Getting started exercising with Asthma?

dragonflym

Hi, I've been trying to lose weight for a while now, mostly by eating right, and increasing my activity (ie walking my dog more often). I've recently (a week ago) been diagnosed with Asthma and Allergies to just about everything (dust-mites, dogs, cats, trees, grass, etc.)

My dilemma is that I have been on a plateau for months, gain 1, lose 1 over and over. So I decided that I need to start an actual exercise routine to get the scale moving again. As soon as I made that decision, I bought some stuff to get started at home, even set up a spare room as a separate space to work out, and then, I get diagnosed with Asthma.

So, my question is, How do I get started exercising with Asthma, without causing my Asthma to get worse??? Any suggestions, this is all new to me...

litatura

I have asthma and have since I was a kid. You'll notice as you lose weight and do more cardio, your asthma will actually improve. Just make sure that you take your puffer before you do any exercise. Also, don't be scared to huff and puff when you exercise - this is normal!

FrustratedYoYoer

Hi, I've been trying to lose weight for a while now, mostly by eating right, and increasing my activity (ie walking my dog more often). I've recently (a week ago) been diagnosed with Asthma and Allergies to just about everything (dust-mites, dogs, cats, trees, grass, etc.)

My dilemma is that I have been on a plateau for months, gain 1, lose 1 over and over. So I decided that I need to start an actual exercise routine to get the scale moving again. As soon as I made that decision, I bought some stuff to get started at home, even set up a spare room as a separate space to work out, and then, I get diagnosed with Asthma.

So, my question is, How do I get started exercising with Asthma, without causing my Asthma to get worse??? Any suggestions, this is all new to me...

Hi,

I also have asthma and similar allergies so I know where you are coming from. Speak to your doctor about it just to make sure but I manage okay. I struggle sometimes with a bad chest but to be honest I think that was my own fault for not using my prescribed inhalers as and when I should have been. I'm not a fan of these things. However, once I realised the constant bad chests were down to the asthma and not a cold or infection I have made sure I take a preventor everyday and then the reliever as and when I need it. Since doing so my asthma has not bothered me half as much. I'm going to the asthma clinic in a few wks to make sure I'm taking the right dose so I suggest maybe you go and talk to your doctor as well about exercising and getting him to review your meds if you have them. I guess everyone has a different severity of asthma but I'm sure you will be able to workout with it.

TOMEKA18

YOU CAN DO IT...

TrailRunner61

Are you seeing an allergy Dr.? They will better control your asthma better than a GP. See one and keep your follow up appointments!

There are a few things I do to help avoid attacks. First of all.. meds. Use them! Ask your Dr. about zyrtec. It literally changed my quality of life. Second, I ALWAYS wash my face before I start walking, running or whatever. I think it helps get rid of allergens that I would otherwise end up inhaling.

Cold air bothers me so I try to avoid that and use my treadmill inside during winter. Spring is even worse and it's before the pollen shows up so I'm not really sure why.

I keep a rescue inhaler with me and use it now more than I ever thought I would. I've found that if I get tired super fast while walking, running, I'll use the inhaler, then notice that my airway opens up and was actually impaired. Eventually you learn to recognize the different 'sensations'. I hadn't been using my inhaler because I thought that I only had the 'wheezy' kind of asthma.

If you stay under a Dr.'s care and take your meds, keep your inhaler nearby, you should be fine! Good luck.

jr1985

I don't have asthma... but I would suggest working out at a lower intensity for longer... sure it might take you 2 hrs to burn the calories that you would like to burn in an hr... but you are still burning them... and after your body is used to you pushing it more you should probably be able to gradually increase the intensity.

no1belongs

asthma is rough but you have to get your lungs used to a harder workout but like someone else said dont be afraid of panting and as long as you are using your inhaler you should be fine if you seem to find an issue like asthma attack then talk to your doctor about things to prevent that from happening. ^_^ good luck

vim_n_vigor

I would keep up what you are doing now until your doctors find treatment that controls your asthma and clears up your allergies. When you can breathe properly and well, it will be safer to start a more rigorous workout routine. You will probably need to work up slowly to let your lungs get stronger as you add more to your routine.

MorganLeighRN

Keep doing what you are doing and make sure you are using an inhaler. The more cardio you do the stronger your lungs will become. Keep your inhaler with you all the time. It is scary having an asthma attack. If the inhaler doesn't work, you may need to go on a steroid. There are lots of things that you can do for asthma. I was diagnosed last February and I ran a half marathon in August. Keep it up!!

celestinha

I have asthma as well, though mine is kind of mild. I just use my maintenance inhaler every day which has helped a lot, and if I'm going to be doing cardio I use my albuterol inhaler to open up the airways so I'm not huffing and puffing as much. It's harder for us asthmatics to do cardio, but it's not impossible Just make sure to start out GRADUALLY, don't do too much at once and give yourself an asthma attack while you work out. Also, keep the rescue inhaler with you just in case you need it since sometimes asthma attacks are triggered by working out. Good luck! feel free to add me if you'd like

FITnFIRM4LIFE

Hi, Check out this article:-)Take care!
http://www.acefitness.org/acefit/fitness-fact-article/21/exercise-and-asthma/

dym123

I have asthma and have since I was a kid. You'll notice as you lose weight and do more cardio, your asthma will actually improve. Just make sure that you take your puffer before you do any exercise. Also, don't be scared to huff and puff when you exercise - this is normal!

