For People with Health Issues (or anyone really)

brittanyabanks

I just want to know how people handle having health issue, especially respiratory ones?

I myself have asthma but I don't have an inhaler or anything (super-long story short, my mother had 2 sons 12 years before me and a disabled mother as well as being a single mom. She spent all her time and money on her boys who in the end didn't amount to much met, my father, had me left, mother died, got in debt and to this day is struggling so basic health needs are sometimes put on the back burner). I have tried losing weight before but my health problems get in the way. Now that I'm 100% dedicated I am trying but breathing is still hard for me. For example, yesterday and Saturday I did 2 hours in the gym each day, 1 hour of strength training the other with cardio. Last night when I laid down for bed my sides/ribs were sore and so was my shoulders blades. Today when I woke up I still had the same problem. I carry around a messenger bag as a bookbag which is on average about 10-15 pounds a day with things in it (books, laptop [17.3 in], laptop/phone cords, notebooks). When I went to put it on a pain went through my body as I lifted it up and for about 5 minutes it was hard for me to breath.

Is stuff like this normal?

Athijade

I hate to say it this way, but you do what you can do. However, whatever you do, do NOT do more then is safe. I say this from experience as I had asthma as a child (still technically do, but it has not been as bad most of my adult life). My was due to environmental allergies and then I played a lot of outdoor sports. Bad combination. There were days I simply could not play without putting myself at risk for an attack.

Listen to your body. Honestly, I think you may have overdone it on yourself or have given yourself a pulled muscle. It is worrying that it is impacting your breathing. How long have you been working out?

Mini_horse_lover

Maybe just focus on your diet for now, and go for small walks when ever possible.
Weight will still come off - 95% of weight loss is based on what and how much you eat.

I too have Asthma so know what you're going through. Don't push yourself too hard.

CTcutie

I am very concerned for you... I don't want to worry you, but if you DO have asthma, you can die from it. I know not everyone has adequate medical care, but there is help if you look for it. A normal asthma inhaler is not too expensive, but you do need to see a clinic/urgent care/doctor if you are wheezing, coughing and having difficulty breathing. It could be something else, or maybe nothing too serious. Maybe you are trying to do too much too soon- 2 hrs is a lot of gym time!! (I have asthma but I started slow and the symptoms did improve as I built my endurance/did cardio regularly. Now I only need the inhaler for cold weather.)

Mistizoom

No, it is not normal. Please see a doctor. Asthma and/or shortness of breath can be life threatening.

Mokey41

Being sore after going to the gym is very normal and it sounds like you probably over did it. 90% of your weight loss will come from your diet. Concentrate on getting your eating where it needs to be and exercise for fitness. You'll never out exercise a bad diet and doing 2 or 3 hours in they gym a day isn't necessary.

silken555

Chronic health conditions do suck when it comes to fitness. I have FMS and I've been unable to so much as clean my house without causing flare-ups. My poor house has tumble weeds of kitty fur from 5 weeks of neglect...:( The temperature yo-yoing and an improperly insulated work place (it's FREEZING) is what's causing the issue and it often feels like there's no end in sight. That isn't exactly helping my mental state either and I've been almost gleefully sabatoging myself in frustration.

I'm lucky I have such supportive people in my life because if someone would tell me to get over it or that it's in my head, I might just lose it...:(

I do what I can when I can and I'm still proud of what I've done. I have a small glimmer of hope to build on that I'll get back to where I was.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

I had lupus (I'm in remission now) and I still have chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic migraine.

The best thing for me as far as weight loss has just been accurate logging and hitting my calorie goal. I couldn't do much exercise at first. I still can't burn a ton of calories because if I do the kind of exercise you need to do to get big calorie burns I can't get out of bed for several days. So focus on the food first.

Then just do what you can do for exercise. You want to push yourself but you have to be aware of how much is too much so you don't end up taking one step forward, two steps back. Ask your doctor what types of exercise they recommend. My medical conditions are very different from yours but I was approved for walking and swimming at first. Then I got to add pilates. Once I had lost most of my weight and my condition improved I was okayed for lifting. And I just started running so I'm really excited about that. It may be different for you so definitely ask.

Just be patient with yourself and take breaks if you need to do so.

FrancesGallagher

Mokey, I love your comment that exercise will never outdo a poor diet (may not be your exact words but close). Paying attention to food and the value of it to your health is the way to go. Everyone needs exercise too but for the people with physical limitations, they can be successful with a weight loss program and moderate exercise.

brittanyabanks

Thank you everyone for your comments and concerns. I have a much better diet now then I have had in the past few years. For some reason I only really watch what I eat when I'm doing something that Is "healthy" (exercising, on a sports team, during marching band). When I'm not my intake calories sky rocket. When I did track (well technically field) and played soccer I did strength training for an hour 4 days a week and 2 days of cardio. I guess I'm kind of mixing them now.

@ILiftHeavy my mother has lupus so I know how difficult that can be to live with.

@Silken I've had someone (assistant band director) tell me that my reason for being out of breath was just me being "fat and lazy" and if it was serious I would have an inhaler after trying to run 3 miles in 90 degree weather.

brittanyabanks

*Bump*

Francl27

The soreness is probably due to the strength training... it really hurts when you haven't done it for a while. It should get better though.

For the asthma, well, let's say I had to spend 5 days at the hospital because of it two years ago, so I take it very seriously, and I would never put that on the back burner, especially with kids who depend on you.