How's it goin' guys? I'm reporting here after a workout this morning, and am really looking for some good advice and guidance on my dilemma with my fitness/injury/HIIT training. I need some support on what to do and which direction to go.
Background Info
I was a runner throughout high school, competing track and cross country events for 2 years. My whole life I've never been "fat", even when I wasn't competing or exercising all the time. My metabolism seemed to hold its own through my sophomore year when I was out two seasons with an injury; I didn't gain any weight or have any fat buildup.
This past fall I started my first year of college. I ran and lifted regularly in the summer, but sensed I wasn't quite as thin in my midriff as I had been when I was running, a natural occurrence. So, I picked up my cardio, and tried to eat a bit better. I maintained a not so great diet, but pretty average for an 18 year old. I was aware that in college I needed to start eating healthy, otherwise I'd end up like my brother when he went to college. (skinny everywhere except a beer belly)
So this brings us to now: I have debilitating shin splints, but I can't stop running! My shin splints started occurring my second week of college, when I was playing basketball. Slowly but surely, they've grown worse and worse, and hurt in any physical activity besides walking. Most people would simply suggest taking time off and letting myself heal, but I simply don't have the willpower. I look in the mirror and see a small line beginning to form below my bellybutton. How am i supposed to just not do anything today, when my body is getting worse, not better?
I just did an HIIT sprint workout in the gym, and my shins are absolutely killing me! But tomorrow will come, and I'll do the exact same thing. I don't know if it's an excercise compulsion, but my shins are growing more and more painful, and I don't know what to do. I know if I go to a doctor, they will simply say to take rest and get advil. I've had shin splints before, but never this severe. Everything I've read points to rest, but I can't rest. I simply can't look in the mirror and accept resting for a day, when my body's not where I want it to be.
As far as excercising in other forms, I don't have access to a pool. I tried doing an HIIT workout on a bike, but to be honest I'd rather put myself through excruciating pain and at least feel like i'm benefiting from it (running, getting out of breath) than biking. I can't get my heart rate up high enough without a TON of resistance, which my legs can't really handle for a sustained sprint.
What do i do? I can't cure my shin splints, but despite my month of HIIT, my body really hasn't improved. My diet is the best I can make it, I limit snacking and mainly eat cold cut sandwiches and salads, which is the best thing I have access to in college. I don't have access to lean meats and fish, but maybe I should try to count calories and carbohydrates to deal with this. I have muscle milk and eggs for protein; I've eaten significantly worse in my life, and my sleeping patterns aren't particularly bad. I find myself getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
I don't know if anyone else has struggled with what I'm going through, but I really need some support. When i explain this to my mom, she really doesn't understand. She just tells me to rest and that my body is fine. My body really isn't terrible, I just don't want it to continue getting worse like it has since i've been at college.
Really need some advice. Thanks guys.
Background Info
I was a runner throughout high school, competing track and cross country events for 2 years. My whole life I've never been "fat", even when I wasn't competing or exercising all the time. My metabolism seemed to hold its own through my sophomore year when I was out two seasons with an injury; I didn't gain any weight or have any fat buildup.
This past fall I started my first year of college. I ran and lifted regularly in the summer, but sensed I wasn't quite as thin in my midriff as I had been when I was running, a natural occurrence. So, I picked up my cardio, and tried to eat a bit better. I maintained a not so great diet, but pretty average for an 18 year old. I was aware that in college I needed to start eating healthy, otherwise I'd end up like my brother when he went to college. (skinny everywhere except a beer belly)
So this brings us to now: I have debilitating shin splints, but I can't stop running! My shin splints started occurring my second week of college, when I was playing basketball. Slowly but surely, they've grown worse and worse, and hurt in any physical activity besides walking. Most people would simply suggest taking time off and letting myself heal, but I simply don't have the willpower. I look in the mirror and see a small line beginning to form below my bellybutton. How am i supposed to just not do anything today, when my body is getting worse, not better?
I just did an HIIT sprint workout in the gym, and my shins are absolutely killing me! But tomorrow will come, and I'll do the exact same thing. I don't know if it's an excercise compulsion, but my shins are growing more and more painful, and I don't know what to do. I know if I go to a doctor, they will simply say to take rest and get advil. I've had shin splints before, but never this severe. Everything I've read points to rest, but I can't rest. I simply can't look in the mirror and accept resting for a day, when my body's not where I want it to be.
As far as excercising in other forms, I don't have access to a pool. I tried doing an HIIT workout on a bike, but to be honest I'd rather put myself through excruciating pain and at least feel like i'm benefiting from it (running, getting out of breath) than biking. I can't get my heart rate up high enough without a TON of resistance, which my legs can't really handle for a sustained sprint.
What do i do? I can't cure my shin splints, but despite my month of HIIT, my body really hasn't improved. My diet is the best I can make it, I limit snacking and mainly eat cold cut sandwiches and salads, which is the best thing I have access to in college. I don't have access to lean meats and fish, but maybe I should try to count calories and carbohydrates to deal with this. I have muscle milk and eggs for protein; I've eaten significantly worse in my life, and my sleeping patterns aren't particularly bad. I find myself getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
I don't know if anyone else has struggled with what I'm going through, but I really need some support. When i explain this to my mom, she really doesn't understand. She just tells me to rest and that my body is fine. My body really isn't terrible, I just don't want it to continue getting worse like it has since i've been at college.
Really need some advice. Thanks guys.
