Physical activity/weight loss when unable to do much due to serious injuries

puppy cat

Hi everyone, I've had a read through the stickies but I'm still none the wiser as to what I can do.

Ok, background first, I'm female, 32, 5ft 5, 76.5kg, verging on size 16 in clothes now

This time 3 years ago I was around 9 stone and fairly fit, cue bad accident, time off work, no physical activity and a massive 3 stone weight gain.

The major problem I have is that due to the injuries I received in the accident, physical problems ever since and also the different medications I've been taking I'm honestly not able to do much physically. I can walk, quite slowly, for about 10 minutes, I can't even swim properly because of back and neck injuries, I can't cycle my bike anymore. I'm at my wits end. I need to slim down, regain some kind of fitness level and just feel happier and look better for my own self esteem.

I sat down and took a good look at what I'm eating and came to the conculsion that I was consuming too much fat and calories, so I've been vigilant over the last month about my fat and calorie intake, cutting right back, and so far have lost 4 pounds (impressive I know ) without any increase in physical activity. I'm also vegetarian, nothing with a face etc, so that maybe limits the protein options for me.

I'm trying really hard. I just don't know what to do for physical activity. I know that's going to be the key.

By the way my "doctors" have told me I'll just have to put up with it until my physical problems are sorted out.....great advice.

So is there any chance that someone reading this can advise me? Maybe you were in the same position yourself once but have bounced back?

itsallaboutheL

(serious hat on) i think it would be remiss of us as non medical professionals to advise someone in your situation....

puppy cat

itsallaboutheL wrote: »

(serious hat on) i think it would be remiss of us as non medical professionals to advise someone in your situation....

I understand.

However, the "medical professionals" advice was to stop eating and do as much of whatever physical activity I felt comfortable with. I kid you not.

I just thought maybe someone on here may have been in a similar position themselves at some stage.

Thanks though.

Hanley

Perhaps a silly question, but what steps are being taken to resolve the physical issues? Are you going to a physio?

puppy cat

Hanley wrote: »

Perhaps a silly question, but what steps are being taken to resolve the physical issues? Are you going to a physio?

Nope, no physio any more, it was having no positive effect. It was actually decided between the physio and my doctor to call a halt to the sessions. The particular injuries I sustained are not the type to respond to physio unfortunately.

So far I've been through numerous nerve block procedures on my back and neck. Have also been drugged up to the eyeballs for a big portion of the last 3 years. I'm tired of feeling sick and tired and dopey all the time though so the painkillers only come into play when I'm crying from the pain.

I'm up and about now whereas for a long time I couldn't even leave the house. Hence the weight gain.

I really am at my wits end though. My GP has started weighing me every time he sees me, then he rolls his eyes and tells me how much weight i've gained since he last saw me, and tells me to do something about it.

RacoonQueen

4 pounds in a month is good weight loss. Is your doctor aware of how difficult exercise is for you i.e only being able to walk for ten minutes? Has you doctor recommended exercise? He doesn't sound very supportive, would you consider changing doctors?

Khannie

puppy cat wrote: »

I sat down and took a good look at what I'm eating and came to the conculsion that I was consuming too much fat and calories, so I've been vigilant over the last month about my fat and calorie intake, cutting right back, and so far have lost 4 pounds (impressive I know ) without any increase in physical activity.

4 lb's is actually spot on in a month. People seem desperate to shed large quantities very quickly, but this is generally not sustainable.

Khannie

Ok, I'm gonna say right now that nobody's to offer advice on exercise in this thread. Nobody on here is qualified to offer that kind of advice to someone with a serious medical condition.

edit: But, I'm gonna leave this thread open because positive change can be made with changes in diet.

On that front:
If you're a vegetarian, you might want to examine the amount of protein that's in your diet. Eggs (egg whites in particular) are a great source of protein. I was gonna tell you to eat plenty of greens, but it's likely that you do so already. The other area to look at is the carbs you're taking in. You should try as best you can to get all your carbs from complex carb sources. Vegetables, Oats, wholegrain wheat products, brown pasta, brown basmati rice, stuff like that. For healthy fats, nuts are great. They keep you feeling full for ages. Don't cut fat out of your diet if you're trying to lose weight. It can be counter productive.

puppy cat

RacoonQueen wrote: »

4 pounds in a month is good weight loss. Is your doctor aware of how difficult exercise is for you i.e only being able to walk for ten minutes? Has you doctor recommended exercise? He doesn't sound very supportive, would you consider changing doctors?

