How does a person exercise if they can't walk?

PedroGirl

I'm new to MFP and am liking it so far. I've read some great success stories here! I dont have much weight to lose, but it's been so hard to take off even 1 pound...until I started tracking my food intake here. This is fun and keeps me accountable.

My main problem is that I keep fracturing bones in both my feet, so I cant really walk...it's more like a shuffle. So...exercise is out. :ohwell: I also have arthritis in both feet and a large neuroma in one foot. The cartilege is just about gone in some of the bones in my feet, too. Hopefully I'll be having foot surgery soon, but I have no guarantee that the surgery will help. I do laugh a lot, which helps, but I really envy those of you who can walk. I sure miss it!! I used to love walking, even just a year ago.

So...any suggestions for me? Im sure there are others who have the same problem I do. I have a friend who needs to lose more than 200 lbs, and he can't walk much either. :sad: I also love to dance, but now I dance sitting in my chair! :bigsmile:

honestlysweet

Oh, no, don't say "exercise is out"! That couldn't be farther from the truth!

Some of my most intense and muscle building workouts are done on my back! No, not that, silly. Bench pressing. I'm female, and not very strong, and I started with weights in January and I am amazed at the inches and pounds that are falling off of me. I am much more toned than I was. Lifting will help you lose in all the right places, too, not just your arms. The more muscle you have on your body, the more you will burn calories when you are not doing anything, so it will work on your whole body.

cmriverside

Swimming. Resistance bands. Never say never.

cbteach1

I would try crunches too. Also, if you have access to a pool, pool aerobics or even just laps would be very helpful. Not sure of your specific condition if the swimming would help, but if it can that would be awesome! Best of luck and I hope the surgery goes well!

amandaramsey

Shadow boxing can be done while sitting and can get your heart rate up pretty quickly....especially if you do it while holding weights.

CyberEd312

33 months ago I was 560 lbs., home bound for over 2 years and unable to walk from my chair to the bathroom without sitting down in between. I have grade 3 osteoarthritis in both knee's, torn meniscus in both knee's and a torn ACL in my left knee. I started with a doctors script for aquatic therapy and began my weightloss chest deep water. The water displaced my weight and aloud me to exercise. When I started I could barely do 5 minutes but over time I did more and more. I lost over 170 lbs. in the pool over 16 months and then worked my way out of the pool and into Knee braces, pain pills, and injection therapy.. I lost another 133 lbs. between the pool and land based exercises like seated elliptical, recumbent bikes, UBE upper body bike, You have options just got to try some.. I would definitely think about water exercises for people with joint issues it is amazing... Good Luck...

Lifelive

can you get into a pool? there you can move you legs without touching the ground.

amandammmq

There are some exercise videos out there that are actually designed to be done while sitting down. The target audience may be seniors whose balance isn't great, but it might be a nice place to start! The exercises would be gentle and doable.

If you do a search for "chair exercise" on Amazon, there are quite a few options.

plantgrrl

Aside from swimming, I've heard really good things about Chair aerobics. Where you exercise your upper body while sitting. Amazon has DVDs or you can check your local library or YouTube. http://www.amazon.com/Chair-Aerobics-Everyone-Nikki-Glazer/dp/B000FEMBXK

Also, you could use an "Arm bike" Where you use your arm instead of legs to do the cycling. http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/Sunny-Mini-Cycle-Arm-and-Leg-Exercise-Machine/2497744/product.html

Bonnieelizabeth

Try chair salsa. Do some arm circles Do some leg lifts while laying down. You may also benefit from doing therapy on your quads . The therapy will give you strength for after your surgery. Best Wishes

mes1119

SWIMMM!!!!!!

I'm a former college swimmer, it is the best exercise ever. You don't need to walk to work out.

You can aqua job, take deep water exercise classes, swim laps. The possibilities are endless.

You can get a Pool Buoy (foamy thing that you put between your legs) that will support your lower body in the water so you don't even need to kick while swimming.

I don't know about your access to a pool, however, I have worked as a lifeguard and currently work as a swim coach and many pools actually have chairs that lift people into the water. If that isn't available I have also seen ramps and waterproof wheelchairs. I have helped many many many people in wheelchairs into and out of the pool.

slkehl

My aunt is in a wheelchair and she's found some innovative exercise products online, like resistance bands and the infamous shake weight. She can also do arm circles for cardio. Your doctor would be a good person to ask about exercises since they know the extent of your disability better than anyone here.

