Anybody else unfit and asthmatic ?
amyjohnson7681
Posts: 9 Member
I struggle to do excercise because of my bad astma so because i cant do too much excersice i become unfit. Any tips or is anybody the same.
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Replies
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Asthma and exercised induced anxiety/panic attacks. You just start where you can and slowly build up. Exercise is great for asthma but when you're very unfit you have to make sure to warm up slowly and thoroughly.
You could start just with walking, even something like Leslie Sansone Walk at Home (Youtube).
I can run and do full intense hour long workouts with absolutely no issues for the most part now.1 -
Can you do light weights or body weight exercises that don't contain high levels of cardio (crunches, leg lifts, dumbbell exercises, etc.)?0
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I have been diagnosed with asthma but have never had an exercise induced attack (mainly food related), try walking, swimming, cycling etc. You should also be able to do body weight ex and weights.
But as always listen to your body when you need to.0 -
Well, what causes your asthma? For me it's allergies but I can get some when I get a cold...
First go see your doctor to make sure you have an appropriate treatment. Then take it slowly. I haven't had an attack in the 3.5 years I've been on MFP.0 -
Asthma can be managed. See your doctor. My asthma is exercised induced. It really gets worse during the colder months. As the poster above said, you need to identify what exacerbates your asthma. Once you figure that out with the help of your physician, you can better manage your asthma. Don't use it as a reason not to get fit. You can do it. Many of us do. You may need a daily controller. Build up your endurance slowly and always keep your rescue medicine as well. GOOD LUCK!
One more thing. You didn't mention weight loss in your post but if that's also a concern, remember that you don't need to exercise to lose weight - just a caloric deficit. You can still lose weight without getting 'fit'. This may not apply to you but just in case.3 -
I can totally relate. My asthma is induced from excercise, allergies, viruses, misaligned planets lol. Take it easy when doing cardio and remember that it's not the only to get fit. Do everything your doctor says; they've got plenty of experience.0
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Push through and learn to run.
Start with a trip to your doctor and discuss your treatment options. Make sure you tell her your goals and bring a log in with you of how often you get attacks and how often you use each current medication. If she tells you that you "can't" then find another doctor.
I've suffered from asthma since I was born, spent my first few years in and out of oxygen tents, was told I couldn't do everything from martial arts to scuba diving. It's all BS. At least it was for me.
Start slowly, and work up slowly, take your meds, identify your triggers and manage them, but if you're like me you'll find that you get fewer attacks and breathe better with regular cardio. It's also a hell of a lot more fun to be active.
ETA: I should add that when I started down my current path 7 years ago I was at least 250 and couldn't walk up a hill without breaking out the inhaler. 5 minutes on an elliptical was my limit. We all start somewhere.4 -
Exercise is literally the ONLY thing that I have found manages my asthma effectively. I had to start slow, walking, and built from there, a little longer each day and a little faster each day. I found it extremely important to also really listen to my body and learn when I was out of breath from being overweight and out of shape vs actually having an asthma attack.
You have to build your lung capacity and being active will do that, the more consistent you are the better. I went from using my rescue inhaler almost every time I exercised to not having to use it more than once or twice a YEAR. It took a lot of time but if you want it, you can do it (or at least really decrease your symptoms)1 -
I have RAD syndrome that affects my lungs. If you have access to a computer or tv with Internet try you tubing "Leslie sansone 2 mile" it's a 33 minute video I have found very good to get my heart rate up at home with not a lot of heavy breathing (increased lung problems) try it without weighs the first time and then maybe add in 1 pound weighs to increase it when you feel ready.0
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I have the same issue. I've found that cardio does help me manage my asthma. My advice is to find an activity that you like doing (I enjoy running and ice hockey) and slowly work up to whatever your goals are. Try setting smaller goals for yourself along the way to help yourself achieve larger goals. For example, if you're interested in running, try starting out by walking for a few minutes and running for 20-30 seconds. Over time, increase your running time/decrease your walking time when you build your stamina without putting too much pressure on your lungs. That's what helped me to be able to run 3+ miles consistently without feeling like I'm going to die every time I start. Don't forget to listen to what your body is telling you. Good luck!1
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I've had asthma since I was 2 and am classified as severe and chronic, 8 puffs of purple a day and usually 2 doses of steroids a year. Does it stop me exercising, not a chance.
Asthma is totally controllable and no doctor would ever say not to exercise, in fact they should encourage it so your lung capacity increases.
Theres plenty of professional athletes who have asthma.
