Disabled and fat

deweyjiffy

I am seriously over weight but have disabilities that limit my movement and heart meds that dont help with the weight.

jholman38063

Deweyjiffy, are any of your disabilities aggravated by being overweight? That was the case with me, to be honest. Being overweight puts extra demand on my cardiopulmonary system, which makes my asthma worse, and being heavy makes my back pain worse. Obviously that made it even less likely I'd exercise. I eventually hit a tipping point where not being able to exercise slowed my metabolism and decreased my calorie needs to the point where I could easily gain more weight just eating a normal American male diet. Combined with my love of sweets it felt like I was destined to be one of those bedridden obese people we see on TV. What broke the cycle at age 49 for me was counting calories. Once I got down to where I could exercise even a little, the weight started coming off and I'm headed the right way now. You can do it!!! It's never too late, I promise.

mom22dogs

All you need to do is eat at a calorie deficit to lose weight.

juliecaperton483

I have a bad back and am having yet another surgery May first. I have been following MFP for three weeks and I have lost 15 lbs. with no exercise. If you follow the program you can do it too! One tip: I never eat all of my calories, but I eat well. There are some wonderful recipies on Pinterest. Go for it!

MaddMaestro

If exercise is difficult for you, just work on your diet. Find how many calories you burn at a resting rate, and eat less than that. It helps to also research foods low in calories, but high in nutrition so you don't feel hungry.

thischick25

Yeah, and exercise doesn't have to be exhausting to be effective. You can try something easy and build up your tolerance--like, taking walks, lifting small weights for strength, or even just light dancing in your chair a little can help burn extra calories. I have a disability that pretty much limits me to whatever can be done sitting down only, and I've built up to being able to do a little cardio from youtube videos.
Slow going counts too--you don't have to try and drop a massive amount of weight in a short time like in the commercials. Find your own pace, but the key is to keep trying.

ccsernica

My son is severely disabled with cerebral palsy. He cannot walk and has only partial use of one arm, so exercise in the usual sense is out of the question. We control his weight by regulating his calorie intake, which we can do precisely because he's fed by g-tube.

Since I assume you're eating regular food and not enteral formula it's not quite as straightforward for you, but that's really all it takes.

Alaplum

I wish you all the best of luck. Exercise is not the be all end all of dieting. Don't let not being able to move too much get you down. Your life and your health matter and as you're here you know that too.

LinCharpentier

Looking for help and admitting you need help is the first step in doing good. Go to u tube ask for exercise done from a chair. That can be a start to your progress good luck.