I'm in a wheelchair - Have MS and just keep gaining weight

sseitner
sseitner Posts: 1
edited November 9 in Fitness and Exercise
I’m in a power wheelchair because of MS. I do have complete use of my upper body but have pretty much lost my legs. I work out 3 times a week to strengthen my upper body but I do have to watch my limits so not to push myself into a high fatigue episode. I just keep gaining weight which makes transferring difficult. Have gained 44lbs in the 2-1/2 years I’ve been in the chair. Is anyone else dealing with this same issue or does anyone have some advice other than “stop eating”? And, to complicate things I don’t eat fish and seldom eat meat. PLEASE HELP, if I can’t get it under control I’m going to end up in a home!!!

Replies

  • NatalieWiley
    NatalieWiley Posts: 147 Member
    I am sorry to hear about your health. My mom has MS so I can somewhat understand what you are going through. My mom isn't limited to a wheelchair but she does have pretty bad knees and for the most part just stays at home. She went on what she calls "the bunny diet" lol. She ate only what we fed our pet rabbit which was lettuce and carrots. Though that's not healthy by any means she did lose a lot of weight by changing her eating. I don't know what your eating habits are like but i'd start there.

    Good luck
  • fiberartist219
    fiberartist219 Posts: 1,865 Member
    Look up chair exercises. I know there are yoga modifications and I think zumba has some too. Getting exercise without your legs is hard, but not impossible. Are you able to go canoeing? I love rowing when my feet aren't doing so well... but I don't know if wandering out on a lake is a good idea if you can't swim. Also, if you can't get as much exercise, you really have to watch your food intake. Ask your doctor for more ideas on working out.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    The only way to lose weight is to eat less calories than your body is burning. Logging what you eat, and the exercise burns you're generating, here in MFP will help because you'll be able to see exactly what your net calorie intake is each day and what you need to adjust.

    Unfortunately, unless you can increase your caloric burn through additional exercise, the answer is probably going to be "eat less" as in less calories. You might need to switch out some high calorie foods for lower calorie ones so you're not actually eating less food and won't be hungry.
  • bahacca
    bahacca Posts: 878 Member
    Can you speak to a dietician? I have a close friend who is paraplegic and she talks about how one of the hardest things for her has been the weight gain since she cannot move.
    Can you find a gym with one of the hand bikes? It is basically a bike where you use your hands to pedal instead of your legs. That may help get some cardio in.
    Another idea would be to get a heart rate monitor and calculate what YOU are actually burning calorie wise to be able to put yourself in a deficit to lose weight without having to actually exercise. Going by numbers here just wouldn't work for you I wouldn't think.
    What do you really eat? Is it processed stuff? Fruits, vegetables, legumes? It is no crime to not eat meat or fish, but you need to be sure your body is being fueled high quality food. If you are eating french fries and corn and white bread, then you are just going to continue to gain weight.
    You obviously cannot stop eating-but you can cut portion size and control WHAT you are eating. If I were you with the diet you specified, I'd be eating stir fry with brown rice, whole grain pasta with a side salad and a topper of asparagus, zucchini, mushrooms or the like, maybe even a slice of pizza loaded with veggies and a side salad topped with kidney beans, hard boiled egg and chickpeas.
    I think if you really focus on getting your diet in order(not read DIET-read how much and what you eat-this is for LIFE, not a fad), then I think you'll be able to at least stall the weight gain, if not reverse it.
    Also-are you eating when you are not hungry? My friend I spoke of said she started eating because it was on thing she COULD do and she was also quite depressed. If you are using food to fuel or squelch feelings, then I'd suggest finding a good therapist who specializes in people who have lost mobility and the special issues they face. I know my friend's therapist has helped a ton with her overall mental state, which has helped with her eating.
  • badgirljill
    badgirljill Posts: 4
    Hi Sue:

    I have had MS since 1993, diagnosed in 1998. I have had spells of being bed ridden and now am ambulatory. I gain a huge amount of weight with the disease and then in March of 2010 I had weight loss surgery.

    I can tell you that getting the weight off will be the best thing for you. I stick to a high protein, low carb diet and have cut all "extra" sugars out of my life. The problems is that we get depressed about being "sick and tired" all the time and eat to sooth our emotions, which only perpetuates the problem.

    Add me as a friend and we can chat.

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  • poledance
    poledance Posts: 15
    check out this fella we know, he has MS http://www.youtube.com/user/MrRichKnapp/videos

    i highly recommend getting a manual wheelchair if you can still use your upper body, and try to use that more then the power chair, could make all the difference.
    as for you food, try to eat things that are things you could grow in your own back yard, and more fruit. also meal replacement drinks such as boost or ensure (along with a healthy diet) are not a bad idea either.
    and just keep trying.
  • shakybabe
    shakybabe Posts: 1,578 Member
    I'm wheelchair user and use some wii games, Wii sports tennis and boxing can be done from sitting and gives your arms a good workout. Wii Sports resort can be done from sitting.

    I have a passive trainer bike for my legs. I don't have MS and can stand for limited time but have a rare form of Ataxia (which includes dystonia and involuntary movement) so have little balance, difficulty keeping hold of walking aids for any length of time and problems with my co-ordination. the bike pedals my legs for me and I don't have to leave my chair.

    Could you do floor exercises if someone helped you onto a mat?

    I have under active thyroid too so cutting wheat worked for me too, but as you already don't eat meat or fish, I think you would need your carbs for energy?

    I have ensure too as I sometimes have swallowing difficulties with food when my muscles are really tight from the dystonic spasms so have to sip slowly through a straw or it comes straight back up again!
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