So the title is self explanatory but just in case, I'll give a lil' intro. I'm a 26 year incomplete
quadriplegic (C5-8, T2&3) with a Traumatic Brain Injury and I am a student at a really awesome university(it's totally geeky and I love it). I've been paralyzed for 25 years this coming May. I'm 4'9" and weigh in at about 128 lbs. My goal is lose another 28 lbs by the end of next year.
Tis a tough journey and I know many of your are going through the same, so I created this blog to be as a guide and a place to get weight loss tips, nummy recipes, reviews on exercise tapes and
where to get them and So.Much.More!! (always wanted to say that)
My journey started last year. I had suffered from chronic back pain since I was 19 years old and I had just recently lived through a nearly fatal bone infection. I wanted to make a change. But how the heck was I supposed to do it?
Searching the internets was depressing. There was plenty out there if you can walk to get tips on exercise and diet, but the rules change when you are constantly tired and/or disabled. The amount of calories you burn change when you can't move the larger muscle groups, or just
dont have access to a gym or can't really get out of your house. Then I remembered something from my childhood. Don't know where I saw it but I remembered a woman in a wheelchair who had an exercise tape. After much grokking I recalled the video being "Everybody Can Exercise" and I found it brand new on Ebay but also you can find it here at Amazon.
I also bought the toning and strengthening video as a companion. I also decided to use
my wheelchair to go to and from classes instead of using the shuttle or the disabled on campus. I also switched two meals to Lean Cuisines. In six months I lost 10lbs!!
Some added benefits to the weight loss were:
-less fatigue
-significant decrease in back pain (I was taking about 40mg of oxycontin/oxycodone per day and now I am taking NOTHING :)
-my thighs don't rub as badly against my wheels
-I fit into smaller size pants
-transfers are easier
-it isn't as much of a strain on my friends to lift/carry me up stairs
to their houses
Now is the hard part and I know I need to switch up my routine. I purchased the Wii and tried the EA Sports: Active and am combining that with my spring quarter schedule which requires abou 2/3 - 1/2 mile back and forth between classes.
So, that's my intro! Here's to hoping I get
into some better shape and get summer ready cuz I really want to go
hiking this summer with friends o_O and... not feel like I will pass
out in the wheelchair.
