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Ever since my knee injury in January knocked me out of commission for a few months {knocked me out of commission = no working out, no yoga, no knee bending to 90 degrees, nothing}, I have been itching to get back to my work out routine.
Those few months I felt seriously awful about the fact that I couldn’t maintain myself the same way. I mean, it’s not like I fell off the food wagon and ate like a pig or anything, but there’s something to be said about the way working out makes you feel about yourself.
Just within the last month I have been able to work out and do yoga again. But something isn’t right. Everything is a thousand times harder than previously and my body just doesn’t feel the same.
My body does not move or function the same way; I have aches and pains in places that I previously didn’t; stretches that were relatively easy, are no longer.
I’ve heard that this happens to women, but I’ve mostly heard about it happening post-baby.
Has anyone else out there experienced something similar?
And if so, is it crazy that I am, emotionally, feeling just awful because of it?
Rachel, you're not crazy, I promise. I'm not sure exactly what your knee injury was, but when I was 17 I ripped the meniscus in my right knee in half. I had to have surgery and was supposed to be “out of commission” for 2-6 months. Three years later, I'm still not 100% better. Granted, I got injured again, but I remember the first few months after getting back in the game and realizing how different my body felt. It was depressing. But don't give up, your body will bounce back soon, it just needs time. I let it get to me too much and stopped working out even when I technically could, but looking back I realize that if I kept at it I probably would be back to normal by now. You'll get back to where you were someday and you can move forward from there. 🙂
This is simply the result of not being able to workout for a while. No big deal. You will get back in your routine, it just takes some time. Patience is key.
I'm sure you will be able to get back into it…your body probably just needs to relearn it.
When my boyfriend and I moved in together I gained some weight and quit working out. Prior to this I had injured my ankle on a treadmill and couldn't work out as hard, but I learned to love the stationary bike and maintained my weight that way.
But now I have this weight I can't seem to loose and it seems harder than ever. I get really frustrated and cry about it a lot but I know that if I keep working hard it will get easier and it will come off and my stamina will return.
I'm sure that your strength will return soon!
You're not crazy at all! I had to have knee surgery and I still can't do lots without being in a lot of pain!
I had Runner's Knee 2 years ago and have had on and off IT band pain. Now I just do yoga, walk, or ride my bike. It took some time to get back into it. Hang in there!
I am sure you will get back into it. These things just take time. It just makes sense that your body feels different after some time off. You will get there!!
I am sure you will get back into it. These things just take time. It just makes sense that your body feels different after some time off. You will get there!!
I think it's going to take a while to ease back into it, but I don't think your body is permanently changed. The human body is incredibly adaptable–that fact helped me to relax after my ankle injury 🙂 Can you start out with some easy yoga classes to get back into the routine (i.e. those designed for older folks)?
When I rolled my ankle prior to Christmas it took a good two months of staying off of it and doing only minimal exercise before it healed. Even now, after I run I can start to feel a bit of pain again. I try to run only every other day to give my body a break.
I think the pain you're experiencing will lessen with time. What does your doctor say?
Fingers crossed that you feel better soon! 🙂