Staying Fit and Positive Through Injury?!??

Fattonz

I know there's plenty of things that can derail us or knock us off the wagon if you will. However it seems the toughest one I have dealt with to date is when serious injury occurs.

I spent most of my adult life living close to 50lbs overweight. I'm currently 41 years old. This past spring I decided I would use one of my great passions as a fitness incentive. Riding off road motorcycles properly is an activity that requires a VERY high level of physical fitness. The world's most competitive riders must maintain fitness levels only marginally surpassed by professional soccer players. Maintaining heart rates of 150+ bpm for an entire 30 minute moto is not uncommon, and riders often run several motos in a day.

I decided to take my off-road game to a higher level and purchased a membership at our local motocross track. I restored a late 90's era dirt bike to serve as my track bike. I intentionally selected a motorcycle that is difficult to ride in that it requires more physical input from the rider than other bikes due to it's very peaky powerband.

In addition to motocross I would ride off-road and adopt a style of riding referred to as Enduro Crosstraining where riders practice observed trials techniques on larger, heavier dirt bikes. This type of training teaches the rider more control and discipline and can make you physically exhausted in a matter of minutes.

In order to take full enjoyment in these activities I would have no choice but to get my butt in gear and shed some weight. I decided that in addition to time spent on the motorcycles I would also spend time running on an elliptical, walking, stair climbing, and mountain biking...

Well my plan was working flawlessly. My first trip out to the track I nearly had to quit after one lap as I was completely winded and my arms felt like rubber. Within two months however I could run nearly 15 laps at hard pace without even stopping for a break.







As far as the Enduro Crosstraining I would become cramped and exhausted within minutes. I would step off the bike after only a half hour and feel as though I had just stepped off a boat from all day on the water and would feel as though I was attempting to regain my shore legs...lol. However after a couple months I could crosstrain for nearly an hour and want more. In 30 minutes of crosstraining I would see average HR of around 133 and a total burn of about 478 calories.....not too bad








Off the bike was awesome too Intense elliptical, MTB, powerwalking and stair climbing were becoming the norm for me. I am 5'7". I started at 208lb and am currently 161lb. A total loss to date of 47lb.

Ironically however, last weekend the very thing that was providing me the fitness incentive I needed became the thing responsible for the downfall of my heath/fitness.

I was heading out for an evening ride. I was riding into the sun and didn't see that cable guy wire across my path. I was riding at close to 35mph and didn't see the cable until it was too late. The only thing I had time to do was duck my head so as to not take the cable about the neck. My right shoulder impacted the cable immediately shattering my collar bone.







I took some bruising to my right thigh as well:







I don't have a copy of my actual X-ray, but I found one online that is a fairly accurate representation.








At this point I have been forced to go from full on active lifestyle to couch potato

I have been attempting to exercise my lower body, but the jarring motion just inflicts too much pain on the injury. As a result I have had to cut my calorie intake nearly in half. I have lost weight soooooo many times in life and then gained it all back, that this time I have promised myself that this is it....I NEVER want to be fat again!!! Regardless of what happens to me....no more excuses!!!

My clavicle bone is very displaced and I see an Orthopedic surgeon on Thursday regarding surgery. The surgery involves installing a plate and screws like this:







Following the surgery I should be able to return to full on action within 8 weeks.

In the meantime I guess the biggest struggle for me is keeping strong both emotionally and physically. This injury seems to have turned my life upside down in a heartbeat. I mean don't get me wrong I realize that injuries are a reality in the game I play. It also is not lost on me how fortunate I am to be alive. I also am fortunate in that I have a great career job and do not have to worry about income during this recovery time. I used to work in the trades and can't imagine what I would be putting my family through right now with having money to stress over in addition to everything else. It's also very depressing to think that I may have to give up something I love for something else that I love even more (my family).

Are there any other actions sports lovers out there who have had to deal with this? Is it selfish to engage in a sport so dangerous when there are loved ones who depend on me? I mean this was a freak accident, but it could have ended my life. Also, my job on any given day can be as, if not more dangerous than my hobby. In fact the drive to work is likely as dangerous....but those are necessary risks. I mean much of the risk of riding can be mitigated with proper safety gear and safe riding habits, but there is always that unforeseen... I also have friends who have been seriously injured partaking in more commonly practiced activities such as hockey, football, skiing, and snow boarding...... But really I feel I am at a crossroads. I really have to sort out what I want from here on in. The fitness gains and mental therapy I get from riding vs the stress it puts on my family when I am out on the bike vs the downtime and time away from work when injured, not to mention having to inconvenience/financially burden my company to fill my position while I recover. On a side note my wife is excited to finally be outstepping me in the Fitbit department...lol.

