Injury Flare Up
I’ve posted many times here about my dodgy knees. They are a mess, due to many years of jumping up and down on concrete floors, when I was an aerobics instructor. In those days aerobics instructors were not qualified, as there was no qualification course at that time. Aerobics classes were very new on the fitness scene at the time. Classes We’re high impact and fast and, in the early days, were done in bare feet. I shudder to think of it now!
Immediately a qualification course became available, I went along and became accredited as a group fitness and gym instructor. Immediately, it was compulsory to wear shoes in gym classes. But the changes were too late to save these knees!
Because of this current flare up, my exercise has been restricted. I’ve been under the instruction of a sports physio for my rehab, and for the first couple of weeks, only able to do upper body in the gym. No walking, hiking, cycling or swimming.
Now, almost eights weeks in, I’ve graduated to the spin bike, but for no more than half an hour, with no resistance for a few days, and a gradual increase in time and resistance after that. Happy days! I’ve also started walking in the pool, and am looking forward to being able to swim, when the muscles around my knee become a bit stronger.
All of the above is not meant to be a whinge, but background as to why I’m not able to walk at the moment.
Usually, I would walk long distances, at least four times each week. I really really do miss it, for many reasons. I miss being able to keep fit, and I miss that feeling of well being after a long walk.
Blog Planning
I’ve only recently realised that I also miss having big chunks of blog planning time. At the end of a long walk, I would have many entries and bullet points for future blog topics and titles, on my phone.
I also miss the inspiration that I get from clearing my head and being open to whatever thoughts pop in there,
There is no other time in my day,when I’m a complete clearing for random thoughts. Before this injury, at the end of every walk, I would be amazed at the thoughts I’d had, for future blog posts. Sometimes content would pop into my head and sometimes just a thought for a future post, would occur to me out of nowhere.
That is what is most annoying to me about the injury. I understand the rehab process and what I can and can’t do. But my process of thinking of a topic for a a blog post, while injured, has by necessity become much more structured.
While writing this post, I’m spinning the wheels on the spin bike and dreaming of getting permission to put the walking shoes or hiking boots back on, and being able to get out into the fresh air, putting one foot after the other. I am positive when that happens, my organic style of blog planning will begin again.
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This post is linked up to #lifethisweek
Sorry to hear your knees are giving you grief. I really hope you are able to get back to it sooner rather than later. I don’t walk enough – but when I do it makes such a difference to how I feel about everything – and yes, it’s great for the inspiring writing.
Visiting from #LifeThisWeek
Hi Sandra I’m sure I’ll be back to it in just a few weeks. Thanks for visiting
I hope so 🙂
Walking clears my head & helps me make sense of plot issues when I’m writing. My brain just doesn’t work as well when for some reason I can’t walk regularly. Hoping you heal soon.
Thanks Jo. I see you totally get it
I used to go for a walk to clear my head. I worked from home at the time and lived on the esplanade and it was easy to walk out of my door and wander for a while and then return feeling refreshed and often having pondered what I need to.
I live in a really hilly spot now so not conducive to walking if you’re as unfit as I am. I do miss the walks though. I hope the knees continue to improve.
Thanks for your kind wishes Deborah. Such a shame you’re surrounded by hills now. If you felt like it, you could walk just one hill until you feel fitter. Your fitness would increase quickly
I tell my husband (tongue in cheek) that too much exercise is bad for your health – now I can use you as my example! He’s currently nursing an Archilles injury that’s kept him from running for several months (except on the eliptical machine). After many hundreds of dollars in sports physio and podiatry, I think he’s coming to realize that his outdoor running days may be over. It’s tough when our bodies aren’t doing what we’re used to them doing – I’m sure you’ll be out in the fresh air before much longer and all those blog posts will be blossoming in response!
Oh no. I feel for your hubby Leanne and understand how frustrated he must be feeling. Hope he’s back to his normal routine sooner rather than later.
I feel the same way as you, except substitute “running” for “walking”. At the end of a long run, I have so many ideas for blog posts in my head. I hope your knees allow you to get back out there very soon.
I agree also with running Laurie. It used to be running for me too but I’ve now ‘graduated’ to walking
Doing other things really clears my head on books and blogging and writing in general, so I can sympathise! I’m on a bunch of antibiotics right now and they’re aggravating so many other injuries that all I can really do is be gentle for now – maybe then I can get back on the bike at home and regain so much lost fitness I used to have.
I know how you’re feeling re the lost fitness Vanessa. Same here
I’m with you you Jennifer, walking time is so good for clearing my head and I get the most amazing thoughts pop into my head, ideas for blog posts, things to write about and how to do things differently! I hope you can get back out there soon 🙂 #lifethisweek
Thanks for your good wishes Deb. Seems like many bloggers have the same experience.
Taking a shower has the same results for me. Except I can’t take my phone in to jot down notes! Sometimes I come up with “the best” (in my mind) opening sentences for blog posts while I’m in the shower, and forget them by the time I’m out. #Lifethisweek
Same. If o don’t jot them down immediately they’re gone. Bit difficult in the shower 😂 Thanks for visiting
Oh my goodness, I remember being a participant in those “Jane Fonda” type aerobics classes and yes, we were in barefeet. I do some walking and would like to think I could do more. It’s hard when fitness has been a mental and physical go-to for you. I hope you find some solace in the changes.
Thank you for linking up for #lifethisweek. Next week is 7/51 T: Telling Self-Care Stories #1. 17.2.2020. Hope to see you there AND the next 10 prompts are on the home page now! Denyse.
Thanks for popping in again Denyse. Will check out your new batch of prompts