Leg injury, can't exercise much, will I still lose?

lollie1285

Hi everyone!

I joined Monday and am thoroughly loving every bit of this website! The support here is unbelievable and it's really enjoyable to follow a 1200 calorie diet. Thought it would be hard, but I really am feeling much better since doing so.

Anyway, I have an ongoing leg injury that prohibits me from working out a lot. Most I can do is about 20 minutes or so on my stationary bike (moderate intensity, so burning about 150 calories or so per workout). I do this about five days a week, and I know it's not much, but at least it's something. At 5'5 1/2 and 133 lbs, along with a strict 1200 calorie diet, do you think it would be possible for me to lose any weight? I'd like to get down to 120 by August, but I fear with the limited amount of exercise I do, it's going to be an issue.

Any tips?

skittybang

If you can, you should really consider swimming for some exercise. Thing is with swimming you aren't putting any pressure on your joints and you are also gaining lean muscle and burning calories. Swimming is used a lot as a form of physical therapy because it allows you to have a larger range of motion. Just a thought :)

cessnaholly

Of course you can succeed. Just go at your own pace. I broke both ankles at the same time (after bed rest, a rough pregnancy and a hard c-section too). I had to start slowly, walking just 10 minutes at a time. Over a year later and I can walk lots more, longer and more distances. You can too. Any exercise is better than no exercise. Plus, changing your eating habits can help too. You'll do great. Good luck!

Jillong

Hello there. Yes, you can lose weight without exercising - last night I attended Slimming World (I take my son's girlfriend, and have joined just to be a part of the meeting - she didn't pick a local venue!).

Anyhow, my son's girlfriend is in a wheelchair due to an accident which has damaged her back. Last night, she reached her target weight and has lost 4 stone, 1/2 lb - over the course of 10 months, all without the option for exercise that we so blithely ignore. I am so proud of her (and of my son, who has helped her keep on track).

Good luck with your journey.

Elaine

janalayn

I was unable to workout for 2 weeks after surgery and just by staying within my calorie goals I lost 2 pounds. (My goal is 1 pound per week).

stitcherbeth

Get some 5 pound weighs and use those while you bike. That will raise your heart rate a little more. You can sit in place and shadow box after you do your bike. That will also get your heart rate going. Think of other things to do with the upper body.

waverly9876

I was partially paralyzed due to 3 recent brain surgeries. I cant run, jog. I am only able to do like 20-30 min on the bike or ellyptical and I have lost 16 lbs. I was 144 and now 129. Just keep within your goal and eat healthy and do what you can.

A_New_Horizon

I didn't start working out until 2 or 3 months ago, and I have been on this journey for 7 months now. In the beginning, I was just watching what I was eating, and I still had success. It comes off slower, but it can be done. Losing weight is about 80% eating, 20% exercising. You will still lose.

DonM46

Yes.
I've had 2 back surgeries and have little use of my R leg; therefore, my exercise capabilities are limited.
Simply by maintaining an intake calorie deficit, I've dropped over 20 # since mid-January.
Go for it.

PixieGoddess

I would suggest strength training. I'm in a similar situation, with a healing sprained ankle, and I can pretty much only walk and bike a little. Building muscle helps to burn fat.

It should be very easy to find lots of exercises to do, either with just your body or with hand weights. And things like soup cans or water bottles make great hand weights, if you don't want to buy any!

Just be careful with exercises that put you on your toes, like pushups and plank position, as that can be a lot of stress on your injury. Most of these exercises can be done with slightly less intensity by going down to your knees, but I don't know what your injury is, so that might still be a problem. Also, depending on the injury, see whether or not lunges and squats are a good idea. With my ankle, I can't do lunges, but I can do a few squats without pain. See what works for you, and stop when it hurts.

TDGee

Yes! Do what you can, modify what you can't quite and skip what you can't do. And like everyone else said, maintain your calorie deficit and don't eat junky stuff. Good Luck!!!

lollie1285

Thank you for all the positive feedback!