How can I stay fit/lose weight with a broken rib?

sidesaddlegirl

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I fractured my rib on the bank holiday Monday being a tw*t and not concentrating when I was schooling. The doctor says no horse riding for a minimum of 4-6 weeks and even then when I start back, to take it easy and go slowly (looks like it's only Intro A tests for me again for the rest of the year).

I'm overweight and I'm fed up with it as the weight has been creeping up on me for the past few years as I get older and isn't coming off as quick as it did when I was younger. I'm not badly overweight but I feel more cumbersome with this extra stone- stone and a half of weight on me and I feel that I can't ride as well as I could when I was younger and a bit lighter. Hattie doesn't seem to mind the extra weight on me but I feel less athletic. My body is happy at 12- 12 1/2 stone but I've gone up to 13 1/2 now and I feel awful.

With my arthritis and other conditions that I've so "nicely" inherited form my mum's side of the family, I'm limited in my normal "unbroken" life of what sort of activities I can do. My doc told me no high impact things like jogging, aerobics- LOL he wasn't too keen about riding but he mainly said for me to stay away from high impact sports that jolt my bones like running. Basically, it's either walking, riding my bike or swimming is what my "unbroken" body can handle.

I had planned to start water aerobics this month in the evenings after my son goes to bed and my husband is home, to try and increase my fitness but my rib has b*ggered my plans for that and my ribs hurts like a good'un walking around for too long even with my heavy duty pain killers.

With my job, my business, the horses, taking care of my son, etc, I have very little time in the day plus the fact I don't drive and have to cycle or walk everywhere, going out and joining a gym is pretty much out of the question.

Is there anything I can do at home while my rib is healing that will help me to NOT gain any weight and increase my fitness in the mean time? Walking up and down the stairs 100 times, LOL?

I asked the doctor about swimming while my rib was healing but the answer was no so I can't do that just yet until I'm not broken.
 

Honey08

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What about a Wii for Wii Fit? A lot of thats gentle. Your rib will be less painful in a week or so. I did weight watchers (need to do it again) and its very good and easy...xx
 

CelticGal

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Hi, sorry to hear your problem but at least it won't last forever...

When I recently injured myself... I rested up but then did alot of walking but always within the limits of my pain. If my body said "stop" then I rested.

You sound like you are a pretty organised/focused person. What about doing simple exercises whilst lying on a bed? Like doing some leg lifts. Or if you are resting on the sofa -lifting some bags of sugar (example) above your head, gently to see how you go? For your arm muscles. There are lots of simple ideas if you have a think... but make sure it's gentle though.... dont over do it!


Good Luck
x
 

ElvisandTilly

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I did the slimming world diet. I've found its not a strict diet and is actually a change in what you eat rather than a diet. I got given the books (they can be bought from ebay) and I lost 1st 4lb in 7 weeks and ate so much!!! There are plenty of free foods and I just felt full all the time. I didn't increase my exercise or anything just continued doing the same other than doing the diet.

Then nearly 4 weeks ago I broke my leg. I was worried about putting weight back on with being sat none weight bearing doing nothing at all. I have stuck to the diet and I am actually losing weight still, although not at the same rate as when I could move around.

Its certainly an option for you. Hope your rib heals quickly. :)
 

sidesaddlegirl

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LOL, don't think my OH will fork out for a Wii as he bought himself an xbox thingey but the slimming world books sound like they could be a way and doing leg lifts on the bed, etc along with the step ups too. I need to make a list of all this. I just need to start doing SOMETHING as I'll go mad just stagnating here. :p
 

Pixxie

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anything that doesnt involve using core muscles (intercostals) as these are the muscles surrounding your ribs and the only thing immobilising your poorly one so you need to keep them still to allow the rib to heal so walking is the best thing you can do really and make sure youre sitting up straight :)

i feel for you having broken 4 and 2 of those in 2 places in october so i feel the pain lol...hope they feel better soon xx
 
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