Jogging Advice

[Meg888]

Hi. I'm pleased to say after many attempts, I am now a non-smoker after a 30 yr habit. I've decided on a complete lifestyle change, going from being a sofa sloth to someone who actually enjoys exercise! Anyhow, I've taken up jogging and really enjoy it. But I need a bit advice. I'm 44, female, I've always suffered quite bad knees (docs yrs ago said it was bursitis, though I've not been checked in recent years) they're not unbearably sore, but are permanently quite swollen, and ache from time to time. If I keep my weight down (I'm currently dieting - lost 2 stone this year, need to drop another 2) they are usually reasonably ok - will jogging aggravate them further? I've only done it 3 times this week for 15mins a time, walking a lamppost/jogging a lamppost - but the last couple of mornings the pain in my lower right calf is like a burning which is preventing me from jogging - it's not so bad walking, so can I assume that as I get fitter/more used to jogging that this pain will ease? also, it's more of a shuffle than a jog! I can't seem to lift my legs/feet up very high - again is this this something that will improve in time? I'd appreciate any advice, as I say I'm surprised how much I enjoy it, even in the cold, dark, wet wintery morns - I don't even think about the weather, so it will be great doing it in spring/summer!

[ummmm]

My sister is obese and like Meg (not saying you're obese, Meg) has problems with her knees.

She blames me for her weight problems because I always gave her my pastry and batter from fish :-) (she's joking of course)

[ummmm]

Do you have much to lose Jenny?

[Meg888]

Jenny, I've been doing slimming world extra easy, as I said earlier I lost 2 stone between Feb & June, and I've basically maintained it since then - just gearing up to the next phase (as I knew I was giving up smoking) which is to drop to 9stone from the 11 I am now. I've a goal (Disneyland next year) and I want to be as fit as possible for it! I would highly recommend this diet, it's healthy and variable - you never get stuck for what to eat and many 'fattening' recipes can be adapted to the SW way!

[Meg888]

Thanks everyone again for great answers - I will most likely stick to power walking Ummm if I find I have continuous bother with jogging/running.

[ummmm]

Just remember that when you don't have much weight to lose, and you haven't, that it's a slower process. Good luck x

[beso]

The pain sounds like you may have damaged you calf muscles. I would recommend icing it several times a day and taking it easy for a while.

This can easily happen if you have not been stretching the muscles as they have been building up from the exercise. It is really important to fully stretch your muscles to even out the build up.

Another consequence of not stretching can be building up of muscle fibres in limited parts of the muscle. The calf can build up excessively close to the knee and put pressure on it.

This problem manifests itself when you are relaxed and is reduced with exercise. It can become excruciating when simply sitting still for a while or even laying in bed. It feels similar to a cramp.

Also be sure to stretch the quadraceps as these can lead to similar problems.

If you have bad knees I would consider bicycling instead. When that gets too easy, take up unicycling. It can give you a phenomenal workout.

I do unicycle rides up to sixteen kilometres quite regularly and I have not been so fit since I was a runner in my teens.