How do I loose weight when I am disabled and can't walk?

Question

I have severe rheumatoid artritis,I also am anabove the knee amputee as well as having C.O.P.D. and I have an oxygen tank to drag around with me at all times.I cannot walk. I have gainned 100 Lbs. I feel bad enough about my weight as it is,Sometimes I wish I could die. I have a neighbor that I play cards with who shames me every time I put a bit of food into my mouth. The truth be known I eat a lot less that anyone I know.I felt so bad after playing cards last night that I came close to crying. He brags all the time about the excessive amounts of food he eats and he is normal size, while walking on two legs of course.He seem to think that I am happy at this weight! I always all my life was thin to the point of being to thin but I did eat.My Dr. used to tell me to eat more! I had two babies and during my pregancies I only gained 18 Lbs with the first son & 20 Lbs with the second son. I ate what I wanted. I was never one to make fun of another persons weight .I don't deserve this.

My family also will bring it to my attention that I an fat! Dud! Why do people think we don't know we are fat and whay do they think we are happy to be fat? and why do the assume that we must have eaten ourselfs fat? Don't people know that some of the Medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis will cause weight gain? I can't walk I can't exercise. I am not whinning or feeling sorry for myself truly I am not. I am at my wits end because I don't like this excess weight it is bad for me. And I am at my wits end with family& friends thinking I like being fat and that I ate myself fat. Is there an alternative medcation that will help me?

I am in a powerchair not a wheelchair. My fingers are almost tied in knots! I cant exercise my upper body I have sever rheumatoid arthritis! Ther are no upper body exercises I can do!!

Answer 1

I totally understand your problem I am bedridden also from an accident, arthritis, and Fibromyalgia. I gained a great deal of weight being bedridden and five years ago I lost 100lb.. So I know it can be done. What I did was I cut out bread, pastry, candy, and rice. I only ate protein like chicken, turkey, and fish. I ate vegetables including potatoes without any fat or cooking oil. I had at least two pieces of fruit the day. I drank it at least 2qt. of water a day. It took me over a year to lose the weight, but it did come off. So please don't give up. I also used the supplement chromium, one tablet three times a day. That really helped me not crave food.

if you have any questions please e-mail me.

Billie77

Answer 2

A few random thoughts -

1. Yeah, agree, your drugs might be making you larger.

2. If you lose weight, you might not need the drugs (above). Classic Catch-22, huh?

3. I've got to believe that your doc could find a way for you to lose weight, get mobile (I worked for a 65-year-old guy who was an above-knee amputee, and he outwalked me!), etc. Let your medical team know, under no uncertain terms, you refuse to live like this. If they can't help you with a dietitian, a physical therapist, etc then you'll find another medical team. Most doctors simply assume that people in your position in life won't listen when they say "Exercise, eat better, etc" so they don't even bother!!!

4. You need to eat DIFFERENTLY. Not eat "less" but DIFFERENTLY. That's where a group like Weight Watchers, or a dietitian from the local hospital, comes in.

5. Try water exercises. You get into the pool, and the water supports your weight, and then you move your arms and leg around in the pool. No sudden jarring motions, etc. It's a great place to start if you're +100 pounds.

6. Counseling. Gosh, anyone who has gone thru the trauma you've got through has got to have some outlet! While you might not be suicidal, "wishing I could die" is not a fun way to live. Actually, if you do work on your "stuff", your health might improve as you get happier. Happiness and health go hand-in-hand, as you no doubt noticed.

7. Under no circumstances go for the stomach band, or other bariatric surgeries. The number of serious side-effects, including DEATH, is substantial. And, guess what? After you have the surgery, and have 2 months of recovery, you have to do everything we've talked about (eat differently, exercise, counseling, etc)!!!

8. Set a goal -- for instance, plan on jumping out of an airplane in summer 2008. Yes, you can do it. No, you can't do it today. Yes, it seems impossible today, Go, buy the sky diving ticket, and then start the work (don't wanna waste the money, do you?).

Other people have set goals like wearing some article of clothes (swimsuit, wedding dress, etc), or maybe being able to do a large public walk (we have an annual 7-mile walk here in Michigan).

IM or email me if you need encouragement...

Answer 3

Physical therapy could give you some exercises. I think if you could do some water therapy that would be an awesome way to get into some shape. Even without legs, I think you could work your upper body. I did this when I had a fractured foot and it killed to kick in the water, so I just used my arms. I would never win the Olympics, but I stayed afloat! :0)
Water therapy is just so relaxing too, talk to your doctor and see if it is a possibility.

Answer 4

Those meds you take for the arthritis will make you gain weight in themselves, besides being sedentary which doesn't help.

Talk to your doctor. There are exercise programs for amputees and disabled people but given your health conditions I would definately address this with your doctor before you start any kind of exercise regimen. He'll know your limitations and abilities to help you get started.

Answer 5

see your doctor for help maybe they can recommend therapy or a fitness center exercise is good for the body as well as the mind cardio exercise even limited can help with the copd and some exercise can help alleviate the pain of arthritis when you start to feel better you will feel better about yourself I wish you the best in what ever choice you make and good luck with what ever your choices are

Answer 6

Well i take it that you don't eat a lot which is okay. MAybe you should start wacthing what you eat, not how much you eat and always go to bed hungry. Go on a fastfood diet and don't eat fast food and if you do eat subway.Eat a sald with every meal it will take off 10 calories.

Answer 7

You are right, no one deserves what you are going thru. Talk to your doctor about excercising. Maybe he can refer you to a physical therapy program that will help you.

Answer 8

1st stop feeling sorry for your self 2nd tell the person you play cards with they are to skinny ok now there are things a person in a wheel chair can do to lose weight work the upper part of your body and dont give up.

Answer 9

you can loose weight by changing your diet and eating less, but it sounds like your doing that already. no need to worry about the things that you can do nothing to change. if anyone tries to give you crap, tell them to beep off.

Answer 10

The meds you take for breathing...has steriods in them....steriods will make you large.