For the past few months I've been having sporadic knee pain - kind of a sharp, shooting pain in my left knee. No particular thing brings it on. For example, I'll be doing lunges and be fine and then.. TWINGE!! .. but if I keep going, it goes away. I've been trying not to do deep squats and no leg extensions on the machine. Anything else I should NOT be doing?

I have a stationary bike that is set so there is a slight bend in my knee at full extension. This also can make my knee twinge but not always and then if I keep going, it goes away. I thought bikes were supposed to be good for strengthening knees.

As some of you will recall, several months ago (almost 5 now) I tore a calf muscle simply walking in my kitchen. Ever since then, I've had a problem with my right calf muscle. If I run, around 10 minutes in I get what feels like a cramp in the lower part of my right calf muscle. I've learned to stop what I'm doing immediately. However, the pain lingers for several days, but then goes away. It only seems to happen when I run. That brings up my question:

How can I get back into running while not experiencing this calf issue?

I've been using The Stick to rid myself of trigger points in my legs, but still the problem persists.

My fitness progress was put on hold about a month ago when I sustained a rotator cuff injury after a day of shoulders followed by biceps/tricep workouts. Saw my chiropractor, had some adjustments, but he suggested rest as my best option. So, I did give it rest for a week and tried to get back into it, but I found it sore. And then I gave it another week, did the same thing and it still bothered me. Sounds like the definition of insanity..doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

So I relinquished myself to the "cardio" side of the gym since I couldn't be trusted in the weight room. I see my friends over there day after day, lifting weights and building muscle, and all I can do for now is run on the treadmill, eliptical machine, and do my spin classes. I started to sink into a bit of depression because I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to lift again.

My back is still not better - in fact it has been worse the last few days after my last workout. I have no choice now but to stop working out until it is really better. Otherwise I'll have to go to the doctor and I do not want to do that. I may try just some light walking in order to keep somewhat active, but no weights.

I am going to be going nuts just sitting on the couch instead of doing all of the little things I want to do around the house, but it is all for the best.

Hope you all are doing well.

-Audrey

Beginning of a new week and off to a good start. Seemed like an intense weight workout today. Had the "pumped" feeling, but also felt exhausted. Not sure if I'm breathing correctly or if I'm not taking a long enough break in between sets. Comtemplated skipping swim, but went for it.... had a GREAT swim workout!

Questions:
1) How frequently should one take measurements?
2) What are standard measurements? Biceps,Quads,Chest,Calfes? Anything else?
3) Wondering about the placement of my workouts. Should I try to get an early morning workout first thing and a mid-day workout? Or is mid day and evening workout OK?

I woke up this morning with my knees bothering me somewhat and my back sore. That doesn't bother me too much. I know enough that this can happen - so I am not going to press it. I will go to work today which is a workout in itself and do my day 3 on day 4.