Mybabie

Swimming.

sc1572

SWIMMING! I swam when I hurt my ankle for 6 weeks last summer. GREAT cardio and little pain!

rextcat

Swimming. Resistance bands. Never say never.

yup my mum has problems walking to so she swims every morning

and has lost about 20lbs in 3 months doing it

cunnine

Their is an exercise program on cable tv this month, featuring chair excercise upper and lower body moves

TOYGRRRL

Swimming if you can. Realize that every move you make counts. Upper body work while you heal. Try light weights while dancing sitting. Extra movements in the arms. You will strengthen at the same time. Good luck! Feel better soon.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

jolinemariem

swimming or one of those bikes but for your arms still keeps you moving

vikesfanmb

It's already been said many times over . . but definitely swimming. I am a swimmer who goes to the pool 3 times per week and it's actually a rehab pool (part of a physical therapy center) and people from all walks of life swim, exercise, etc. there. There are folks in wheelchairs, people who walk with walkers, everything.

Try not to be self conscious and just try it, if you can. It has changed my life, physically and mentally. I was worried at first about others seeing me in a bathing suit . . but hey, I knew I could change how I looked if I stuck to it - and I have. Yes - I've been up and down along the way . . weight loss is like a roller coaster some days seriously . . but I have lost 57 lbs in the last year.

I chalk most of my weight loss up to swimming.

missfancy1980

33 months ago I was 560 lbs., home bound for over 2 years and unable to walk from my chair to the bathroom without sitting down in between. I have grade 3 osteoarthritis in both knee's, torn meniscus in both knee's and a torn ACL in my left knee. I started with a doctors script for aquatic therapy and began my weightloss chest deep water. The water displaced my weight and aloud me to exercise. When I started I could barely do 5 minutes but over time I did more and more. I lost over 170 lbs. in the pool over 16 months and then worked my way out of the pool and into Knee braces, pain pills, and injection therapy.. I lost another 133 lbs. between the pool and land based exercises like seated elliptical, recumbent bikes, UBE upper body bike, You have options just got to try some.. I would definitely think about water exercises for people with joint issues it is amazing... Good Luck...

That's amazing! well done you :flowerforyou: And this is a really helpful post for me as I was telling someone close to me about this site and counting calories and exercising etc and she says she can't do it, her knees are too bad. Now I have some suggestions for her x

PedroGirl

WOW!! Thanks SO much for all the wonderful suggestions...given with genuine concern. You've all been very helpful!

I didnt go into much detail about my physical limitations, but I have rotator cuff problems in both my shoulders as well as the feet problems. (I was very depressed about it last year, but I'm moving on.) I recently finished several weeks of physical therapy on my right arm, and cortisone injection, but was allergic to the cortisone. :frown: I do stretching with my arms, but that's all I can do. My dr said "no weights" or I'll be back in PT. I'm determined to MOVE, so I also do some leg exercises in the morning while in bed. I've become very creative with my moving.

I'm hearing everyone talk about swimming, but I have major problems with my arms if I go in the pool. I've discovered that as long as I'm moving, a little is better than none. What's been SO hard for me, is that I've always been so active, but now...oh, well. Little by little, step by step.

This site is very helpful!! THANKS AGAIN for all the helpful suggestions...and for caring. Blessings....

PedroGirl

CONGRATULATIONS missfancy1980!!! What a tremendous accomplishment!!! Thanks for sharing your success story.

megmo_7

WOW!! Thanks SO much for all the wonderful suggestions...given with genuine concern. You've all been very helpful!

I didnt go into much detail about my physical limitations, but I have rotator cuff problems in both my shoulders as well as the feet problems. (I was very depressed about it last year, but I'm moving on.) I recently finished several weeks of physical therapy on my right arm, and cortisone injection, but was allergic to the cortisone. :frown: I do stretching with my arms, but that's all I can do. My dr said "no weights" or I'll be back in PT. I'm determined to MOVE, so I also do some leg exercises in the morning while in bed. I've become very creative with my moving.

I'm hearing everyone talk about swimming, but I have major problems with my arms if I go in the pool. I've discovered that as long as I'm moving, a little is better than none. What's been SO hard for me, is that I've always been so active, but now...oh, well. Little by little, step by step.

This site is very helpful!! THANKS AGAIN for all the helpful suggestions...and for caring. Blessings....

