what happens if you do not exercise????

rufflestx

My daughter is now a member of MFP........ I am so excited, cause I have been touting the benefits of being in a crowd of like minds. Anyway, , she is suffering from back pain and there will be surgery, but waiting for the surgery she has gained 40 pounds. It has been over a year of suffering with the treatments and drugs she has gained this weight. The doctor wants her to try to lose weight but still is very limited in her activities. If she sticks to the 1200 calories a day she will drop the weight. Will she just get weaker? I guess she will get smaller, but not with any muscle tone. Neither one of us know what to expect.

LabRat529

No matter what you do, you will lose some muscle mass as you diet. Exercise minimizes that loss. But if you're daughter is limited physically by a bad back, then she's limited. It is what it is. She's not going to lose *all* her muscle, just some, and more than she would if she could exercise, but it's better for her to lose what weight she can. Muscle can be rebuilt once she regains some mobility.

You might have her look into some low-impact exercises. Honestly, with her back pain, I'd suggest something in a heated pool. She might qualify for it via her insurance, or there are some gyms out there that have heated pools. I don't know if money is an issue or not. You'd have to call around.

leemarie324

i had back surgery when i was 16 and was limited to what i did as well. i suggest something low impact like the stationary bicycle. good luck..i had great success after my surgery for a few years, and now if i dont stay active then i see a spinal fusion in my future..no thanxs to that!

rufflestx

thanks I sent cut'n paste the replies. The pool thought was a good idea. Again, thanks to both of you.