Finding Peace with Your Body Weight During Injury Recovery

I have been out of the gym for six weeks with a torn rotator cuff and I have gained a few pounds because I am not as active. It has been really difficult to accept this change in my body. I feel like I am losing all my progress and I am struggling not to restrict my food to compensate.

I am trying to remind myself that my body needs extra energy to heal the injury. I am doing my physical therapy exercises and trying to stay positive, but it is a mental challenge every day. I miss the endorphins from a heavy lifting session.

How do you handle body changes when you are forced to take a break from the gym? I would love some advice on how to stay kind to myself during this recovery period. It is hard to feel like an athlete when you are stuck on the sidelines.