How long to wait between cardio?

jennifries227

Hello, everyone! I'm fairly new here, but certainly not new to the whole trying to lose weight thing. This time around I'm trying to be much smarter about it and actually exercise instead of just eating less.

I've been doing pretty good, 30 minutes of cardio (specifically Leslie Sansone's Walk At Home workouts) every day, but I'd really like to do more. BUT, I have asthma, and it's causing problems.

Yesterday I attempted to do an hour-long 4 mile workout and it really made my asthma flare up. I was able to keep up with everything despite my coughing, but my asthma stayed flared up the rest of the day and it was NOT fun stuff.

I was wondering if doing two sessions of 30 minutes each twice a day would be OK, and if so, how long I should wait between the sessions? Can I wait just a few hours, or should I do one session when I wake up, and wait until evening to do the other?

I am going to the doctor on Thursday to make sure I'm not accidentally killing myself or anything, but I figure someone here will have some experience and can give me some advice before then.

BrianSharpe

The frequency and duration of workouts is really just a function of how energetic you feel (keep in mind what you find challenging now will feel a lot easier a few months from now and, as your fitness improves, you will feel more energetic)

The limiting factor, though, is your asthma..........I'd have the conversation with your doctor before worrying about upping your workouts.

Kari121869

I do Leslie Sansone as well - and I also have asthma. I realize that the 'time of the year' affects my breathing more than others... but yes, exercise did 'flare' it up when I first started as well.
I started at the 3 mile (approx. 45 min) videos every 2nd day - then worked up to 5 x a week... then I substituted the 4 or 5 mile videos on days I had more time/energy (weekends)... I found that although I was 'winded' by the time I was done - I was also 'good to go' by the time the cool down was finished.
If you're still having issues for the rest of the day I would ask your dr about a steroid pump to take (mine has an orange canister) perhaps before you start working out... it may help you while your body is getting use to working out and healthier.

Just an idea.. hope all goes well.

jangier

I think it is totally fine to do 2 sessions of cardio. I am on a new plan, where I do a high intensity cardio in the morning (which causes an after burn effect where you will burn additional calories after done with cardio) and then at night after I put my kids to bed I am doing 30 minutes of aerobic cardio. This is actually more effective than 1 long hour of cardio from what I am told by my trainer and nutritionist. It all counts, so just do what you can, and build up from there. I also agree with post above to discuss the asmatha with your doctor Best of luck to you!

LKArgh

Call your dr about your asthma and not exercise until then. It has nothing to do with duration or frequency of cardio, you need to get this under control. If it is not under control in general, you need to change your medication probably. If you get exercise induced asthma, you need to discuss with your dr about using your inhaler before exercising.

jennifries227

Thank you, guys!
I have talked to my general practitioner and she said to do whatever I could. I'm using a steroid inhaler twice a day, and I have an albuterol inhaler as well. For the most part my asthma is under good control, but I got whooping cough a few months ago and I'm just getting back to normal after that ordeal.

I'm doing good with the 30 minute workouts, no coughing at all, and lots of energy the rest of the day, which is why I'm hoping to do two 30 minute workouts instead of one.

I guess for now I should stick to my 30 minutes once a day and wait and see what the pulmonologist says on Thursday.

aprilyankee

Definitely talk to your doc. If you are fine doing the 30 minutes a day without incident I would continue. There are varying levels of asthma. Some people are affected during exercise, some not. Some people are only affected during exercise. You may find that you also have a severe case of exercise asthma on top of your current asthma. It may need to be addressed with a different method/medication since it is different asthma. Or it could very well just be your body adjusting to the stress of a new activity.

Once your doctor clears you, I would increase your workouts incrementally. Add 5 minutes per session each session and slowly, gradually work up to 60 minutes (or longer) over a few weeks. Especially if you haven't been working out much prior, you can have issues with your joints, muscles and even bone stress fractures from pushing too hard too soon.

I don't think it would hurt to try the two 30 minute workouts, but I would space them out several hours apart. Maybe morning and evening?

alexis831

I do 3 cardio and 3 weighs a week but my sessions are only 30 min long at the max. I do the HIIT (high intensity interval training) or ladders so you don't have to workout as long.

jennifries227

This is the first time I've tried exercising since I was diagnosed with asthma last summer. I'm very inactive, so I suspect at least some of this is just because my lungs are freaking out at being used. When I first started my workouts I was doing 20 minutes, and coughing several times per workout (I have cough-variant asthma) but it wasn't acting up once I stopped exercising for the day. I was able to build up to 30 minutes when I stopped coughing as much with the 20.
I've been trying to go slow because I know my body is in sad shape, but I'm also impatient and want faster results.

Maybe I can just find a new set of airways that don't have issues. LOL

aprilyankee

I'm with you. I'm impatient. The more I do the sooner the results! But I usually end up with stress fractures and then can't do anything for months. So I'm going slow. As long as you're consistent, it's still good work. I've been working out 5-6 days a week for 3 months. I alternate duration and intensity. Yesterday was my 30 minute workout day. Today is my 60 minute workout day.

An hour is awesome but 30 minutes is half of awesome Or if you do 30 minutes twice spread out it's still an hour for the day.

HealthySideofLife

My fiance had this problem last year. He saw an allergist doctor and she gave him an inhaler that he could take about 30 minutes before he worked out at the gym or during tennis that was meant to help his breathing. It's supposed to open your lungs a lot or something like that (I don't have allergies or asthma and I don't remember all the details, so sorry if I sound naive lol). Maybe thats an option for you! It turned out that he didn't have asthma anymore, he was just out of shape haha. But before they both discovered that, this option was given to him.

As for your cardio, it seems like you got a lot of good advice on that already! But I'll jump on the bandwagon and say talk to your doc.

Good luck!