Asthma, Carbs, can't exercise?

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nitashagarcia
nitashagarcia Posts: 88
in Health and Weight Loss
Okay...so I was 196 in December. I was able to lose 33 lbs with little exercise since then, [I started MFP at 191 lbs].

I have had asthma since I was 7 years old. I'm 23 now and ever since I turned 21 it has become REALLY severe.

I was hospitalized April 2010. I went to the Walk-In September 2010. I was hospitalized February 2011. I went to the Walk-In April 2011 and it was 5 days after I took a 10 minute walk around my neighborhood. I went to the Walk-In May 23rd, had a small asthma attack May 24th and was admitted overnight. So as you can see, I have VERY severe asthma.

Now...I'm on Singulair, an Abuterol Inhaler, Nebulizer - regular Albuterol and Duoneb, Allegra, Symbicort...

My hospital papers now say:

General Instructions: Activity as tolerated - Allowed. Ambulation - Allowed. Contact with Others - Allowed. Housework - Allowed. Contact Sports - Not allowed. NonContact Sports - Not Allowed. Participate in Gym Class - Not Allowed. Strenuous Activity - Not Allowed. Stair Climbing - As tolerated.

Which means, I can't bust my a** exercising. I can do strength training first and then a cardio punching bag for 20 minutes tops. Everything else I try doing I feel like I'm going to collapsed from an asthma attack.

Then it says Diet Instructions: Need wt loss.
And Other Diet: Carbohydrate controlled.

When I was there in February I was 189. I'm now 163.

I've been trying to keep my carbs between 80-142.

I'm grateful for losing this much weight...but I still need more to lose.

They say my heart rate is a little high. And since my whole life I've only ever known carbs because of my family, they haven't changed their ways so my grandma helps me buy food for my diet so I can lose weight. Me and my mother also don't have a good relationship...

Now my question to everyone is...

What meals do you make that are low-carb or have no carbs? I don't want to be on a no-carb diet because I believe carbs are VERY important for energy. Even if I can't exercise. My asthma has taken a major toll of my life and I just want to lose the rest of the weight I need to lose, but I am wondering what meals to make for a carb controlled diet. For protein I like fish, ground beef, pork and chicken sometimes.

Whatever suggestions you give will be GREATLY appreciated. I've been very depressed recently because of my asthma.

THANK YOU SO MUCH! <3:)

Replies

  • makeachange22
    makeachange22 Posts: 151
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    want to know the truth for me and your still young as for me as well, i literally go to the gym once a week to bust my butt off . and the rest of the week i may or may not do my workout video twice if i no times at all. im eating healthy keeping under my calories, and still losing up to 2LBS a week, so all this hoo ha about excersising isnt everything like i mean its important but i dont excersise and i have lost 31lbs so far within 2 months . the healthy way also. mind you i'll do side leg lifts, and crunches hear and there and take the stairs when applicable . so excersising isnt everything girl good luck ! as for the low-carbs . cut down your bread intake have one cup of pasta instead of 3 , have a slice of bread instead of two .. its that simple :)
  • nitashagarcia
    nitashagarcia Posts: 88
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    Thank you! I was saying that to myself too, I haven't exercised much to lose the 33 lbs I have lost! It just sucks because when I do want to, I feel like dieing! lol

    And yes! I try to keep my carbs low, I have Dreamfields Pasta and I only have the recommended serving size which is 2oz and SOMETIMES I'll have 3oz. When I have a baked potato it is always a small, once in a while a medium.

    WHY DO CARBS HAVE TO BE PROCESSED INTO SUGAR?! LOL

    But thank you again! :)
  • gretchensnyders
    gretchensnyders Posts: 8
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    These are almost all of my meals.....FIsh or lean meat, steamed vegetables and a salad with lots of different veggies, just oil and vinegar on salad. Instead of bread/pasta carbs change to fruit carbs. I have asthma as well(all my life - spent a lot of time in the hospital when younger and on steroids) I am wondering how your asthma will do with carrying less weight! Good Luck - I honestly believe your asthma will get better as you lose more weight! Stick with it!
  • chefchazz
    chefchazz Posts: 427
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    wow! i thought i was reading about me for a second!! ive had severe asthma since age 3. in and out of hospitals as a child. every med you named, i have! even a nebulizer which i use before EVERY workout. i see a pulmonary specialist every 3mos. i do exercise for more than 20min it just depends on my peak flow that day. you know your body/lungs and what you can and cant handle. you also know the difference between "good" short of breath and "bad" short of breath. i would suggest finding a cardio workout thats not too intense. i do turbo jams whick i can handle. i also use the elliptical and treadmills at my gym. ive always heard that swimming the best workout for an asthmatic.

