SCI Health Series: Quadriplegic Weight Loss Options

Being in top physical form feels great, but after paralysis, that can seem like a distant dream. Quadriplegics of all levels have a tendency to become overweight as the years creep forward. From not walking to chronic pain, it can be difficult to stay in shape.

IMPORTANT: A person’s ideal weight should be determined by a licensed medical professional.

The right amount and the right kinds fat are good for the body. Saturated fats for instance are required to strengthen cell walls. Additionally, fats keep a person’s skin healthy and reduce inflammation. Plant-based sources of fat are the healthiest, such as walnuts and almonds. Especially for quadriplegics, a layer of fatty tissue around bony areas can provide skin breakdown protection especially when muscles have atrophied in those areas.

But there are many ways to beat the bulge. From diet modification and targeted exercises to minor plastic surgery, people with spinal cord injuries can lose unwanted fat and weight. Read on for some of our best tips!

Option 1: Lower Your Daily Calories

For quadriplegics, one of the easiest ways to lose weight is to lower caloric intake. Since you have limited muscle movement and aren’t walking as before, your recommended calorie intake is 28 calories per kilogram (kg). So to maintain a weight of 130 pounds, for example, you would first divide your weight in pounds by 2.2 (130/2.2 = 59.09 kg). Then to figure out the actual recommended calories you would by 28 cal per kilogram (59.09×28 = 1,654.52). A 130 pound quadriplegic should consume around 1654.52 calories per day.

To lose weight, however, you would need to decrease your daily calorie intake by 500 calories. This will ensure you lose one pound each week. What is great about this method is that no exercise is required, making it a fantastic option for any high-level quads, as well as anyone who doesn’t have access to FES.

IMPORTANT: These are general guidelines and do not account for differences in age, gender or activity levels. Adjustments are always required.

Option 2: Try Fat-burning Exercises

If you are able to move your arms, there are several helpful fat-burning exercise videos for quadriplegics on Youtube that can help you lose unwanted pounds. A 20-minute workout four days a week can help you lose a pound a week.

One of our favorite quadriplegic fitness instructors is Ben Clark, a former champion swimmer and C6 quadriplegic from Australia. He creates workout videos for quadriplegics. If you have Therabands, stretchy workout bands and hand weights (along with Active Hands for gripping), you’ll be able to do many of his workouts. Visit his channel, Adapt to Perform.

Option 3: Coolsculpting

Although costly at about $700 per procedure, Coolscultping is one of the newest ways many people with quadriplegia are getting rid of stubborn belly fat, aka “quad guts,” which many can’t seem to lose no matter how much they work out or diet. This is the only FDA-approved fat-freezing procedure, and it successfully minimizes fat cells.

While the jury’s still out on how long the procedure lasts (doctors claim it lasts forever, but time will tell), it is great to see a cheaper option available other than a tummy tuck to get rid of the quad gut. Watch a success story from a man with quadriplegia, here.

Option 4: Abdominal Binders

While it technically doesn’t help with weight loss, abdominal binders – used by many quadriplegics – hide stomach fat under clothes. Although abdominal binders are used primarily to maintain elevated blood pressures in quadriplegics, an attractive stomach profile is a nice side effect! And most insurance plans cover abdominal binders.

Whatever is holding you back, know that you can lose weight as a quadriplegic. While the methods available are limited, they work. With some hard work and dedication, it can absolutely happen. We wish you success!

IMPORTANT: It is important to closely monitor any type of compression clothing especially on bony areas like the ribs and spinal vertebra. Check every skin regularly for any changes in skin integrity.

Have you tried losing weight since becoming a quad? What worked?

Learn more

– 3 Amazing Wheelchair-User Weight Loss Stories

– How to Really Lose Weight Without Walking

– Everyday Nutrition for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Quadriplegic Weight Loss Videos

– 20 MIN FAT BURN HIIT WORKOUT FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS | ADAPT TO PERFORM

– ASK JORDAN (5) Q&A ♡ My Diet/Fitness Routine, Struggles & World Peace

– Workout Wednesday 2 C5 C6 Quadriplegic

Photo courtesy of Flickr