I need some advice.

Quote by trinket
I’ve had these and they are a bitch! Once you’ve got shin splints you shouldn’t really do the same exercise again until they are healed. Could you try swimming? Or some type of gym program? If you aren’t already, always do some warmup and cool down stretches. Your whole body, not just your legs.

Massage also helps as do ice packs. If you have flat feet you’ll be more prone to shin splints. I’d suggest talking to your doctor, who might refer you to a specialist to check if there is a specific cause for them.

Quote by LYFBUZ
I'd switch exercise regimes. Walking is great but you'll get a much better effect from numerous other exercises. Try cycling or swimming for something that's easier on the body. I'd also suggest light weight work or those giant rubber band things. Just ease back into it and take your time.
If you really want to walk get fitted for good quality shoes, it may help.
I pretty much wore out my knees running and switched to cycling. MUCH easier on the body, unless you hammer it. (You'll want to)

Quote by GraceW
I don't exercise because I like to stay in shape. Round is a shape. Besides, I get plenty of exercise as a part-time plumber, I do recommend cycling as much less stressful, more effective exercise than walking. I used to cycle almost everywhere when I lived in a city. You might do well with an exercise bike, you won't have to worry about getting back if it gets too much for you.

Quote by Katherine
Make sure you get adequate calcium and vitamin D, but honestly what's helped me is keeping the core and lower body strong. Try some yoga, if no weights are allowed in your home.

Quote by Katherine
Make sure you get adequate calcium and vitamin D, but honestly what's helped me is keeping the core and lower body strong. Try some yoga, if no weights are allowed in your home.

Quote by kiteares


I was going to wade in with yoga too. I spent a year on my arse due to illness. The intention was always good but hey...
When I got back to work I found an over 50s group and I really look forward to my Friday afternoons now. Some sessions are harder than others, but the instructor always reminds us to only do as much as our body allows.

Another thing I was going to suggest was stuff around the house, tinned foods for weights. Use the bottom stair as a stepping machine and slowly increase the number of repeats, eventually increasing to 2 steps then maybe 3.

You can also be pedal machines that are little more than the size of the 2 pedals and can easily fit under a coffee table. In the UK they can be bought for as little as £15.00.

Maybe sell the small expenditure to your wife as getting you able to help around the house better.

ETA - Just remembered another silly little exercise that could work wonders getting you going again. Standing up from the sofa and sitting down again (not just dropping), again increase the repeats as you can.

Quote by twooldtwocare


Thank you. I have given thought to Yoga. What has stopped me is my complete lack of fitness and flexibility. My treatment for the type of cancer I had was quite destructive, as well as making me ill, so laying in a bed for basically 2 years has placed me at a level that I have not been since I was in a crib. Do Yoga classes start this basic?

Quote by twooldtwocare


Some of this is great advice. I did not know they had Yoga classes for over 50. Some of the other stuff is prime also. I thank you, as well as the others, for taking the time to give me some options.

Quote by ladyblue69
<snip>
I have yet to try yoga, but have been thinking about it. Being the only man in a yoga class can have it's perks as well, right Kitares!!!!
<snip>

Quote by Katherine


Absolutely. Restorative yoga and chair yoga is great, as is doing what you can with sun salutations until you've mastered it (https://www.verywellfit.com/illustrated-stepbystep-sun-salutation-3567187 is a good source). Listen to your body as you do the poses you choose and tweak them to work for you. Don't push it, just begin it.

Quote by ladyblue69
Swimming can be great as it has no impact on the joints. Get a kick board and if you do nothing more than hold on and kick, it is something and should help strengthen your legs. You can alter your kicks to frog like ones or straight leg, or both legs together. If you are up to it a few easy laps of swimming, even if just dog paddle will help.

I have yet to try yoga, but have been thinking about it. Being the only man in a yoga class can have it's perks as well, right Kitares!!!!

I do need to get into better shape of round. I know from what I have read and seen that there are different levels and most instructors, if good ones, will take your physical ability into account. But any movement like getting up and sitting back down (I sometimes do this at work when I have been sitting too long), the stairs in the house, up and down one or two a few times.

Good luck and from the sounds of it, I never want to experience shin splints!!!

Quote by kiteares


Can I claim the 5th on that one?
If my experience and what the others in my group say is true, it is less usual for men, especially in the older groups to do yoga.

One thing I forgot to say, my instructor teaches a mix of moves, breathing exercise, meditation and philosophy & history behind yoga. So it's as good for my mental health as it is my physical.

Quote by twooldtwocare


Swimming is something I have to work back up to. I am that bad out of shape. Believe me, this is the first time I have had them, I always laughed off when others said they had them, but they hurt like few things I have had, and I have had 11 orthopedic operations. The good thing is that getting off your feet will make the pain go away. At least for me it did.

Quote by trinket


Even walking slowly back and forth across the shallow end of the pool will help. You don’t have to start off swimming laps. If your wife won’t let you bring exercise equipment into the house to help cancer recovery, you need to ditch the wife