How to Lose weight without legs?

[Hi838]

Hello everyone! My question is how to lose weight when you have damage knees from playing tennis 30yrs and now need a hip replacement. Just want to lose 20pounds but Im running out of activities and options any suggestions would be helpful?

[Sunrisetabby 7lbs 2024 February]

Grettings Hi838,

Based on my understanding and experience, excercise and activities are not needed to lose weight. All you need to do is expend more calories in a day than you consume. From Layne Norton's website: "Total daily energy expenditure is the sum of basal metabolic rate (the number of calories necessary to keep you alive while maintaining body weight), exercise activity thermogenesis (your workouts in the gym), thermic effect of food (roughly 10 percent of energy consumed is used to digest/absorb food) and non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT)." When you excercise your NEAT actually often significantly decreases, so the benefits of excercise is often less than you think and I know for me that excercise can increase my hunger.

That being said, I love kayaking and swimming which are two good exercises to get in solid zone 2 cardio without using your legs. You can also use a rowing machine without your legs, and some of the <$50 under desk cycling machines (on Amazon among other places) you can also use with your arms to get your heart rate up while making phone calls, watching tv, etc.

Good luck with your weight loss journey and hip replacement.

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome, Hi838

I'm sorry you have problems with your hips and knees, but can assure you that weight loss is possible and, in fact, more likely with adjustments to what you eat rather than how much exercise you do and this member of ours epitomises that fact healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

You could join our Fit is Fun Club for ideas and encouragement, as exercise of any type is good for health and well-being. You may find that swimming, or chair yoga suits you better.

All of the information you need about the forum can be found in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... and I hope you'll be joining all the Events, Challenges and Clubs that we run, especially a weigh-in and the daily diary.

We've found active participation to be key to successful weight loss and, of course, it's a good way to get to know people, find inspiration and share support and encouragement.

Wishing you all the best

[PippiRuns 6kg Restart Nov 2023]

Hi there, exercise is great for many things and it is helpful for weight loss to spend some extra energy

I used to run a lot ( hence the username) which made it easier to lose weight but I also reduced my calorie intake. When I had to stop running because of arthritis in both hips, I gained the weight back on because I kept eating as if I was still running 30 k a week.

But exercise is not a prerequisite for weight loss. The most important factor is your diet.

This time around I am losing weight without any changes to my exercise routine, I’ve focused on my eating.

But I would like to recommend warm water workouts and strength training in a gym - I do both and my hips thank me for it.

[Frenchfields 2024 January]

I agree with the other posters above, you can definitely lose weight without exercise, but how about walking as an activity. My neighbour walks his two dogs every day and he has similar to you ( op booked next month for one new knee) -he does use a stick and he’s quite hobble-y (probably won’t be winning any races) but at nearly 80 he’s an inspiration. My husband also walks with bad legs -he uses two walking poles, available at any sports store -yes its painful for him but he finds it helpful and less pain the more he does it. Do get some decent shoes or boots with good insoles if you need them. Great for your headspace too, it must be frustrating that you can’t play tennis anymore.

[55118 Visitor]

Hi I have this problem and with my knee also.i swim 3 times a week.its amazing.the only place I'm pain free and "normal, so good for my mental health.i eat post swim.and then in the evening .this new routine means I'm loosing weight slowly .but it's going .Good luck