what to do when you can't workout!

kaylatee0

Hi MFPers! Looking for your advice and expertise!
I have a very agressive training schedule involving training for a half marathon and heavy lifting. I take a day off every 10-14 days and eat around 2000cal to maintain 5"3 123lbs. I do two a days 4 days a week.

Until two days ago.. I popped a rib doing tricep dips and have been ordered off exercise completely for 7 days and nothing upper body related for 2-5 weeks depending on how I recover. I'm in so Much pain I can hardly move so low intensity cardio isn't even an option.

I have no idea what to do with myself!! I'm bored and I want to eat!! I Yesterday I binged like CRAZY on fried food, dairy Queen, bagels

I think my fear of gaining weight and obsessing over food amd what's going to happen prompted my binge.

What do you guys suggest? I set my intake to 1400.. Does that seem like an OK number? What can I do to pass the time? Assuming I'll be moving around more comfortably in the next few days.. I'll need a hobby!

kwantlen2051

Read a book, maybe start a craft, start a blog, watch a movie - anything (except TV) to take your mind off food. TV shows are loaded with food commercials so maybe not too much TV.

kaylatee0

Bump

Sunbrooke

If you watch TV, watch a documentary about seriously motivated people. Some of the 30 for 30 documentaries are great (some are just depressing though). I also like some of the MTV Made shows, and other various sports/competition documentaries. Whatever motivates you. Stock up on low cal foods that you can eat a lot of. You are probably used to eating more and your appetite won't adjust daily just because you didn't work out. Get some salad and low cal dressing. A veggies tray and some low fat sour cream dip, make some hard boiled eggs and eat the whites. Cut up grapefruit and strawberries are good low cal snacks. Relax with some bath salts, a huge glass of water, and a book. If you are careful, this break will be good for your body.

brandiegirl16

i have been in a similar situation where i was laid up with stitches after surgery and recovery where any exercise was forbidden. It really gave me time to build my relationship with food. You can only control what is in your control, and unfortunately exercise is not part of that picture. This is a serious time for you to evaluate trial and error with your food choices...and using and utilizing all the tools that are in your control. For me, this was weighing and measuring my food. Committing to making it a priority and my routine. Relearning what i thought i knew and making it my lifestyle.

Because I (like you) was terrified of the unknown of what my body would go through as i recovered. I needed to reinforce the food relationship and make sure it was a healthy one.

hope this was helpful. Best of luck in your recovery.

meritage4

recumbent bike at a gym-easy to get off and on-no need to hang on so tatal upper body rest

Usually healing bodies need extra calories-for repair-that could be why you were craving food!

Fishshtick

Find a free online course or even pay for an online course and devote your mind to it entirely. You can come out of this a stronger person both physically and mentally. There are now lots of real college courses available online, you just don't credit for them.

kaylatee0

Thank you everyone! I'm trying to see this as a "good thing" for my mind and my body, and make this a real experience of getting better and stronger during this rest.

Do you guys think that 1400cals is a decent amount for someone in my position? 5'3, 123.. normally extremely active, but suddenly sedentary?

AliceDark

Rib injuries hurt like heck, because it's impossible to keep the area immobile. You've obviously figured out that every time you breathe, your ribcage moves, so it will take awhile before you can do anything. I feel for you -- I did something similar a few years ago, and it was the worst, most constant pain!

I'd find some way to reinforce your healthy lifestyle that doesn't require movement -- maybe meditation? It would help you heal and would keep you in the habit of doing something good for you once or twice a day.

AsaThorsWoman

i have been in a similar situation where i was laid up with stitches after surgery and recovery where any exercise was forbidden. It really gave me time to build my relationship with food. You can only control what is in your control, and unfortunately exercise is not part of that picture. This is a serious time for you to evaluate trial and error with your food choices...and using and utilizing all the tools that are in your control. For me, this was weighing and measuring my food. Committing to making it a priority and my routine. Relearning what i thought i knew and making it my lifestyle.

Because I (like you) was terrified of the unknown of what my body would go through as i recovered. I needed to reinforce the food relationship and make sure it was a healthy one.

hope this was helpful. Best of luck in your recovery.

That's a great idea!

Get super ambitious and learn something new in the kitchen!

AsaThorsWoman

Rib injuries hurt like heck, because it's impossible to keep the area immobile. You've obviously figured out that every time you breathe, your ribcage moves, so it will take awhile before you can do anything. I feel for you -- I did something similar a few years ago, and it was the worst, most constant pain!

I'd find some way to reinforce your healthy lifestyle that doesn't require movement -- maybe meditation? It would help you heal and would keep you in the habit of doing something good for you once or twice a day.

Meditation! Brilliant!

Ya'll are inspiring me here!