Exercising with a disability

JDur12 · (#1)

Hi. I was born with spina bifida. I'm 50 and used to be able to walk pretty good with braces and crutches. Unfortunately, I have gained a lot of weight in the last few years and now I am in a wheelchair due to the weight and my age. I've been trying to walk again a few steps a day but it's really hard. My main issues are with my legs ( the right one mostly) and my lower back. Can anyone suggest some exercises that can perhaps jump start my weight loss so that I can walk more which I think will help with my weight loss. In other words, if I could walk more I could lose more weight and if I could lose more weight I could walk more. It's a catch-22 kind of thing! Thanks! By the way, I just joined this site!

Julie

SmartDietsPaul · (#2)

Hello,

Im not sure exactly what feels good for you and what you can/ can not do. However, anything that you can do, that doesnt hurt too much in terms of walking i would try to do. Also, make sure you are taking a strong multi-vitamin twice daily and 500mg vit C morning, afternoon and bedtime. And drink plenty of water, your nutrition must be on point to help you lose weight at a good rate without doing much exercise, so you can do more exercise in the future!

-Good luck

-Paul (Nutrition Specialist)

gabsings · (#3)

Hi Julie,

I just signed up a minute ago..I have back injury that resulted in severe Fibromylgia and ME/CFIDS. I have neuropathy on the whole right side of my body and while I'm not in the wheel chair all of the time, I end up there in spasm frequently. If you are able to lie on your side (either side) for about 10 minutes, You can start with a simple leg lift (2 reps of 10) nice and easy, taking your time, first one side then the other. I would take a nice long break between each set so as not to hurt yourself. That is how I started to get myself moving and strengthening my legs somewhat. Hope this helps!

Hang in there!

Gab

angelahylton · (#4)

HI. I am new here. I broke my ankle in 4 places last year and it is now held together with a plate and 7 screws so it hurts most of the time. They also hit a nerve in my back when they did the epideral when my last daughter was born in 2004. Due to an asthma attack before my ankle surgery they had to do the surgery under a spinal block instead of putting me to sleep. They hit a nerve again and I have almost constant back pain. I have learned some neat simple ways to sneak in exercise (a lot of times while sitting) that are helping. I do arm lifts and leg lifts while sitting ina chair. I do something similar to walking in place while sitting so that I have no weight on my ankle. I do these any time I am just sitting like when watching tv and it seems to be helping. I hope it helps you too.