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Wheelchair weight loss

phranky
0 Recommendations

As my legs have skidaddled, my weight is exploding. I've tried different things, but I always seem to rationalize my way out of them.

Anyone else?

Explore topics in this discussion:

Exercise Stroke

16 replies

Gina1123

I had the same problem. I went on Adkins to jump start my diet, work out with weights and do not eat sugar or anything with flour. So far so good.

Stay away from the starches and the sweets and drinks lots of water.

desertrat825

Swimming/exercising in the pool is the only way I've been able to lose weight. Free weights and machines are great for the upper body but don't do much for my stomach, hips, and thighs. They need motion which the water allows.

eva_marie_fair

As I am 2 1/2 years into this, my weight has steadily gone up. In Nov I had a lap band procedure done. My PT was cancelled as I was not progressing any more due to my weight. I have now dropped 25 pounds that I know of but I have at least 75 more to go. Once half is off I will go back to therapy. As someone else said. No sweets, lot's of water, I eat nothing white. Other than cauliflower if it is white or sweet I don't touch it. And the weight is coming off at a much slower pace then it was put on. I will re weigh on April 23rd but I don't feel like I have lost a pound. What I have lost has been upper body. Have not lost even a pant size in stomach, hips, and legs. Even though I have gone down a couple of shirt sizes. It is something I have to work on daily.

Patientsir

I have been in the chair now for a long time and my weight has risen by 100lbs, by cardiologist is warning me it is dangerous, my pt is telling me I need to lose and I eat like a flippin rabbit but an not able to get enough exercise I guess. I love to sit ski and there are very few places that will allow me to because no one wants to have to help me up when I do tip over - I am very open to suggestions for weight loss but have to say the closest pool is over 60 miles away

eva_marie_fair

I have no access to a pool either, and to top that I am scared of water so that wouldn't do me mcuh good anyway. The local gyms want you to have a PT present with you but I have found they don't really have any equipment that will help me. I have to have someone to help me transfer and there is no one available for me for that. I have a few hand weight at home and that is it. I am in a motorized chair but now that it is warming up I am going to go back to my manual chair and try getting someone to walk with me. They tell me getting my heart rate up for at least 30 minutes a day is the answer.

computerwheelie

I have had a bit of a weight problem. The problem is that due to my post polio I can't do a lot of exercising.

Peace all
a

Butch1

On 1/1/07 I started the Optifast diet. They have a web page. Under supervision of a dietician I have lost over 23 kilos [50pounds] in 3 months. Diet consists of a shake made on water, [there are different flavours] 3 times a day.They also have soup and diet bars. You are allowed 2 cups of vegetables and at least 8 cups of water. No wine, beer etc. First week is hard but it works. You can buy it over the counter,not expensive.Hope this helps someone. Dietician also said to exercise more for shorter periods to burn more fat. eg: 4 X 8 minutes a day. I use a computer peddle bike machine most afternoon while watching Mash reruns.
Butch

Tiffiny

try the vitaglide! its a great cardio workout for chair-users.

i know wendy crawford uses it and loves it.

http://www.grouprmt.com/viewproduct.php?id=7

zibitkidj

I've also steadily gained weight for 3 1/2 years. 60+ lbs. I tried NutriSystem a while back and that's when I gained the majority of my weight. They have you eat 5 times a day and its really expensive. I don't recommend it.

I've seen a dietitian, who lowered my calorie intake to 1000. I'm not losing any weight, or at least not enough to brag about. I don't have much of an appetite as it is, eating tiny meals.

My doctor said to start moving what I can as much as I can. Being a c5/c6 quad, that would be my arms, wrists, neck, and shoulders. I've recently started moving my arms in a boxer's speed bag motion (I used to do Taebo before I was injured). I do this as fast and as hard as I can, for as long as I can. I try to go at least 2 minutes at a time. I do this about 5 times in the span of a 1/2 hour tv show. I am starting to feel the burn in my arms. Hopefully the new exercise program will kick start some weigh loss. I will report back, if there is any success.

ddombr1332

Been in the chair 9 years, and I'm up 40 pounds...was 50, but 2 months ago I got serious about losing some. Yep, its a VERY slow process. What helped me was a doing a google search for tracking calories and I found a free site that you put in EVERY item you eat or drink and it summarizes the calories, fat, protein, sodium etc. You can chart your weight daily if you want, and summarize your weekly intake with A, B, C type grades. Helps ID what is bad for you(about everything) and good for you (not much). Others have said it...small meals, more of them, and lots of water. Feel hungry is a good thing, then take the edge off with one of those 100 calorie snacks. They say 100 calories extra each day (1 can of coke) will add 10 pounds ina year....avoiding the same 100 calories will take off 10 pounds ina year. Took 9 years to get the 45, I figure it will take about the same to take it off...slowly. Good luck. but it starts with awareness and knowing there are no quick fixes that last.

