Non-step workouts

[pjlippert]

Hi Cathletes,

I'm recovering from a badly sprained ankle (four weeks ago- fell off the Step) the MRI results are supposed to be in today. But my foot and ankle doctor told me I need to avoid the Step until my ankle is better and my new orthotics and sports-ankle supports are in.

Which workouts can you recommend to get my heart-rate up, burn fat but is Step-less? I've tried doing some of Cathe's workouts that are Step intensive without the Step and can't seem to get good momentum.

Please Pray that the MRI results show just a minimal amount of ligament damage or better none!!

Thanks you awesome Cathleltes!

Pam

 

[JodelleFitzh20]

honestly, as a trainer I would recommend staying off of it, to avoid damaging anything else. Maybe nows a good time to dive into the upper body and the core and focus on lifting a bit more wieghts and adding a little muscle to improve metabolism. Standing to do upper body work is fine, but your ankle really needs rest in order to heal properly. Walking around doing your normal daily activities will be more than enough to strengthen it without damaging it. I would say if you really wanted some cardio work, focusing on swimming using your arms more than you legs, like in a butterfly stroke. Also, a great heart pumping workout is seeing how many pushups you can do in one hour. Just do as many as you can, then rest for 30 seconds and then repeat for one hour, resting for 30 sec when you need to. Your chest and arms will be baking and your heart will be pumping as if you were running miles! Do it from your knees if it bothers you to be up on your toes. Good luck, girlie.

 

[pjlippert]

MRI - nothing abnormal Thank God!

Hi and thank you for your support and extremely good advice. Whenever I thought about "testing" the Step, I saw your email (and others) flash before my eyes.

Totally shocked. The MRI showed nothing. I'm thinking that it could have something to do with the fact that I didn't get it done until nearly a month after it happened and I had been extremely limited as to doing much.

My foot and ankle doctor has recommended new orthotics (I insisted), ankle braces that the hard-core athletes use. I see him again on Monday and I'm betting he'll prescribe physical therapy- we had already talked about it and he is very agreeable to it. Thank God for really good med insurance!!

I did try a modified Tae Bo today and it felt pretty good. I had taped my ankles up really well and focused on every movement carefully. I desperately needed a good sweat. We live at 7800 feet in the really hilly mountains of Colorado so my morning walks are a bit slower- much to my dog's shagrine (he's a Bichon so his shagrine is pretty cute! haha). I'm gonna keep doing Cathe's muscle & core focused workouts- pretty much kept up on those just not as seriously.

The repair people came and fixed my Stairmaster. I tried it for about a minute (still tired from the Tae-bo) and I think it will be a good option. I have decided to stay off the Step until I get the all clear from both Dr. Foot and PT Guru- again- THANK YOU for keeping me in line you PT Goddess- you are an angel! all of you Cathletes are amazing!

Have a super weekend!

Hugs!
Pam

 

[JodelleFitzh20]

Glad to hear it...sounds like you are on the road to recovery. Keep the muscle building up...it will fire the metabolism to burn fat even when you are sleeping!!!

 

[syzygy314]

Hi Pam!

Sorry about your mishap! I have that fear myself as I workout in a very small living room! If you have access to a gym or YMCA, you should try water aerobics! You'd be surprised how hard it works you and it takes the weight bearing off of your joints!

Good luck in your recovery! I'm sure you'll be back stepping before you know it!