Exercise - Working Out - Staying Fit: What do you do?

[ardaniel]

Terry, running question:

Do you get compartment syndrome? If so, any tips on prevention?

I'm not Terry. I had exertional compartment syndrome issues in high school running cross-country. I went to a sports medicine doc and they told me not to run, not even to get to class on time, and sent me off for orthotics.

(Edited to add: Apparently, having proper rest periods, *not* running when you're having continual symptoms, and ramping up your workout intensity by no more than 10% a week is the thing here. My case was partially determined by the fact that my coach was a drunken slave driver, so Not Running At All and getting a note for gym class worked best.)

These days, you'll want to talk to a good sports medicine guy; if you don't have insurance, you should probably go to your local spendy running store and let them analyze your gait and suggest correctives.

(I am still in orthotics and can't run for unrelated reasons. When I went for a new pair of orthotics last year, the podiatrist was happy to cast my feet and make custom ones if I wanted to stick my insurance for it-- I did-- but he also suggested a specific model of SuperFeet insoles, if I couldn't spring for custom orthotics. A similarly sympathetic specialist may do the same for you.)

[Terry.Tyson]

Terry, running question:

Do you get compartment syndrome? If so, any tips on prevention?

I don't but Nick, it's likely because I don't exercise like a maniac without increasing the intensity over a long time. My hiking is generally increased over a season then plateaus. I stay pretty active and I get the traditional shin splints now and again but try to prevent that by warming up a lot. Other than the traditional aches and pains, some of which comes from age of the machine and not uncommonly encountered injuries, I'm pretty lucky.

The main thing I'm working on now is to get some poundage off to reduce the impact on my joints and such. That will make the biggest difference on my joints I think.

[nickellis]

Thanks Terry,

Yeah, I suspect the building up too quickly is the main issue I'm having. Oh, and not stretching. At all.

Also, I can vouch for the weight loss making a difference - when I was five kilos lighter I could go for a lot longer. Ok, I know that sounds all sorts of wrong, but I'm too tired to work out how to extract the euphemism.

I could almost dunk too! (Read: barely touch the ring.)

As for this weekend, basketball and indoor soccer.

[Terry.Tyson]

Thanks Terry,

Also, I can vouch for the weight loss making a difference - when I was five kilos lighter I could go for a lot longer.

No need to extract. And yeah, totally true.
The catch is that to lose the weight, one must exercise (well, there's that calorie reduction thing, too) and it's harder to exercise when you're heavy, and well you can complete the vicious circle.

[kon-el kent]

With the nice weather upon us, as well as my upcoming nuptials, I have decided it is time to get back into shape. I started Weight Watchers 3 weeks ago with my fiance and have since lost 7 lbs.

My problem is that I have been really lazy about exercising. Any recommendations on how to get back into the groove of working out?

[Karen Mahoney]

With the nice weather upon us, as well as my upcoming nuptials, I have decided it is time to get back into shape. I started Weight Watchers 3 weeks ago with my fiance and have since lost 7 lbs.

My problem is that I have been really lazy about exercising. Any recommendations on how to get back into the groove of working out?

7 lbs in 3 weeks is a great start! Well done to both of you for getting back into health/fitness/etc.

Sadly, I am the wrong person to ask about exercise. I am disgustingly out of shape and very, very lazy when it comes to exercise myself. The only exercise I do is walking (because I don't have a car) and I have just started Very Gentle Yoga. 10 minutes a day. I have already missed several days, though.

Good luck!

Kaz

[Terry.Tyson]

My problem is that I have been really lazy about exercising. Any recommendations on how to get back into the groove of working out?

That's a hellova start. For me, just taking a walk is an ice breaker. I'll workout fine for 3 weeks and then take a week off and start again by walking. Actually, I am an avid hiker so it's more of a hike than a walk...but if all else fails, it's a walk.

On long hikes, I will plug in and listen to music to help make the miles shorter. A lot of hikers look at me as if I was peddling kiddie porn but since I'm old, they leave me the hell alone.

Main thing is...just elfin' MOVE. Regardless of what you're doing, moving matters.