Cardio when you have injuries

I love cardio and being that I have been a runner for 15 years...and have done some sort of cardio 3-5x a week for as long as I can remember it is REALLY hard for me to take time off!!

REALLY hard!

I love to run fast. 

I love doing sprints.

I love doing the step mill aka The Beast.

I love getting sweaty and feeling my heart pounding.

I love to do cardio! 

But my body is not loving the pounding right now.

Both of my hips have been giving me trouble for many years. Periformis syndrome.

And recently both knees are starting to "catch" while I am doing lunges, the beast, running, and squats.

So this week I've been taking it a bit easier...really paying super close attention to my form when lifting. Not lifting anything that seems to bother any of my injured areas. No running. No beast.

Watch my video chat about my injuries and cardio here.

So tonight I chose to do the Arc Trainer for 50 minutes...it felt great. Too great really. It's not super challenging which I normally like. It's pretty easy actually. But for now I'm ok with that. And it didn't hurt me at all. 

So my recommendation is if you are struggling with injuries...take it slow. 

Take some time off. 

Try something new that's a bit easier on your body. 

Yoga. Stretching. Hot yoga. Barre. Elliptical. Arc trainer. Lift upper body instead if lower. Walking. 

It's hard for me for sure but I know it's best for now. 

Cardio to lose weight

I do cardio and I did a ton to lose weight after having my daughter!
Read Here and Here and Here for some other info about my fitness journey!

I had a c section with her and was not able to lift for 8 weeks so I walked....and I mean walked....a ton ton ton of walking! And I lost it all...took me a couple of months and yes it was hard but I did it!

After I reached my goal weight I don't need to do cardio daily...I do it about 2-3x a week.....And I lift 4x a week. 

My cardio used to be running...and I still occasionally run but typically I do the rolling stair master for 35-55 minutes per session...to maintain. 

I do HIIT (High intensity interval training) when I do my lifting in between sets....jumping rope,
jumping jacks, burpees, box jumps...and I don't stop when I lift...I don't take breaks in between
sets....keeping my heart rate high thruout me session.

To view my cardio info video Click here!!!