Any ideas what I can do now?

[Immobilesofaslug]

I (45f) recently injured myself (my leg) doing a sport I love (think boxing, rugby or horse riding type sport). Now I'm waiting for surgery to get me mobile again and the consultant says I won't be able to go back to my sport for months and months. I am really struggling with this, I can't go running, I can't do my sport, I can't do any of the things I usually do to manage my stress.
I'm a busy mum and the only me-time I ever got was when I practiced my sport, or went running in the morning before everyone wakes up. I can barely walk, let alone ride a bike or do aerobics.
I'm worried I'm going to turn into a fat, unfit blob now that I'm barely mobile and spending my days comfort eating, and was hoping the lovely mumsnetters would have some ideas of what I can do to keep as fit as possible while being unable to walk?

Swimming? Weights?

Why do we need to "think" a particular sport?

Just say what it is.

Well you need to ask your consultant about what physical exercise you can take. Pretty unwise to go by what we say!!

Mentally, some kind of mindfulness or meditation?

Something crafty or artistic like knitting or painting?

Tai Chi?

Rebounder? Portable, indoors or garden, excellent all-round exercise, can build up strength and flexibility over time Worth researching. Wishing you a good recovery!

It's a very niche sport and I know that the other ladies who do it with me are on here. I didn't want to put myself.

Swimming

There are plenty of things you can do to remain mobile and manage stress. Normal daily activities use a lot more energy in 24h than exercise. Walking around, cleaning, shopping, cooking etc. You can do probably do a lot of gentle exercise and you can do resistance training for your upper body. There is even some evidence to suggest that if you resistance training your "good leg" it mitigates muscle atrophy in the "bad" one. You should be seen by a ward physio after the OP, ask them about exercise you can safely do.
Stress-wise, you can practice mindfulness and meditation, breathing exercises.
More importantly, stop stress eating. You know that you are doing it because you are bored and frustrated. So stop and find something else to occupy your time with.

If all the other women who do the sport with you are on here, surely they'll know it's you as they'll know who in the group is injured?

Swim- water takes most of the weight?

Injuries are irritating but you have to focus on what you CAN do.

I kick box but damaged a tendon in my ankle doing something else and it took 8 weeks to recover. I could still do some of the boxing stuff. I could do some kicks one sided. I could lift weights in the gym. I swapped running machine for hand bike. I could do sit ups and other exercises. I could do skipping if I hopped!

Book a personal trainer session who could help you focus on the things you can manage.

Get a new hobby, if you have a need for speed take up PlayStation driving games.

If the injury is that bad they'll give you physio to do, you really need to focus on doing that, and try not to focus on what you are missing out on. Remind yourself this is a temporary situation and crack on.

Swim or walk in the water. I have sciatica which is agonising and the water offers real relief. Even just walking is great exercise.

Aye it’s shit. But that’s life.