Take care of yourself

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

I went 17 days without going to the gym (until this past Monday) because of a nasty cold. When I finally went back, it felt great except that my chest was sore all week from that first workout. It had been a while since I had taken any significant time away, and it felt good to get back, even as sore as it made me. But I like that sore -- it's a good sore to have. Shows you worked hard.

Now I need to get back on track with some cardio -- I could barely breath just sitting on the couch for those two weeks my head was so stopped up. I'm curious to see how much slower my times are after two weeks of minimal movement.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Dear IT bands,

If you could go ahead and get used to 20-mile runs and not twist like ribbons after 2 hours, 40 minutes of pounding, that would be great.

Much obliged,

SIU

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Have you tried those foam rollers after a run/workout? (Not the best link, but I'm on the way out the door and the first one I could find: http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/flexibilityandstretching/ss/FoamRoller.htm)

I've had IT band issues and I bought a mini roller (Target only had it in pink, I swear!); use it every day and rarely have issues anymore (I used to wear a knee wrap when I jogged and such, too, and now I don't have to.)

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

I've heard about 23,593 ways to do something about the shin splints that I keep getting. Is there a definite medical cause and cure or is everything I hear just a guess or idea that has been passed on and on and on... thanks

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

This isn't a "definite medical cause/cure," but often shin splints can be corrected by an orthotic or simply the right shoe. If there is an athletic store in your area that specializes in running shoes (I'm near Portland, OR, which has several), check it out. There are places that will put you on a treadmill and analyze your gait, stride and footfall and recommend a shoe that will correct any flaws in those areas. In my case, shin splints were happening because I overpronated. I have pairs of shoes that, after one mile, leave me with excruciating shin splints.

And I have pairs that I can pound out 16 miles on asphault and feel great. Well, not great, but no shin splints.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

What are some good lower back exercises? I've gotten back into the habit of going to the gym after losing it for sickness and then a bout of laziness, but I've realized that's an area of my body that isn't getting worked at all. Upper back is, but not lower.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Supermans, reverse hypers, Keystone (stiff-leg) deadlifts and here's a good one here:

Think of it as a crunch for your lower back.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Thanks, sp. I'll give that a shot when I go tomorrow.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Also, google "good mornings" (these are intense) and try back extensions, weighted or no.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Do deadlifts to work the entire posterior chain.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Anyone got any tips for dealing with the emotional roller coaster that comes with being on prednisone (or in my case, methyl prednisone)?

Backgroud: I'm a lifelong asthmatic who's been on prednisone probably 6-8 times in my life, none after I got on Advair last year (spirometry reading up to 97 last month! It's such a wonderful drug) until I caught a nasty case on bacterial bronchitis last week. The first antibiotics I got, generic zythromax, for those playing the home game, didn't do anything and the bronchitis and my asthma were setting each other off, so the doc gave me new antibiotic, levaquin, and a six-day pack of methylprednisone when I saw him yesterday.

I've been on them a day and can already breathe better, but I've got the nasty edginess that comes with the steroids and a persistent feeling of being about to cry. If I remember correctly, I haven't had this problem with regular prednisone, but the last time I was on a methylprednisone pack like this, I had much the same reaction. Is there anything I can do about that, or is it just part for the course with this wonderful yet very obnoxious drug?

I haven't been able to lie down for a week. I will be so happy when then all clears up.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

I don't know anything about the drugs, but if you're on steroids anyway and feel capable, take the MLB approach and hit the gym!