He's aware yes, but not very supportive, he seems to think I sit at home all day eating my way through multiple boxes of chocolates, which i don't by the way. Also, he's not my original doctor, I've changed already.

Khannie wrote: »

4 lb's is actually spot on in a month. People seem desperate to shed large quantities very quickly, but this is generally not sustainable.

I know you're right about that, I'm honestly not only looking for weight loss, I'm looking to get some level of fitness back too, the weight loss is a bonus.

Khannie wrote: »

Ok, I'm gonna say right now that nobody's to offer advice on exercise in this thread. Nobody on here is qualified to offer that kind of advice to someone with a serious medical condition.

Don't worry, I know myself what my body is able for and would never do anything that would cause me any more pain or risk of injury on top of my current situation. I understand that nobody here will be able to offer medical advice, and, trust me, that's not what I'm looking for. I just thought maybe someone here may have been in the same position as me at some stage and got through it. Even a few words of encouragement would help at this stage! I really don't want to end up getting the thread locked or anyone banned or in trouble.

puppy cat

Khannie wrote: »

On that front:
If you're a vegetarian, you might want to examine the amount of protein that's in your diet. Eggs (egg whites in particular) are a great source of protein. I was gonna tell you to eat plenty of greens, but it's likely that you do so already. The other area to look at is the carbs you're taking in. You should try as best you can to get all your carbs from complex carb sources. Vegetables, Oats, wholegrain wheat products, brown pasta, brown basmati rice, stuff like that. For healthy fats, nuts are great. They keep you feeling full for ages. Don't cut fat out of your diet if you're trying to lose weight. It can be counter productive.

Have you been in my kitchen? That's like my shopping list.

I also vigilently weigh out portion sizes as I know my eyes can be bigger than my belly.

Khannie

puppy cat wrote: »

I really don't want to end up getting the thread locked or anyone banned or in trouble.

Don't worry. Nobody's going to get in trouble. I only put it in bold to make it stand out. There's a no medical advice policy.

To be honest, you sound like you're doing the right thing and you should keep it up. Losing 500g a week really is bang on. It is both sustainable, and relatively pain free (I think anyway). Also, weighing stuff is great. It really does make a big difference.

If you're able for any exercise that your doctor has ok'd, then I think you should go with that. If you're not sure, just give him / her a ring or ask for a list of stuff that's ok for you. Maybe once you have that list we can give you better advice on here. If you're not hearing what you want to from your GP, or think he / she isn't giving you the best advice, I'd advise you get a 2nd opinion.

Others have said it on here before and I really agree: The battle of the waistline is won or lost in the kitchen (i.e. not in the gym).

Keep it up!

Khannie

puppy cat wrote: »

I know you're right about that, I'm honestly not only looking for weight loss, I'm looking to get some level of fitness back too, the weight loss is a bonus.

I missed this bit the first time around. I'm not sure what to tell you to be honest. I can't give you advice on how to regain fitness because I'm not qualified to tell you what exercises to do, only that you should do what your doctor has told you you're allowed to do. I would suggest that losing weight will be easier with exercise, but on the flip side exercise will be easier once you've lost the weight. If you currently have no option on the exercise front, then I'd say you should focus your efforts on the diet side of things until the possibility of exercise is a reality.

I would try to get a list of exercises from your doctor that s/he thinks would be beneficial to you though.

joey54

Puppy Cat, I'm sorry to hear the problems you have been having. By the sounds of it before the accident you were a very fit and active person. It seems to me that your doctors don't understand it. I would think you need to see a more sport minded doctor who's goal would be to get you back to some level of activity.

In my experience some doctors are better with dealing with patients who are more active, they understand the patients needs more. A friend of mine suffered a back injury and was told that was their active lifestyle at an end. It took a while but he got a second opinion and after hard work got back to comfortably going for walks and cycles again.

