Creaky Knees and Sprained Ribs, That's What I'm Made Of!

I'm a master at coming up with excuses for not exercising, but the past few months I've had some legitimate reasons. (No, really!) I have patella femoral pain syndrome, which is getting much better after 7 physio sessions (and realizing that I have flat feet). Plus I mildly sprained a rib doing yoga of all things! I just wish that my body had warned me on that one. But no, the traitorous thing didn't give me any warning at all. I was stretching away in triangle pose, amazed at how good it felt, then pop! And I really was going to start weight training the following day. No, really I was! I swear! (Okay, well, I was supposed to start that day, but didn't get to it. But while I was doing the yoga, I did tell myself I had to start the next day!)

It's hard not to get discouraged when you get injured, but I'm slowly realizing something: I've actually gotten into some form of an exercise routine. I want so badly for my knees to get better that I've been following my physiotherapist's instructions for stretching and strengthening my quads. My first thought after supper nowadays is -- gasp! -- "time to exercise" and not "time to veg." And my quads have been getting stronger! Starting off with a small routine seems to be really working for me.

Paige's article about "The Right Way to Fail at Exercise" is helping a lot, too. (She talks about starting small and easing your way back into a routine. Hey, I'm doing something right!) I'm realizing that when it comes to weight training, I'm setting myself up for failure by not having the right equipment. It's stupid, but I find as I get stronger, I don't have the right weights to challenge myself or to try out different routines where I need to go from light weights to heavy weights. I hate having to switch the weights on the dumbells (the barbell is a different story -- go figure!) Yet I don't do anything about it! I "think" about going out and buying extra weights or just buying heavier dumbells, but I just don't make the effort.

I need to take care of my sprain, which is getting better, but when the time comes I'm going to set myself up for success, get the equipment I need and get moving!

No, really...