I would love to hear from others who have been in my shoes, or even those who haven't but want to offer feedback/support. Give it up for something safer? Carry on more cautiously?

jbouton40

You have to do what you love. I broke my foot hiking. Still hurts two and a half years later. I still hike. You could get hurt doing anything.

Fattonz

jbouton40 wrote: »

You have to do what you love. I broke my foot hiking. Still hurts two and a half years later. I still hike. You could get hurt doing anything.

Thanks for your reply I believe I feel the same way...

CutsandCurves

I have chronic pain from an injury in 2000. You eventually get use to the daily pain. I made my mind up I was going to be in pain regardless if I set on the couch or worked out. Yes working out. I found out working out and rebuilding my muscles has help with the pain level.

Fattonz

thinlizzie wrote: »

I have chronic pain from an injury in 2000. You eventually get use to the daily pain. I made my mind up I was going to be in pain regardless if I set on the couch or worked out. Yes working out. I found out working out and rebuilding my muscles has help with the pain level.

Pain isn't so much the issue for me. I used to work in construction for nearly 20 years and have had my fair share of quad, sled, and bike mishaps....albeit none quite this bad, other than a couple broken ribs once. I spend most of my time working through some kind of pain or another.

I guess I'm more concerned about how to deal with the trauma of this experience more emotionally/psychologically... As well as addressing the concerns I have regarding the risk/reward factor of my chosen lifestyle.

I did manage 30 minutes on the elliptical this morning, had a shower, groomed myself and otherwise paid some attention to making myself look and feel good....but this whole thing is really getting my down

47Jacqueline

You will heal. Do what you are supposed to do for as long as you are supposed to. And hold onto the feeling you had while riding. Probably you will have some residual fear when you are cleared to resume your activites, but tat is a matter of taking time to regain your confidence.

Last October, I broke my leg in a collision with a car hood when I was on my bicycle. I was thrown off the bike onto the road. I was in a stabilizer on crutches for 8 weeks and then a flexible cast for another six weeks. I was more fortunate than you (although I did break my collarbone a number of years ago and had to have an operation for that).

When I got back on my bike, I was pretty nervous riding in traffic, but I got a louder bell and a rearview mirror I wear on my arm. Then I did the 5 Borough Bike tour one weekend (on road, no traffic) plus a 50 mile ride with some friends (in traffic) and I finally regained my confidence.

Now I'm an avid don't go the wrong way on any street, and I yell at bikes in the wrong direction, pedestrians who don't look both ways, cabs who honk when I am on a shared bike path.

I know people who retrict their activities after an accident. I will not be one of them.

Fattonz

47Jacqueline wrote: »

You will heal. Do what you are supposed to do for as long as you are supposed to. And hold onto the feeling you had while riding. Probably you will have some residual fear when you are cleared to resume your activites, but tat is a matter of taking time to regain your confidence.

Last October, I broke my leg in a collision with a car hood when I was on my bicycle. I was thrown off the bike onto the road. I was in a stabilizer on crutches for 8 weeks and then a flexible cast for another six weeks. I was more fortunate than you (although I did break my collarbone a number of years ago and had to have an operation for that).

When I got back on my bike, I was pretty nervous riding in traffic, but I got a louder bell and a rearview mirror I wear on my arm. Then I did the 5 Borough Bike tour one weekend (on road, no traffic) plus a 50 mile ride with some friends (in traffic) and I finally regained my confidence.

Now I'm an avid don't go the wrong way on any street, and I yell at bikes in the wrong direction, pedestrians who don't look both ways, cabs who honk when I am on a shared bike path.

I know people who retrict their activities after an accident. I will not be one of them.

Jacqueline I cannot express enough how refreshing and moving it was to read this. I am sorry to hear what happened to you, but it sounds like you took something positive from it and applied it. As a result it sounds as though it has made you a better person

I want to carry on with what I love and don't want to become one of those people who live in a bubble so to speak.... I want to set the example to my children of overcoming adversity and not withdrawing when life knocks you down. Maybe this sounds selfish, but I would rather be dead than live in fear of doing things I enjoy.