    as far a low carb, i usually choose one a day(rice or potato) i will eat wheat or protein bread but when i do its my starch for the day. i can give you a ton of ideas but i would be typing ALL DAY! LOL! email something specific that youre interested in eating and ill see if i can help.:smile:
  • nitashagarcia
    nitashagarcia Posts: 88
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    THANK YOU!!! I'm sorry to hear you have asthma also! I do believe when I lose more weight it will be better! I keep saying this! I just need to get there lol. I'm on prednisone right now for my asthma [they always prescribe me it after I go to the hospital/walk-in]

    Those meals sound yummy, I love my veggies but I try not to have corn too much because it can be the worse for you!

    THANK YOU AGAIN! <3
  • smoder1
    smoder1 Posts: 10
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    You can still do exercise in small increments. I have what I call exercise induced asthma. They have another name for it, but I can't remember it. I cannot run. If I do I go into an asthma attack. I cannot do fast walks either. I do small things through the day. I do walk and stairs and strength training exercises, but I do little at a time. If I feel the tightness at all I stop. I started out at 248 and I am currently to 205. I have just recently started MFP because of a friend and a way to log and see what I am doing. Just do what you can multiple times a day. Any activity burns calories, some burn more than others. Hope this helps!
  • smoder1
    smoder1 Posts: 10
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    You can still do exercise in small increments. I have what I call exercise induced asthma. They have another name for it, but I can't remember it. I cannot run. If I do I go into an asthma attack. I cannot do fast walks either. I do small things through the day. I do walk and stairs and strength training exercises, but I do little at a time. If I feel the tightness at all I stop. I started out at 248 and I am currently to 205. I have just recently started MFP because of a friend and a way to log and see what I am doing. Just do what you can multiple times a day. Any activity burns calories, some burn more than others. Hope this helps!
  • nitashagarcia
    nitashagarcia Posts: 88
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    Chefchazz - Thank you! Do you want to give me your email? I can add you as a friend on here! I really would love to know everything you do in detail, because I now see you have severe asthma too!

    I wish I had a pool! LOL my best friend does so I could go to her house to swim!

    Thank you so much! :)<3
  • nitashagarcia
    nitashagarcia Posts: 88
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    smoder1 - YES! Thank you! That does help! I've been doing small increments, just never fully thought to count it!

    I always stop when I feel tightness! It's a HORRIBLE feeling! :(

    Good luck with the rest of your weight loss! :) and thank you again! <3
  • TourThePast
    TourThePast Posts: 1,753 Member
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    Were you specifically warned against strength training? Because that is a great help to weight loss and sounds far less likely to trigger an asthma attack.
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
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    There are things that can be done about asthma. Even severe asthma, with learning how to breathe. You need to find yourself a breathing coach. One who really knows what they are talking about. I had an amazing singing teacher who taught me how to breathe. He had very severe asthma himself, but had it almost completely under control by the time I met him. He was an exceptional opera singer, went on mountain biking holidays, hiked all over the UK. He made such a difference to my breathing. Sadly he died earlier this year, I am hoping I can remember all he taught me.

    It could make a huge difference for you.


    Good Luck!
  • nitashagarcia
    nitashagarcia Posts: 88
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    TourThePast - YES! I can do strength training! I have a total gym that I want to start doing...my problem is it is located downstairs and when we had the flood here in RI a lot of mold and stuff is still down there! So I have to be VERY careful! :) Thank you! <3

    fteale - WOW. That was so touching. I never thought it was possible...I want a breathing coach/singing coach now. Thank you for the advice!!! :D I'm sorry about his passing though :(<3

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