Torn ACL Still want to lose weight. Help!!!

[brimmy]

Ok so my quick background. I am 6'1" and had managed to gain weight up to about 350 pounds by December of last year. I had had enough of it and January 3rd i began to change my life around. I was eating right, doing cardio 5 days a week, attempting to slowly train for a marathon, lifting weights 2-3 times per week, and losing weight in the process.

Right now I weigh in at about 293 pounds, and have been as low as 288 in the last week or 2. I am starting to get some really nice upper body definiton, as well as toned legs. I still have a good amount of weight to drop so that my mid section can catch up and I might actually start looking slimmer.

Enter my injury last weekend. I was at a wedding, and consuming some 'adult beverages' and was dancing for a large part of the night when all of the sudden my knee popped and gave out. A few doctors appointments later and it's looking as if I tore my ACL. Now I've done a bunch of research on the injury, surgery vs non surgery options, etc.. and i have more appointments with surgeons and such scheduled.

My BIG issue is that all of the sudden I'm finding myself without a way to do cardio. I can still continue my upper body workout just fine, and my eating habits are as healthy as ever. However I'm afraid my success is going to be quite limited without the addition of cardio. And sadly i have no access to a pool for the time being. I can walk limited distances at the moment, but it causes a fair amount of swelling.

I am terrified of gaining weight all over again, and I'm not sure what to do. I was finally having success, and then this happens. In fact I've had no less than 3 people come up and say "wow that really sucks, you were doing so well to get into shape too".

Part of me wonders that if i keep up the diet, but ramp up the intensity of my upper body workout, that by some miracle the increased muscle, might expedite my fat loss. I'm really at a loss at what to do here. I had the greatest intentions to be closer to weighing in at 225 pounds by the time i hit my birthday in mid October, however with this kink being thrown into the mix, I'm not sure if that's even going to be possible.

Anyone have suggestions? I have access to a full gym, a stationary bike in my room, and a weight bench in my garage. I might have access to a pool in a few months, and that might help with some really low impact cardio, but in the meantime, I'd really like something that can help me on my way to continued weight loss.

[guitarscan]

I'm not sure about diets or anything but I have gone through 2 ACL surgeries in the past 3 years. when I first tore it I waited 6 months before getting surgery (not my choice I was leaving for college and things didn't work out) and I gained some weight about 30 lbs. I went from 200 - 230. After I had surgery I was off my feet for 6 weeks, only due to a torn meniscus(also part of the injury). if you didn't tare yours recovery is much quicker. then during recovery i put on a little more weight for about a year now i've been 250. I am now trying to lose some weight and of course right as I do I tore my ACL again same leg and everything. luckily the second time there was no miniscule tare I had surgery almost 2 weeks ago and I am walking without brace or crutches I start physical therapy this week on a stationary bike and go from there. during this recovery i told myself I wasn't going to gain any more weight in fact I lost almost 10 lbs. eating a good diet and doing minimal exercising. I'm sure if you keep your eating habits and do what workouts your can you will stay on a good track. also ask your Doctor what exercises you can do. stay strong and good luck

[inatic]

dieting and healing really arent the best options. Ask your doctors (surgeons) how to preceed. you sholuld be able to work upper body though.

[ultimatehlth]

Hey Brimmy,

Sorry to hear about the knee. So, is it torn or isn't it? Have you had an MRI? Studies show that if you're knee is stable and no accompanying structures are damaged you may not have to have surgery, however ACL tears are usually accompanied by MCL or meniscus tears. If so, surgery is the only solution.

I am a personal trainer and I tore my PCL in a mountain biking accident. In my case surgery wasn't warranted and I did my own rehab.

Since I do a lot of doctor recommended exercise therapy I see my share of knee injuries. Don't start on a cycling program just yet, wait till you know the damage for sure. Continue your upper body resistance training. For cardio I have clients do seated shadow boxing, seated sprinters drills (the arm motion of running, at high speed for 10 -15 seconds/10 reps, 1 to 1 rest ratio) punch a heavy bag (seated or standing) and walking in a pool (forward and backward) for 20 minutes.

Remember weight loss is 70% diet. Muscle burns 6 calories per pound/per day and fat burns 2 calories a pound/per day, so added muscle won't get you there, but a strict diet will.

[brimmy]

It was a complete ACL rupture with no MCL or meniscus damage. I'm having surgery anyway as the doctor recommended it for people my age. I'm still losing weight as an attempt to make it easier to walk on crutches when i need to. I'm also working the upper body to help with it as well. Surgery will be in January, and hopefully i'll be at least to 80% by summer.