OBSTACLE 5: INJURY

“I’M HURT!”

It happens to all of us--

injury. Whether it’s a

nagging IT band or knee

surgery or a twisted

ankle, injury happens.

But injury doesn’t mean

you have to stop

exercising.

You can get and maintain

good health even injured.

TALK TO THE DOC

The first thing you need to do when

you get injured is talk to your

doctor. You need to know the extent

of your injury and just how much

exercise you can do.

• Do you need medication?

• Do you need physical therapy or

surgery?

• Do you need a brace or wrap?

• Can you do weight-bearing

exercise?

• When are you released for

exercise?

WHAT CAN I DO NOW?

Once your doctor gives you the go-

ahead and helps you define just how

much exercise you can do, the next

step is to realize you can still get someexercise, even injured. For example:

• If you hurt your knee, you can still

do a basic upper body workout.

• If you hurt your arm, you can still

do a basic lower body workout.

• Talk to your doctor about light yoga

and/or pilates.

MODIFY YOUR EATING

While injured, you may still be able to

exercise, but perhaps not at the intensity

you were before. That means you’re not

burning as many calories and are at risk

for weight gain. Because of that, you

need to modify your eating habits while

injured.

• Reduce extra sweets in your diet

• Reduce unnecessary carbs

• Eat more vegetables at every meal to

help fill you up

TAKE YOUR TIME

You may be tempted to rush

through the healing process, but

doing so risks re-injury and ending

up right back where you started. If

you continue light exercise and

you modify your diet, once you’re

all healed up, you’ll be able to get

back to normal quicker and

prevent weight gain.

Have patience while your body

heals. Light exercise and a

modified diet should help keep you

I shape while you get injury-free.