Wheelchair users are often prone to weight gain as they don’t expend as many calories through physical activity, but this doesn’t mean that there is nothing that can be done. While the basic formula for weight loss is to burn more calories than you consume, wheelchair users are often under the misguided impression that weight gain is inevitable. Fortunately, we’ve got top weight loss tips for wheelchair users and you’ll be able to watch your body transform in no time!
Finding Out Your Weight
While Body Mass Index (BMI) is an oft-used measurement to determine whether someone is at a healthy weight for their height, this may not be enough when it comes to determining the healthy weight of a wheelchair user. If you are not certain about your weight or height, a visit to a doctor is imperative as they can assist you in determining both measurements, work out your BMI, and advise if you are currently at a healthy weight.
Why You May Be Overweight
According to Helen Bond, a dietician with experience working with disabled patients, wheelchair users often find it challenging to determine precisely how many calories they should be consuming. Wheelchair users who live with other adults may end up consuming the same amount of calories as they do, but owing to a lack of physical activity, this may result in weight gain. Unfortunately online blackjack doesn’t count as exercise! Many wheelchair users often experience degradation of the leg muscles and those with less muscle require fewer calories.
How to Lose Weight as a Wheelchair User
The trick to losing weight as a wheelchair user is to adjust both diet and the amount of physical activity performed. The combination of a balanced diet and a good amount of exercise will help you lose weight in a healthy way and keep it off in the long-term. You should aim to lose between 500g and 1kg per week until you’re at your goal weight, as anything more could result in lack of success in the long-term.
Altering Your Eating Habits
While the average man and woman require 2,500 and 2,000 calories per day respectively in order to maintain a healthy body weight, wheelchair users likely need less than these average amounts. A doctor will be able to help you determine how many calories you should be eating, but here are some general guidelines for a balanced diet:
- Eat at least 5 varied portions of fruit and vegetables daily
- Eat brown bread, wholegrain pasta, and potatoes
- Limit the intake of milk and dairy
- Limit the intake of meat, fish, eggs, beans, and other sources of protein
Getting Active as Wheel User
Just because you’re in a wheelchair doesn’t mean that there aren’t excellent options for getting more physically active. You should aim to do regular cardio and muscle-strengthening exercises and you need to feel slightly out of breath, with a raised heartbeat, and break into a sweat in order for the exercise to be effective or even to play online pokies with friends .
