Need some common sense

ChickenKillerPuppy

I literally just came from getting oral surgery. I did not realize that for the next two weeks (until they remove the sutures) i am going to have severe restrictions on excersize activity. I need to discontinue all exercise for a week and even then I should limit activity. This is essential to healing. There are also food restrictions but I think I can work around them to still eat within my calories (which will be far fewer without the activity).

So I know I am being completely irrational but I am freaking out at the thought of not exercising and not getting my steps in. I run 4-6 miles 4x a week and take barre class twice a week. I walk everywhere and average 20K steps a day. I am a 5’4” woman who weighs 132 and I’m 2 pounds away from my goal of 130. I have lost 30 pounds.

Running and walking are what keep me sane. I know this just for 1-2 weeks but the shock of it is just messing with me mentally, even though I know I am being crazy. It’s like I’m afraid I’m going get fat again in one week, even if I keep the calories in check (which I usually get more bc the exercise).

I will calm down. I just need a voice of reason to remind me I will be just fine and it is not the end of the world not to exercise for 2 weeks and that healing is what is important. I know I’m being irrational, I just didn’t realize this would be the case and am freaking out a bit.


Thanks everyone

gentledreams

You will 100% be ok! You lost 30 pounds which is a massive feat, you've shown you can do it, you had and still have the willpower to do it. Time will fly, can you keep yourself distracted maybe with work, light chores, or having friends around etc? Before you know it you will be healthy and up and exercising again. You've come such a long way, this is just a very small bump in the road and it does not in any way invalidate all the work you have put in so far xx

jrh_this_better_work

Totally understandable that you're freaking out. I was on a run streak of 9 months every day and then tore my ACL. I'm 10 weeks post-surgery and still can't run for at least another month.

To bring you back to rational, having lost 30 pounds, you KNOW how to do it. And you know that you CAN do it. So now it's time to do that a bit more, and while it will feel a bit more difficult, you can definitely do it!

On the loss of fitness front, you're not completely wrong. You will lose a little, but because of your current fitness level, you should gain it back pretty quickly.

Hoping you'll find the 2 weeks flying by and can get back to the life you want and are used to!

canthony3505

I've had oral and other surgeries that set me back in a similar way and it is infuriating in a way, but your body will appreciate the rest and your mind will adjust in a few days. It's tough, I won't lie, but you'll come back with a vengeance when you are able.

tulips_and_tea

Hope you heal quickly! In the meantime, take the time you need so that you don't set yourself back farther by doing too much too soon.

I've had a few injuries myself over the years and although the set backs are hard they really make you appreciate the ability to be active. Makes me much less likely to skip a workout just because I might not feel like it at the moment. I remember the times when I couldn't work out and how I felt.

steveko89

Exercise isn't what caused your 30 lb loss, a caloric deficit is. Granted, exercise certainly plays a role but managing your intake when you're not able to be as active, regardless of the circumstances, is key to maintaining loss over the long term. Look at this as a good short term practice period. There's a limited amount of "damage" that you can do in 1-2 weeks anyway. Focus on healing, resting, and recuperating. A few years ago I suffered a minor back injury and was forced to take a month off from lifting weights, though I could exercise in other ways. I chose to get back into rowing, which I had done frequently in college but stopped in the few years since. This time made me really appreciate lifting and also reconnect me with rowing. If nothing else, take this time to appreciate what your body is capable of under normal circumstances and possible explore other pursuits that have taken a back seat in lieu of running. In the grand scheme of things, 1-2 weeks is nothing and will pass before you know it.

PAV8888

I hope you feel better soon. Don't freak out with the scale. Forget how close you were or were not. It is important to get better. And it is arguable that you will get better faster at maintenance as opposed to in a deficit.

So think of this is a forced maintenance break. Which is excellent. Because even if it doesn't work out 100%; well, you were always planning to continue losing a little bit, so it's not as if you will be changing your plans when the restrictions are lifted!

More importantly though, separating weight maintenance from exercise is an incredibly useful exercise 😉

We do get caught at times in thinking that we can control weight with exercise; but it is the calories that do it, right?!? Hence the adage about not being able to outrun one's fork!

After a couple of "getting back at it" runs you will find yourself breaking records!!! 😎

MikePTY

In September of 2018, I took up Krav Maga, which is an Israeli Martial Art. I went from extremely out of shape to someone who is actually in pretty great shape and pretty good at it. I am normally exercising 6-8 hours a week with training and other exercise. But you know what, there are several times that I've missed several weeks or even a month due to life, injury, etc. Right now I'm actually on a couple of week break do a shin injury.

Every time I've worried that I was going to lose the progress that I've fought so very hard for. But it doesn't go away. Sure the first couple of times back can be an adjustment, but your body is more resilient than you think, and you will bounce back quicker than you think. A month from now, you'll be at least where you left off before your break.

ChickenKillerPuppy

I am moved to tears by these replies. This is exactly what I need to hear. THANK YOU! And keep them coming - you are all getting through to me and I’m starting to calm down. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. And your various advice gives me great perspective. I’m really taking it to heart.

sgt1372

You'll be ok.

I took 3 months off from rowing 5k meters/day to heal from an elbow procedure. Just started rowing again and am aleadybout of shape but am working back up to it

Still maintained my wt between 147-152 just thru cal control. So, no reason 2worry about regaining any wt unless u go off ur diet

NovusDies

I would complain that you need stronger pain medication.

Kidding of course.

You have been given excellent advice.

