I really enjoy it as well. It's almost like meditation for me. I can think about anything and everything or absolutely nothing. I understand the injury thing, that's why I run slow and easy with low volume. It's easier for me to burn 1000 calories running then cycling. 1000 calories an hour is a tough ride, but it's a slow and easy run. I realize I would be better off spending the extra time on the bike, but with winter roads and shortened daylight, I don't want to be burnt out on the trainer. I'm still hitting my weekly training hours on the bike.
I hear ya with the diet being the key. A lot of people think they can just exercise the weight off and it doesn't work that way. I enjoy eating clean and healthy, but 2000 calories a day makes me feel like death. One of my priorities this year is to just get stronger on the bike and enjoy my time training and racing, not walking around like a zombie all day. lol...