Serendipity
New member
Things have been going really well with my exercise routine (walking/elliptical) for the past month or so- I've made a ton of progress with my endurance, from my gasping, panting first 15 minute attempt to blowing through 40 minutes like it was nothing.
A few days back, I pushed myself a bit harder/longer than usual and noticed a little twingeing pain developing behind my left knee as I was walking. I figured it was just an odd muscle cramp and kept going. The next day, it was still there. After about 10 minutes of fast walking, there would be a twinge, twinge, twinge every time I extended my leg. The last straw for the poor muscle was yesterday, when an engine breakdown forced me to walk the 8 miles back to my apartment. Great exercise- but it twinged the whole time and today I'm hobbling around like a senior citizen.
After doing a little poking around on the 'net, I'm pretty sure the pain is a strained calf muscle, and I need to give it a little rest. The question is, what can I do in the meantime? I'd hate to lose the progress I've made so far by sitting on my keister for the next week or so, (and I need to burn those calories!) but all the aerobic exercise I can think of involves using my legs.
Does anyone know of some good alternatives? Or have any suggestions about how long I need to let the muscle repair before I can get back on track again? Any input would be much appreciated!
A few days back, I pushed myself a bit harder/longer than usual and noticed a little twingeing pain developing behind my left knee as I was walking. I figured it was just an odd muscle cramp and kept going. The next day, it was still there. After about 10 minutes of fast walking, there would be a twinge, twinge, twinge every time I extended my leg. The last straw for the poor muscle was yesterday, when an engine breakdown forced me to walk the 8 miles back to my apartment. Great exercise- but it twinged the whole time and today I'm hobbling around like a senior citizen.
After doing a little poking around on the 'net, I'm pretty sure the pain is a strained calf muscle, and I need to give it a little rest. The question is, what can I do in the meantime? I'd hate to lose the progress I've made so far by sitting on my keister for the next week or so, (and I need to burn those calories!) but all the aerobic exercise I can think of involves using my legs.
Does anyone know of some good alternatives? Or have any suggestions about how long I need to let the muscle repair before I can get back on track again? Any input would be much appreciated!