Since you are unable to do much with your arms the pool is still a wonderful option. You can walk in the pool or just move your legs. It will take the pressure of actually walking off of your feet.

Pebble321

Wow, that is a tough place to be in.
Seeing as you have some pretty specific issues going on.... can you ask your physical therapist for some recommendations?
Beside swimming, or at least moving/walking in water....could you use a exercise bike - or you can get sets of pedals that go on the floor?

And if there aren't a lot of good exerciseoptions for you right now, don't stress too much about it.
A lot of weight loss has to do with diet, the exercise is just a bonus, but if you can't do much exercise, you can at least eat right.
Remember that you burn a whole lot of calories just keeping your body alive (heart beating, brain functioning, stomach digesting, all that kind of stuff) and as you are recovering from injuries, you need to make sure you are getting in good nutritin to help your body heal and stay healthy.
Don't cut calories too low - perhaps set your MFP goals to "lose 1/2 pounds a week" and try to stick to this.
Even without exercise you have a deficit to ensure you can lose weight.

Good luck!

jsp2374

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and there are days I can't even get out of bed. SO yes it makes it very hard to stay fit. Another RA Friend of mine does chair yoga on her good days. She has more mobility problems than I do. The Arthritis Foundation in the US has some chair yoga stuff on their web page.


http://www.arthritistoday.org/fitness/exercise-videos-and-photos/index.php

I have never tried it, but she says it is really good. She has also lost several pounds and 4 sizes since January. A lot of the meds we take make weight loss difficult as well.

HeaderAutumn

Maybe you could look up the DVDs or VHS of "Sit and Be Fit" it was a program that was on in the USA that ran for years. It is made for people that need very light workouts. Like the elderly, rehabbing or people with muscle disabilities. The woman who hosted this excercise program was very gentle and upbeat. It could probably be easliy found. It won't win you any marathons, but it will get you moving and is very low impact. Most of the excercises are done from sitting in a chair. I hope you find what will help you. Good luck.

gazz777au

I had suffered from Hypermobility syndrome and easily fatigue and now have damage in my foot. These things of course may lead to depression and anxiety.

12 months ago I started a weight loss program on my own (ok, initiated by prayer to help with other things).

When walking and other exercise was a problem I joined MFP to track calories despite not being able to exercise.

In those first few months I had made substitutions to my food intake (stopped the excess sugar I was taking in from Sodas and from adding white sugar to other foods). My main sugars sources now are fruits and other fresh foods.

I still manage to maintain at my goal weight (84 pounds lighter than 2 years ago and most of that in the last year!) despite being stuck on my back some days. If you can move anything, do it ... even breathing / sleeping burns calories. Track it here you will do well.

My inspiration for overcoming obstacles and trying to live a full life ? Watch this vid. ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8ZuKF3dxCY

BellydanceBliss

I have just the thing for you!!!! I will be back with the links...

BellydanceBliss

http://www.amazon.com/Jodi-Stoloves-Chair-Dancing-Stolove/dp/B00062IWL6/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid=1332499247&sr=8-22


here are some chair yoga dvds http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=movies-tv&field-keywords=chair+yoga

this one impressed me http://www.amazon.com/Chair-Aerobics-Everyone-Bellydance/dp/B000N6UHKO/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1332499442&sr=1-1

here is the youtube preview...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqlWz7rVEDk

and i just found this maybe you can put it on repeat? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eUmRwRyWD8&feature=related

samandlucysmum

33 months ago I was 560 lbs., home bound for over 2 years and unable to walk from my chair to the bathroom without sitting down in between. I have grade 3 osteoarthritis in both knee's, torn meniscus in both knee's and a torn ACL in my left knee. I started with a doctors script for aquatic therapy and began my weightloss chest deep water. The water displaced my weight and aloud me to exercise. When I started I could barely do 5 minutes but over time I did more and more. I lost over 170 lbs. in the pool over 16 months and then worked my way out of the pool and into Knee braces, pain pills, and injection therapy.. I lost another 133 lbs. between the pool and land based exercises like seated elliptical, recumbent bikes, UBE upper body bike, You have options just got to try some.. I would definitely think about water exercises for people with joint issues it is amazing... Good Luck...

WOW, well done to you.

AllanMisner

Exercise is movement against resistance, any movement against resistance. There are thousands of things you can do without walking (free weights, machines, bands, TRX, floor exercises, etc.) Our gym even has a cardio machine that you peddle with your arms.