FuschiaFan

See a dietician and get help analysing your current diet. Then get a plan to cut 500 calories daily. This should result in a 2 lb. per week weight loss, even without increasing your activities. Be sure to keep enough protein in your diet to protect your skin.

A table-top ergometer or hand bike can be a great way to get cardiac exercise, with low costs. More expensive is the VitaGlide or a standing glider. Look into wheelchair sports in your area. A C5/6 can play quad rugby, which will give you a great workout. Swim programs are often available through the MS Society. Check with your local chapter to find out what they have available and if you can use the same facilities. Many junior colleges and local universities will also have accessible facilities, and often have adapted sports and exercise programs. Contact your closest rehab center and see what they recommend for their members. The PVA is also a good resource, and they will provide information about wheelchair sports and exercise programs to non-veterans too.

wcjeffy

stop eating and exercise until you pass out. wake up and do it again. drink only water. exercise exercise exrecise. Please roll away from the fridge.

jeepster13

I completely agree... Its not about the food you are eating it's about how much you consume in relation to how many calories you burn off each day. Because most SCI's don't have the use of their legs, gluts and sometimes core (stomach) muscles and use their arms to get around we don't burn off as many calories per day as the average person. The arms are significantly smaller muscle groups that the larger core and lower limb muscles, so they burn fewer calories.

My only advise is EXERCISE: everyday!! IN what ever way you can! Try and chose activities that work the opposite muscles than are worked pushing the chair-- once you are strong enough to get around, there is no need to work the pushing muscles anymore than you would through Daily Li ing. Instead, exercise pushing muscles. A handcycle is ideal, but they are expensive and not everyone lives somewhere there is enough open space to ride.

If you can't handcycle, SWIM, SWIM, SWIM!!! Without even thinking consciously about it, in the water the body doesn't have to fight gravity so if any muscles do have potential to come back the best way to give them a chance is to swim as much as possible and however you can. I tzm a T12,L1 incomplete and at least 3 days a week I tread water for 15 minuts, swim 4 laps freestyle, 4 backstroke and 4 breast stroke. I finish the pool part of my workout by walking between 2-4 lengths and using my fluttering arms to stay afloat and give the legs the best chance of taking a real step.

Some other exercise options which should be done on days you aren't swimming are things like lifting weighs (I really like the cable machine rather that free weights but either way will work-- an remember not to overwork the muscles you use the push the chair and be sure to work hard on the alternate (pulling) muscles...

Good luck and take care......

Passion

please tell me more I been in a wheelchair for 2 yrs now and I gained alot of weight Im not very active I no longer go to therapy I basically stay at home and do nothing please help me out

horsestail

Unfortunately weight gain is not uncommon for SCI individuals. We are less active, but still have an intake we did prior to SCI. Most of us eat more than suggested portion size to start with. I saw a dietitian who basically gave me some information that helped to lose some weight, but it is hard when your partner doesn't care to follow the information and they are the one who prepares the meals. He did it for a little while. Fiber is essential to have 25g - 35 g in your diet. I have tried to get as much as I can and eat lots of fruit as well as try to stay away from the juices as they have so much sugar.
This spring I have loss inches, but have actually gained 7-10 lbs, which is really frustrating. I have been able to get into capris or shorts that I have not been able to wear since my injury (2004) or shortly after.
The pool is great for weight loss, but not always accessible. The Wii is a good way to get some exercise. The bands can be helpful too.
I am not sure if you are familiar with the University of Alabama at Birmingham, but they have a great deal of SCI useful information. Here is the Nutrition link. http://www.spinalcord.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=21583&site=1021&return=21761. Eat Right Program is something I had seen a link for awhile back, but had not really look at it. I just watched the video clip and it was interesting and may be of some help. Has anyone tried it?
Explore the UAB site as under the education and training link there is secondary issues videos that you can view online free. Their site is one of the best sites I have found for SCI information.

horsestail

I forgot to mention the Eat Right Program includes exercises that you can do at home that includes using the bands.

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