Staying Motivated During Injury

Believe it or not I had two friends contact me within hours of each other yesterday, asking for advice on how to stay motivated during injury. One recently had surgery to correct her problem and knows it will take a year for her full recovery. She has made GREAT strides in her weight loss and fitness level over the past year. She is afraid now that she can't exercise at her normal level for a while, she is going to backslide and lose some of those great gains she has made. My other pal is dealing with a rotten foot injury that goes back and forth between a couple of issues and possible treatments, depending on which doctor she is talking to that day! (Boot or no boot? Therapy? Cortisone shot? What IS the answer!?) She has NO idea how long she is going to battle with this and what the fix is. She has a few extra pounds hanging around that are keeping her from wearing all the cute summer clothes she has and feeling good about herself. So of course, I immediately went into motivator/trainer mode and tried to come up with things that I could tell them that would keep them on the healthy train while their injuries are fully diagnosed and treated.

Here is what I came up with. I hope it helps them as well as any others who may be dealing with the same sort of issues.

1. Listen to your Doctor. - Even though you may not like what he/she has to say, they are telling you not what you want to hear, but what is going to help you recover more quickly. The sooner you decide to FULLY follow doctor's orders, the more quickly you will get back to your normal routine. I know that a year doesn't seem "quick", but it is better than 2 years, isn't it? And look at your kids, think about how quickly the last year went by and how much they have grown and changed. See, a year really isn't all that long!
   
2. Remember this is temporary. - If you listen to your doctor, follow the rules and make sure things heal the best they can, you most likely will be back doing the things you love.
   
3. Focus on what you CAN do, and DO IT! - Right now the easiest thing to do is to think about all of the activities that you can't do. Instead, try to look at this as an opportunity to try some new things. If you were a runner and can't run for a while, now is a time to think about biking or swimming. What's that, you hate the stationary bike?? Well, it is summertime here in Ohio so get outside! Enjoy the scenery, invest in a bike rack for your car and find some new fun trails that you and the family can explore together. And you don't have to be Michael Phelps to enjoy the benefits of swimming. On a day you take the kids to the pool, spend 30-60 minutes chatting with a friend at the edge of the pool while you vigorously kick your legs for a great lower body and cardio workout. Or now might be the time you find out what Pilates or Yoga are all about!
   
4. Diet is going to be key. - I know, we ALL hate to hear this one. It is more fun to have nachos and beer or ice cream and cookies but believe me, I know from first hand experience that this one makes a HUGE difference. I am not going to tell you it is easy, but if you make up your mind to do it, I know you can! The first month is the hardest, but get yourself in a routine, teach your taste buds to crave the healthy stuff and it does become easier. And don't take an all or nothing attitude. Allow yourself little treats here and there so you don't end up binging later. And as far as the alcohol goes, set a limit for yourself and stick to it. Again, not easy, but you CAN do it! And remember, providing lots of nutrients through a good diet will also aid in healing your body more quickly!
   
5. Find support in friends and family. - Wherever you can find support in your workouts, healthy eating, and just staying on track in general, use it! If you have a friend that ALWAYS wants to drink beer and eat nachos, tell them your goals and ask if you can choose a healthier option. If they refuse and give you a hard time, maybe you shouldn't hang out with them for the first month while you are getting in the groove. What if that person happens to be your spouse? Well, tell them how important this is to you. Tell them you want to be a great mother/father to the kids and be around to grow old with him/her as well. If you really make it clear, I can't imagine he/she won't support you!
   
6. Go ahead and whine/vent about it! - Neither of the friends who called me yesterday are known for their complaining. So naturally, they both felt "guilty about venting" to me. Honestly, if it were me, you would SO hear me whining about it. So go for it. And in the words straight from of one of these wise pals herself, "Feel it, and then lose it. Don't dwell on it".
   
7. We are getting older, so set realistic expectations. - Remember that as we age, our bodies take longer to heal. We aren't going to heal from a serious injury at this point in our lives like we did at 25. (Ok, maybe some of you reading this are still 25...so you won't heal like you did when you were 15!) :-) Don't be too hard on yourself and expect to0 much. Don't be a slacker either, but just remember that our bodies do many amazing things for us every day and over time, those things take their toll.
   
8. Only YOU can decide it is worth it. - This truly is about you. Feeling good in your own skin. You can think about your spouse, your kids, how other will see you...but ultimately, only you can decide if the hard work is worth the trade off.
   
9. Take one day at a time. - Try not to think too much about a year from now, a month from now, or even a week from now. Think about today. What can you do to help heal your injury and keep yourself in shape.
   
10. Be kind to yourself. - Get a pedicure. Get a massage. Take a hot bath. Whatever it is that makes you feel relaxed, go for it. Be kind to your body and think of all the wonderful ways it serves you every day. Don't be angry with it for getting injured, think positive thoughts. (Some people think this is hogwash, but I happen to believe that my body reacts to the way I think about it!)

I hope these tips help you on your journey of recovery! If anyone has any additional injury tips, please feel free to add them in the comments!