Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2015 15:32:18 GMT
I've been working out, watching what I eat, and been amazing and undeniably blessed and enabled over the past year and a half, recently hitting a 50-lbs lost milestone. (I know it's slow, but it's been steady and I'm happy with it.) However, after months of listening to my knees painlessly crunch when I walk up the stairs, my knees are not being very friendly to me right now. I tried to rest it for a week, not much improvement, and I do have an appt with an orthopaedic/sports medicine doctor. However, going from kickboxing once a week, pilates 3-4 times a week, and cardio in between, I'm becoming very anxious and grumpy about not working out...and terrified that I will start gaining. I can do pilates carefully, but what I really need is the cardio. I'm going to try walking on the treadmill and the recumbent bike tonight, but I don't know how that will go.
Does anyone have any other ideas about how to get in some good cardio without aggravating the knees? TIA!
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Post by lily on Jan 19, 2015 15:37:37 GMT
Swimming?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2015 15:42:22 GMT
I find the elliptical to be the most knee-friendly machine. I can do the treadmill, just watch out for the hills.
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Post by idahomom on Jan 19, 2015 16:29:25 GMT
I have two knee replacements and a hip replacement so my options are very limited. Everyday (M-F) I do 30 minutes on the elliptical and 60 minutes of deep water fitness. I never miss the pool class, but sometimes I mix up the elliptical with a spinning class, arc trainer, or treadmill.
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mallie
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by mallie on Jan 19, 2015 16:31:32 GMT
My PT for my knees says the elliptical and swimming are best. Kickboxing is a really horrible thing to do to your knees.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jan 19, 2015 16:33:20 GMT
I know several who had knee surgery where biking was part of their PT. Helps with range of motion etc.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2015 16:47:04 GMT
Biking is best for me.
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Post by PenandInk on Jan 19, 2015 16:54:21 GMT
I also have had a knee replacement. I ride a stationery bike, and do deep water runnning and deep water fitness. When you run in the deep water, your heartrate doesn't get quite so high, but it's a fabulous workout.
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Post by snappinsami on Jan 19, 2015 16:55:46 GMT
I have crunchy knees too, and anything other than really low impact workouts lead to knee pain. I've tried the P90 (and P90X) workouts, but have had to stop after a few weeks because of the pain. For cardio, I walk (and do some cycling, but after a few bad falls off my bike, I haven't ridden in a while). I'm fortunate to live somewhere where I can walk outside year round, and this area is really hilly, so I keep my speed up around 4mph and huff it.
If you're limited to being indoors this time of year, I'd definitely try the treadmill (with some incline to make it a better workout), stationary bike, or elliptical. Or swimming, but I personally can't stand swimming laps. I'd rather be on a treadmill. LOL!
Hope you can find something that will work for you!
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scorpeao
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Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Jan 19, 2015 16:56:49 GMT
You don't really need cardio. Start lifting weights. Cardio only burns calories while you are working out. Muscle burns calories all day long. If you approach your weight workout like a circuit, moving from one machine to the next without breaks, you can get a cardio workout. However, having said all that I am a run junkie. When I was injured and couldn't run for 8 weeks I was instructed to swim and cycle.
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Post by Karen-in-Indiana on Jan 19, 2015 17:38:02 GMT
I've had both knees operated on in the past 2 years so I still a ways to go before one of them is fully healed. I have a recumbent stationary bike. When I do it consistently for 30 minutes every day, I have no knee issues at all! Actually makes them feel better! You'd think that would be enough to keep my butt on it everyday. LOL
Karen
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Post by tuva42 on Jan 19, 2015 19:00:01 GMT
Two things helped me - water aerobics and cutting way, way back on carbohydrates. Carbs cause inflammation (at least in me) and when I cut them out, my knees don't hurt. I went from getting shots in my knees every 3 or 4 months, to no shots for a year and a half now. I cut out sugar, bread, rice and potatoes. Has made such a huge difference. I can exercise all I want without pain.
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Post by hop2 on Jan 19, 2015 19:02:20 GMT
They had an Aquarius class near me soecifucally for people with leg pains,
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SweetieBsMom
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Jan 19, 2015 19:12:19 GMT
My PT for my knees says the elliptical and swimming are best. Kickboxing is a really horrible thing to do to your knees. This. Kickboxing is hell on your knees. |
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Post by Scrapbrat on Jan 19, 2015 19:38:34 GMT
I have arthritis in my knees, and swimming is what my rheumatologist recommended.
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Post by ljs1691 on Jan 19, 2015 20:32:37 GMT
My mom has always been a treadmill walker until she started having pain in one knee. She found if she walked at a steep incline, her knees do not hurt. Worth a try if you can't get to the pool or just feel like a walk.
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Post by gale w on Jan 19, 2015 20:47:43 GMT
The elliptical killed my knees. I had the easiest time on the recumbent bike and walking on the treadmill.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2015 18:53:56 GMT
I never thought about the kickboxing, but makes sense.
The recumbent bike worked well last night, but not so much the treadmill.
I've got Pilates Reformer tonight, and tomorrow morning I'll get xrayed and see the doc. Just hoping I don't need surgery.
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Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on Jan 20, 2015 19:29:01 GMT
My knees are part of why I spin. I love to ride bikes but I hate to ride on the busy streets. So I started spinning class. I found that it really helps my knees. I used to have lots of pain in my left knee. but after spinning for a couple years my knee has gotten stronger without stressing it or over impact like walking and running can have on it.
If I could get rid of this back issue I would have it made.....
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peppermintpatty
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Refupea #1345
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Post by peppermintpatty on Jan 20, 2015 19:37:47 GMT
Ha! Good luck! This is why I have torn cartilage and a bone contusion that hasn't healed in years. I am going to have the area removed next month (surgery). The elliptical is the WORST machine for knees. Most people do it wrong and end up with knee problems. Swimming is really the only thing that won't impact it but I do spin. Sometimes it hurts but usually I am okay. My ortho told me I can't do any more damage so do whatever I want until the surgery. I cannot do high impact cardio classes without a lot of mods. I basically can do whatever I want but I have to modify everything, even yoga. Do I get the workout I really want? No. But that is why getting older sucks!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2015 21:57:51 GMT
Ha! Good luck! This is why I have torn cartilage and a bone contusion that hasn't healed in years. I am going to have the area removed next month (surgery). The elliptical is the WORST machine for knees. Most people do it wrong and end up with knee problems. Swimming is really the only thing that won't impact it but I do spin. Sometimes it hurts but usually I am okay. My ortho told me I can't do any more damage so do whatever I want until the surgery. I cannot do high impact cardio classes without a lot of mods. I basically can do whatever I want but I have to modify everything, even yoga. Do I get the workout I really want? No. But that is why getting older sucks! Do you mean good luck trying to avoid surgery?  |
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Post by BuckeyeSandy on Jan 21, 2015 4:17:59 GMT
Bike/Spin and water... so far, no second knee surgery required.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2015 18:39:28 GMT
Thanks to everyone that posted. My appointment went great. "Patella-Femoral Syndrome" was the diagnosis. No bone spurs/chips, no arthritis, just an alignment issue. I have a PT appt tomorrow and they'll help me with exercises to strengthen the interior knee muscles and my hips, and show me modifications so I can continue all of my workouts/activities. I am beyond thrilled and so grateful!
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