anyone have experience with actually losing weight while injured??

bexboxxx

I'm here because I'm not used to being stuck NOT exercising but I had an ACL injury/reconstruction and I have gained a considerable amount of weight. Losing is going to be so much harder because I'm not cleared for much. Need to quit eating over my misery. Addicted to sugar!

futuremanda

Yes. Losing really IS just about your calorie deficit, so you can lose while completely sedentary during recovery. And I have. I was lucky enough to have already been losing though so it wasn't like, my first day of restricting or anything.

It does take the usual... wanting it, being willing to eat within your allotment, etc. If you're not really emotionally ready to, then no, probably not.

I used to plan some fun foods for after dinner. And I tried to keep busy with books, Netflix, etc.

You could always tell MFP to do maintenance cals. Then just try to be at or under. And when you feel better, go back to trying to lose. Maintenance may help with hunger and energy and feelings, and will prevent further gain too! Plus, on the days you go under some, it'll be like a fun bonus.

Really sorry to hear about your injury! I hope you get cleared for more movement in not too long from now.

bexboxxx

Wow, thank you so much futuremanda I actually hit a bottom with my emotional eating and i just needed to hear that obvious truth: I need to be ready, want it, and be willing to eat within the calories I am allotted!! Here goes nothing!

blktngldhrt

I've experienced losing weight while being extremely lazy..but not injured.

Just eat below maintenance and you should lose. It can be difficult to do..eating less while not able to move as much.. but once you get used to eating in a way that's beneficial to your body it will get easier.

I had a huge problem with eating too much sugar as well. I've had 7g today, it's the time of the month for me (which was one of the hardest times to stay away), and I have no cravings. It can be done if you put your mind to it. (Eta..my own sugar consumption is super low because of a medical condition... Just so you don't think that's normal and appropriate)

Also, I make sure I have adequate fat and protein to help with satiety.

Good luck and I'm also sorry to hear about your injury.

futuremanda

Good luck! And feel free to add me if you like!

365andstillalive

I tore three out of the four ligaments and the meniscus in my knee -- lost around 45lbs that year. On and off crutches, extremely limited movement etc but it all boils down to a calorie deficit for weight loss.

It does kind of bottom out your TDEE though, so be honest about your activity levels and find a deficit that will allow you to lose weight healthily and without feeling like you're depriving yourself since you won't have the option of increasing your deficit with exercise.

MKEgal

"Most weight loss occurs because of decreased caloric intake.
However, evidence shows the only way to maintain weight loss is to be engaged in regular physical activity."
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/physical_activity/index.html

Yes, I exercised while recovering from a small broken bone in my foot. Had to wear one of those boots for a couple months (very fashionable). It made the elliptical a bit difficult, but it was doable. I only wore the boot while exercising.

Also, when I started being serious about weight loss (end of 2013 / start of 2014) I was several months out from surgery to repair a broken collarbone. (And of course the surgery disrupted some of the muscles too.) I'm still well below where I feel I "should" be w/r/t upper body strength, but at least it doesn't hurt constantly any more, and I can actually use that arm normally.

So yes, it's possible to work around disabilities (temporary or permanent).
But the most important part of weight loss is controlling calories in.

And before I read this article, I would have said that "sugar addiction" is BS.
But this explains the science of how sugar changes the body (most importantly the brain chemicals).
http://www.iflscience.com/brain/here-s-what-happens-your-brain-when-you-give-sugar-lent