Is It Possible to Lose Weight Using Crutches?

After reading that New Orleans Saints' coach, Sean Payton said he lost 15-pounds since using crutches, we got to thinking...Is it possible that being on crutches, and, essentially less mobile than usual, could contribute to weight loss?

Well, the Livestrong website says that a person weighing 155 pounds burns 352 calories per hour walking with crutches, according to NutriStrategy calculations.  That's more than 90% MORE calories burned than walking without crutches!*

We've certainly seen Coach Payton doing a lot of walking up and down the sidelines with his Mobilegs crutches, but, at 352 calories per hour, how much walking would one need to do?

At 3,500 calories per pound, a 155-pound person would need to do nearly 10 hours of walking on crutches to lose one pound (150 hours to lose 15 pounds).

Certainly, post surgical patients on crutches have other factors going for them as well that could possibly contribute to weight loss, such as changes in diet due to surgery, loss of appetite due to pain medications, or, simply being driven by a motivation to get moving and stay healthy.

And, if you've been watching the Saints and Payton lately, it's fair to say he's doing a bit more than a leisurely walk up and down those sidelines.


*Based on this calculation from the Mayo Clinic that a 160-pound person burns 183 calories per hour while walking. 


DISCLAIMER: Mobilegs provided a pair of Mobilegs Ultra crutches to Sean Payton as a gift. Payton is under no contractual obligation to use the product or to provide endorsement. 

Veterans Day: Some Facts You Might Not Know

In honor of this important day, we share the following facts on what this day is and what means to our country and the men and women who have served in our military.

Veterans Day is a national holiday dedicated to thanking all men and women who have served honorably in the military during times of war and peace.

United States Department of Veterans Affairs
2011 Veterans Day Poster

Veterans Day originated as "Armistice Day" on November 11, 1919 - the one-year anniversary of the end of World War I. It became a national holiday in 1938 and was renamed to Veterans Day in 1954.
Source: History.com, Veterans Day Facts 


400,000 of the United States Armed Forces died during World War II.
Source: Associated Content, Interesting Veterans Day Facts


There were 21.9 million military Veterans in the United States as of the 2009 U.S. Census. Of those, 1.5 million were female.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. 


A national Veterans Day Ceremony is held each year at Arlington National Cemetery, which begins with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Similar ceremonies take place at VA National Cemeteries throughout the country. 
Source: United States Department of Veterans Affairs 


Red Poppies are the official flower of Veterans Day in reference to the poem, "In Flanders Fields." In 1918, Moina Belle Michael pledged to always wear a red poppy as a sign of remembrance, an idea that spread and was later supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars with their "Buddy Poppy" program.
Source: AARP.org Veterans Day Quiz

Although he was born before Veterans Day was established, famous World War II American military officer, George Patton, shares his birthday with this holiday.
Source: American History Fun Facts About Veterans Day

Veterans Day is spelled without an apostrophe "s" because it is not a day that belongs to veterans, but a day for honoring all veterans.
Source: United States Departement of Veterans Affairs

There are many ways that you can show your support. Consider purchasing a pair of Mobilegs for a wounded Veteran or any of the ideas listed in this post, "11 Ways to Help Veterans On 11-11-11."

9 Online Resources and Mobile Apps for Medical Information

When you need some basic medical advice, chances are you want it fast, and you're maybe even feeling a little anxious - not exactly the time to be wading through pages for search results.

With that in mind, we combed the web to find some reliable, user-friendly online sources and mobile applications for finding medical information, or to research specialists. (You might not need this today, but it's worth bookmarking for when you do.)

Here's our list...what would you add? Please share in the comments.


Online Resources

Mayo Clinic's online health information portal offers information on tests and procedures, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as tools for healthy living.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Information site offers an A-Z listing of health topics as well as health and wellness resources and information on clinical trials being conducted in the United States and around the world.

WebMD offers a Medical Dictionary that defines and explains terms as well as an A-Z guide for common health concerns. And, their Physician Directory includes a searchable database of doctors by location, name and/or specialty.

HealthGrades features a searchable database of doctors and hospitals by location, name or specialty. Information includes quality ratings, patient surveys, and cost information.

If you're looking for specific information on an Orthopaedic Surgeon, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has a searchable database by doctor's name and location.

Mobile Apps

The WebMD app for iPhone, iPad and Android includes a symptom checker, drugs and treatments, first aid, and information and local health listings.

Ask a Doctor app for Android allows users to ask health questions to a team of doctors, free of charge. Similar to the "My Doctor" app for iPhone and iPad (cost is 99 cents, but once downloaded, questions are free).

My Medical for iPhone and iPad and My Medical Info for Android make it possible to store personal medical information on a mobile device.


Disclaimer: Each of these links are to serve only as suggestions and resources presented here are intended for information but should not replace professional medical advice or treatment. This list is not an endorsement by Mobi nor is Mobi being compensated in any way for publishing these links.