: In a previous blog posting, I told you all that you can buy Off the Couch! here if you don’t see it on stands in your city or town. What I didn't know is that that link only applies to our North American readers. Sorry! If you live overseas, please email sales@emusclemag.com to get a copy.
Knowing that I have to wait patiently to begin workouts after an injury encourages me to use proper form everyday. I too hate taking breaks from my workouts and have found that practicing yoga regularly, along with my weights and cardio, helps me avoid injury. Thanks for the reminder to take a break if you are injured!
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ReplyDeleteIt could be a good idea designing a workout that dont put very much effort on feet and knees. Manye overweight people have trouble with that.
ReplyDeleteOne tip from me for cardio part is to shift and mix a lot. From the begining I could use one machine more than 10 min before it hurt somewhere. But i found that when I shifted machine I could go on a bit more.So instead of only doing 10 min I started to change cardio equipment and ended up doing 30 min, the 40 min. A typical workout would then be to start on a treadmill (not fast but instead with 10% incline), the hope on a bike for 10 min, then crosstrainer, thn row, cardio wave and what ever. As I started to build a bit of condition I increased the minutes. Anothe tip is to do 10+10 min the do some gym excersise and then dp 10+10min cardio again.
Resting and changing is key when your overweight