Diagnosis

I did not want to go to the doctor today for two main reasons:

1. I didn't think my injury was that serious. It feels like a muscle strain, and I know that all you really need to do is rest it up and wait for it to heal. So, if that was the case, I was being kind of silly going to the doctor.
2. I was afraid that it was more serious than just a strain and the doctor would tell me that I wouldn't be able to exercise and that I would have to stay away from the gym for a few weeks.

In the end, it was all ok.

He was a bit concerned that it has been hurting for almost a month now, but overall, he didn't think that it would be a problem. It is just a muscle strain of the rectus femoris (hip flexor). This particular muscle crosses the hip and the knee, which is why my hip (and even lower back) has been hurting as well. My knee hasn't been too bad.

In any case, I'm on muscle relaxants for 3 days and anti-inflammtory meds for 10. I'll go back to see him on the 29th and then he'll determine whether or not I need an MRI for further investigation or some physiotherapy to help with the recovery. He's also going to take a look at the shoes I've been wearing while training. He said that wearing the wrong pair of shoes could have an impact all the way from my foot (the pad of my left foot really hurts) to my hip/lower back!

As for working out, he didn't restrict me from the gym. He did tell me to lay off exercises that put pressure on the quads - no lunges, squats, leg presses etc. (darn, no squats, gutted lol). As for cardio, he said to use common sense - if it hurts to run, don't run etc.

So good news on the diagnosis front. I'll try and be sensible and focus more on other types of exercises that don't put pressure on my legs.

I'm at a bit of a loss workout-wise at the moment. I guess I could start on Phase 5 of NROL4W, but part of me wants to take a break and just do something different for a week or two. I guess I'll take a look to see what Phase 5 is all about and then either start with it tomorrow or put together a routine for the next two weeks so that I don't feel lost in the gym.

Today, 45 minutes on the cross-trainer followed by some triceps and shoulder resistance training. Not too intense, but just enough for the day.