Accident prevents me from excercising - need advice

ArcherGilS

Hey people,

I've been trying to lose weight and have been doing so by going gym and doing cardio and lifting weights - plus counting calories (loosely and basing them on rough estimations).

I managed to break my collar bone and had surgery 2 days ago. I'm seriously scared I'll start gaining weight again because I can hardly do anything for at least 4-6 weeks.

I'm not the most disciplined on controlling my eating habits but gym helped a lot. Now that I'm at home, depressed and unable to do much, I keep having urges to give up on losing weight and just do and eat what I want.

I sincerely ask for your advice and if anyone has been in a similar situation, please share what you did. Thanks

jemhh

I have never had an injury as severe as yours but I had one that kept me from most lower body exercises for a month. It does stink, I'll give you that. You need to focus on your diet. I would suggest aiming to eat at maintenance, or at least close to it, while your body heals. You can do this. It will be good practice for maintaining after weight loss.

Best of luck to you.

ARGriffy

I've just come back from 3 months off work /exercise from an injury and I will seriously say to try and avoid the pity party. Don't worry about losing just maintain and let your body heal, if you're already down because of it eating won't help the situation trust me, try and keep upbeat xxxxx

comptonelizabeth

I broke my shoulder a couple of years ago - I feel your pain. I'm in the UK and had free sessions of physiotherapy which really helped,plus he was able to advise on follow up exercise. I found it took a lot longer than 6 weeks to regain full range of movement but I'm probably older than you and my fitness levels were not great anyway due to chronic illness

sijomial

My knee got smashed by an idiot car driver when I was 31. Had 3 months on crutches, permanent injury with a really poor prognosis for the future (disability and further surgery), depressed, bored, couldn't work.....
Worked hard at my rehab and stumped around on my crutches as much as possible but obviously my activity was massively reduced and opportunity to comfort eat was far too appealing.
Got fat (+ 30lbs in 3 months) and stayed fat for next 20 years.

Advice - whatever you do, don't do what I did!! It's a huge regret of mine.

I would recommend:
Putting effort into calorie logging (even if it's only for the period you are physically restricted) to help maintain your current weight.
Try to keep foods / drinks / snacks that tempt you too much out of the house.
Stay as active as you can, focus for now on what you can do and not what you can't. Get out of the house and walk, helps the depression aspect and also distances you from temptation!
Set a reasonable goal not to slip backwards in the next 4 - 6 weeks.

ArcherGilS

I cannot thank you lot enough for your comments. For some reason, maintaining weight flew over my mind - that's a good idea.

I'm also in the U.K. but don't know where to get free physiotherapy sessions, maybe my GP will recommend one tomorrow when I visit.

ARGriffy

ArcherGilS wrote: »

I cannot thank you lot enough for your comments. For some reason, maintaining weight flew over my mind - that's a good idea.

I'm also in the U.K. but don't know where to get free physiotherapy sessions, maybe my GP will recommend one tomorrow when I visit.

I'm having physio every two weeks from my local hospital (bristol) and I have to say the service has been brilliant, got a session on Tues and looking forward to seeing the progress since the last. It sucks for now I do understand but stay strong, and know it's temporary (although I know it feels like time is standing still sometimes...) but it's just your next challenge x

comptonelizabeth

ArcherGilS wrote: »

I cannot thank you lot enough for your comments. For some reason, maintaining weight flew over my mind - that's a good idea.

I'm also in the U.K. but don't know where to get free physiotherapy sessions, maybe my GP will recommend one tomorrow when I visit.

I think with me I was automatically referred but it probably varies between areas. It was actually my scapula that fractured and the break extended into my shoulder. You definitely need physio so do ask your gp.

peterbuller8

Having done my collar bone more than once when younger i feel your pain try just going for walks you will surprised just how many calories you burn by walking for an hour every day .
As said above dont give up just try and maintain for the next few weeks until your body is better.

meritage4

collarbone fracture shouldn't stop you from some gentle riding on a stationary bike. A recumbent bike would be easiest.

ninerbuff

You can still walk. It's still one of the best ways to get in exercise with no training or equipment.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

ArcherGilS

I would walk but it's incredibly cold which hurts the wound after the operation. Plus having really strong meds keep me drowsy all day. But I will try going gym and using the bike machine lightly