[sweet402red]

My name is Brandie and i'm 26 and I started the low carb diet in Feb. I have lost 20 lbs. I kinda gave up for a month or so...going back and fourth. But now i'm ready again! I just need some help I think. I smoke, which I know is bad!! and I have a bad ankle that will swell up if I do long walks or running. (I tried ) I don't have health insurance and can't deal with it at this time. I can still go out and do normal things and everthing just not hard running or stairs really make my ankle hurt! and then it will swell if I'm on my feet walking all day, like to a mall or on vacation. & it really stinks!!!!!! I just want to know if there are any kinds of exercises that I can do without my ankle :/ that will really help me tone up... I also don't cook very much, and really don't know how! lol...so basically what I eat are eggs, nuts, lean meats, veggies and protein shakes. Which is ok, but sometimes I get so bored and cheat! Any advice would be awesome, or anyone that is in the same shoes as me! Glad to be here, excited to get started and make new friends!!

[Mama Bee]

There are a lot of seated exercises you can do with weights, and probably even some cardio.

Do you know exactly what is wrong with your ankle? Or is it just giving you pain? If you're not sure of the exact problem and can't afford to see a doctor at the moment, I'd suggest some home physical therapy activities for it! It could really help. I had a bum knee and ankle, and noticed that once I started getting in shape and lost part of the weight, the pain went away and I was able to move on from walking to running and even more intense activities like dancing that included lunges and all sorts of things.

Look at some of the exercises on this website... they are basic to help strengthen legs, calves, feet, ankles... most people who have pain in these areas that isn't related to a previous sports injury like a break or a sprain... it's just a matter of lack of strength and endurance:

http://www.active.com/running/Articl...or_runners.htm

I would recommend doing these exercises along with slowly building up to longer walks... start with 10 minutes for one week... move to 15 minutes the next week. Do the stretches after the walk, and then elevate your feet for a little bit to keep them from swelling. There are probably a lot of simple things you can do without needing to spend money on a doctor. With some weight loss also you'll see less stress on the legs and all the joints.

PS! Join us over on the 20-somethings board!

[sweet402red]

Thanks so much for the advice!! I really don't know exactly what it is with my ankle but a few years ago, I broke my 2 last toes and at the time I figured not to go to the doctor because there isn't much to do for that. But as time went on the top of my foot started to hurt and it sometimes seems like it pops out of joint and I can't really walk on it some days. I know I need to go to the doctor!! but right now the money just isn't there But I will def try out what you recommended. I guess ya never know it might help! I will join the 20-something board! thanks, i'm just starting to get the hang of the website!!!