Good morning! I’ve been feeling a bit sluggish to start the last couple of days. I’ve been changing my fitness routine around and there’s something about getting out of your comfort zone that makes you sleep sounder and while I feel more energetic during the day, I am a little bit slower to get up in the morning. That should pass here shortly. One of the notes I got this week actually addressed a problem that I have experienced recently so let’s start off there.
Getting off on the Wrong Foot with Walking
Dear Heather,
I started walking regularly or at least trying to walk regularly in order to get back into shape. I was inspired by many of the blogs you’ve written on the subject. But just three days into my mile a day walk, my ankles are killing me. My legs are tired and so are my feet, but my ankles hurt. Help! – Name Withheld By Request.
Dear Aching Ankles,
There are three possible causes that I can think of that would cause your ankles to ache. The first one is what type of shoes are you wearing for walking? You need a good pair of walking shoes that provide plenty of cushioning to help you absorb shock especially when you are walking outside on concrete. If your shoes are old or worn down, you might want to invest in a new pair. The second cause could be lack of proper support for your ankles – if you are overweight at all, your ankles could be experiencing a great deal more stress than they are used to when you are walking. Pay attention to your route and whether you are walking up hill, inclination can put more stress on your joints than you are used to as well. Finally, consider picking up some ankle supports for a time being and make sure you stretch out fully before you get started. If the ankle pain continues, consult your physician. You may also consider giving yourself 24 hours off between each walking session until you’ve built up your endurance and more. Let me know how it goes!
Dear Heather,
I hate working out. I don’t mean I dislike it some or I don’t have time for it, I hate it. I hate getting hot. I hate getting sweaty. I hate everything about it. I know I need to work out and I know I need to get more fit, but the constant grind in the gym is not for me. How do I get more fit if I hate working out? – K. Hopkins
Dear K.
I feel your pain, but there are plenty of ways to get fitter that don’t require you to bust a move in the gym. In other words, if you don’t care for the grind – you don’t have to do it. Look for activities you enjoy whether it’s roller skating, riding a bike or walking a circuit while the kids are playing in the park. You can also dive into the pool and swim regularly – anything that gets you to increase your level of physical activity will benefit your health, your body and your mind. Too often, we think of fitness and exercise as being a droning course of going from one weight machine to another, but if you hate it – you aren’t going to do it. Find something you enjoy, explore a multitude of activities until you find the one you like. From sports to play – there’s something out there for everything. You can dance. You can bowl. You can garden. You can ride a bike. You can hopscotch. You can jump rope. Find what appeals to you and chances are – you’re going to do it a lot more often.
Good luck with it!
Sorry for the short edition this week, but life is calling and I have to build some shelves, get the kiddo to school and get the house straightened up before the weekend gets here. Check back with us next week when I’ll try to answer more of your questions! Have a great one.
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