Unfortunately it sounds like you've got in a viscous circle of not exercising and then it gets worse not better. Take a puff of salbutamol/ventolin and go for a walk, you'll do more than you think. Keep increasing the intensity and you'll be fine.
I often stop after five minutes for a puff and a drink and then go for hours after.1 -
Those is a great group. I have asthma and I can relate to all of you. Exercise has been my savings grace. Inhalers..steroids..another inhaler..yes same meds as I see in your posts. I found one facility that helped me... burn bootcamp. I know crazy! I started and could not breath..modified every exercise...build my lungs first..that was the trick. If anyone is in pinellas county message me...I am happy to help someone who has the same struggles!! Come with me..see and breathe the difference!!!0
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I've been a severe asthmatic since birth and was also recently diagnosed with the autoimmune disease sarcoidosis in the lungs. I don't let it stop me. I run 5 km every other day, I lift and do yoga. The weights and yoga taught me to control my breathing then I introduced cardio. I am monitored by the best respirologist in Canada who flies from Quebec to Calgary to see me and a few patients. Being active is so important.1
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ADD ME IF YOU WANT1
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I sent a invite!0
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I have asthma, age have since I was a kid. Because exercise often triggered the attacks, and I didn't know how to manage them, I avoided vigorous exercise for years. That was a mistake. Getting proper asthma control with my physician was crucial. I need my inhaler rarely now that I take a daily corticosteroid puff.
There are many studies that demonstrate exercise and weight management are important parts of managing asthma. Talk to your doctor about how you can manage your asthma better so you don't need to avoid exertion.
Also the above to start small is spot on.1 -
Ive had my asthma for about a year now. I used to do an intence workout class for an hour. I used to go running but i got very unwell. My atshma is exersice induced and cold weather. I can walk. I walk a lot but i hate having athma attacks so it puts me off doing excercise. I can bike ride and go swimming but i need my inhalors0
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Im on a high dosage of steriods in the morning. Ive also got a pump and mask to put on with the normal ventolin before i take the steroids. I am in fear of having an asthma attack but im gettkng there slowly. I used to be so active and its very fustrating and upsetting now that its been taken away0
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amyjohnson7681 wrote: »Im on a high dosage of steriods in the morning. Ive also got a pump and mask to put on with the normal ventolin before i take the steroids. I am in fear of having an asthma attack but im gettkng there slowly. I used to be so active and its very fustrating and upsetting now that its been taken away
Hopefully you'll get there. I had this with the panic attacks more than my asthma (which is well controlled and really mild in comparison to most others). But to begin with I couldn't do more than 30 seconds of cardio without my heart rate increasing so much I'd start to panic. And I'd walk it off and start again, and again, and again. You get the idea. It took time. Running is still often a problem for me and I have to workout at home.
Be patient with yourself, slow and steady. Just think where you might be able to be in a year. I certainly never thought I'd be as fit as I am now and heading aesthetically where I am when I started last April. As we so often say here, the time will pass anyway, may as well do a little something every day in the meantime and see where you end up.0 -
suebenefield wrote: »Hi Amy, I used to think there was nothing that could done to help with asthma. But what I found was, all allergies and asthma were was a weakened immune system. I now help people with weakened immune systems be able to have a strong immune system. Some have reduced or gone off of their medication. Let's talk!
asthma is a LUNG disease not a weakened immune system issue,a weakened immune system can cause issues in asthmatics, but its not caused from a weakened immune system. sometimes its hereditary other times its caused by the environment,etc.2 -
amyjohnson7681 wrote: »Ive had my asthma for about a year now. I used to do an intence workout class for an hour. I used to go running but i got very unwell. My atshma is exersice induced and cold weather. I can walk. I walk a lot but i hate having athma attacks so it puts me off doing excercise. I can bike ride and go swimming but i need my inhalors
ask your doctor if you can use your rescue inhaler before any exercise.that can help a lot when its exercise induced. They will let you know how often and when you can take them. also do you take nebulizer treatments? if so maybe you can take one before and after? talk to your dr I have had asthma since I was 3. Im on a preventative and I take albuterol for when I need it(rescue inhaler). I have improved my asthma in the last 4 years. yoga and mediation can help you learn how to breathe properly too and that can help with asthma as well.0 -
VintageFeline wrote: »Asthma and exercised induced anxiety/panic attacks. You just start where you can and slowly build up. Exercise is great for asthma but when you're very unfit you have to make sure to warm up slowly and thoroughly.
You could start just with walking, even something like Leslie Sansone Walk at Home (Youtube).