Hope everything works out.

ronbyrne2005

Most doctors arent that familar or concerned with rehab/nutrition etc. Go to a specialist physio/consultant, which could be expensive but worth it.

ragg

Would you ever consider eating meat again?

puppy cat

ragg wrote: »

Would you ever consider eating meat again?

Absolutely no way that's going to happen. I feel sick just thinking about it!

I'm trying very hard on the eating well front but I'm so frustrated about being so unfit and feeling like a little old woman half the time. Everyday tasks cause pain, maybe not immediately but a few hours later, then I'm wrecked for a couple of days and feel like I'm back to square one.

I know some weight loss will boost my self esteem but I'd rather get my fitness levels back to be honest. Maybe things will get easier once I've lost a bit more weight, don't know.

puppy cat

Khannie wrote: »

I missed this bit the first time around. I'm not sure what to tell you to be honest. I can't give you advice on how to regain fitness because I'm not qualified to tell you what exercises to do, only that you should do what your doctor has told you you're allowed to do. I would suggest that losing weight will be easier with exercise, but on the flip side exercise will be easier once you've lost the weight. If you currently have no option on the exercise front, then I'd say you should focus your efforts on the diet side of things until the possibility of exercise is a reality.

I would try to get a list of exercises from your doctor that s/he thinks would be beneficial to you though.

I was told to stretch every morning, very helpful. None of the doctors have been able to give me any concrete advice as to what to do, despite charging extortionate amounts of money!

joey54 wrote: »

Puppy Cat, I'm sorry to hear the problems you have been having. By the sounds of it before the accident you were a very fit and active person. It seems to me that your doctors don't understand it. I would think you need to see a more sport minded doctor who's goal would be to get you back to some level of activity.

In my experience some doctors are better with dealing with patients who are more active, they understand the patients needs more. A friend of mine suffered a back injury and was told that was their active lifestyle at an end. It took a while but he got a second opinion and after hard work got back to comfortably going for walks and cycles again.

Hope everything works out.

Well this is going on 3 years now. I'm a hell of a lot better than I was but I just can't seem to find a physical activity that I can really throw myself into. I'm not lazy about exercise , I've tried lots of things, but the physical restrictions are ridiculous.

ronbyrne2005 wrote: »

Most doctors arent that familar or concerned with rehab/nutrition etc. Go to a specialist physio/consultant, which could be expensive but worth it.

So far I've been to a physio, my GP, an orthapaedic surgeon, a pain management consultant, and the answer is the same from them all, you'll just have to be patient.....well 3 years is a long time, and I'm in my 30's now but feel like I'm about 90! Life is passing me by and to make matters worse I look like hell.

ragg

IMO - the best diet would be a high protein \ low GI diet.

maybe do some serious research on the veggie diet and try and get as much protein in there as possible with as few simple carbs as possible.

I don't know how it can be done with out animal protien, but im sure it must be possible. Don't get frantic about though - there has to be a high protein - Low carb veggie diet somewhere on the web. that is best bet to constant weight loss.

When the weight comes off - it will probably be easier to exercise - its generally 90% diet - 10% exercise anyway.
Good Luck

puppy cat

ragg wrote: »

IMO - the best diet would be a high protein \ low GI diet.

maybe do some serious research on the veggie diet and try and get as much protein in there as possible with as few simple carbs as possible.

I don't know how it can be done with out animal protien, but im sure it must be possible. Don't get frantic about though - there has to be a high protein - Low carb veggie diet somewhere on the web. that is best bet to constant weight loss.

When the weight comes off - it will probably be easier to exercise - its generally 90% diet - 10% exercise anyway.
Good Luck

I'm glad to hear its only 10% exercise! I'll get right onto researching high protein/low GI diets right now. I don't really like the word diet though, it makes it sound like you're not allowed eat and have to deny yourself nice food, so I'm going to call it a lifestyle change from now on.

I'm determined to do this right, and I'm sure determination plays a big part too. This is not to just lose weight, I need to be healthy too, and obviously a part of being healthy is keeping fit. I'm not letting this go, I'm going to do as much as I possibly can.

Hopefully I'll be one of the success stories and be able to post here and inspire someone else in the same situation as me!