Weight loss for a boy with SMA

[Guest guest]

I realize this list deals more with healthy individuals but maybe someone can

give me some ideas or at

least point me in the right direction. My younger son who just turned 16

suffers from Spinal

Muscular Atrophy Type III which is a milder case of a very devastating and

usually terminal disease.

Fortunately his type has a more favorable diagnosis as long as he stays as fit

as possible. To this end

I have tried many strategies for muscle development and weight control. With

this disease one must

be very careful not to overwork the muscles and training must be very well

supervised. Recently he

has began to put on weight despite his best efforts to eat healthy and exercise

daily.

He follows a standard low fat moderate carbohydrate and protein diet that is

not regimented. His

metabolism is slow probably due to the lack of muscle in his body. I would

estimate his bodyfat as very

high although he is 5' 10 " and 175 pounds. I am working with him to reduce

calories and increase fat

burning exercise. He can run slowly or walk fast. I let him decide the pace

according to how he feels

but have him try for at least 30 minutes a day.

Two to three times a week he works with light weights to improve strength but

this is very difficult and

he basically manages to just maintain a certain strength level. His doctors

know little about fitness or

exercise and provide little direction in this area. Any thoughts, advice, or

information would be

appreciated.

Thanks.

Eddie White

Blue Springs, Missouri

[Guest guest]

Hello Eddie

My suggestion would be to find a Doctor who does have some expertise in

exercise prescription (weights and cardio) and a Registered Dietician who

can help tweak your sons diet.

Best of luck for your son attaining the style of living that many of us

sadly take for granted.

Hamish Ferguson

Christchurch, New Zealand

Weight loss for a boy with SMA

> I realize this list deals more with healthy individuals but maybe someone

can give me some ideas or at

> least point me in the right direction. My younger son who just turned 16

suffers from Spinal

> Muscular Atrophy Type III which is a milder case of a very devastating and

usually terminal disease.

>

> Fortunately his type has a more favorable diagnosis as long as he stays

as fit as possible. To this end

> I have tried many strategies for muscle development and weight control.

With this disease one must

> be very careful not to overwork the muscles and training must be very well

supervised. Recently he

> has began to put on weight despite his best efforts to eat healthy and

exercise daily.

>

> He follows a standard low fat moderate carbohydrate and protein diet that

is not regimented. His

> metabolism is slow probably due to the lack of muscle in his body. I

would estimate his bodyfat as very

> high although he is 5' 10 " and 175 pounds. I am working with him to

reduce calories and increase fat

> burning exercise. He can run slowly or walk fast. I let him decide the

pace according to how he feels

> but have him try for at least 30 minutes a day.

>

> Two to three times a week he works with light weights to improve strength

but this is very difficult and

> he basically manages to just maintain a certain strength level. His

doctors know little about fitness or

> exercise and provide little direction in this area. Any thoughts, advice,

or information would be

> appreciated.

>

> Thanks.

>

> Eddie White

> Blue Springs, Missouri

>

>

>

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