Injuries; everyone hates them. If you’re an avid gym-goer, you possibly try to work through the pain; you ignore the fatigue and push through because you don’t want to fall behind.

I’ve been injured too many times.

Each time I couldn’t push through, nor could I ignore the pain, but what I learnt though these experiences was that workouts could still be completed.

My love for lifting weights is a bond that I never want to break.

On those occasions where I have been unable to lift as I want to due to injury, I’ve had to mentally prep for a more cardio-based training schedule.

Recently, my wrist has limited my training to just that — cardio-based.

Am I upset? For sure! But pushing through this type of injury will definitely set me back much further.

So, instead, I’ve thought of exercises that don’t use my upper body or put strain on my wrist and devised a different plan.

I still get the desired burn, sweat, pumping heart rate … all of it. I simply do not lift any weights.

It sucks because I love lifting weights, but I also love fitness. So I’ll do just that. Get my fitness on!

Have you ever been injured? How did you work out? Were you smart?

Did you listen to your body? Rest your injury? More importantly, did you seek professional help? Visit the doctor? Physio?

It’s important to listen to our bodies, acknowledge that injuries do happen and be confident in knowing that once we’re at 100 per cent we can return to our desired style of workout.

I’ve had many clients become discouraged when injured and the same conversation is had.

If you love this lifestyle as much as you claim, your injury will not hinder your success. It truthfully comes down to your creativity and commitment.

It may not be exactly what you want to do, but it’s what your body can do for the time being.

As I already stated, I’d much rather lift some heavy weights than simply do hill sprints or trampoline fitness, but I shall not be discouraged.

Trust that you will heal and will be able to complete most, if not all, of what you were able to do before injury.

Trust that your body is an excellent healer with rest and recovery. Trust that if you don’t rest the injured part, you will delay your recovery.

Yes, injuries suck. What sucks more is pushing through the injury, delaying recovery or worsening the injury — all which put you back even further.

Be honest with how your body feels and perform only what you can do.

Doing this even whilst 100 per cent will prevent injury as well.

That, along with performing exercises under proper supervision or simply having the body awareness to know if you are doing something incorrectly, will help prevent injury.

Should injury occur, be honest with yourself and kind to your body.

Continue to be honest with your efforts, even if it isn’t the desired form of exercise.

After all, your end goal is to remain fit, right? Let’s do it!

• Dre Hinds is a retired track and field athlete who is now a personal trainer, aerobic and yoga instructor and fitness “addict” with more than 20 years’ experience. She specialises in nutrition, weight and sprint training, operating out of HindsSight Fitness & Wellness at the Berkeley Cultural Centre. Contact her on: absbydre@gmail.com or 599-0412. Look for @Absbydre on Facebook and Instagram