Question:
I am disabled, and am unable to get proper exercise. Anyone have any ideas?

I am delighted to finally have a surgery date, but am concerned because I am postpolio, and my doctor stated that because of this and my inability to get proper exercise, my weight loss will not be as dramatic as others. Anybody else in my boat? What did you do? I am quite open to suggestions!    — Beverly A. (posted on March 18, 2001)

March 18, 2001
Join the Y and get in the pool, this is great excercize and causes no impact or pain. plus your disabilities shouldn't hinder you. lots of disabled people are still able to swim or even just splash around a little, better than nothing, best of luck.
   — Lisa B.

March 18, 2001
When I couldn't work anymore - I started at 3 minutes a day. That is all the longer I could SLOWLY ride the stationary bike. I drove 20 miles to ride on the bike for 3 minutes. Sounds crazy - but if I had of went to the Y down the street I would have never stayed committed. It doesn't really matter what type of excercise you do(as long as it's not hand to mouth:) I think the pool would be good for you. You would be amazed at all the muscles you can use by swimming - and it's very low impact. If you start out with baby steps you'll be running in no time. Good luck!!
   — K T.

March 18, 2001
That's me, all right. Joints, back, headaches, nausea-- all made more acute by any kind of intense exercise. I move about, doing housework, doing yard work, maintaining my home. Not a vegetable, never was. But I managed to lose 150#, and maintain my wt about at 112# and have for many years now. I have to do it all nutritionally. Control the cravings with nutrition, control what goes into me as useable calories and what has to stay out as fat-producing calories. And I'm still a size 3. There is hope for you yet. Even when I was young, exercise never produced wt loss for me, so I was not a big fan of it. I LOVE to swim, but never lost a pound doing it.
   — vitalady

March 19, 2001
Beverly, I would strongly recommend that you have your doctor refer you to your local hospitals physical therapy department. They have occupational and physical therapists who can give you guidance and recommendations for physical activity for people with special needs. Many people who have strokes, are post polio, have cerebral palsy, etc., are engaged in fitness and recreational activities with special equipment or modifications that allow them to be as active as possible. Because of your diagnosis, insurance will likely pick up all or most of the cost of the consultation. Good Luck to you! (By the way, I got inspired to buy a three wheel adult bike (I have balance problems and a huge fear of falling) when I saw a guy with CP riding in a biking club. I figured if he can have fun, so can I!)
   — merri B.

March 20, 2001
There is a video called Chair Dancing by Jodi Stolove. It is a 45 min video tape and is targeted for people who are obese or have mobility problems. You would not think it is a good workout but it does get your heart rate and breathing up. There are three levels of work out and she has several people who work out at each level at the same time. You can go to the amplestuff website and they have the videotape along with several others for people who are obese. If anyone knows the website address, can you please post it? Thanks, Jan
   — Jan M.

August 28, 2002
Try to get in the water. That is how I got started from wheelchair to walking 5 miles a day. The pool takes the weight of the joints and you can get the exercise you need.
   — Alrena M.

August 28, 2002
Exercise? What's that? I am six months out (RNY) and have had lots of problems including incision opening and a major staph/strep infection (and more). The whole thing is described in my profile (Nina Koch). I also have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, so I have been unable to exercise for years. My point in writing is to say that I lost about 75 pounds during the past six months where I mostly just curled up in bed, so the weight does come off somehow. Good luck to you! Nina in Maine
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 18, 2004
Water Aerobics is great it is low impact and great exercise without the stress on joints and arthritis. My gym has two classes one for arthiris and one for aerobics all is good. I started doing this 8 weeks out from surgery and it was great exercise. I have a nerve disorder that short circuits messages to my brain that I am walking etc and it is extrmemely painful but I was able to start with this exercise after surgery and slowly increased to walking 5 miles every other day without falling down once! LOL
   — Ramona E.