My Journey With Health And Fitness – I Need To Make Some Changes

Today was quite a nice walk down at the beach despite it being fairly cloudy. The tide was fully in but the bay was super calm. There were literally dozens of geese floating in the water and pretty much everywhere I saw people either out paddleboarding or getting ready to go paddleboarding. It was actually quite a peaceful site.

Yesterday I started working on my ankle recovery program. The first thing I did was to purchase an ankle brace. I’m not talking one of those sleeves that you can get at the pharmacy but rather a structured brace recommended by the place that makes my custom orthotics. Let me assure you, it really braces that ankle. Fortunately it gives me the correct amount of support but still leaves the flexibility I need to walk properly. I wore it on my 10km walk this morning and other than one spot where it was rubbing my leg a bit, it wasn’t too bad. This is a good thing because I have to try and wear the brace as much as possible, even when I am just walking around the house.

The next thing I did was a session with my favourite physio therapist. I have known him for over 30 years and he has been with me through all of my health issues over the years. He is happy with the brace I selected (note, I was a little stunned how expensive it was) and interpreted the two radiologist reports that I had received. It was then on to exercises I need to do daily all in hopes that combined with the brace that maybe, just maybe, I won’t have to have surgery however that decision will obviously be left to the specialists.

The other thing I discussed with my physio therapist was my exercise regime. I fully acknowledge that the ankle injury was not caused by an event like rolling my ankle but rather is from over use. Having said that, fitness has become such a big part of my life that I can’t give it up. So, we came up with an action plan. Firstly, no high impact if it in any way bothers the ankle. That one is easy because there are always modifications in my fitness classes. Next, while in Mexico cut down on the walking and add more swimming and cycling. Then it is do the daily ankle exercises (they are not that challenging). Finally, I have to wear the brace even when I am in my sandals.

If I follow this plan completely and diligently there may be some healing happening in my ankle tendons. If that happens and I stick to things no additional intervention will be necessary. I do realize that once all of this heals I simply won’t be able to go back to doing things like running each and every day but perhaps I can go back to doing it a couple times a week.