DISABLED DIET & CALORIE COUNTS

Wishing you all the best on your weight loss journey - and not using being in a chair as an excuse.

I have no doubt that your basal calorie burn will be different, it's just a case of working out how different.

I think you're right to address your question to Boots, but I would play with some trial and error yourself here. I doubt there will be a generic calorie burn scale out there for wheelchair users due to the vast differences in how much time is spent in the chair, and how much mobility you have.

EDIT: ps someone linked a page of wheelchair exercises on a thread the other day, wonder if anyone can point you too it.

my friend used to powerlift for GB will ask her advice as she said I need more carbs than she does as I'm more mobile will let you know what she says

yep this site is all based on the average, non-disabled, adult unfortunately. Your TDEE will be different. If you want to know with any accuracy, I'd recommend asking your PCP about where to go and have an indirect calorimetry test done, that should give you a very accurate representation of your resting metabolic rate, from which we could gleen your active metabolic rate or TDEE (maintenance calories).

I'd suggest a body bugg or bodyfit media device, but I know those work partially on movement, which may not be accurate for you as you're in a wheelchair (and as such your arm movements would be out of proportion to your total body movement, which might skew results).

Not sure if we can get bodybugg here in uk will have a look.

try the Ki Fit, it's the UK version.

I have had difficulty working out my calories too. I'm in powerchair most of time but do get involuntary movement from my condition, so was wondering if it would be about the same as 'fidgeting' all day? It also takes me more effort to do simple things, but these are for very short spells a day ie transfer, walk a few steps with someone holding me up, speaking even.

Despite that I find it difficult to work up a sweat with actual exercise routines as my co-ordination is affected I can't do anything aerobic that involves fast movement. I have a passive trainer bike which pedals my legs for me, but it has a fixed max speed and I couldn't pedal at same intensity as a non-disabled person on a regular exercise bike.

I've tried more calories and not lost, and tried reducing them, lost initially (5-7lbs) then get stuck again. I put my stats in the BMR thing and get 1,371 but again that maybe for an average person of my weight and height? It's frustrating!

While I'm not a wheelchair user, I would think that the calorie counts would be designed for those who walk. So I would think that maybe you would need less, since you are not walking around. I wonder if you search around the web if there may be a site that is directed towards nutrition for the handicapped.

Just saw this thread. I'm not sure if posting links to other discussion boards are allowed so I will post in entirety. If you want to know the site PM me and I will give it to you. I am a disability advisor to the government here in Ontario so I will help out if I can if you have any other questions. Below uses the Harris Benedict Equation.

First you need determine your BMR. Here is a link to a calculator: http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

To determine your total daily calorie needs, multiply your BMR by the appropriate activity factor, as follows:

1. If you are sedentary (little or no exercise) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.2
2. If you are lightly active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.375
3. If you are moderatetely active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.55
4. If you are very active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days a week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.725
5. If you are extra active (very hard exercise/sports & physical job or 2x training) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.9

Since you are in a chair, you are more than likely going to be using factor #1 or #2. This will give you a good estimate of how many calories you need to maintain your weight. If you are trying to lose weight, take this amount and subtract 500 calories from it.

Hope this helps.

ok so if my BMR is 1371 and I'm sedentary it would be 1,645-500= 1,145???

if I work out for Lightly active I get 1,390 and MFP gives me 1210 for Lightly active and 1200 for sedentary?.. shouldn't the numbers match?

There are different equations that estimate BMR

Mifflin - St Jeor equation, Harris Benedict equation which all guess based on general factors. I use what I find works for me which is what I posted. The Harris Benedict equation will under estimate calories for very muscular persons and over estimate for persons who have large amounts of fat. It is all about finding what works for you.

I'd like to make one point. I am not wheelchair bound, but I have had many orthopedic surgeries and have been temporarily confined to a wheelchair several times. I have to say, using only your arms to propel yourself is very hard work. You are likely burning more calories than you think pushing yourself around in the wheelchair.

This is an interesting thread as I am also disabled and trying to lose the last 7-10 pounds.
Since this is a very old thread, I wonder what success OP had with weight loss.

Set your mfp settings to sedentary. There you go.

It'll work.

Good luck!

hi, i'm a wheelchair user form Sudan. I live unhealthy live, since there is no services provide for disabled persons.. I've spinal cord injury 30 years ago. i think I weight more than 80 kg and i'm not sure how tall i am , but i think i'm 169 cm . i spend most of my day sitting and doing nothing. and problem in issues of bone and calcium,,, now i want to change my life and workout and lose weight . hope u help me with advises