I'm 32, and I'm falling apart.

[Writer]

I was in the gym today doing weights. Both of my elbows popped as I worked on my tricep raises. In fact, I couldn't do the full movement on my last set (the heaviest - hypertrophy workout) so I had to stop.

Also my knees are popping as I run. Two years ago, I dislocated the right kneecap in a freak accident (no need for surgery, luckily) and the left knee is starting to pop a little.

Should I switch to lighter weights? Should I just rest my body for a while then start again? Should I stop running and focus on other cardio exercises, like cycling? Should I just let myself go so I turn into a pile of mush?

Anyone have any suggestions? :shrug:

Edit: grammar

[SPKrazy]

1. First off...

only if you are in pain should you stop something. if you are having injuries from jarring movements like running, then cycling is a great substitute. Or other cardio equipment like stairmasters, or elliptical machines, etc.

My knees have popped since I was 14, and I had to give up track when I was 16 due to arthritis. I ran in my 20's, but I've discovered that cycling, walking, cardio equip that is non- jarring to the joints is very good exercise.

You might talk to a trainer about your elbow probs it could be that some other exercise might help more and not cause the popping.

good luck, don't let yourself turn into a pile of mush, it is far too easy to become one and far too hard to stop being one.

:hi:

:pals:

[Writer]

7. All right.

Thanks!

[DS1]

2. I have suggestions, and amazingly they don't include photoshop

My left knee kinda clicks as I walk. I can't run anymore, but I can ride a bike. I threw it out hardcore during a drunken mosh-pit, my left kneecap was twisted 90 degrees to the left. Basically pointing the wrong way. Ever since then I've been walking kinda screwed up, but I can ride a bike for hours on end. It strengthens my knees as well as my heart and legs and all that good stuff.

[Writer]

8. I have a road bike, a mountain bike, and miles of bike trails here.

I really ought to switch gears... no pun intended. ;)

That's what happened to my knee, too. The knee cap displaced about 90 degrees then popped back into joint. I went to an ortho and had about 2 to 3 months of physical therapy.

[DS1]

11. Yup

that's what happened to me, but I didn't get the therapy, it was right back to running up and down beaches with a pack on my back - wearing boots

suck it up, as they said


yes, I'm bitter about it edit: but fuck it, that's what it's all about. going beyond pain, getting the job done, finish the mission

[Writer]

14. Awwww...

:hug:

[DS1]

16. eh, shit happens

drove these. got smashed up against the internal sighting systems plenty of times, got thrown out of the turret due to bad driving once, have had my helmet blown off by a wave too many times

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

3. Protect your knees and elbows any way you can.

Arthritis got my knee- I had my first TKR at 42- I had to have it done again five years later. Now my other knee is starting to dissolve.

All in all, I'd rather have the real thing rather than steel and plastic. You do NOT want that to happen to you because of too much unnecessary strain.

[Writer]

9. Oh dear.

That's what I'm fearing.

I think I may need to lighten my weights and do many reps.

[defendandprotect]

4. My experience with knees is don't try to walk thru it --

also try some ginger tea every morning -- just cut off a 1/2 inch piece of ginger and add boiling water -- it takes about 4 to 5 days to feel any improvement . . . if it's going to happen.

Also, I noticed if you miss like taking it three or four days, it will not only interrupt the improvement it will take you back to square one.

The most natural exercises seem to be bicycling and swimming --

I think it's been pretty much observed that jogging has been harmful to knees --
and I can tell you that the waiting rooms are full of young people with knee injuries, evidently from sports.

[Writer]

10. Ginger tea. How interesting!

I'm adjusting my diet a bit to a mostly vegetarian one (with fish). Ginger tea sounds like a perfect addition to that.

Thanks!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. My dear Writer....

My suggestion?

Talk to a personal trainer...

They can be enormously helpful!

The good ones have bachelor's degrees and know their stuff backwards and forwards....

:hi:

[EFerrari]

6. I'd also ask my doc about calcium. It's such a simple thing

but also so often overlooked.

[Writer]

13. Ohhh that I may be calcium deficient?

[EFerrari]

15. Maybe something to check out.

32? You're a baby. :)

[Writer]

18. I am a heavy (milk) drinker...

and indulge in yogurt every morning. But I don't rule out anything of the sort. I'll check in on it. Thanks. :)

Yes, I'd like to think I'm a baby. ;)

[EFerrari]

22. Well, baby, you may not be metabolizing it.

Work your doc over. :hug:

[Writer]

12. Also a good idea.

I live in Colorado. Personal trainers grow on trees around here.

I'll certainly look into it.

Thanks!

[Breeze54]

17. I was 26, healthy and falling apart after a drunk driver... hit me.

I used to cross country ski and swim and run and have great sex....

and I loved life and dancing and my little kids and all that was lost...

Driving drunks suck!! :grr:

[Writer]

19. I'm very sorry to read that.

:(

But you're still with us... and I'm glad of it. :hug:

[Deja Q]

20. I'm 35 and am begging to fall apart.

Even born severely premature, I have been grateful for my life; downsides and all. (6 years ago, climbing the steps at Minnehaha falls once too many times caused chest pains. Which is odd as, despite sweating all the time, I did more stressful walking last weekend over there and had no chest pains... and I don't exercise regularly; though weight lifting has improved the arms a bit, it hurts my knees every time...)

But I've been warned to change my diet (too high in protein -- kidney problems, fat intake is less of an issue believe it or not) and I still need encouragement to exercise in a day and age that seems too negative and cataclysmic to really care about. It's the one thing the media perpetuates, and I don't think it's done as a form of "reverse psychology". I'm told I'm intelligent and everything, but that doesn't make a difference when the day is said and done. Let's just say I'm smart enough to know I've been a fool.

I've seen pictures of you; you've got far more to live for.

:pals:

[no name no slogan]

21. I moved to the elliptical because me knees got too sore

Once I moved to that, the knees weren't quite so bad. I also like cycling, too, for the same reason. Not quite so much wear and tear on the knees, but you still get a good leg and cardio workout.

Also, how often are you working out? I found out if I do more than an hour 4x a week I get really sore, although I do like the runner's high. Unfortunately I've been sick the last six weeks so I haven't done much of anything. :(

Oh, and in the interest of age disclosure, I'll be 38 in a few weeks. And yes, I am falling apart, but still get mistaken for 28 once in awhile. ;)

[davsand]

23. I'd suggest more low impact stuff like a session on an elliptical.

I can't speak for intelligent folks or even people who know much about working out, but I can tell you that I have found that my knees don't hurt after I work out on an elliptical but they DO hurt after a session on a bike or treadmill. I lowered resistance on the bike and that did help some, but not enough to make it worth it to me.

I am not sure what your goal is with the weights, but I will tell you that I have had some good results with lower weight free weights and higher numbers of repetitions. I wanted to get rid of those flappy upper arms (I got tired of my upper arms waving goodbye AFTER I was out the door.) An added bonus to working with lower weights and higher reps is that it allows you to move a bit faster so your heart rate stays up.

I started working out to boost my cardio and tone up after a fairly large weight loss. My last trip to the doc's office had my blood pressure at normal levels while in there (I have serious white coat anxiety) for the first time in over 10 years...

I'd hate to see you give up and sit down--that would be so very bad for your health--but I do think that you might be well advised to take the advice here and talk to a personal trainer about what will accomplish your goals in a way that is safe for you.

Regards!


Laura

[laylah]

24. Oh sweetie!

you have no idea! :rofl: That said, just keep doing your weights, walking...and showering is always good :evilgrin: