Whether you sprained an ankle or broke a toe, injuring yourself to the point that you can’t workout is extremely frustrating—not to mention potentially painful. When a doctor tells you to “take it easy” for several weeks and even months, it can sideline any fitness goals you may have been working on. When you can’t workout, it’s easy to slip back into lazy ways, forgetting that what you eat will also affect your health and fitness. Being banned from exercise is a death sentence for some, leading to stress and serious stir-craziness. But, when do you know it’s okay to start working out again and how do you go about it?

After an injury you should never go back to working out without discussing it with your physician. If you go against a doctors recommendations you could hinder the natural healing process and actually make the injury worse.

 

Once you have talked to your doctor about your desire to get back in the fitness saddle, you need to choose a workout program. It’s not a bad idea to talk to your doctor about this as well. For obvious reasons, you don’t want to jump into the P90X Plyometrics DVD immediately after breaking a foot but maybe your foot can handle the Yoga X DVD or the less cardio-intensive ChaLEAN Extreme program. Think about where the injury is and lean towards workouts that will take it easy on this area of the body.

As you begin working out again, you will notice tightness. After not working out for an extended period, your injury will be stiff and the rest of your body will be out of training condition as well. You are essentially starting over with your body and actually starting from an even less than beginning stage with the injured body part.

Learning to recognize the different between discomfort and actual pain is crucial when coming back from an injury. If it hurts intensely—STOP.

 

Baby your injury after working out as well. If you are slightly sore or if you experience any swelling, apply ice for about 15 minutes and elevate the ankle or injured part in question. You will need to take more days off than before and really listen to your body.

Coming back from an injury is a slow process and one that should only be taken with extreme patience. While it’s not as frustrating as being sequestered to the sidelines, it can be tough to slow yourself down when you’re given the clear to workout. Just remember to take it easy and talk with your doctor about any concerns.

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