I have to agree with this, since I've been working out regularly I have not had any symptoms. I was diagnosed with exercise induced asthma about 20 years ago, I also have allergies (btw I'm allergic to dogs, I have 2). I realized this recently when I got a new foster dog, usually my symptoms get worse for about a week or so when a new dog comes into the house, but when I got my last one in November, I didn't have any problems. Haven't had to use my inhaler in months.

junip1977

You will be fine and like someone else mentioned, the cardio will evenetually help improve the function of your lungs and help the asthma. I too have asthma and exercise induced asthma. Mine makes my heart rate go really high so when I do cardio I get a little freaked out, but usually if I use my rescue inhaler about 30 minutes before I am ok. It takes time, but you will see results and feel better too!

cubbies77

I take a couple of puffs several minutes before I start working out. This helps my lungs open.

As I work out, I make sure to breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth. If I start to feel my chest getting tight, I slow down until my breathing is even again.

Now that I've been exercising for a few months, I very rarely have to use my inhaler during a workout. I hardly need it afterward either, unless I've been exercising like crazy.

3foldchord

I have mild asthma, a heart co diction, and a few other things. I almost never do cardio-it's just more than my body can handle. I am eating better (not just less, but better choices) and doing 'body weight" exercises.
I am dropping the weight, and getting more 'fit', which leads me to feeling better and adding a little more cardio, which strengthens my lungs and heart....

Leslietheriot

I have asthma and have since I was a kid. You'll notice as you lose weight and do more cardio, your asthma will actually improve. Just make sure that you take your puffer before you do any exercise. Also, don't be scared to huff and puff when you exercise - this is normal!

Me too...and I will second this

devilwhiterose

Weight lifting doesn't bother my asthma at all. As far as cardio, I avoid the stairmaster at all costs...3 minutes and I'm gasping for air. Start small. 5 minutes on the elliptical for a week, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, so on and so forth. You'll gradually build up.

Biking doesn't bother my asthma either, there's no bouncing and that's what usually triggers mine.

30 Day Shred has helped me out in regards to asthma. The first few days I was dieing and gasping for air. After that, it kept getting easier and easier and now I can do the modified levels with no inhaler. Just be patient and don't push yourself!

iplayoutside19

I have asthma and have since I was a kid. You'll notice as you lose weight and do more cardio, your asthma will actually improve. Just make sure that you take your puffer before you do any exercise. Also, don't be scared to huff and puff when you exercise - this is normal!

This^. Your lungs are like any other muscle in the body. The stronger they are the more they will be able to cope with the asthama.
Just keep your inhaler close, start slow and increase instensity gradually. If you run outside use a bacalava to cover your nose and mouth. I use one on anything below 20*. You just have to feel your way out and see what works for you.

DO NOT use asthama as an excuse to not do anything. I was told I couldn't do stuff when I was a kid. Then I pretty much told my parents I was playing sports in HS. Low and behold, my asthama got better, and that it's not as much as a barrier to anything as people make it out to be.

MaraDiaz

I have the same thing. There are times I simply can't work out. Summer is the worst. If you have good AC, blast it. I mean freeze yourself. It helps.

Some days even during the cold weather (which sadly is only for a few months here) I can't work out. Check the air quality in your area regularly. When you see it go yellow you will probably notice fatigue and other issues. Sometimes for me it doesn't even have to be yellow, just inching up there.

Do what you can, if you can't work out sometimes focus hard on diet, which you can always control.

Oh, and I take Sudafed now after finding out allergy and asthma medicine, if taken long enough, can make you lose your hair! I didn't realize that until I started thinning along my part. I'm still furious about it. The box should come with a huge red warning sticker, but most people never need that stuff long enough to notice. Sudafed has just pseudoephedrine in it, and that has never caused hair loss for me. Just a permanent runny nose, but oh well.

That said, it's not good for me and I know it. I'll move out of this area when I can, that is really the only solution for me since I'm very sick most of the year.

Oh, and in Winter, keeping the heat off as much as I can stand to helps as well. Might be the mold dying in the cold.

dragonflym

Thank you for all of your responses.

To answer some questions, yes, I am seeing an Allergy/Asthma specialist. I'm currently on Symbicort for "control" and Ventolin for "rescue", I just came off a week of daily Prednisone and Ventolin 6 times per day . I have air purifiers around my house, and now have the dust-mite covers for my pillows and my mattress, so hopefully this will help. My doctor actually said to not take any allergy meds if I can help it for the next 3 weeks until my next appointment with him. I guess he wants to see how bad the asthma vs allergies is.

Seems I need to talk more with my doctor about my weight loss goals and start out slow to see how it goes.