Hi,

sorry to put a dampener on the festivities and all that, but i'm trying to get some information on diet advice as an SCI person.

Basically, I'm 28, male, 6'2 and in a wheelchair (C7). I've noticed that I've been looking a little bit chubbier recently. Anyone know what the recommended Daily calorie intake is for a SCI person? I try to be fairy active but obviously nothing like before.

I will try to enjoy christmas day tho- save me a few mince pies!

Hi Jinx,

I'm a 27 yr old female..c6/c7.

I wouldn't have a clue about calorie counting..but i'm still the same size as i was before my accident 7 yrs agao, so i must be doing something right!

I believe in everything in moderation..i don't deny myself anything, i just eat a little bit of it rather then the hole thing. If i've over indulged, the next few days i'll eat lot's of fruit and veg...no starchy stuff, to try and balance it all out.

Have a wonderful Christmas, julie

You should have been told what your "ideal" weight should be. For your height and weight I am guessing you should be in the 170 pound range. To keep that weight it takes roughly 10 calories per pound of body weight-meaning you need to keep your calories at or near 1700 per day. Everyone is different, so if you do more exercise you can increase your calorie intake, as you get older and your metabolism slows down you may need to eat less. If you want answers to more specific questions, feel free to ask!

Forgive me, I meant to say for your height and age. Also remember that your muscles are going to atrophy and weight/fat is going to collect around your belly and butt. You will look mushier even if you are not gaining weight.

i need advise on weight gain.i am 5'3 and 40 years old ,i use to weight 128 before i was in a chair in 2006 now i weigh 220.i put on weight on in places i never even thought possible. i have a bad shoulder from a car accident and can not do any weigtht training.how can i loose weight??

Hi,

I was totally convinced that I couldn't lose weight in this chair. I've been paralyzed for 3 years and quite simply been stuffing my feelings down with food. Food has been my drug of choice all of my life so that wasn't an unusual option for me. I have no idea how much I had gained. I'm only 5'1" and I'm 56 years old. Back in Jan. I had a little heart scare. Now just tell me that someone might crack open my chest and take veins out of my legs and that's enough to make me lose my appetite.

I started on Weight Watchers simply because I had been on it years ago and I had a basic understanding of the plan. There's no tricks or gimmicks, no high this or low that. It's just a well balanced diet based on portion control and choices.

I got on Freecycle and asked if anyone was willing to share any of their new material with me on the newer point system and 2 very nice ladies sent information to me and to date, since the middle of Jan., I've lost 50+ lbs. and 16 inches around my waist.

I have bad shoulders from arthritis but I still work with weights doing what I can and when I was in the hospital I started doing crunches in bed every night. I started with about 3 sets of 10. Now I do 400 crunches in bed everynight.

I'm finding ways to cut calories here and there in small ways that add up. There is a bread called Healthy Lifestyle with only 35 calories in a slice. You can have 2 slices instead of one slice of regular bread. I eat a baked potato almost every day because I LOVE potatoes and I found a margarine that has 50 calories in a tablespoon instead of 70 or 100. I always keep my salad dressing on the side and either dip my fork or the bite instead of pouring it on and sucking it off of the lettuce. LOL!

You just don't go hungry on WW and you don't have to do without anything. There are lists to plan from when you eat out and there are extra points for special occasions or desserts and there's no expense of buying any kind of special food.

Right now I am tryng my best to learn to love fresh tomatoes. I know. Because, if I wanted to sit in the garden with a salt shaker and eat a bushel of tomatoes it would be okay because they are a free food. There are so many things like that, that are free if you like them and I'm trying and learning.

That's my suggestion. It's working for me. Good luck!