My suggestion:

You could take this extra time you have and focus the energy on some other form of self-improvement. Since you only have 2 weeks it might be reading a skill book of some sort or continuing an old hobby that you may not do anymore.

kshama2001

I hear ya! The first time I had a MOHS procedure I don't think I even needed stitches. However, I had one last month and needed an inch of stitches right on my nose, and I ended up with a black eye, and this was right before my birthday and Christmas. It really freaked me out

I also was not supposed to exercise for two weeks, and exercise is what keeps me sane. However, I didn't feel much like exercising the first week, so that helped.

My mom has Guided Mindfulness Meditation Series 1: A Complete Guided Mindfulness Meditation Program from Jon Kabat-Zinn and I knew there was gentle yoga on that, so I bought it and did the yoga, plus listened to some of the guided meditations.

Please learn from my mistake and don't take this opportunity to indulge in stress-baking, k?

ahoy_m8

I second PAV’s maintenance break idea. It makes so much sense for so many reasons. I completely sympathize about needing a little cardio for my brain (get anxious without it), so kshama’s meditation suggestion makes a lot of sense, too. Honestly, healing well is a good investment in yourself that will save you trouble & pain in the long run. Really invest in it, OP.

wifeoferp

I think this test period will actually be really helpful for your body. The body needs rest and recovery... for weightlifters it’s periodic deloads and when I used to be on swim team we did tapering where your workout would be less and less work for about a week or two before big competitions. Plus the body does well with periodic diet breaks. Based on my personal experience, I think that once you are cleared to get back into your usual exercise routine and eating habits you will probably see some quick losses.

ElizabethKalmbach

I had a couple oral surgeries a year or two ago. You're probably fine to keep walking and keep your steps up. Just don't do anything *strenuous.* You don't actually have to go "full potato" to heal from your oral surgery, though having lower calorie goals may be helpful depending on what you're able to actually ingest with the way your mouth may or may not feel. >_<

My personal hurdle with the oral surgery was not using a straw for 2 weeks. :P I LOVE straws. I love sports bottles. They keep me from spilling everything into my laptop...

Good luck and get well soon!

TanyaHooton

If you push yourself now, it will take longer to heal. And if you end up doing something bad and you're out for even longer, was that worth it?

I had my wisdom teeth out at 33, and I was only a soft food diet for a week. Lots of banana, avocado, coconut milk ice cream, greek yogurt, etc. I didnt even attempt to count calories. In the end I lost 5 lbs due to food restrictions, and I suspect, my body burning calories just trying to heal me.

cmriverside

I know this was day before yesterday...and that you're probably fine now, and I didn't read the thread so someone may have already said this - but the (local) anesthesia they use during oral surgeries can sometimes increase heart rate and it just makes anxiety seem way worse. You had JUST gotten done with the surgery and the anesthesia hadn't worn off yet.

For the next time...

Hope you heal quickly.

gothchiq

If you have surgery, follow the doctor's instructions exactly. You'll heal faster and be able to get back to your normal routine. If you don't follow those instructions things will get nasty and waste much more of your time in the long run.

Maxxitt

+1 for maintenance eating to the point that you are able so that your body has adequate nutrition (micro and macro nutrients) to heal. Having some experience with maintenance is also good practice for when you get to goal. (Note: a scale gain of a few pounds is totally normal as your body is moving more through your gut and requires more water to do so. Freak not.) Walking is probably OK.

ChickenKillerPuppy

Thanks so much everyone - all good advice

PAV8888

So how is your recovery? How are you feeling? And where's the puppy picture I'm expecting?

ChickenKillerPuppy

PAV8888 wrote: »

So how is your recovery? How are you feeling? And where's the puppy picture I'm expecting?

I am doing much better, thank you for asking! I have calmed down a bit, stayed in my calorie range, my mouth hurts in the morning but generally I feel fine. I haven’t run or returned to barre class since the surgery on Thursday, and Friday I was fairly inactive for me, although yesterday and today I did a lot of walking (regular, not particularly brisk). And I feel just fine. I spoke to the nurse Friday when she called to check in and she said on the 4th or 5th day after the surgery I could try to run for a limited amount of time and see how I feel, so I thought I would try to run for about 20 minutes on the treadmill tomorrow (the 5th day) and see how I feel.

Thank you for asking and thank you again for everyone’s thoughts and advice. It made all the difference. As my husband reminded me, I am really so fortunate. I am not injured, I just need to take it easy for a couple weeks after oral surgery.

PAV8888

And my puppy looking from under the blanket?!?!?! Glad you're feeling better. Take it easy!!!

Pipsqueak1965

Just wanted to add - you will be fine as long as you don't start eating your weight in chocolate and crisps! I have to confess today was my first day back in the gym since (mumble mumble )er xmas eve . I was ill for 3 weeks, then work was crazy busy what with beginning of the year, and catching up for time off, and then we had an office move just before xmas, so i had to move gyms (and i HATE going to a new gym!). It was fine after all that - I'll probably have massive DOMS though.

Hope you recover quickly x

kenyonhaff

Well my thoughts:

* After major surgery, in the immediate few days you likely won't feel like exercising much anyway because you will feel like crap.
* Ask your doctor what exercise might be ok when you're feeling better. Usually gentle workouts like walking is given the OK.
* You won't be eating your normal diet. Which will suck in several ways, but you don't have to fuel up so much either.
* Do some planning, setting visions, and dreaming about your workout and health goals while you're healing. It's a chance to take a step back you might not if you're focused on your immediate goals. Think about planning an exercise-filled vacation. Research that exercise program that you've heard about but didn't follow up on. Look up 5K races near your sister's house that might be interesting. And so on.