I can run and do full intense hour long workouts with absolutely no issues for the most part now.
I used to have exercise induced panic attacks...the doc put me on vitamin D and Magnesium and those are gone now!!0 -
Godsgirl42 wrote: »VintageFeline wrote: »Asthma and exercised induced anxiety/panic attacks. You just start where you can and slowly build up. Exercise is great for asthma but when you're very unfit you have to make sure to warm up slowly and thoroughly.
You could start just with walking, even something like Leslie Sansone Walk at Home (Youtube).
I can run and do full intense hour long workouts with absolutely no issues for the most part now.
I used to have exercise induced panic attacks...the doc put me on vitamin D and Magnesium and those are gone now!!
I take both. I have a bunch of mental health issues, the main one being bipolar II, ain't no vitamins fixing me sadly.1 -
CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »suebenefield wrote: »Hi Amy, I used to think there was nothing that could done to help with asthma. But what I found was, all allergies and asthma were was a weakened immune system. I now help people with weakened immune systems be able to have a strong immune system. Some have reduced or gone off of their medication. Let's talk!
asthma is a LUNG disease not a weakened immune system issue,a weakened immune system can cause issues in asthmatics, but its not caused from a weakened immune system. sometimes its hereditary other times its caused by the environment,etc.
Thankyou i agree with you. I found out most of my family had asthma. Asthma i find has weekened my immune system i am constantly getting ill and think a lot of other people do. Yes some people come off their meds because they no longer have asthma whereas some people have it for life0 -
My asthma is cold, exercise, and illness induced. I have had such bad attacks that I have almost died. For a long time I let my asthma prevent me from doing physical activity. I still have a lot of anxiety about having an attack, and still let it dictate my activities some. But it doesn't prevent me from doing things. Now I will exercise within a couple hours of taking my inhaler. I have run/walked 8-9 miles and go on bike rides.
Talk to your doctor about your medicine. Know your asthma triggers. Recognize any anxiety you may have about your asthma. And learn your true abilities/limits.0 -
amyjohnson7681 wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »suebenefield wrote: »Hi Amy, I used to think there was nothing that could done to help with asthma. But what I found was, all allergies and asthma were was a weakened immune system. I now help people with weakened immune systems be able to have a strong immune system. Some have reduced or gone off of their medication. Let's talk!
asthma is a LUNG disease not a weakened immune system issue,a weakened immune system can cause issues in asthmatics, but its not caused from a weakened immune system. sometimes its hereditary other times its caused by the environment,etc.
Thankyou i agree with you. I found out most of my family had asthma. Asthma i find has weekened my immune system i am constantly getting ill and think a lot of other people do. Yes some people come off their meds because they no longer have asthma whereas some people have it for life
actually you have asthma for life, but it can improve to where you dont need meds,but you can have an attack at anytime. hubby has asthma and hasnt needed meds in years and once in awhile he will have an attack out of nowhere. so he will have to take nebulizer treatments for a few days. its not reversible which sucks,you cant grow out of it either like the drs used to tell me. as for your immune system. exercise should improve it. I was always sick as a kid,but since I have been on meds the last 10-15 years I have not needed to go to the ER or anything. I have also not been sick in years either. when you workout you strengthen your lungs especially if you learn proper breathing techniques. I have been able to get off some meds in the last year or so. I used to be in the ER 7-8 times a day as a kid but back then in the late 70s early 80s they only gave adrenaline shots(epinephrine). just learn what your triggers are like rosefern said and if you have allergies try and keep them under control the best you can.1 -
I hear roaches cause asthma ???0
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Being overweight can exacerbate asthma.
Mine is cold induced, and made worse by anxiety or panic over not being able to breathe. I also was unfit cos I would avoid "out of breath" situations cos panic made it worse
Until finally I got a trainer, someone to stand by me and reassure me that it was normal to be breathing hard, wasn't a bad thing at all, that I was doing good. As I got fitter and lighter my asthma subsided, as did my anxiety. I haven't had an attack for almost 2 years now.
If your is exercise induced you need to ensure you have your relievers, have some support (if you can) and just get fitter and lighter. I'm not saying it will go like mine has, just it is not helped by being overweight1 -
My endurance is very low because of asthma too. In the past, I have improved my endurance by finding an exercise that doesn't feel like exercise, like biking to get soemewhere. I find that if I am not obsessing about hating the fact that I'm exercising, then I don't notice my breathing as much--and then I don't get scared/upset and end up just breathing better in the end. I guess what I mean is that it has worked for me to think about something other than the exercise and breathing so that I don't STOP.0
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