Adults who are always sitting in wheelchairs find it so hard to lose weight. They use fewer calories due to the fact that they are not exposed to physical activities. However, in case you are a wheelchair user and you need to shed off some weight, there are some adjustments that you can make to lose weight and maintain a healthy life.
Most of us consume a lot of calories than what is needed by our bodies. Besides, we do not perform enough physical exercises. This leads to gaining weight over time and that is the reason why most adults in the U.S. suffer from obesity.
If you need a wheelchair to move, then you are at a greater risk of gaining weight due to the fact that, wheelchair users normally do not utilize the large muscles found in their legs. This means, they use minimal energy in their entire day to day life.
Having extreme weight or obese poses a risk of a variety of serious health issues which include heart disease, type 2 diabetes as well as certain types of cancer.
Tracking your weight
The common standard used to determine if someone has a healthy body weight is referred to as Body mass index (BMI). This is the measure of one’s healthy weight against height.
However, BMI is sometimes not enough when it comes to checking the weight of someone sitting in a wheelchair as this method cannot give us a detailed situation. There are times when your healthy condition poses a risk to your weight or body.
In case you are not sure about your weight status, you can consult your doctor. The doctor will be able to tell you if BMI would be the perfect measure for you and whether your current weight does not pose a risk to your health.
Doctors will also be able to offer you help in case you are not able to weigh your body by yourself.
What is the reason behind your overweight?
It is so difficult for wheelchair users to determine the number of calories to consume. This means that they can find themselves consuming more calories than what they should consume. This makes wheelchair users special as they are different from other elderly people when it comes to the number of calories they need to consume. Adapting to the situation can be hard.
In case you are new to using a wheelchair, you might maintain your normal eating habits. But remember you will be using less energy and that will lead you to gain more weight. In case you are living with other adults who need to eat more calories, you might end up consuming the same amount just like them hence gaining more weight.
How to lose weight while you are in a wheelchair?
Wheelchair users can also find themselves losing leg muscles over time. In case you have less muscle, you should consume fewer calories in order to maintain your body weight.
The ideal way of losing weight in a healthy way is to make sure that you adjust to your diet as well as the level of physical exercise.
In order to lose weight, you need to burn more calories than the amount you consume and drink. This can be achieved by eating fewer calories and being so active. However, if your mobility capacity is limited due to your condition, then diet is the only way in which you can maintain or lose your body weight.
Aim at losing at least 1 to 2lb per week until you are able to reach your targeted weight. Eating a healthy balanced diet will help you in maintaining your weight hence having a healthy life.
You can also consult your doctor to find out if there is any community weight management service. This service offers people with:
- Weight loss and shedding it off
- Prevent any further weight gain
- Maintain a regular eating habit
- Consume a balanced diet
- Turn out to be physically active
- Reduce portion sizes as well as overacting
- Learn new skills of long term lifestyle
Anyone who needs to use the service that involves wheelchair users has to be screened by an experienced and qualified weight management advisor so as to be able to identify if they are suitable for the service and what exercises are ideal for them. Some people are offered a one to one program.
Changing your diet
An average man should consume at least 2,500 calories per day so as to maintain his body weight. While an average woman only needs 2,000 calories per day.
In case you are a wheelchair user, you will need to consume fewer calories. A doctor or dietitian will be able to identify your daily calorie needs.
During the time when you are adjusting to your diet, consider eating healthy and nutritious balanced diets. Note that a balanced diet is important to wheelchair users as it is for adults. The only difference is that you have to adjust to fewer amount of calories as you are not performing the needed physical exercises.
What makes up a healthy balanced diet?
- Plenty of vegetables as well as fruits: Make sure that you consume at least five portions of vegetables and fruits every day
- Include enough starchy foods such as brown bread, potatoes and whole grains in your meals
- Have some milk as well as dairy foods
- Involve some fish, eggs, white meat, and other different sources of proteins in your meal.
It is best for you if you consume a small portion of foods and drinks that are rich in fat or sugar.
Try to be more active
Becoming so active is very important in maintaining a healthy weight. This will ensure that you burn more calories compared to the number of calories that you consumed in your food and drink. This will improve your fitness and help you in losing your body weight.
Do not live an inactive life just because you are a wheelchair user. Aim at doing regular cardiovascular activities and muscle strengthening exercises. Cardiovascular activities are so important in losing body weight as they are activities that help in raising your heart rates, getting you a bit out of breath, and sweat.
This does not mean enrolling in sports or at the gym. You can begin by making short movements, pushing yourself while you are in your wheelchair instead of using public transport or your private car.
In case you are able to handle the gym then just get enrolled. As there are different options for wheelchair users at the gym, including rowing machines that are designed for wheelchair users, and weight machines that offer resistance exercises.
Other alternatives include swimming, in case you are able to swim, or you can enroll in wheelchair sports like netball, basketball, boccia, and badminton. Boccia is identical to bowls, in which it involves leather balls that are rolled aiming at a target. This is ideal for those having mobility issues. Although it might not be the best exercise that would help you shed off some weight, it might help your entire wellbeing.
In case you are looking at where to rent wheelchair near, you, check out Madison medical rental for their wheelchair program and pricing.