Getting fit around these problems...

[Dr. Z]

I am going to be dropping my highly active on-my-feet warehouse / shop floor job for a sedentary office job. This means I must start to care about my fitness and lifestyle to avoid putting on lots and lots of weight very quickly.

I used to play squash a lot and could play for 3-4 hours in one session (which would seem to indicate just how comparatively fit I used to be when I was younger!) and would love to take it up again but...

I have two "problems". I have recently been diagnosed with having Plantar Fascitis, which is an agonisingly painful inflammation of the Plantar Fascia in my right foot. I can barely walk when I get up in the morning and at random points in the day it will flare up and damn near cripple me. There is no "cure" for it, only rest and a few stretches and things which really isnt helping me all that much. The hospital person said that I could expect to have it for a very long time, even as long as a year or more :( I can already feel the calcification on my ankle which isnt really a good sign.

Secondly, the last time I tried to walk any sort of distance my shins gave up on me after about 2 miles. Took a month to recover from that and the very next time I went for a walk, it happened again :(

I have broken feet but the activities that I need to do to get fit all rely on lower body activity that I am obviously not able to do however I am going about it.

Suggestions? I cannot let myself turn into any more of a bloater because of this new job. I am currently 16st which is heavy enough as it is!

[iCraig]

Swimming? Little pressure is applied to the feet/ankles and you can get a full cardio work-out having a half hour in the water. :)

[Matblack]

masterbation?

MB

[lostkat]

Replace your feet with wheels, like they do with dogs

oh, and swim too

[Matblack]

don't forget the masterbation, I reckon it increases the heart rate massively :)

MB

[Mark]

Obviously, you want to avoid anything high impact on the lower body as the more you do that the longer it'll take to heal. So, swimming then. :)

[Fayshun]

Masterbate while swimming? Double bubble!!

[Jingo]

and there was me thinking that floating on the surface was something to do with the chlorine... :eek:

[LeperousDust]

Definitely swim, all over toning and exercise. Promotes good aerobic control and stamina, is about as good as anything gets on any joints since you're supported in water and you can sprint swim for muscle building, or long distance for general health stamina. Real sprint swimming is horrible mind :p.

That and cycling since its also pretty low impact. I have buggered in a way knees from birth which rules out running and most sports for massive extended time, although to be fair it doesn't stop me playing sports, and i use it as an excuse not to run ;D Hence why i started mountain biking initially, and i've never looked back loads of hurt/fun!

[lostkat]

Good point Alex, plus cycling can be tested in the gym before you go all out and actually buy a bike for the road. It makes your bum hurt like HELL if you've not riden a bike for a while, but you get used to it