Titans
06-19-2009, 05:44 PM
So I have this idea where we can start posting helpful tips/advice from our personal experiences with our levels of disability. I myself am really interested in what others have learned over the years. I do not get a lot of exposure to others in my condition so sometimes and like many others I have to figure it out for myself.
This idea stemmed from the following post by beachboy:
People with paralysis have digestive problems. It took me about 10 yrs in a chair to figure that out. Remember to eat alot of fiber. Many people think that fiber causes indigestion. The correct amount of fiber can actually eliminate most of the digestion problems regarding BMs.
It took me just as long to figure out that fiber and a proper diet helped out 100% in my digestive problems. Having to worry about having digestive problems was a big hurdle for me in college where my diet was poor in terms of catering to my disability and my understanding of my disability was lacking. Only through fitness and diet had I learned a tremendous amount about my body and its needs/reactions.
So I offer the following advice in regards to digestive issues: Eat meals on a timed schedule with the proper micro/macro nutrients and drink plenty of water. Wake up and sleep at consistent times. I have found that eating around 15+grams of fiber a day from sources such as green beans, brocolli, black beans, wheat breads and oatmeal help me with digestive problems to the point where I do not have issues for looooong stretches of time (Months or Not at all) vs. before when I would have issues every week to every few days. I also eat yogurt every morning but have switched to Kefir (Plain) which I now eat at night before bed and this too helps me with my digestive problems. My BMs are everyday at the same times to the point where I can schedule them like clock work. I do not take stool softeners (These caused way too many "issues" for me.)
I am a T-11/T-12 Paraplegic who weighs 144 pounds who is currently cutting. My activity level is 3 days weight training with 2-3 days of cardio and I work 9 hours a day 5 days a week in an office setting. The main points of my advice is to eat on a timed schedule with decent well balanced meals. Try to keep meal portions around the same and yogurt+fiber keeps me going :D
Also do your stretches haha. ;)
This idea stemmed from the following post by beachboy:
People with paralysis have digestive problems. It took me about 10 yrs in a chair to figure that out. Remember to eat alot of fiber. Many people think that fiber causes indigestion. The correct amount of fiber can actually eliminate most of the digestion problems regarding BMs.
It took me just as long to figure out that fiber and a proper diet helped out 100% in my digestive problems. Having to worry about having digestive problems was a big hurdle for me in college where my diet was poor in terms of catering to my disability and my understanding of my disability was lacking. Only through fitness and diet had I learned a tremendous amount about my body and its needs/reactions.
So I offer the following advice in regards to digestive issues: Eat meals on a timed schedule with the proper micro/macro nutrients and drink plenty of water. Wake up and sleep at consistent times. I have found that eating around 15+grams of fiber a day from sources such as green beans, brocolli, black beans, wheat breads and oatmeal help me with digestive problems to the point where I do not have issues for looooong stretches of time (Months or Not at all) vs. before when I would have issues every week to every few days. I also eat yogurt every morning but have switched to Kefir (Plain) which I now eat at night before bed and this too helps me with my digestive problems. My BMs are everyday at the same times to the point where I can schedule them like clock work. I do not take stool softeners (These caused way too many "issues" for me.)
I am a T-11/T-12 Paraplegic who weighs 144 pounds who is currently cutting. My activity level is 3 days weight training with 2-3 days of cardio and I work 9 hours a day 5 days a week in an office setting. The main points of my advice is to eat on a timed schedule with decent well balanced meals. Try to keep meal portions around the same and yogurt+fiber keeps me going :D
Also do your stretches haha. ;)