Helllllllllp please!!!!

[monstertruck]

I'm sure you all can help me! I had a mountain bike accident Saturday that resulted in minor fractures above and below my left eye along with 8 stitches just below the left eye, badly bruised and very sore left shoulder and "possible" fractured right wrist (don't know why it's still "possible" when the x-rays were clear??!!) which is in a removeable splint for the next two weeks. Sooooo I can't train, I'm already beside myself and feel fat oooozing on as I type. I'm hoping for some ideas so as not to lose everything I've gained. Here's what I was doing up till last Friday:
Five day lifting split:
Mon. back & abs
Tues. chest & calves
Weds. legs
Thurs. shoulders, traps, abs
Fri. bi's and tri's

I had been doing cardio 4 times/week for 30min and was working my way up to 4times at 60 mins. I dropped cardio back about a month ago on the theory that I was too well conditioned to see fat loss at 5 times/week for 45-60 min. because I wasn't seeing any loss. (maybe wrong, but I was willing to try - so the cardio is coming back up).

Within the last 2 weeks I dropped calories back to 1500 at a 55 carb/35 pro/10 fat split in 5 meals. I was finally starting to see some slooow fat loss.

So I imagine it'll be about 2 weeks before I can lift upper body. Legs are unscathed but I don't want to go nuts till my head heals a bit (no concussion or anything but the left side of my face is bruised and swollen).

What or how much can I do in the meantime, and how should I make my comeback? Where do you think I should keep my calories? I wouldn't mind dropping a few pounds in the meantime - I've been able to put lean weight on without too much difficulty. My body fat is at 18 and I was working it toward 14, which I still want to do. I'm 5'6', 144 lbs.

I appreciate any and all ideas!

 

[monstertruck]

forgot to add.......

I'm planning on going to do some cardio today (on a recumbant bike) so I'll at least get that started up.

And........I've never had a black eye in my life.....so I'm trying to come up with a new "story" other than "you should see guy that started it". Anybody have any good ones?

 

[Galen]

usually the women we see in the ER with these types of injuries "fell down the stairs"

 

[Galen]

sorry, forgot to add my two cents, never rush an injury. Eat especially clean, do cardio and light legs for a while and u'll come out better then ever, and wear a helmet

 

[monstertruck]

Thanks, Galen. Believe it or not, I was wearing a helmet - it didn't help (or maybe did. Guess it could've been worse) since I landed on my side and face.

 

[Phemomena]

in my opinion, taking 2 weeks off couldn't kill ya...probably won't make much difference at all in the scheme of things other than allowing your body to heal properly... do some light activities that you enjoy, nothing strenuous.... keep the diet reasonable, but don't starve yourself just because you aren't as active...

two weeks should make very little to no difference in your body's make up, as long as your diet is still clean, you'll be fine... relax, enjoy the time off... you'll be able to come back fresh and renewed rather than plagued with aches and pains for a lot longer time...

 

[KBgrl]

what about the truth.... "I had a bad mountain bike accident"

 

[monstertruck]

Thanks, Phem. Guess I just have to relax about it - that's the hard part!

KB - funny thing, didn't think about using the true story cuz I figured no one would believe it!

 

[Phemomena]

just get in the proper mindset and it wont be so hard, take a walk rather than going to the gym, explore something new.... don't think of it as down time, think of it as 'me' time... go get a light massage or a manicure (facial would probably be out of the question...)...

pamper yourself... you may just find the hardest part is getting back at it but it wont be that bad... just don't mess up your times too much (i.e. don't sleep in too late, go to bed too late etc, that way when you're ready to go back, its not such a challange dragging yourself there ) eat a normal diet of clean food (maybe cut back the calories a little, but not too much, your body will need the nutrients to help mend itself properly...

 

[keiko]

I'll go with taking time off. YOur body will recoup much faster if you don't stress it any more.

YOu won't experience muscle loss in only two weeks. Any CVS loss can be easily made up.

Walk the dog, go to the beach, go to the movies.

Fish oil is great for healing, too.

 

[erikaalex]

Monstertruck:
I can totally relate to you, I was out of order for over 2 years due to 3 major neck injuries. Believe me I know it isn't easy. I felt like I was being punished for something I didn't do... I came to this site a couple of months ago asking for similar advise. After you recover from this you will get back sooner than you think. Don't forget muscle has memory and Thank God fo that!!!
This too shall pass.
Erika

 

[monstertruck]

Thanks, everyone. I'm feeling better about taking it a little more slowly for a bit. I've been on a recumbant bike, walking the dog (one handed), today a family birthday party while keeping the diet clean. I'll bounce back!

 

[Sassy69]

MT --- great! You will feel like a million bux when you come back! I was just trying to get back from a week of travel at the beginning of July where I also was down for 5 days w/ lower back spasms and then got sick for a week when I got home. So that's 2 weeks down the drain. I got back in the gym after just being depressed about the whole thing - my training SUCKED. Not sure why exactly but I ended up taking 4 days off this past week because of work -- I got into the gym on Wed after at least keeping my diet clean and tight for those 4 days off - what an AMAZING leg day I had. I haven't been able to get a pump in my quads for weeks!

Anyway - the rest will do you good (esp since your body is going to be using its energy to heal you) and the positive mind set will help you hit it hard when you get back!

And be proud of your "mountain biking accident" -- shows you're hardcore about what you do and not a wuss about injuries. Or just down play it like "jumped a big rock on the trail" -- leaves people wondering just how hard core you are! LOL! Or tell them "You should've seen the other guy!"

 

[poohbear]

I agree with the (probably much needed) rest. What are your stats to be eating so little and working out so much, though. I use to hear stories about women dropping their calories below 1000 because they weren't losing any weight. As a certified fitness trainer, I try to convince them that going below 1200 is bad for the body, especially with all the cardio that they were doing.

Anyhow, your carb/pro/fat ratio seems decent, but please keep in mind that I'm NOT a registered nutritionist or an MD.

good luck on your recuperation

 

[X.X]

Yes, I agree with taking some time off and take some long walks. It will be good for your body and I doubt that it will make any difference. Then you will get back into things as a clean slate. And healed.

 

[target]

TIME OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Goodness relax! I know it sucks but who doesnt need to relax every now and then? One thing I did when I was injured is wear leg weights, and then wrist weights sometimes they irritate ya! I did leg lifts etc in bed, but took it easy its the only real way to properly heal!