I am very pleased to report that an accessible gym recently opened in Sioux Falls in connection with the Sanford Wellness Center.  The facility features a universal gym, FES bike, arm ergometer, rickshaw, Cybex Bravo and rowing machines -- all of which are easily used by someone in a wheelchair. There is also other therapy equipment we can use, including parallel bars, elastic ropes, free weights, pool access, etc. I may need help grabbing the pull down bar and/or moving a bar up or down, but for the most part the machines are pretty accessible; when there is something we can’t reach there is a trainer there three days a week to help.

My favorite workout is the FES bike. Once I get fitted with electrodes on my legs, it’s a great cardio workout. On top of that it may improve my bone density -- with my past issues with broken femurs that’s a wonderful added benefit. I’m eager to see how my bone density tests turn out when I have my recheck at the Mayo Clinic. I can tell my legs are stronger.

As an indirect benefit of getting more fit, I was able to wean off of baclofen after being on it for 17 years. This was a personal choice and I weaned off vrey slowly. I got off baclofen for two reasons, one I thought it caused weight gain, which might be true, but the second reason is because I just didn't want to be on it anymore. The fewer medications going through my body the better, in my opinion. Anyway, it took about a year to totally get off it, but other than the occasional spasm, I don’t miss it one bit.

I’m still continuing to lose weight, though it has been slow since my last update. For the first six weeks of joining the gym I didn’t lose anything. I wasn’t gaining either, but that was a frustrating plateau to say the least. I was staying within my Weight Watchers points, working out more then ever, but the numbers on the scale number were NOT moving. Everyone kept telling me I was putting on muscle which I have put on a lot of, but it’s still frustrating not seeing results.

It was then my trainer, Megan suggested I eat more. What? Eat more? I’m trying to lose weight and eat more are the last words I thought I would hear. She explained it to me as with doing an intense workout I am starving my body at 1200 calories a day. I need refuel my body with protein and calories after a workout so it has something to burn. We increased my calories to 1700 calories a day, which is a lot to me, and I do my best to get it. With the increase I have began to see more weeks with weight losses. I had one of my best weeks this past week with almost a 4-pound loss. I don’t expect that this week, but now I’m understanding that with my workouts my body responds to proteins better then say salads and fruits even though I still enjoy them very much.

I still have a weakness when I go out of town and tend to gain a pound or two when I end up on a trip somewhere. Dieting on the road is difficult especially when you are surrounded by so many places to eat that we don’t have in Sioux Falls. I entitled myself to splurge when I am out of town and be super good when I return. Life is just far too short not to enjoy yourself when you are on a trip.

My goal is to be skinnier, but not so much I set myself up for pressure sores. By next summer I want to lose another 35-40 lbs. With my height that would be plenty. I’m hoping for one pound losses weekly, but anything more than that will be a bonus. Losing one to two pounds a week is the healthy way to do it and will help me keep it off longer. My next goal is to hit 30 pounds lost -- should happen within the next week or two, just three pounds away!!

One of my favorite FREE apps and website is My Fitness Pal. I like that it breaks everything down in what I need for protein, fiber, fat, and carbs for the day and tells me if I am over or under. I like it more then the Weight Watchers e-tools that come with my membership. I also love the that it calculates (with a disclaimer) the weight you will be in five weeks based on your food intake and exercise for the day. I’ll let you know how accurate it is when I check my weight on August 20th. This app and site is also helpful me reach my 1700 calorie goal (Weight Watchers is based on a points system, not calories).

Anyone else on a weight loss journey? What are you doing to lose weight? Do you have any favorite apps or websites to help you with your weight loss? Let me know. I welcome any advice you may have. 

© 2012 Kristina Allen | |