He tried to lift his arms, but they would not move.
She lifted her arms to him and they left the rest behind.
He tried to put one on/ but couldn't lift his arms.
He tried to sit up, but couldn't lift his arms to support himself.
He tried to lift his arms, but they wouldn't come up.
He lifted his arm and did as she had told him.
With an effort, he lifted his arm and read the time.
Quickly, he lifted his right arm up and out in front of him.
Yet he could not bring himself to turn away or lift an arm to cover his eyes.
"At least until he got up this morning and couldn't lift his arms."