As the year comes to an end it is time to reflect on this past year and set some goals for the new year. I’m looking forward to what the new year is going to bring for all of us. I hope it is only good things. Read More

In my quest to lose weight I have been seeking forms of exercise to do when I am not at the gym. I’m fortunate enough to have a lot of home equipment, but I wanted to introduce more cardio into my life on non-weight lifting days.

I did a little Google and YouTube research on working out from a wheelchair. You’ll be amazed at what you can find out there. I ended up purchasing two videos – Seated Aerobics with Lisa Ericson and Chair Boxing with David Stamps. Read More

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. Read More

I thought I would update you all on my weight loss journey as I have hit a few big milestones since June. I joined Weight Watchers back then, believing they would have a wheelchair scale (that’s what the lady on the phone told me). But when I arrived for my first meeting there was no scale – not until October when I officially started to get weighed. Weight Watcher’s costumer service was wonderful – I received two free months and some free snacks for my patience – but I wasn’t following the plan as well as I am now that I am getting weighed. Read More