TINY STEPS ON THE WAY BACK

WELL this week has been a huge milestone for me.

My first physical activity in the shape of a walk/run since the end of January after my health scare. Tiny steps I have been told.

The most important rule is that I MUST listen to my body and take it easy.

So I did a symptoms check – walk/run to see how much I was out of breath after a short stride through (or slow jog, more to the truth).

Not too bad, a pass. Then after the symptoms check – then there was the recovery.

I was able to talk quite quickly after my initial puff. Well, the first run wasn’t great, let me tell you.

Then my body must have remembered what it used to do and from then the next ones weren’t as bad and my recovery wasn’t too bad (or not as bad as what I thought).

To help with my recovery I have been eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.

I think like everyone else around the place I have started to grow my own vegetables again. Given more time at home I have propagated my seeds and am now waiting for them to be big enough to transplant into a “big” garden.

The last part of my approach to a healthier body is to not rush my so-called “comeback” to exercise.

Slowly, slowly. Take it slow, listen to my body and all things positive, I will be moving back to normal in a while (I hope).

Whether you are training towards a specific goal or to incorporate exercise in your daily life, illness and isolation can disrupt your routine. But only if you let it.

This isolation could well give people an opportunity to focus on their wellbeing by not going out and burning the candle at both ends.

Instead focusing on getting their body fit and healthy and organising a routine that does not compromise fitness time.

Last week I suggested a couple of fun circuit routines that young athletes could do along with the family.

This unprecedented time together at home is a great opportunity to build fitness together. One problem that some might have to deal with is soreness and stiffness in muscles that have not been used for a while.

To help me explain the benefits of foam rolling I have asked one of the sponsors with the Gold Coast Academy of Sport, All Sports Physiotherapy, to provide their professional explanation.

A huge thank you to Anthony Rofe, a physiotherapist at the Helensvale practice.

Foam rolling is a self-massage/myofascial release technique. It can be used to help relieve muscle tightness and soreness as well as to mobilise joints which can lead to an increase in your joint range of motion. You can also use a foam roller in some exercises that can help build strength (see below).

Foam rolling can be an effective tool to add to your preexercise routine to loosen off tight areas before a session or post-exercise to aid in recovery. It can also be used daily for muscle release and treatment.