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Losing weight + wheelchair? + Updates
11 years ago
As some of you know, I've been having a lot of health issues the past several years. I have Crohn's disease which has cause havoc on many many of my body's systems. I have been put on several medications to combat this issue, but as a result, have put on a lot of weight. I was on 1 medication that is notorious for making people gain weight, and the remicade I am on has actually given me a mostly working digestive system, which... to be honest... I don't think I have EVER had. I'm trying to adjust my diet and I am trying to be more active. The problem is, I am in so much pain every day. My legs and feet hurt REALLY badly, and I can tell it's the bones and partially the muscles. The more active I am, the more miserable I am. There's also the fact that my Crohn's disease is causing rectal bleeding, so if I move around a lot, I start bleeding X.x My doctors won't give me stronger pain meds other than Tylenol and Excedrin. And I am not sure what to do. Are there any suggestions on how to lose weight properly? I'm at about 210 lbs, 5'2" ish. I am VERY much considering a wheelchair to combat some of my pain issues because, quite frankly, I am miserable. But I don't want people to feel like I am giving up, because I am not, and I know not moving around will hurt my chances of losing weight. I would like to drop down to about 160. That would give me some padding in case I have a Crohn's complication. ( I've lost about 20 lbs before after attending Anthrocon X.x )
In terms of a wheelchair, I was considering getting this one here: http://www.1800wheelchair.com/produ.....chair/#details It's cheap, but it has good reviews. I'm not really sure what I should be looking for in a wheelchair though... so if you have suggestions, please let me know!
Updates
In an attempt to try and get myself motivated and sort of "distract" myself from all the crap going on, I am working on finally pursuing my animation and art dreams. I finally have a stable job ( Yay! ). So I can afford some of the tools and can relieve myself of some of that worry. I'm working with people in my apartment to re-arrange and upgrade the space to be more of a studio feel. I spent money on some animation supplies and a professional audio recording system so I can do voice acting :D
And as some of you know, I was working on a special project named Fuzz Hub. This is not forgotten. This will be the primary tool I will be using / creating for the studio I am starting. There are collaboration tools out there, but none that do what I would like to do. I will be working on coding and doing small animation tests, drawing, and probably some comics / graphic novels of the story I would like to eventually end up animating. I'm also hoping to do some collaboration art projects with other artists. You can follow thefuzzhub for updates on the social tool I am working on, and gobluerabbit for updates on my art and animations on twitter. This has been a long term idea that I have had and I had promised myself not to follow through with it until I got a stable job.
Final Words
I know I have been kind of flaky in some respects. For that, I am sorry. All I can ask is that you be patient with me as I am dealing with a lot right now. I'm really hoping to use my art to try and cope with many of the things I am feeling right now. I probably won't be opening for commissions for the foreseeable future, but if you are interested in a collaboration or are interested in my projects, send me a note or a shout via email: alkora[at]blue-rabbit-studios.com
Thanks everyone!
Alkora
In terms of a wheelchair, I was considering getting this one here: http://www.1800wheelchair.com/produ.....chair/#details It's cheap, but it has good reviews. I'm not really sure what I should be looking for in a wheelchair though... so if you have suggestions, please let me know!
Updates
In an attempt to try and get myself motivated and sort of "distract" myself from all the crap going on, I am working on finally pursuing my animation and art dreams. I finally have a stable job ( Yay! ). So I can afford some of the tools and can relieve myself of some of that worry. I'm working with people in my apartment to re-arrange and upgrade the space to be more of a studio feel. I spent money on some animation supplies and a professional audio recording system so I can do voice acting :D
And as some of you know, I was working on a special project named Fuzz Hub. This is not forgotten. This will be the primary tool I will be using / creating for the studio I am starting. There are collaboration tools out there, but none that do what I would like to do. I will be working on coding and doing small animation tests, drawing, and probably some comics / graphic novels of the story I would like to eventually end up animating. I'm also hoping to do some collaboration art projects with other artists. You can follow thefuzzhub for updates on the social tool I am working on, and gobluerabbit for updates on my art and animations on twitter. This has been a long term idea that I have had and I had promised myself not to follow through with it until I got a stable job.
Final Words
I know I have been kind of flaky in some respects. For that, I am sorry. All I can ask is that you be patient with me as I am dealing with a lot right now. I'm really hoping to use my art to try and cope with many of the things I am feeling right now. I probably won't be opening for commissions for the foreseeable future, but if you are interested in a collaboration or are interested in my projects, send me a note or a shout via email: alkora[at]blue-rabbit-studios.com
Thanks everyone!
Alkora
If its the first, a wheelchair and some daily torso exercises would help you keep you in shape and stronger as well, especially if its a wheelchair you don't need assistance to move.
Still, sorry to hear you are having that much of an issue in that regard, certainly seems like a lose-lose situation at this time. Hope you manage to find something that works.
I hope there is something the docs can do for you. Hang in there.
Craigslist is a great place to look as people do often get rid of them and most are in great shape. I'd highly advise against a steel frame as they are very heavy and difficult to transport, but other than that pretty much any wheelchair is going to work well. Just make sure it's comfortable for you to sit in.
I hope you find a way to stay active without causing yourself pain! Remember that staying healthy and uninjured is more important than taking weight off quickly.
Seeing you around lately, you do seem a lot happier and active though. I'm glad you're making progress!
Essentially, you'd need to find a less stressful but more intensive exercise than walking to compensate just to maintain. EG - spending a couple of hours in a pool every day doing laps.
That said, you can typically find wheelchairs at pawn shops and craigslist secondhand. But I think that should be more of a last ditch effort. Even then, only for when you're planning on going somewhere where you might otherwise have to walk long distances.
If walking is becoming a problem, I suggest investing in a stationary pedal machine to strengthen your muscles and bones and make walking easier.
Like -- http://www.amazon.com/Isokinetics-I...../dp/B000KDWA82
You can use it under your desk while sitting at the computer or while sitting in a chair watching TV. Slowly increasing the resistance will help build the muscles you need to support your mass which will in turn make walking easier. :3