For those with disabilities, getting and staying fit can be tough. But it doesn’t have to feel like that- there are exercises you can do sitting down and good food to eat when your metabolism isn’t as quick. There is not a lot of information for wheelchair users about their own exercise routine, which could make things difficult, but hopefully this article will shed some light on how fun exercising in general can be.
Benefits Of Exercising As A Wheelchair User
Exercise is a great way to improve your health as a wheelchair user. Benefits of exercise include increased endurance, alleviation of muscle/joint pain and prevention from injury. Exercise can also be beneficial for building up muscles or bone mass while improving range of motion in the joints. So, which kind(s) should you try?
Why not look into local wheelchair basketball teams, take up chair dancing (which could even help with arthritis), or read blogs on how yoga has helped many people who use wheelchairs. There are truly plenty more options than ever before.
Eating Well
If you are confined to a wheelchair, eating well and losing weight can be difficult. You will especially have a harder time burning calories through exercise because you are seated all day. So, it is important to maintain good diet habits in order to lose some or not gain as much weight during the course of your live.
Helen Bond from NHS says that wheelchair users often find that they need more than an estimated number for their calorie intake per day since people with disabilities may also require additional energy expenditure due to factors like frequent transfers between bed and chair throughout the night and sitting upright at workstations. She adds that this could lead someone on wheels into overeating which might result in gaining unwanted pounds instead of shedding them off.
Wheelchair users can also lose muscle in their legs over time. When we have less muscle, we need fewer calories to maintain our bodyweight. So, what can a wheelchair user do? Eat plenty of fruit and veggies at every mealtime; try wholewheat pasta or potatoes instead of white ones if you like carbs with your dinner; limit the amount of dairy products that may contain too many fats (like cream); and avoid junk food as much as possible – it’s really not worth sacrificing health for convenience.