While there is nothing wrong with having fitness aspirations, it’s important to keep in mind that fitness and good health go hand in hand, but they are not the same thing.
While building muscles and getting into shape are great goals to have, good health requires a greater vision and commitment. This includes proper nutrition, getting adequate sleep, managing stress and taking action quickly when you don’t feel well or get injured.
The condition of your lower legs and feet, for example, are essential for just about any fitness activity such as running, walking, skating or skiing. There are many leg and foot conditions that can be troublesome such as shin splints. Shin splints are pains along the shinbones that run down the front of the lower leg (the tibia).
Here are a few things to keep in mind if you have a problem with shin splints:
• Don’t think you need to tough it out. See a medical specialist if you suspect you have an infection or injury.
• Listen to your body. Training is important, but you need to stay healthy overall to perform your best. You may be tempted to run through the pain, but, in the case of shin splints, this will cause your problem to be worse and you could potentially damage underlying tissues. If possible, a two-week rest from the particular activity that caused the injury is recommended by health care professionals.
