Calories when you can't exercise at all

laura9503

Hi, last Tuesday I had an abscess removed which really hurt and the doctor told me I shouldn't workout or ride a bike for a few days (approx. a week). I'm pretty stubborn so I already tried to ride a bike this morning but it hurt too much. I can't workout this weekend anyway as I'm going to visit my grandparents for two days. I'm thinking about maybe going to the gym tomorrow just to do an upperbody workout (but sitting still isn't entirely comfortable) and maybe just walk uphill on the treadmill (no running yet). I usually workout 4 times a week and eat around 2100-2300 kcal (22 y/o female, 123.5 lbs/5'6/7). Should I eat less calories now? I've been eating around 2000 this week but this weekend will be very hard, because my grandparents always stuff me with greasy food. Do you have tips? I always do walk a lot with my grandpa (usually around 8000 steps) so I will get some "exercise".

TavistockToad

one weekend of overeating wont do any harm... but you can fit plenty of food in 2000 cals. if you want to eat 1800 today and tomorrow so you have an extra 400 for the weekend, then that'd work too.

smolmaus

If you had an abscess removed, even though it is a small procedure, your body will need rest to help you recover and you do need extra calories so you have the fuel to heal. If you don't let your body heal properly before you get back in the gym the whole process will take longer and you could cause even more complications. I would listen to your doctor and rest.

You can eat in moderated portions at your grandparents house, if the food is calorie dense you can just eat less of it but I would agree with Tavistock, it's only two days and you're recovering so I would try not to worry too much.

Verdenal

lauraandeweg wrote: »

Hi, last Tuesday I had an abscess removed which really hurt and the doctor told me I shouldn't workout or ride a bike for a few days (approx. a week). I'm pretty stubborn so I already tried to ride a bike this morning but it hurt too much. I can't workout this weekend anyway as I'm going to visit my grandparents for two days. I'm thinking about maybe going to the gym tomorrow just to do an upperbody workout (but sitting still isn't entirely comfortable) and maybe just walk uphill on the treadmill (no running yet). I usually workout 4 times a week and eat around 2100-2300 kcal (22 y/o female, 123.5 lbs/5'6/7). Should I eat less calories now? I've been eating around 2000 this week but this weekend will be very hard, because my grandparents always stuff me with greasy food. Do you have tips? I always do walk a lot with my grandpa (usually around 8000 steps) so I will get some "exercise".

LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTOR. If s/he says to rest, you should rest. Don't you realize you could injure yourself, causing a greater setback? Ordinarily, a person who is not exercising should consume fewer calories, but that's not true of someone who is recovering from surgery. Eat healthy meals within your normal calorie range or slightly less. Again, this is a question for your doctor.

Forgive me for being an armchair shrink, but you sound as if you might have an ED. Taking off a week from exercise should not be so concerning.

cwolfman13

I would just eat as normal...it's just a handful of days. If it were weeks and months, that would be another story, but you don't just put on a bunch of fat in a few days. The human body is very adept at utilizing excess energy in the short term...gaining actual weight and overriding your body's ability to maintain homeostasis requires consistent and prolonged energy surplus.

tulips_and_tea

As someone who has a hard time being inactive and unable to workout, I sympathize, however, DO NOT rush it! Take your time to heal. This is a very short healing period compared to other surgeries and injuries so let your body heal and take it easy.

I get that a lot of people equate food and love, but you don't have to stuff yourself with greasy food just because your grandparents want you to eat it. It's okay to decline or eat just a little bit, thank them and compliment the food.

LivingtheLeanDream

Let your body heal and eat at maintenance calories. And even if you are eating over maintenance any gain you might see will disappear once you're back doing your usual exercise.

Francl27

TavistockToad wrote: »

one weekend of overeating wont do any harm... but you can fit plenty of food in 2000 cals. if you want to eat 1800 today and tomorrow so you have an extra 400 for the weekend, then that'd work too.

Yeah not for me, possibly not for OP too. I can easily gain a couple pounds in a week... EASILY.

OP, try to make better choices, say no to what you don't really want, and yes, walk.

amyf2000

I recently got a concussion and had to not work out for several weeks. I normally work out 6-9 hours a week. It turned out to be fine because my lower activity level left me much less hungry. Follow your doctor's advice. Rest and let your body heal.

laura9503

Thanks for all the responses! You're totally right, I decides not to workout and follow his advice and take my time to rest. I'm also noticing less of an appetite and yesterday said no to something I did'nt want but enjoyed my dinner and dessert which I did want. Actually I used to have an ED so this was a sort of a wakeup call that I need to focus on my health again before I slip into old habits. Thanks again!

heybales

Francl27 wrote: »

TavistockToad wrote: »

one weekend of overeating wont do any harm... but you can fit plenty of food in 2000 cals. if you want to eat 1800 today and tomorrow so you have an extra 400 for the weekend, then that'd work too.

