The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[oksoonergirl26]

Oh yeah-I didn't even try to go outside to run unless it was above freezing and even then I didn't do much. I am so ready for the cold to pass. Of course tomorrow it is suppose to rain. Rest and heal, it will do you good!

[DogMa]

Yeah, so much for the run this weekend. I went to a massage therapist last night. At least she found where the problem was, but it's a muscle deep inside my leg, near the bone. She said not to run till it's healed, but that I can walk as long as I don't do hills and stretch a lot before and after. And heat it up with a heating pad beforehand. So that's what I'm trying for now.

[oksoonergirl26]

My husband is having the same problem with his hip and he finally broke down and called the ortho-he won't get a massage for some reason.

[bikipatra]

Robin, I was reading above about your asthma while running. I don't know if you remember, but last time I did Medifast, I ended up being a jogger. I stopped somewhere along the way of my gaining almost all my weight back. I did not have asthma back then. I was diagnosed with asthma several months ago and it is exercise induced. Nonetheless, at my start weight, pre-Medifast, I tried some walking mixed with jogging several weeks ago with some disastrous results. I didn't have my inhaler with me and truly felt I might give out in the street in the few blocks from home.Walking is fine.NO asthma attacks. But of course I want to jog. How did you handle your asthma and jogging then running? Do you think it will be easier when I weigh less? Thanks a lot for any tips and sorry about your current leg problem!

[DogMa]

Hey, Biki, nice to see you back (although I'm sorry about the gain and the other problems you've had). My asthma appears to be more cold-induced than anything, so it's not generally an issue unless it's ridiculously cold out. The inhaler's not helping, so I think my way of handling it will be to stay on the treadmill when it's below 30 or so. It's not ideal, but it's the easiest solution for me. I don't know that the weight will matter; I'm at my lowest adult weight ever right now (well, not today, but you know what I mean).

And Sooner, I highly recommend the massage, which is very new for me. But after three weeks of pain, I got the massage, followed the therapist's advice - and have been able to walk the past few days. And yesterday and today I've been almost pain-free, so I have hope that I'll be back to running soon. As a show of faith, I signed up for the 5K at Disneyland in September. (Her advice was to stretch well before and after, both the front and back of my legs. She also said to walk with no hills and to avoid running until it's healed. So I've been stretching for several minutes, then walking at a 1 incline and a somewhat slower than normal speed. And finally, she said to try some Ben-Gay type rub. I'm not sure the Flexall I bought is helping, but I started using it Friday night and Saturday I woke up completely pain-free. I feel a little tight still, as if I'm a step away from actual pain, but that's a whole lot better than before.) So I'm definitely a believer right now. I'm hoping to at least jog some intervals by the weekend.

[bikipatra]

Thanks for the info. I think i'll just stick to walking right now.

[oksoonergirl26]

I love massages, but my husband just doesn't want one. I am scheduling one and a facial as my reward for doing the half. The Disneyland thing sounds really fun! One of my friends wants me to do the Katy Trail 5K in May, maybe? One of my husband's friends wants us to do this seriously crazy thing called the Warrior Dash-it's like an obstacle course, I figure, why the heck not-I am only going to live once! He went to the ortho today and the doctor wants to bring him in for an MRI. The doctor thinks he has a compressed disc that is causing some nerve damage. Weirdly though, the doctor didn't tell him not do the the half-marathon.

[DogMa]

Well, yay! Saw the doc today, and he was very nice. He decided it's muscular and actually IS my hamstring and not my IT band, just a different part of the hamstring. So I can still work out, and I just need to keep the pain to a 4 or below (he said research has shown that a 6 or more will prolong the healing process).

Instructions:
Physical therapy and strength training
Tylenol an hour before workouts
Ice for 10 minutes after workouts
Stretch after but not before workouts (contrary to what the massage therapist said, and more consistent with what I've always heard)
Wear compression tights/shorts (the tights DID help, so that wasn't my imagination; I need to pick up some shorts for days when it's too warm for the tights, though)
Return in four weeks if it's not markedly better

[oksoonergirl26]

That sounds very doable and not debilitating! Let me know how it goes. My husband goes in tomorrow for the MRI. Weirdly, he was talking to one of his buddies who is having the same exact problem and his doctor said that his allergy shots were causing it, because of the histamine inhibitors in the allergy shots. So, he is going to mention to the ortho about the allergy shots.

[DogMa]

Hmm, I take Allegra every night.

How was the half??

[oksoonergirl26]

Robin-it was brutal, until mile 10 and then I feel like I could run for fifty more miles. How is the therapy going? I am in a pretty bad place emotionally right now, so not being on plan and I haven't really exercised since the half.

[DogMa]

The PT is just a one-time deal for them to teach me what I need to do on my own. I go this afternoon. But the leg is getting much better; yesterday I ran 2 miles and could have kept going except I had to stop for a bathroom break. And then I got back on the treadmill to do some more, but had to stop after a mile for the same reason (a little too much Kashi cereal the night before).

I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but maybe if the weather's OK and not too cold this weekend, I can venture outside again.

I'm sorry to hear you're not doing as well emotionally. You already know that exercise will help you emotionally, though, so I'm not going to tell you that.

[wildtrk]

I love massages, but my husband just doesn't want one.

He doesn't know what he is missing. I love a good massage. I have also done couples massages while on vacation a few times.

[DogMa]

Finally met with the physical therapist today. No running for at least a week (he started with two or three weeks, and I kinda talked him down to one). And apparently I'm such a crap runner because my legs and hips are very weak and my hamstrings are incredibly tight. I'm not sure how that's possible given the squats and lunges I've done (OK, not so much lately, but before) and how much I run and walk and bike every week, but there you have it. From what he said, my legs are so weak it's a wonder that they can hold me up.

On a positive note, I'm hoping this means that if I do the exercises he gave me and work with him for a little while, I'll actually get strong enough to NOT be such a crap runner.

[lifelovinaries]

All runners have my admiration, CRAP or otherwise! I commend all of you. That is one thing i think i can only dream of. Then again, once the weight is gone, i've strengthened my joints and if i get "the girls" reduced, I just might make it to the MF runners club! Wishing you the best with your therapy and healing.