My Introduction and a ?

[serramagk]

I normally don't introduce myself, I generally prefer to be a lurker, but the community here seems so warm and family-like how could I not

I'm 43, married, 3 teen age kids. My daughters and I are gearing up to start Atkins. Doing the reading and fridge stocking now. This will be my 2nd time trying Atkins, the first time didn't result in significant weight-loss but I felt so much better that I stayed on it, well something close to it, for 9 months before finally loosing my way altogether. This time will be different, I know what I did wrong the first time and vow not to make the same mistakes.

I do have a question though. Last year I had a spinal stroke that has left me in a wheelchair (for the time being!) and an incomplete paraplegic. I'm fighting daily to regain the ability to walk, but this leaves me in a unique place as far as exercise goes. My upper body gets a workout all the time. Wheelchair + carpeting = constant arm workout. And I do physical therapy 2x a week for an hour each time. In therapy I am able to walk with a walker about 100' or so. Daily walking is limited to short jaunts in my walker to the bathroom a couple of time a day. However, normal walking/exercising is not an option for me unless it's upper body. My leg muscles tire easily they are like a battery that's about to run out. Is Atkins still an option for me? Exercise is crucial to success in any diet plan, but I'm worried that it won't be enough.

I also wonder how I'm going to do this without the use of a scale. I'm thinking I could just go by my clothing.

It's so important for me to get this weight off. I needed to lose 60 lbs. before my injury, but now it's even more important. I'm learning how to walk again, I need as little of myself to drag around as possible. I figure if I can walk over 100' with carrying around this much baggage imagine what I could do with 60 lbs less!

An interesting note, I thought for sure that I would balloon up once I was chair bound, but that didn't happen. I'm exactly the same size as I was 16 months ago, my body adjusted immediately and I had a much smaller appetite, so things evened out.

Well any help/advice that could be offered would be appreciated. I'm excited to get started, just need to work out this exercise thing.

[charene]

hi and welcome!

I would say consult your dr before starting the diet. too bad dr atkins wasn't around so you could ask him.

[determined2shrink]

I havent gotten that far in the 2002 edition yet but i know in the 1999 edition he said exercise is only mandatory for those who are able to exercise. The diet will still work for you. It sounds like you do get some exercise when you do physical therapy. I hope everything works out for you and you are able to become more mobile.

Take Care

[diamonds]

I too would consult with your doctor first, especially with cutting out all diary foods and fruits - you very well may need these to get healthy bones before you start this diet. If you get the go ahead, it will work with the exercise your getting and as you improve you can add more physical activities. Good Luck!

[serramagk]

Thanks for the responses. I will take advice and double check with my Dr. When I went to rehab today I asked my PT's their opinion. They both felt that even using my upper body I could get the heart pumping enough to benefit me metabolically. And were even nice enough to offer the use of stationary bikes after my regular therapy was over if I wanted it. Yeah!

So I guess pending my Dr. okie dokie, I'll be good to go. Thanks again for the responses

[Asclepius]

Fabulous!! Great to have a fellow typical lurker here! As for your question: OF COURSE it will work for you! Do you realize that the upper body work out you get every day exceeds the amount of exercise most others get in a 30 minute routine? You may be seated but you are far from sedentary, m'dear!

Best wishes toward your continued neuro-rehab and your happy healthy YOU!

[y0u]

Serramagk, I recently had surgery that put me in a wheelchair for 4 months. And the last month I started Atkins and was unable to exercise or even walk. I lost 15# with absolutely no exercise. I gave back the wheelchair today and now I can walk a little bit. Sounds like your recovery is going well, and with weight loss will be even better. Best of luck to you.

[MsManners]

My Mom had double knee replacement surgery. So was unable to walk. She used two excersie tapes, Tae-bo and Richard Simons Sweaten to the Oldies and just did the arm movements.

If the Dr is fien with the diet....get those arms a swinging!