Weighing in

I find it is important to weigh in. It is important for a C6 to be weight conscious. That 15% of muscle that is not paralyzed carries a big load already! Need to stay light on our hands (or feet for others).

C6's can vary a lot in how they get around. I personally can transfer and choose to push a sporty manual chair versus a power chair. Power chairs are nice and I once used one in college to get around campus. As my arms are getting chronically sore after almost 17 years of manual chair usage I am considering using one part-time. I am afraid I am going to gain weight and get out of shape if I do. Everything else follows and my level of independence could start to slip, which is really not an option for me. This one needs to be decided cautiously.

I enjoy being in shape and working out, but as I age I set aside less and less time for it. And yes, I am 15 lbs heavier than was when I worked out diligently a few years ago. I have been as high as 25 lbs heavier. When I could not wear shoes any longer because my fee were so fat I decided it was time to weigh in at Weight Watchers. I lost a solid 20 lbs and some has crept back on. Wait, are my number correct? I weighed 170 in college and crept up to 200 by the time I was about 35. I got down to 178 for 2-3 years and am now back up to about 188. When I got married and stopped working out the weight started piling up.

I notice it in my feet and in my waist line. My shoes vary from normal mens shoes to EEE wide based on what my weight was when I bought them. C6's usually suffer from edema in their feet and ankles. The more chubby I am the worse it is.

So I find that it is important to weigh in. It is a direct measure of my level of independence. Eat right, feel right, do right.