What if I CAN'T walk, walk, walk?

Hello Dale, A couplr of family members have had good workouts with a contraption that looks like two bicycle pedals attached to a short stool. It can be used for pedaling by placing it on the floor like a step stool. But here's where it may come in handy for you: You can also place it on a table and crank the pedals by hand. Doing that can really jack up your heart rate without requiring that you walk. Just a thought. Good luck.

Would it be possible for you to use a recumbent exercise bike? I'd recommend checking with your Dr and see if that might be a good substitute for walking.  I originally got one because when I was at my heaviest, it was difficult for me to walk far without ending up with severe back pain and a recumbent bike provides good back support. I have a Tunturi model which turned out to be a great bike and it's held up well for several years now although it's got the most use this past year since my VSG in Oct '06.   Here's a link to a selection of recumbent bikes: http://www.exercise-bikes-direct.com/catalog/buy/Recumbent_Bike/page.2#more JP

 

 Hi Dale hope you are well and hope you get better.  Say I am also in a wheelchair, I use a rigged chair so no power chair for me I push everywhere I go and that helps a lot.  My Dr seems this not to be a problem I also can walk some and when I say some it’s like 0.3 of a mile and that is very slow for me to make it with a walker or Canadian Crutches as for exercises I play wheelchair basketball, football, and softball, I do swimming in a pool and use a hand cycle that is great fun.  I think if you can call most park and recreation can help you find the disabled people to help you get a sports chair or hand cycle.  I was at 340 when I saw my Dr for my weight loss surgery date and he told me too lose 20 lbs before he will do surgery on me well after swimming and just getting on my chair and pushing for 2 miles a day I am at as of today 310.  So ask your Dr how much is this going to hinder you in getting your surgery. You know another good thing too try is two lbs weight and sit on the side of you chair and just lift them up 10 time a set and try and do it two or three times a day.  Just don’t give up if I can do it I know you can.

Thanks for all the ideas guys! I know regular exercise bikes won't hold me, (ever see a seat post turn into an 'L'? LOL...).. I'll have to check into a heavy recumbent bike, or some kind of contraption.

I did go for a short walk today to see what I could do. As I thought,  I can make it about 5 minutes, or about half a block without sitting down.  So, I have starting point.  I went to Walmart and got me a folding stool that is rated at 400 pounds. I know that's way below my weight, but it feels fairly solid.  I walk as far as I can, then unfold the stool and sit down til the pain eases, and my legs stop shaking.  Using this method, I was able to walk a distance of about 2 blocks, then walked back.

Where there's a will, there's a way! Slow and steady... it may look wierd carrying a folding stool.. but who cares.. LOL.

Thanks, Dale