Working Out While Injured

Hi there! You're still checking this abandoned blog? Well, to everyone who's still reading, rather than explain where I've been, let me direct you here. Yes, our house has been full...of kids, vomit, and a poor, crying baby with a broken arm. An amazing baby who can't talk, but knows how to continue living her life to the fullest with a pretty significant injury. Here's what she's taught me:

1. Pain should NOT be ignored! Pain is the indicator of an injury. If you experience pain while working out (or crawling), stop. Cry. Don't use the injured body part until you figure out what is wrong! The old adage "no pain, no gain" does NOT apply. Discomfort while working out is OK, pain is not!
2. Consult a doctor. Just because your parents, gym buddies, friends, etc. think it's probably "just a bruise," doesn't mean that it is. If you're experiencing true pain, get a professional opinion!
3. Modify! If it hurts to crawl on your hand, try the forearm. Don't continue working through the pain...you could make it worse!
4. Avoid overuse injury. Landing too hard in a simple fall can cause a buckle fracture in the arm. Likewise, training errors, such as running too far, too fast, too soon can cause overuse injury in a runner. The feet have to absorb 110 tons of energy with every mile run, so don't do more than your body can handle!
5. Cross-train. If crawling hurts your arm, try taking a few steps with your legs! Walking may seem harder at first, but you may just find that you prefer it! If the doctor tells you to stop running for a while, try swimming or cycling! A new love affair may emerge.
6. Listen to your body. When you're ready and healed, get moving! Your body knows best!

5 unconventional fitness tips

Thanks to Evelyn for directing my attention to a few crazy, somewhat unconventional fitness tips. Here are a few:

1. Don't exercise with your BFF. I actually agree with this one. If a friend gets you to the gym, that's great. But don't sit and chat! You will work out at a much lower intensity. A great solution? Group fitness. You're there together, but you're doing the work out at your own level of intensity!
2. Wear RED! I've never heard this one. Supposedly the colors red and orange cause certain light waves to enter the eye. They convert to electrical impulses in the brain, which increase body temperature temperature, energy levels, and appetite (does that mean that red makes you hungrier, too? There's a new diet for you...the NO RED diet...except when working out!) So you'll be able to work out longer (and harder) if you wear red! Anyone want to test the theory?
3. Drink pickle and pineapple juices to help with recovery! It makes sense, but gross! Pickle juice? I guess the salt and vinegar in pickle juice help muscles recover from sodium loss and decrease cramping. Isn't that what gatorade is for? Pineapple juice (which I'm much more willing to try) can also reduce post-workout inflammation. Enzymes found in pineapple juice help with lactic acid buildup in the muscles. Interesting.
4. Run barefoot. I'm not going to promote this one. Don't do it. I'm all about GOOD RUNNING SHOES. Shoes can take the broken glass. My feet? Not so much.
5. Shout empowering affirmations while you workout. I would love to walk into a gym to hear the members chanting, "I. AM. STRONG. NOW!" with each repetition. IntenSati is a fitness program which means "moving meditation." The idea is to use the mind, and more importantly, the voice to intensify workouts. While jumping, lunging, whatever, you repeat a single statement such as "I. CAN. DO. THIS." IntenSati creator Patricia Moreno says, "The repetition of a single statement moves you into a state of focused awareness." She claims these motivational chants boost emotional strength, increase self-confidence, and distract participants from feeling fatigued, which increases the effectiveness of their workouts. I like it. Try it!

For the wisdom behind these unconventional ideas, and more, click here.

What do you think? Are you willing to wear red and drink pickle juice to improve your workout? What other strange workout rituals have you heard of (or practice)?