Any other wheelchair users here trying to lose weight?

shakybabe

Just wondered if there are any other wheelchair users on here who are trying to lose their tummy?

I think this develops cos muscles don't get used when full time chair user and not standing & walking anywhere everyday. My arms are thin.. probably from self propelling.. 4 hours around a shopping centre even flat will burn more calories than just walking around won't it? certainly takes loads more effort than when I could stroll around!

Hoping I can lose off tummy before too much comes off from arms as my wrists are already just 6" around and look like they will snap if I put my weight on them particuarly as I'm still overweight at 11st 7 and only 5ft 3 and half.

Just wondered if anyone else was having same problems?

Sidesteal

I can't relate from experience but I wanted to share this with you. This is Wheelchair bodybuilder Nick Scott. This is a very motivating video (at least, it is for me).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_jz5CJnsng

Nette_54

you are doing really well so far to of lost 15 lbs, I know how it feels to be in a wheelchair but I am lucky in that I was only in one for 3 months and I know I couldn't of done such a great job as you are doing now, Maybe try doing some weight training to strengthen your arms, not knowing how disabled you are it makes it hard to suggest things but I know when I do use weights ( just a pound or two pound weights ) I pull my tummy muscles in tight and that seems to help work the tummy muscles. Keep up the great work :flowerforyou:

Nette_54

I can't relate from experience but I wanted to share this with you. This is Wheelchair bodybuilder Nick Scott. This is a very motivating video (at least, it is for me).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_jz5CJnsng

Wow i just watched that video and that guy is amazing ! !

Sidesteal

I can't relate from experience but I wanted to share this with you. This is Wheelchair bodybuilder Nick Scott. This is a very motivating video (at least, it is for me).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_jz5CJnsng

Wow i just watched that video and that guy is amazing ! !

Yes he is. Any bodybuilders reading this that haven't seen the vid, check out the pullups in the smith cage at 4:45 or so. That's baller right there....

shakybabe

Great video, I have more complications with my arms and trunk muscles. I have Ataxia and Dystonia combined in all 4 limbs and the effects of both together causes involuntary movements.. I let go of things unintentionally when hands flex which makes trying to hold onto walking aids for any length of time difficult or holding anything heavy ie weights.

I do have some wrist and ankle weights which wear when I workout and also a balance belt which is an extra 6lbs in weight. They help steady my arms and legs enough for me to be able to do some exercises and the balance belt helps with trunk and keeping balance.

I also tire very quickly so activities have to be short. I found it better to exercise first thing after I found we wake up in fat burning mode and burn fat stores if exercising before any food.. I wear sauna belt around waist too, initially cos balance belt was getting too big (to add bulk to waist) after I started losing weight and can't afford to pay another £70 to import another till I get nearer to my target weight. I have lost several inches off waist and tummy now, but still got a way to go even to be at top end of healthy for my height!

With an under active thyroid also losing weight has been a challenge.

shakybabe

I was hoping to do an early morning session tomorrow but my left leg is swollen again at back, I think its cos of been on passive trainer again as it happened when I first got it too.

When I don't do the wii fit or too tired to get up and down off floor I tend to just go on bike when watching telly as its easy cos bike pedals for me, but I must be pulling something as its happened again.

I got a pain in my left arm too doing one of the exercises so looks like I'll have to take a rest week, otherwise I won't manage propelling myself around shopping centre for 4 hours when I go xmas shopping with a friend, if its not healed by then. .. so I'll just have to focus on the diet.


I'll have to use my powerchair around house more for a couple of days so arm and leg gets a good rest. Around the house, I tend to use it for specific jobs where I need the seat riser and to get in garden and rest of time I just sit on rollator seat and push myself backwards with legs to whizz from room to room for the extra exercise!

Just have to cut back on calories and stick to very low carb I think, to lose any next week!

amys31

I work with people with special needs, specifically in the area of physical fitness...are you able to get on the floor independently? do you have control of your lower limbs enough to do leg lifts etc on the floor. I also have my clients who are in a wheel chair, move to a bench or stool(something without a back) ..I have them do twists with a medicine ballfrom side to side.

shakybabe

yeah I'm not bad at most pilates floor exercises and the wii fit floor ones. I can stand for short periods on board with walking frame around front and do ones where just have to shift weight from left to right or slightly lift one foot off... need to hang on to walker so cant do games that require me to hold the controller as well.. i do them from sitting on board.

My main problems are balance and co-ordinating movements (from the ataxia) and have mild involuntary movements and muscle tone fluctuates throughout day (from the dystonia part).. so may be able to do something first thing but not by teatime or vice versa depending how tight or floppy muscles have gone.

I just do as much as I can whilst I can, then have to rest for rest of the day... but have to rest for the week now until swelling on left leg goes down.