February 2025

I found the following article of great interest.  The message is simple, concise and to the point.  Everything in this article is very true for someone living in a wheelchair.

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Excerpt from the article:

If you or a loved one is confined to a wheelchair or has limited mobility you may have asked the question how to lose weight in a wheelchair and is it possible?  Yes, it’s possible.  The main fact is how many calories you are intaking and how much movement you are doing in order to burn those calories.   Wheelchair users are at a higher risk of weight gain purely because they will use less energy during the day. 

So, how to lose weight in a wheelchair?  In order to successfully lose weight while in a wheelchair you need to do is adjust your calorie intake and activity level.  You need to eat fewer calories while becoming more active. 

You will want to do these three things to lose weight when you are in a wheelchair.

1. Mentally get your mind ready that you can and will lose weight no matter what.
2. Select a realistic goal to show yourself you can start to lose weight. 
3. Learn what calorie amount you are consuming on a daily basis so you know how much you should be reducing your intake.
4. Exercise to burn those calories and start to lose weight.  Even if you are in a wheelchair you can get your heart rate up and burn calories.

Article by A. Smith, Last updated: September 9, 2021

by Dr. Abigail Ellsworth
Published September 23, 2010

Yoga is a great way to bend and stretch and wake up the body.  Because the poses are so gentle and flowing it is easy to create a routine that will suite your needs.  Whether you suffer from a debilitating injury, suffer from body pain, back ache, or other, there are enough yoga poses for men, women and youth of all ages.

I love the illustrations and the accompanying diagrams that show exactly what muscles are being used with each of the poses.  This is definitely one of those reference books that will remain in my personal library for many years.

Here is what the publisher has to say about this book.

Yoga teachers and students can use this book as a visual reference to the muscles that are engaged by specific yoga poses. Each pose is shown in a full-color photograph opposite a detailed and annotated anatomical drawing that identifies the active and stabilizing muscles being used. By identifying affected muscles, practitioners can maximize the benefits of each pose and even design a personalized yoga routine that focuses on their specific problem areas.

Anatomy of Yoga explains the basics of yoga, breathing and the spine, concentrating on the body's core musculature. It covers:

• Yoga warm-up
• Standing poses
• Forward bends
• Back bends
• Seated and twisted poses
• Poses that balance arms
• Inversions
• Restorative poses
• Sequences, such as sun salutation

  There are numerous asides, including "best for" information boxes that describe the muscles that work the most during each pose. Tip boxes give hints on safety and form and outline the target muscles for and benefits of each pose. The author also suggests creative ways to modify the intensity of an exercise.

  Anatomy of Yoga is an expert guide that is extremely useful for anyone interested in enhancing a personal yoga fitness routine. It will also interest yoga instructors who want a visual aid that clearly illustrates the benefits of each exercise.

To view publisher’s book overview and other book reviews or to order – go to: www.amazon.ca or www.amazon.com

by Hollis Lance Liebman
Published, October 20, 2020

This was an incredible find for me.  It will definitely be one of those reference books that stays permanently in my library.  One that I will surely reference over and over again. As someone who has suffered a debilitating spinal cord injury, getting back into exercising and a program of regular physical fitness can be daunting.  This clearly outlines the exercise along with very descriptive illustrations of the muscles that are being used. I have spent most of my adult life going to the gym and working out, so many of these exercises are familiar to me, but this book helps me to get a better look and appreciation for each of the exercises and how to apply them to my own personal routine.

Here is what the publisher has to say about this book.

The exercises in Anatomy of Exercise for 50+ will support good health at any age, but for those over fifty they can help in the prevention of specific age-related problems like joint mobility, balance and fatigue, as well as medical conditions like heart disease, colon cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis and Alzheimer's disease.

This book follows the successful format of the "Anatomy of" books, which have sold more than 500,000 copies. The series' revolutionary approach is the combination of photographs and lifelike anatomical drawings that reveal in colorful detail exactly which muscles are engaged and how, and which muscles benefit from each exercise.

For those who want to take control of their health, at whatever age, and for fitness trainers, physiotherapists, and activity managers in community care facilities, retirement homes and nursing homes Anatomy of Exercise for 50+ is an instructive and practical resource.

To view publisher’s book overview and other book reviews or to order – go to: www.amazon.ca or www.amazon.com