Cali girl in a wheelchair & trying to lose weight!

Hi! I think going by the way you look or how your clothes feel is a great indicator on how you're doing. I weight myself regularly, but I've found that doing measurements helps me to tell when there is progress when the numbers on the scale don't change much. Maybe that is something you could try too?

I've lost a decent amount of weight in the last 9 months or so, and all of it was without exercise! I just started adding exercise in, but it's been a challenge because I have joint hypermobility and have to be careful with some of my movements to make sure I don't injure myself. Anyway, my point is that weight loss can be achieved by just lowering your calories consumed.

Good luck!

I agree that measurements should be good for you and maybe you can swing by your dr.'s office once every month for a weigh-in if it's not too much of a hassle??

LOL- when I read your head line I SWEAR I thought it said "CALL girl...", so I clicked being, curious and all, haha :laugh: :flowerforyou:

Unfortunately for you being in a wheelchair you probably burn less calories day to day (I assume anyway), as well as it being harder to find a suitable exercise. You can of course do it just by lowering cals, but could swimming be a good option for you?
I think just going by the way your clothes are fitting is a great idea.

I don't have access to a pool, and living in the Bay Area it's always cool, and it would be too cold to swim since most pools here are outdoors :ohwell:

Bummer. Maybe you could get something like this for your arms
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Carex-Pedal-Exerciser/6537516

boring as hell I know, but you could do it while watching tv or whatever

That's a good idea, I'll have to measure myself. Thanks!

Hi there.. I am a part time wheel chair user. I have muscular dystrophy and have very limited use of legs and arms and back and core muscles.. so believe me, I understand about how hard it is.

I would suggest measuring a part of your body that you can get to easy.. maybe your wrists and upper arm. If you can measure your waist, and thigh too. Be sure that you measure the same part of your body each time and do not do it more than once a week.

There are some places that have scales for those in wheelchairs, so you weigh in with the chair and all. Maybe you could do some internet research or ask you doctor if they can refer you to a place that you can access for free.

I have to lose weight so that I can continue to stand so I am back on here.

I try to move my arms and legs during watching any movie or tv show. I know it is distracting to those around, but it is important for my blood flow and muscles and will burn calories.

I just started a new plan today.. eating every three hours on a strict schedule. I have to eat within 1 hour of waking and have to stop 3 hours before going to bed.

I am splitting up my calories.. 300, 200, 100, 200, 400 that will give me 1200 a day. Because of my lack of muscle, if I eat 1600 calories a day (like the guidelines tell me) I will GAIN weight. One of my friends that uses a wheelchair had a fitness coach that told him to eat 33% less than the charts and he lost quite a bit of weight.

The hard part is not losing the weight, but keeping it off.. I just have to keep working the plan. I have gained 20# since I stopped working my plan a year ago and it has taken a toll on me.

Good luck!