I paused, standing on my left leg, thinking, okay... maybe that was a fluke moment... but when I tried to step forward on my right foot, the immediate shooting pain let me know that it wasn't. Something was very not-right in my right calf. And that's when the swearing ensued--a blue streak of sheer pissed-frustratedness that it's only Day 5, and that I hurt myself.
I've got a "calf strain." There are apparently three levels of those, and I'm not at the top level, where things are majorly screwed up and you can't even put weight on it and there are months to recovery and such--so that's a good thing. I'm hoping I'm at level one or grade one where a few days of rest & care will be sufficient.
For now, I'm just supposed to take ibuprofen, and rest it, ice it, and elevate it, and see how things are after a few days. No jump roping for a while (which sucks--I was really liking it! [cue more swearing]), but I'm hoping for a relatively fast return to some kind of cardio.
I did complete my push-ups (on my knees) and sit-ups later--figuring that just because my legs were out of commission doesn't mean my chest & abs should be off the hook.
And as I sat with my ice pack on my calf this evening, I kept thinking, "This is mortifying. Everyone else is having a breeze with things, and I got hurt. We're just getting ramped up, and I got hurt. My brother is going to be so disappointed in me. I kept picturing myself rockin' out at Day 90 and I got hurt at Day 5. WTF?"
Patrick's told me I don't have to count myself out just yet, which is a big relief. So I'm not tossing that Day 90 picture out the window-- but I am still feeling disappointed in myself, and disappointed in my body for not performing like I want it to and like I think it should. I want to yell at my calf, "Man up and stop this nonsense! Just behave!" (A highly effective recovery technique, I'm quite certain. Rest, ice, elevation, and targeted hollering.)
In a way, though, I feel even more committed to fighting for this... because of how much I want to not feel disappointed in my body's performance and abilities.
But right now... uggggh. This really sucks.
* And just as a humor check from the universe, my brand new jumprope that I bought as a treat/motivation for myself arrived today, about an hour after The Pop happened. I cried.
A pop, huh?.... As if your body is protesting the change in lifestyle...! ;) Frustrating, no doubt; I know the feeling, having had to rehab a shoulder twice after feeling a similar pop during shoulder presses (each time).
ReplyDeleteThe bad news:
(1) Yeah...you can't go right back to 100% immediately.
The good news:
(1) Your decision to alter your lifestyle (eating habits, more active, etc.) hasn't changed. This decision you've made is half the battle...
(2) Your workouts don't have to suffer totally - they're just going to look different than what they did before. For instance, go from situps, to pushups, to holding yourself in plank position, back to pushups, to lying leg lifts, back to pushups (without rest between each set)...repeat! That'll no doubt get your heart rate up just as you had during your cardio.
(3) Even if you did minimal working out, simply by maintaing your diet such that your metabolism is riding high all day long, you're going to lose weight - I guarantee it.
(4) Just as I was told regarding my shoulders (and doubted, but turned out to be true), after the injury and rehab exercises, you will be stronger than before the injury.
No worries, though. There are 1000 different paths to success; you were working on one of them, and now you just have to pick one of the other 999 that'll work.
What a bummer! Don't stress about it or hurt yourself!
ReplyDeletePCP maybe for 90 days - but I'd hope that we'll be building habits to live with afterward. Hiccups happen - so just accept it and work with it. Think of this as a chance for your abs to beat your legs :)
(let me assure you .. having a breeze with things? I am not. Especially with the whole half portions thing. And next week ... oi!)
Ah, Marissa, that sounds painful. As the others have said above, don't let it put you off the entire programme. Alex's suggestions to adjust your routine seem helpful and will keep you burning fat and building strength.
ReplyDeleteDon't push the knee but look after it sensibly; eventually you'll be able to return to exercising it and it will probably be stronger afterwards.
And as Heather says, I'm not finding it a breeze at all. My gut reaction is to find other things to do rather than exercise. Yesterday I had to force myself to do it at 8 p.m. so that I wouldn't wimp out and just do something else.
Marissa, please don't be disappointed. You are going to do it well.
ReplyDeleteAt day 90 we will celebrate not only that you did it but that you were able to recover and became stronger.
Give your calf a lot of love and you will see how soon that new jump rope gets to be used.
Why was I speaking about your knee? It is your calf that's injured. Sorry Marissa, I should have read more closely what you wrote.
ReplyDeleteYou're not down and out yet!
ReplyDeleteI had a similar scenario when I was going through the PCP. My problem were my knees. It got so bad at one point that when I tried to jump rope they gave out on me and I collapsed in the driveway.
I had to take it easy for a while, eventually started wearing knee braces, spending time stretching my leg muscles before jumping, and the routine always finished with an hour of elevation and ice. That went on for weeks.
Then suddenly one morning, after my jumps, I noticed that my knees didn't hurt me anymore. I've been pain-free and brace-free since. That was the route my body took to make my legs stronger than they ever have been!
You're doing just fine, Marissa!
An injury is incredibly frustrating. I completely understand your reaction; however, I always try to use these situations as motivation. One injury is not going to stop you from continuing to work towards the goals you have set. Just be smart about protecting that area, and engage in other activities to get your heart rate up and work the other areas of your body. I am confident that you will continue to make progress as a result of the dietary changes you have made alone. So, the road may now be just a little longer in terms of meeting your cardio and strength goals, but you are still making great strides in improving your health. Once the injury heals, you will appreciate what you are able to do/accomplish so much more. Don't be discouraged; you are doing great!
ReplyDeleteThere's more than one way to blast fat off Marissa. We'll hook you up with some alternative exercises. The new jumprope arriving just afterwords is a real kick in the pants though! Stay positive.
ReplyDeleteThank you, everyone!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I posted about my frustrations because the responses have been tremendously helpful and encouraging.
I'm feeling reassured and still very committed to the Project and to that Day 90 visualization :)
I can do this. More importantly, I *will* do this. It'll just be in a slightly different route than planned!
Yes, yes, just think: exercise is only half of the project.
ReplyDeleteThis means you can excel in the food arena and the physical part will come with time and patience.
Rock it ma.
Hope you're on the mend. I think the advice above is good - do other things as your calf heals. You'll be back using your jumprope before you know it!
ReplyDelete