When you experience a personal injury, recovery isn’t always something that happens overnight. It can get frustrating, especially when you have things you want to do and accomplish. As a result, patients like you who are undergoing therapy may feel sad or depressed because of the things they’re missing, or they may feel so frustrated that they overexert themselves during treatment. Either can worsen the situation or even lead to further injuries.

This doesn’t mean you no longer have the ability to get your life and fitness back on track after a personal injury. Perhaps all you need is a bit of patience and the right kind of push in order to determine just how exactly you should approach things.

When it comes to recovery after an injury, especially in the health and fitness department, it’s important to understand that not all therapy routines you may see or read are efficient. This is why there are physical therapists and physicians who always give a nudge or a gentle pull if a routine is potentially healthy or not for your situation.

Remember, getting your life and fitness back on track after a personal injury isn’t a matter of how you can recover the fastest. It’s a matter of knowing how best to recover given your needs.

 

Research and Planning for Fitness

Perhaps the trickiest part of being fit after a personal injury is choosing the most appropriate exercise given your condition. Notice how the term “best exercise” is avoided when it can be used in this situation. This is because sometimes what others consider the “best” exercise may not be appropriate for your specific needs. These are other considerations that can be factors of just how specific your routine can get:

  • When you want to start being fit and active, chances are you already have a general idea on the kind of things you want to and improve in terms of your body. A personal injury may have left you neglecting a particular muscle group such as your arms, torso, or legs that you may want to condition them back to shape. This in itself is good, but finding the right exercise for the situation can be tricky.
  • When you research routines you want to do, try as much as possible to find a lot of references for review. Tutorials in text, pictures, and video can greatly help the research process. Sometimes, the idea of research can be a “chore” for some, but getting the process right this early can avoid injuries in the long run.
  • When you have your ideal routine in mind, try to make sure you get a physician, physical therapist, or trainer to confirm if the routine you chose is appropriate for your particular condition. Sometimes the exercises you choose may appear easy but they can turn out to be inappropriate for you.
  • Remember, should a fitness routine be “rejected,” it doesn’t mean you can’t do it forever. It may not just be appropriate for your current setup.

 

Correct Execution and Timing

Should you get yourself a routine approved by a professional, you now at least have something to do to get your fitness back in shape. The next part is trying to make sure you get the time to actually execute this routine given your particular situation. Depending on your condition, you may or may not have a lot of time to do these exercises especially if you’re still recovering. Even if you do have the time, chances are your performance won’t be up to your expectations.

  • Regardless of whether or not you have the time to train, make sure your fitness schedule is appropriately fit into the rest of your daily routine. You can’t prioritize fitness if you have work to catch up on, or if you have other treatment to do as well. Remember, fitness is there to ensure your body stays healthy and active. This can’t happen if you forego other aspects of your recovery.
  • Should you get the time to do your routine, don’t overexert yourself. Sometimes, people think that going “big” can make things happen quickly, but this doesn’t work in fitness. If you plan on progressively “loading” your routine in terms of volume and intensity, then do so appropriately and without overexertion. Too much strain on your muscles can result in other injuries, further hindering your progress.

 

The Importance of Follow-Through and Consistency

Should you start to train with the routine of your choice, don’t forget to try as much as possible to make it a habit and a routine. This is important, as a routine is named as such because it’s something you follow consistently. You can’t be doing this routine forever, though, which means the routine you choose must also be open to adjustments.

  • Don’t forget to get enough rest while exercising. This goes for in between sets, and in between days as well. Don’t train the same muscle groups on consecutive days, as they may not get enough rest to actually grow and develop.
  • Along the same lines, try as much as possible to make your fitness routine something of a habit. It doesn’t have to be every day, but allotting a particular schedule to your fitness gives you a semblance of following through that can help jumpstart good habits such as time management as well.
  • Don’t forget to consult your physician when you think it’s appropriate for you to increase the volume and intensity of your routine, or if you think it’s time for more intense exercises.
  • Remember, overexertion isn’t always the key to improvement. In fact, according to Kansas State University, 2008 data states that overexertion is in fact the cause of 3.3 million hospital visits in the United States that year.

 

Given the tips above, it may be helpful to realize that getting your life and your fitness back on track after a personal injury takes time, patience, and a lot of motivation to pull off. Consistency is an important part of the process, as following through with your effort is perhaps one of the best ways to make sure your recovery is long and lasting. If your injury was a result of someone else, it’s a good idea to seek help from a personal injury lawyer like the ones here.

 

AUTHOR BIO

Jewel Spencer is a promising young law enthusiast. Her pieces offer a youthful perspective on common law topics. Jewel is your go-girl when it comes to sports, and she is often seen jogging when she has free time.