I just hope my wife can once again become supportive of my choices...

fiddletime

I had an open dislocation of my big toe, then two years later broke my foot, doing martial arts. Don't stop doing what fuels you because of a broken collar bone. It was a freak accident.

I live by the saying that I never want to be on my deathbed and say "I wish I had .....". I can live with "I wish I hadn't.." Because accidents occur and we all make mistakes and have to learn to forgive ourselves. But we have one life, and if you don't follow your dreams, well, you're wasting part of the time you have on this planet.

Fattonz

fiddletime wrote: »

I had an open dislocation of my big toe, then two years later broke my foot, doing martial arts. Don't stop doing what fuels you because of a broken collar bone. It was a freak accident.

I live by the saying that I never want to be on my deathbed and say "I wish I had .....". I can live with "I wish I hadn't.." Because accidents occur and we all make mistakes and have to learn to forgive ourselves. But we have one life, and if you don't follow your dreams, well, you're wasting part of the time you have on this planet.

Thanks for your reply Fiddletime. Your words are encouraging to me.

The fiddle is a great instrument by the way. I have played with some great fiddlers. I have played guitar for nearly 30 years. I played with a worship band in a very large church for about 5 years. One Sunday I shared the stage with Alfie Myhre, and played on a couple occasions with his son Byron. I truly did not feel worthy...lol.

Fattonz

Well I finally got a picture of my own x-Ray:





The ORIF surgery will be on Thursday after which I will be restricted to 10lbs max on my right arm...

tomteboda

I can't give you any advice, but I can tell you about my experience. Several years ago I had two injuries to my spine that changed my life. The first was from a fall down the stairs, and the second was a slip on the ice. One injured my lumbar spine in a way that still gives me pain, and the other was a C2 injury. I was very, very fortunate that I didn't die outright, or become paralyzed from the neck down (my doctor said it was the worst C2 injury they'd ever seen that hadn't resulted in paralysis). I also learned that I had profound scoliosis in both my thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, putting an enormous amount of stress on my back in the best of circumstances.

After several months of bed rest because of swelling compression, I discovered there were many things I'd done before I couldn't do any more. At first the list of "out of the question" activities overwhelmed me and was, frankly, depressing. I have to admit that as I started recovering my activity, I was at best resentful. Between the spine injuries and lupus I'd lost a tremendous amount in my life, professionally and personally, and I was keenly aware of it.

Then I was laid up for several months again, this time due to lupus and myocarditis (inflammation of the heart). That was a real low point. I wound up almost 100 lbs heavier than my optimal weight over the course of these several years, mostly due to inactivity. I had never appreciated how much of an active person I was until I was forced to not be active. I had a lot of time to think about my life, my attitude, and my opportunities (well, if you count being awake a grand total of 4-5 hours a day for 5 months a lot of time).

As my heart started to recover, I resolved that I was going to enjoy life as much as I could within the context of my limitations. I had to re-discover how to define myself. I had to stop thinking of myself in terms of my productivity for other people, in terms of my accomplishments. And I had to stop trying to do things that were just going to put me right back in bed or worse the hospital. Somehow, accepting the limitations was far more freeing than trying to push against them.

I've been very fortunate that the treatment my doctor started me on last January has worked well. I still am not where I was in terms of stamina pre-myocarditis, although the activity I've been able to do has enabled me to lose 50 lbs. Lupus is still a really mean wolf. August has been a tough month, and so has the start of September, and I've really struggled to meet my activity goals. But I'm grateful for each day I get out of bed, each day I can clean my house, care for my family, and take my dogs on a walk or two. So I'm not swimming an hour a day like I used to, but I drink in the stars at night before bed and thank God that I am even alive to see them.

