BlindAlive.com

Accessible Fitness, more choices for more people

Fitness has always been a concern with regard to both mental and physical health regardless of age, gender, or any other variables that make each one of us unique. And for those in the blind community, fitness is every bit as much—if not more—important.

Exercise for the visually impaired is something that should be incorporated into a weekly, if not daily, routine for a variety of reasons that are both similar and different from people within the sighted community. For those with total loss of sight as well as for those who are low sighted, a lack of regular exercise can bring on a host of other issues, including weight gain, sluggishness, and perhaps worst of all for many, insomnia or a circadian rhythm that has been thrown completely off track.

A quality workout done at the right time of day and at the right pace to meet your unique physical and mental needs is just what the doctor may have forgotten to order. For many blind people, fitness has been a challenge: without someone to guide you and without the ability to drive yourself to the gym, it becomes obvious why so many visually impaired individuals give up—but with the BlindAlive line of Fitness Workouts for blind people, you’ll never have to depend on anyone else again.

Yoga and Strength Training with wieghts for blind people along with a variety of other cardiovascular exercises help our bodies stay toned, help us gain muscle mass and lose weight, but most of all, can help lead a blind person away from a sense of helplessness.

Are you ready to sweat? Come get healthy and leave all your notions of not being able to get fit due to your visual impairment behind with BlindAlive!

Fat No More

August 17, 2014  /  Mel Scott

A few weeks ago I told you about my new guide dog getting fat due to not enough work, play,and too many treats. She had gained about 8 pounds. Our guide dog trainer said, “It has got to come off.” I immediately started asking around for advice as to the best way to get down the calories.I learned that Golden Retrievers have a tendency to gain weight very easily and mine at least is a quiet sneak. She was raiding the cat litter box regularly and also enjoying goose droppings when outside. I also discovered my older dog’s dish was always empty which was unusual. All of my dogs until now have been self feeders and they always kept their waistline without my interference.

Obviously, changes had to be made. I handled the calorie issue by cutting back her food and adding green beans. She likes the beans and it also solved the issues with her scent glands. We cut a cat door in the closet where the litter box is kept so only the cat could get through. Of course, we have to remember to keep that door closed.Now that the weather is better, we take longer and longer walks. Now I add beans and liver to my older dog’s food so she will eat all of it at once, so she doesn’t have a second meal. Unfortunately, I have not solved the goose issue but I am being more attentive to where her head is at all times.

Annabelle and I have been together for 6 months now and we are beginning to work well together. It takes about a year for a working team to really bond and to discover each other’s quirks. It is worth the effort to be creative and to be willing to modify your own behaviors.

I do have a confession though. When my trainer came back for a visit, I had all Annabelle’s hair shaved off which made her look very shapely. He was pleased to see her looking so good. She really did lose weight but probably not as much as it seemed. Mel Scott Founder and President
BlindAlive.com

 

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