I used to be very fit. I've raced half-marathons and been stroke in the First VIII boat at college. In 2000, I somehow ended up in the finals of a national fitness competition. I found myself with 100 others in the RAF's massive gym in Cosford with tv cameras and crowds and very loud music. My resting pulse used to be around 43 beats per minute.
Then I broke my back and spent 14 months in hospital with a lot of lying about. I'm not fit any more. And like most people who use a wheelchair full-time, I have a fairly sedentary lifestyle. I drive far more than I push. I get my chair in and out of the car, I swim but I don't go to the gym. I row twice a week but doubtless eat more calories than I burn, despite a small and healthy diet. Yes, I'm over forty. Yes, I know I could be fitter.
Heart disease is now a leading cause of death in people with a spinal cord injury. My pulse is 55 and whilst low, this suggests lack of exercise rather than fitness. So what more should I do? There's the risk of damaging my shoulders by overdoing things (for an interesting view of the pros and cons, read Tim Rushby-Smith's blog article). But set against the risk of a stroke, I reckon my shoulders lose. I can cycle more. I can see what facilities my local gym has. 2010 must be the year of exercise.