RodaRose

That image of the cut bone got my attention! I hope that you have a good support system and are happy with your docs.
You seriously need to eat at above maintenance and increase your protein to help your body heal the broken bone.
http://www.betterbones.com/bonefracture/speedhealing.pdf
The trauma will lessons as the weeks go by. Are you right or left handed? Either way, connect with your musician buddies because music heals the body, mind, spirit.
For now, you do not have to made decisions about how much risk you need. That will come to you in time.

ditzylittlepixie

Just wanted to say I completely understand the frustration you're feeling, for slightly different reasons, I had a neck injury that took two years to sort out. At one point the surgeon thought it was neurological (nerve pains, spasms etc 24/7). The thought of being permanently in pain and unable to exercise was awful. But it got better. Two years ago I couldn't lift my arm higher than shoulder height because the muscles had locked. Today I can swim about 400m in about 20 mins, I do pilates and yoga every day, but it's been a long and frustrating road...I guess what I'm saying is that you should be kind to yourself, you've had a big trauma so your head and body will need to readjust. On the positives, you've learned something about the nature of the sport you do, you moved and worked towards your goal every day that you could, and you still have that goal in mind. Pretty good going if you ask me! If this hasn't broken your motivation it shows how resilient you are. And life is full of unknowns and risks, you shouldn't beat yourself up about taking some in terms if your biking - you're now better equipped to deal with them now

Fattonz

Wow! Such nice replies I haven't checked back here for a few days and only now just noticed. It's actually pretty good timing cause my surgery is tomorrow and I am starting to get a little nervous

I really appreciate you folks taking the time to write of your experiences, it really helps a lot to put things into perspective.

Tomteboda it sounds like you have had a long road to recovery, I'm sorry you have had to suffer like that, but I'm happy to see you have used your time constructively to review your life and reconnect with God. Thank you again for responding.

RodaRose I am right handed so it's my dominant side that is messed up. Luckily I still have pretty good use of my arm in limited context. It's funny you mention music. It's always been my way of reconnecting with myself and with what's important. It's seen me through a lot of trials. Yesterday I wrote a song for the first time in over five years. For almost six hours I was lost in my happy place, although I paid for it later, as the guitar playing badly aggravated my shoulder....but it was worth it.

Ditzylittlepixie thanks for the words of encouragement. I do feel stronger in many ways. I have also come to realize my love of riding is very great. I cannot stop. Until that day comes that I no longer can ride I will carry on. I have had other close calls with broken ribs, torn ACL and MCL's. I had one other near death experience a few years back on a quad. I guess it must be bred into me to ride or perhaps I'm just a moron...lol. I think if I was going to quit from fear it would have happened by now. However there may be some habits and behaviors in my riding that need addressing... I have always felt the need to push, push, push.... Albeit this time I wasn't actually pushing when I had the accident. None though have been as bad as this, and I hope this is the lesson I needed to make me mature as a rider. Not in the sense of being over cautious, but perhaps a newly rekindled respect for what can happen.

But RodaRose is right, this is stuff to be sorted out later on

Fattonz

I forgot to mention. My daily activity has been lowered significantly, but I have still managed a minimum of 30 minutes a day on my elliptical since the injury In fact a few days after my injury the elliptical crapped out and I completely tore it down one handed and replaced a broken resistance motor, with a little help from my 16 year old son of course....lol. I have gone out for a few walks as well. It's been an emotional roller coaster but I have still managed to keep somewhat busy and haven't fallen back into my old ways of binge eating...

Fattonz

Two weeks post op. Feeling great! Did 30 minutes of elliptical and 60 minutes of walking my dog in the country. Gettin' it back!!!

goldthistime

Everyone has encouraged you to get back on the bike once you've healed so let me be the first dissenter. The father of one of my daughters friends raced motocross and over the years has broken just about every bone that can be broken. If he were my husband I would be frustrated enough to consider leaving him. Is there a way to get the exercise and some of the thrill while reducing the danger?

Fattonz

goldthistime wrote: »

Everyone has encouraged you to get back on the bike once you've healed so let me be the first dissenter. The father of one of my daughters friends raced motocross and over the years has broken just about every bone that can be broken. If he were my husband I would be frustrated enough to consider leaving him. Is there a way to get the exercise and some of the thrill while reducing the danger?

Riding off-road motorcycles can be done quite safely, in fact I would consider it safer than my job and certainly safer than my commute to work. One way to seriously reduce the risk is to wear ALL of the available gear, avoid racing (racers constantly push the envelope), and stay within your limits. Another good idea is to stick to designated trails and safer/less challenging MX tracks. In those environments unexpected obstacles are less likely to be encountered such as the cable I "found" while riding in the ditch.

There are plenty of ways I stay active. Dirt biking is something I am very passionate about. Not only riding, but building, and wrenching as well. Much like how many of my colleagues are passionate about hockey, quadding, alpine skiing, snow boarding, downhill mountain biking, travelling abroad in nations of unrest, etc...

So I am not sure it's something I am willing to give up....