Listen to Your Body & Heal First

When you workout, odds are you will either injure yourself or get sick.  Listen to how your body wants you to proceed.

By Teri Patterson, Fitness Instructor & Coach

We've all experienced it.  Either the flu or an injury sidelines you from working out. I've been lucky to experience both this month. 

First a good ankle-roll during a TurboFire workout left me with a twisted ankle that was swelling fast.  I remembered my high school health class training for the typical RICE treatment.  Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. 

For details on the RICE Treatment, more from The University of IOWA Health Care.

It surprises me that so many people that experience an injury keep going and don't stop to access the injury.  Please remember that if you keep going and "push through", you may then cause serious damage and could be out of commission for weeks compared to a day or two.  Maybe even worse, have to have surgery that puts you on the sidelines for months from workouts and your job.  So be smart and stop immediately after an injury.

Try to apply Ice as quickly as you can and hold for about 15 minutes.  Take some Ibuprofen which will also help reduce swelling, and relieve inflammation and pain.  Then rest.  I know this is hard to do when you are an active person.  But remember that a little rest now, will mean you will be "on your feet" faster in the long run.

If you have a cold or the flu, remember to drink more fluids then normal and rest even if you are feeling "ok".  Number one rule about being sick, if that the body is trying to heal itself from the inside out.  The body will turn its attention to reducing inflammation and healing then to building muscle or losing fat.  Get better, and then the body will focus on weight loss/getting stronger.  Another reason if you are not losing weight...it can be due to an injury.  Even a slight injury will cause inflammation in the body and focus will be on healing and not gaining fitness strength.

So what to do when you are starting to feel better?  Don't immediately head back to your regular workouts.  Focus on stretching, yoga or even swimming all of which are building your body/mind but are still allowing your body to heal. 

Here's to a healthy and safe new year!