Working out With a Sprained Foot?

I slipped on some ice about a week ago and did something to my foot. It's sort of swollen and hurts when I bend it a certain way, but I can still limp along on it pretty well. It's getting better slowly but surely, but I've taken a week off my workout already and it's driving me crazy! Are there any cardio exercises I could do or machines I could use that won't make it worse or injure it further in any way? I don't know how long it's going to take to get completely better, and with the decadent holiday season coming up, I really don't want to throw in the workout towel for any longer! Thanks in advance for all of your help!

Oh, and if it helps, I'm 5'7", about 135 lbs. (don't weigh very often) and I usually either run 5 miles and walk 2 for a cool-down, do HIIT on an elliptical for half an hour and walk for 15 mins for a cool-down, or walk for an hour at 5 mph and 10% incline on a light day. I also lift for half an hour 4-5x a week. Thanks guys! 

 Hmm, have you been to have that ankle looked at by a medical practitioner? A hairline fracture or a ligament sprain feels about the same but you really need to know which it is to take appropriate care of it. So if you haven't already, go get it looked at.

 Taht said, almost any exercise involving your leg/ankle is going to be counterproductive to healing fast - like mom said when we were kids, "if you pick at it, it won't get better".

 The 'arm bike' would be a useful cardio adjunct - though not a substitute for running or HIIT it will at least let you get your pulse rate up some. I don't think it's possible to use the rower without putting both feet into it, otherwise you'd be able to get a very good cardio workout indeed.

Thanks melkor! You always have the best advice! It's not actually my ankle, but my foot itself. Like, the top part that doesn't really come into contact with anything. I would have it looked at, but I'm having some health insurance issues at the moment, and really, really can't afford to pay any more bills. I do appreciate your help though! 

if it is a sprain and not a fracture make sure you keep icing it, especially if its swollen. I would recommend not pushing the excersise other wise it wont heal correctly and you can have pain for a long time after. Take the time to let it heal. Sprains are hard to heal anyway. get a soft brace of something from the pharmacy.

You might try swimming while your ankle heals. It's low-impact and you get a killer upper body workout. It's not going to rival a HIIT workout for burning calories but at least it's something (and let me tell you, my arms were never as 'cut' as when I was swimming regularly).

Hope you recover soon!

I did the same thing last winter. Lucky for me, I didn't work out back then to worry about it! I'd suggest doing things like sit-ups or weights. Don't try for anything that puts pressure on the ankle, or suspends it in midair (for example, bicycle crunches) because just not relaxing the ankle may make it hurt worse. Make sure you're taking vitamins, and doing any PT techniques that may have been suggested by your doctor.

Original Post by gem86:

if it is a sprain and not a fracture make sure you keep icing it, especially if its swollen. I would recommend not pushing the excersise other wise it wont heal correctly and you can have pain for a long time after. Take the time to let it heal. Sprains are hard to heal anyway. get a soft brace of something from the pharmacy.

 I second that, as someone with a permanent injury due to not taking care of a sprained ankle.  Stay off it for at least three weeks, see a doctor if you can.