I have hit a roadblock. *sigh* I’ll be the first to admit it, some of my resolutions are looking dismal at this point. Resolutions #6 and #8 are at a standstill. To refresh your memory, #6 refers to exercising at least 30 minutes a week, and #8 is completing the couch potato to 5k program and run my first 5k. I have an injury even before I really started!
Confession: I have a bum ankle, and I have my grandmother’s weak ankles. A few years ago, my right ankle gave way as I was starting to cross the street at the University of Tennessee. I thought my pride was the only thing injured, but more than likely I had a bad sprain which went untreated. Somehow I have reinjured the ankle. Dr. Mom said that I probably have tendonitis in my ankle. For a couple of weeks, I’ve been dealing with shooting pains which stab through my ankle and shoot up my leg, in addition to some pain in the ball of my foot and through my toes. Needless to say, I am at a resolution roadblock.
Today, I had an “Oh crap! What am I going to do now?” moment. I’m a teacher, and spend 75% of my day on my feet. I’m a big sister, and the little sister loves to be chased. I’m a member of a team in a fitness challenge at work. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I challenged myself to look at the bright side. Resolution #10 (make my health a priority) now comes into action. I’m going to ask our school’s trainer to look at my ankle tomorrow and see what she thinks. Then, I’m going to call our rheumatologist (my mom and I see a rheumatologist for our fibromyalgia) and set up an appointment. And I’m feeling some blog entries coming about how to best use your time when you’re laid up with an injury! What is the bright side? If I do have to have physical therapy, at least I can learn some exercises to help strengthen my ankles. And I will get a good check-up and doctor or therapist-recommended shoes before I do start running.
Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I can make this work. Do you have a resolution you’re struggling with? Challenge yourself to look at the positive side and then work around it. What are you recommendations for how I can work around my injury?
My suggestion is to nuance the resolution. Sure "couch to 5k" would be an amazing accomplishment but so is "couch to anywhere that isn't the couch and is making me healthier"! How about researching stretches and small exercises that will help your ankle? I know I will never run a marathon - but I can walk a mile. It's not as sexy and Oprah won't put you on her show for doing it - but maybe that's the point: doing things that are good for who you are not who you think you should be.
ReplyDeleteSo, I had another thought (novel, I know): I was walking to work this morning (which is one of my new years resolutions: to walk to work about 3 times a week) and it occured to me
ReplyDeleteTHIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE WALKED TO WORK SINCE JAN 1.
Why? Because it has been in the 20s and 30s every morning since the new year and there was no way I could walk 1.5 miles in that kind of temps. I didn't even consider it. But the first morning it creeped up over the 40s... I made it! I walked to work! I don't feel a bit worried about the "lost time" because frankly new years resolutions are about making my life better - not me miserable.
I hope you find this encouraging!