Yeah not for me, possibly not for OP too. I can easily gain a couple pounds in a week... EASILY.

OP, try to make better choices, say no to what you don't really want, and yes, walk.

I think he meant in the context of only prior exercise calories still being eaten despite no exercise.
Which unless you went from massive workout calorie burns down to injured and bed ridden for the week - won't do any "harm".

Almost everyone is going to gain water weight when coming out of a diet or eating over maintenance, and weight from more food in the gut - but to the point of fat gain - that's not doing any harm as he said.

Water weight - eh - it'll be gone when in the diet again after a few days.

Unknown

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laura9503

Right, so now I'm on my 3rd week of no exercise. I have had a pretty rough couple of week "medically wise". Had 2 biopsies because of a tumor in my breast (waiting for the results but 99% sure it's benign), have been tested for Crohn's disease and have been sick with the flu for a couple of days. So no working out of course but my health is way more important than my fitness goals and my body is telling me no right now. Hoping all the results are okay and that I can slowly start exercising again. Take care everyone!

Pastaprincess1978

lauraandeweg wrote: »

Right, so now I'm on my 3rd week of no exercise. I have had a pretty rough couple of week "medically wise". Had 2 biopsies because of a tumor in my breast (waiting for the results but 99% sure it's benign), have been tested for Crohn's disease and have been sick with the flu for a couple of days. So no working out of course but my health is way more important than my fitness goals and my body is telling me no right now. Hoping all the results are okay and that I can slowly start exercising again. Take care everyone!

I hate to hijack but hugs to you as well as the OP!

Francl27

lauraandeweg wrote: »

Right, so now I'm on my 3rd week of no exercise. I have had a pretty rough couple of week "medically wise". Had 2 biopsies because of a tumor in my breast (waiting for the results but 99% sure it's benign), have been tested for Crohn's disease and have been sick with the flu for a couple of days. So no working out of course but my health is way more important than my fitness goals and my body is telling me no right now. Hoping all the results are okay and that I can slowly start exercising again. Take care everyone!

I've been sick for a week, I hear you. Probably gained a lb because unfortunately, I'm still hungry when I'm sick, and I can't exercise...

CMNVA

As you've probably heard, weight loss mainly occurs in the kitchen, not the gym. Your best bet is, if you're really concerned, to take your calories down to 1800. If your doctor says not to exercise, then don't. Your abscess won't heal fully if you are stressing it with physical movement.

WilmaValley

Great discussion, learned a lot!

tammie614

lauraandeweg wrote: »

Hi, last Tuesday I had an abscess removed which really hurt and the doctor told me I shouldn't workout or ride a bike for a few days (approx. a week). I'm pretty stubborn so I already tried to ride a bike this morning but it hurt too much. I can't workout this weekend anyway as I'm going to visit my grandparents for two days. I'm thinking about maybe going to the gym tomorrow just to do an upperbody workout (but sitting still isn't entirely comfortable) and maybe just walk uphill on the treadmill (no running yet). I usually workout 4 times a week and eat around 2100-2300 kcal (22 y/o female, 123.5 lbs/5'6/7). Should I eat less calories now? I've been eating around 2000 this week but this weekend will be very hard, because my grandparents always stuff me with greasy food. Do you have tips? I always do walk a lot with my grandpa (usually around 8000 steps) so I will get some "exercise".

wishing you a speedy recovery. i've been benched from working out as well due to passing out twice a few weeks ago. i was told to "chill" until after my echo and stress test which was yesterday. in the interim, i've been eating clean (For the most part) and cutting my cals between 250-500 cals a day. i do add in extra steps walking though until i'm cleared (parking farther away, going to the mall,etc.) i'd say keep your maintenance cals in check and try to cut some if you can so that you will have some to enjoy a cheat meal

HoneyBadger302

A week or two probably won't kill you, but I recently ended up with a couple weeks off of my normal workouts, so I found it easiest just to skip breakfast, which made up for most of the missed calories, without me feeling particularly deprived (breakfast is usually just a protein shake after a workout).

Long term, yes, you'd need to adjust your eating or end up doing what I did last year and put on weight that's going to take you forever to get off again LOL.