Broken Tibia :(

lfell6

So I had a mountain bike accident back in July and broke my Tibia but it was not diagnosed until last week (it is a very odd break as it had split straight up my leg rather than across). I had been in quite a good amount of pain ever since the accident but the doctors swore blind that it was only a bruised bone. I have done about 15 races between July and now and all the training that goes with it so have damaged it even more and have now been ordered to take 8 weeks off.
As you can imagine this is horrific for me! I am only three days in of rest (I had a 60km mtb race for charity on Saturday which I was allowed to compete in before starting my rest) and I am going nutty already!
I went swimming yesterday as this is all I am really allowed to do but it doesn't tire me at all and doesn't burn anyway near as many calories as I need as I can't reduce my intake too much ... point is I need ideas on how to exercise and burn large amounts of calories and keep my fitness up without putting the pressure/impact on my leg....
Help!

phytogurl

So sorry to hear about your tibia fracture! I understand as I endured a minor avulsion fracture in my ankle at the end of summer that took 6 weeks to heal. Luckily for myself, I was at least able to ride my bike on the road or spin on my trainer, and it wasn't too painful. I'm surprised that you were able to do as much training and racing as you did with your tibia!

I'm not sure what your goals are as far as fitness and or weight loss, but perhaps you could eat at a calorie level to maintain your current weight so you don't gain while you're healing. If your goals are to keep up with fitness, I would continue the swimming and inquire if you could lightly spin on a stationary bike or trainer without a lot of resistance? There's also weight lifting for the upper half. Good luck and I hope your healing time flies by!

lfell6

Thanks for your reply
That is the problem really it doesn't hurt that much at all!! it is hard to stop what I love but i know if i don't that it will mean a longer down time! Ahh it is horrible ! I guess it is good though as it does mean I am allowed to swim and spin (just seated only)
My problem is i eat for an athlete and I am used to that so it is really really hard to reduce my intake! I just get hungry all the time!
I suppose that will change in a few weeks but its a big mental battle for me and I would much rather just burn the calories i'm eating rather than stopping eating as I want to be able to continue as soon as my leg is healed and altering my diet all the time is tough!

I am going to try and up my upper body and core exercises and see how that goes good advise thank you!