| I appear strong and stout. But every single time I start a weight training, strengthening routine..I hurt myself. Recently, I fractured a lower rib while doing squats. I can walk, but if I jog I end up in terrible pain for days. I am ready to give up and accept being floppy. I have been tested for everything, and I eat good and take supplements. I am not obese, but I could lose 15 lbs. |
|
You need to focus on walking, which is weight-bearing for your legs and core.
Add hand-weights at a very low weight (1 lb, 2lbs, 5 lbs). THEN do machines and free weights. You're pushing it too much too soon. |
| Are you pushing yourself too hard? |
| Get a trainer. |
It doesn't feel like I am. In fact it feels easy. I feel like I am not pushing myself enough. |
| walk,crawl,run. |
| the other way around. |
This. |
+1 And talk to your doctor about osteoporosis. |
|
How's your diet and nutrition? And hydration?
When starting on an exercise routine, you need to start slow and easy to find a comfortable starting point. Once you feel more settled, you can step it up. For running, maybe try couch to 5k thing, where you only run for short bursts initially. |
| have you tried low impact? i would probably work with a pilates private instructor. |
|
Also consider yoga and/or pilates to build core strength and flexibility. And swimming. Plenty of people aren't meant to be runners, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's very jarring--and I say this as someone who's been running for over 20 years.
There's no reason to give up on strength training, just consider some alternatives. Oh, and definitely have someone teach you proper form for lifting, if you do decide to stick with it. It's not as easy as it looks, and form makes a huge difference in staying healthy. |
| Have you seen an orthopedist or another specialist dealing with musclo-skeletal issues? I would get a second/third opinion--this sounds like an undiagnosed medical condition. |
| Try swimming, that is very easy on your joints. |
|
You fractured a rib? Did you give yourself enough time to heal?
Extra weight is better than doing more harm to yourself. Give yourself more time to heal and talk to your doctor regarding your calcium/vitamin D levels. Minimum 6 weeks: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/broken-ribs/DS00939/DSECTION=complications Also, were you doing the exercise properly? |