Trying to overcome injury and lose weight

I need recommendations, I until this fall have been a runner completing several 1/2 marathons. I developed knee pain and took three months off and gained 15 lbs. Now trying to get back into shape but advised by my MD no running or squats or lunges as it will make my knee injury worse. Any ideas for activities that will shed the same amount of calories?

You could bike, use the elliptical, and run in the pool.  I think running in the pool is the best since it doesn't hurt the knees and you're still getting great cardio.  I have an injury in my right knee and even the bike hurts so the pools been great.  But I feel you on the weight gain after injury.  It sucks to have to get back to where you were, but with time and patience you will get there.  Just don't push too hard too fast.  Trust me.  Listen to what they tell you.  I re-injured mine 3 times and had to take 3 months off from the gym each time.  Not even the pool.  So, take your time, and swim and run in the pool.  Take anti-inflammatories too.

I have a similar problem. I was never a marthon runner, but I have BAD patellar tendinitis in my right knee, and tore both meniscus'. I used to run some, but I did tons of other stuff too. I mixed it up. But 2 years later, I still have bad flare ups. I haven taken some serious pain killers w/ ice and elevation. I too gained a good bit of weight partly becuase of that, I lost the six pack and toned thighs too. It  is very frustrating that I can't get back to where I was.

The exercise that helps me burn the most in an hour is cycle class. Look it up on here as bicycling. Very vigorous effort shows 963/hr. The instructor in my class keeps track and we really do burn that in the hour. You may really like it. And it helps strengthen the muscles around the knee without putting too much strain on it. I am starting to feel a little like the old me again :)

Oh yeah, squats are like the worst. I did weighted ones against reccomendations and had to take a vicodin the next day  My knee hurt so bad the simple motion of pressing on the gas peddle hurt so I didn't drive much that day. I would listen to the doc if I were you. I do work on calf raises, careful to use the right form and I also use the booty machine where you kick your leg up (gets the hamstring too). 

If you are patient, it will heal and eventually you can do it w/o pain or re-injury. Make sure you are elevating and icing it after EVERY workout. And stretch better than ever cause when you work out and the muscles get tighter around the injured area it puts stress on it even more. When I stretch for a looong time before and after weights I can do much better.

squatting deep with good technique can actually improve the health of your knees. i've read many reports stating this contrary to what many doctors advise. sorryi can give you the references as im on a cell phone internet service, but google search squatting and see what you can find.

I miss squatting. I would do it if it wasn't excrucitaing the next day. Maybe everyone is different, but when my knees talk, I listen. lol.

I'm just now recovering from a knee problem also.  Also was a runner, although never tried distance running as you have been doing.

Have you only seen your primary care doctor for the knee condition?  Have you had xrays or an MRI and know what the actual diagnosis of your knee condition is?  Are you in physical therapy for strengthening and rehabilitation?

Squats and lunges aren't necessarily harmful, but obviously it's going to vary from person to person and depend on what your diagnosis is.  The MDs do seem to say that.  In fact, I recently started physical therapy for my knee and we started right in on some unweighted squats and lunges. 

Anyway, in terms of burning as many calories as running, if you're constrained from doing high impact stuff, it's going to be difficult.  You can try the elliptical but you're going to have to start slowly, same thing with an exercise bike, to make sure it doesn't aggravate things.  Also, depending on your diagnosis, be careful with swimming as the breast stroke can itself aggravate some knee injuries, although freestyle doesn't seem to, or so I've read.

You could also try some upper body weight lifting, that for sure will get the heart rate up there.

That said, in terms of losing weight, you're going to have to cut back on the calories, which in my opinion, is almost worst than the whole pain of the knee injury.

Cutting back on food is very hard. Especially if you are used to being able to eat a lot becuase of all the working out you do. It sucks. :(

I guess for my issue squats are too painful, but I hope yours get better faster than mine have.

Good luck.

Original Post by mpac:

advised by my MD no running or squats or lunges as it will make my knee injury worse.

 Ask your doctor how you're supposed to sit down or walk without squating or lunging.

I had pain in my knees after exercising. Cyclying made it worse. Had MRI & xrays & was told that I have arthritis in both of my knees.

What exercises can I do to lose weight without using my knees? I'm not that old either.

Okay, I'm gonna put the knee workout in here too.  It was recommended to me, and maybe it can help some of you guys with the knee problems. 

Here tis.