It can be very difficult for someone who is overweight, needs and wants to exercise but because of physical constraints, can't. About the only exercise my friend can take now is swimming. She can't raise her arms above her head because of spondylosis (sp) in her neck and spine so she has difficulty getting in and out of the swimming pool. She went to see an orthopaedic specialist on Monday and he thinks there may be something else wrong with her lower spine and has put her down for further tests. She so wants to be active because she has two young daughters, age 9 and 10 and wants to do things with them that at the moment she can't. She can walk 200 yards to my house but any further than that and she has to use a walking stick. It's so sad in someone so young

I sometimes feel guilty because I'm 10 years older and bouncing around like a demented frisbee, walking or cycling everywhere. I know if she could get on her bike, she would lose weight an awful lot quicker. It's a catch 22 situation.