Help, shoulder injury, cant weight lift, need some advice?

ive been lifting consistently for about 2 years, im in college, 20 yrs old, well i had a injury while lifting still not sure what it is yet, waiting til monday to see a shoulder specialist, well ive been outta the gym for about a week and counting, and i feel like a bum cos i cant go (doctors orders) is there anything i can do as far as exercise to maintain strength while i stop lifting, or even a way to remain cut and lean while im off.

P.S. for those of you who lift, i ususally do 14 weeks on and 2 weeks off, and ive just come off my 2 week resting period at the beginning of this month and thats when i got hurt, im hoping for the best in terms of the injury, but is there anything i can do to speed up the process..i know i should rest it, ice it, and take ibpuren...

As of now, you don't know the type of injury you have until you see the MD. My advice is don't use it. Don't swim or anything, because you may damage it further. Better safe than sorry. think about your future, if you damage it more, you are risking a lifetime of possible pain in that shoulder. Take it easy, rest, use ice and heat until you see the doctor. Only he will know what to do. You will probably have to have x-rays or MRI to determine the extent of injury. Hope you feel better soon

try in water exersices. maybe not weight lifting, but no pressure on joints...

It all depends on how serious your injury is. If it's a pull you'll probably be out 2-3 wks. If its a tear you may be in trouble. Keeping a low bodyfat % shouldnt be a problem while you have this injury. Make sure your diet stays healthy and keep your cardio up. You dont need your shoulder to work legs and abs so make sure you stay consistent with those. Also quit doing 2 wks of rest, its unnecessary. As long as your keeping up with diet, protein, bcaa's and vitamins resting that long is overated. Your 20, Im 21 at our age we can train everyday as long as your routine fits it.

If you do the clean and jerk, do squats with a weight belt. You don't want to damage anything to your shoulder. You can also also excersize the other arm and then rest that arm when you work on the other arm. If something is torn thre is little you can do since it might require microscopic surgery. NFL players recover fairly quickly even when they are out for weeks so don't feel you are losing time.

think swimming no stress howabout yoga? There are other ways of maintaining strength situps running stairs biking soccer,etc. Why are you lifting so much and for so long? unless your going to be a body builder it will cause more stress on it. If you must lift do so in moderation 2-3 days at gym No more than that!!! (M,W,F weights) (T, TH cardio)SAT/SUN Rest One day do weights rest 2nd day cardio rest 3rd day weights that way it gives your muscles time to heal because they make small tears everytime u lift do some cardo (think jumprope)for every muscle you work you have to work the front and the back of the muscle (ie calves back shins front sorry bad example) Also to prevent muscle strain stretch before during and after any exercise. only take ibprofin if needed of serous pain other wise your body will get addicted to it and it won't work. also try warm episen salt bath. or if a bruise purple in color appears use minty toothpaste on it to take away the bruise) Yes minty toothpaste I used colgate. (true story last winter I fell onto ground walking up normal 3 steps in front of b/f house (ice was on steps) I kid you not I had a bright purple bruise on my left side of my butt check (whole thing) my mom said put Minty toothpaste on it and it will go away faster! me being optomistic put half w toothpaste and the other half nothing in the morning I would wash it off and repeat at night the side that had the toothpaste on the bruise was totally normal looking skin in 3 days!so it does work! good luck!