Help

Ppoulin81

I tore my ACL back in January and have not been able to do much since. They have a cutoff BMI of 40 and I am over that, so I need to lose 70 to 80lbs before they will do surgery. I need some ideas as to how to lose the weight while doing limited activity.

TavistockToad

Weight loss is all about your calorie deficit.

JMcGee2018

TavistockToad wrote: »

Weight loss is all about your calorie deficit.

This. CICO is the way to lose weight. If you really want to work out, you could get some dumb bells and do some upper body workouts, but don't count on that for your calorie deficit.

jjpptt2

What they are saying is to manage your diet to lose weight - don't try to rely on exercise.

concordancia

The most important thing for weight loss is what you eat. That being said, being more fit before surgery can improve your results and recovery time.

Check with your doctor before starting any exercise, but here are some ideas to take to your doctor or physical therapist.
-deep water aerobics was originally developed to help runners stay in shape while injured.
-chair aerobics and seated resistance training
-swimming
-hand bike

KNoceros

If your ACL is unstable and you do decide to swim, I’d avoid breast-stroke legs - it’s going to make your leg feel really wobbly!

Ppoulin81

I got the MRI results back and the damage is pretty extensive. ACL completely torn MCL almost completely torn and the lateral meniscus is torn. My physio therapist said I could do the stationary bike, aquasize and the rowing machine. Any thoughts about the rowing?

Ppoulin81

I also just want to thank you all for the suggestions so far

MegaMooseEsq

Oof, that stinks. I know there are a few people around here who really enjoy rowing - if your physio okayed it, you might as well give it a go.

AnnPT77

Ppoulin81 wrote: »

I got the MRI results back and the damage is pretty extensive. ACL completely torn MCL almost completely torn and the lateral meniscus is torn. My physio therapist said I could do the stationary bike, aquasize and the rowing machine. Any thoughts about the rowing?

Rowing: It depends on the exact nature of your limitations. I don't have the same ACL/MCL issues (AFAIK), but have a torn meniscus, osteoarthritis, and some debris in the joint. I can handle workouts with straight-line hinging motion in the knee, which includes rowing (boats & machines), cycling and spin. I always ice after every workout. (Can't handle much impact or torque on the joint. No running or aerobics, for example.)

Key question for your doctor (orthopedist): Are you burning any bridges by doing things within your pain tolerance? Mine said I wasn't. If yours says likewise, I'd test-drive the physio's advice. I've been rowing several years now on the torn meniscus with no noticeable pain progression.

YMMV, obviously. Best wishes!