Injuries...

Injuries are a hard thing to deal with, especially for those of us who are constantly involved in something active. If you’ve ever been injured and had to sit out, you know how frustrating it is to sit on the sidelines and not be able to participate; however, I think that everyone can learn from injuries and if willing, come back to training with a new perspective and much more heart and determination.

I have been dealing with a hamstring injury for a little over two months now while running a fitness bootcamp class, coaching soccer, and in the midst of training for a triathlon, all of which obviously require physical activity and it’s been quite a journey so I’m trying to look at the positive side. First of all, being injured requires me to become knowledgeable about my injury and figure out different ways to train without furthering it such as the gymnastics rings or yoga, which is only going to benefit my career and enable me to help others in the same situation. Secondly, it makes me focus on exercises and mobility that I tend to neglect when I’m able to workout full boar, like my core and tight hips. Thirdly, and most importantly, it makes me appreciate the physical abilities I do have, and reminds me that not everyone is blessed with the same opportunities. There is nothing more disappointing than seeing a perfectly healthy (not injured) person slacking in a workout, or simply being lazy, because there are so many people who would kill for the opportunity to run up a flight of stairs just once in their lives, and yet most of us complain about walking them. Once I’m able to get back into training at 100% it will only push me harder because I want to take full advantage of the time and abilities I have because I know that in a second, everything can change. I know it seems extreme, but it’s the truth.

So, for those of you dealing with injuries, or those of you yet to have them (just wait, it will happen), try and look at the positive side of a frustrating situation and don’t get discouraged because you can’t do the things you’re used to. There are many forms of exercise to explore that build and restore your body without breaking down already injured muscles, you just need to find what fits you best.

#injury #fitness #health #lift #strength #run #hamstring #rest #recovery