COPD Calories

lornaheath
lornaheath Posts: 3
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi Support and the Gang,

I have Advanced Emphysema rather than COPD. Down to about 25% Lung Capacity.

To do a workout of about 30 mins per day. It is a very mild workout based on the exercised for Pulmonary Rehab.

As these exercises are sooo gentle and mild will I even be burning any calories??

I knew you'd say yes, but I don't feel like I do, although I am almost breathless for the whole session.

How do I add my exercise routine to my Daily Diary. I don't have a clue how to work out how many calories I'd burn.

Should I just put it down to a slow 30 min walk?

Thanks for helping.

Lorna
x x x

Replies

  • bridgelene
    bridgelene Posts: 358 Member
    If you're breathless for the entire session, I'd say you're challenging your body so I'd say yes.

    I'm not sure if your doctor told you (and if you already knew, my apologies for saying it again), but with COPD, just plain breathing requires more energy than a person who does not have COPD. Therefore just breathing, sitting in a chair you're probably burning more calories than you would be without it. So it's not surprising that you may be winded, and working harder burning more calories even with a "mild" workout. (even without COPD, it's all relative anyways ;)

    I remember learning about that in nursing school, but couldn't remember specifics, so I googled. Per the Cleveland Clinic's website "Breathing requires more energy for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The muscles used in breathing might require 10 times more calories than those of a person without COPD." (http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/2400/2411.asp)

    I'm not sure exactly how to log it, though......

    Sending well wishes to you!
  • dicoveringwhoIam
    dicoveringwhoIam Posts: 480 Member
    Dealing with COPD, you are already burning extra calories for all the effort it takes to breathe and just do normal activities of daily living. So yes you are burning calories. You shouldn't be working out until exhausted bc it also stresses out your heart as well as your lungs.
  • lornaheath
    lornaheath Posts: 3
    Woa!! Thanks for that info. That was something I really didn't know. Well it makes one proud to just be alive and breathing doesn't it? lol

    All the Googling I've done and Doctors I've seen relating to COPD all say "stay fit and exercise."

    I am trying. Just don't wanna become a Couch Potato and seize up totally.

    Fanx Guys.
  • sahmtojandk
    sahmtojandk Posts: 6
    I'm a Cystic Fibrosis patient, and I had a double lung transplant four years ago. From my experience with being unable to breathe and being down to 16% capacity by transplant, I think I burned more like 7,000 calories a day just trying to breathe and walk anywhere. Forget working out. I couldn't walk to the bathroom without stopping to catch my breath. The fact that you are working out is FABULOUS! Pulmo Rehab works you more than you might think. I went post-transplant, but there were a lot of people there trying to get healthier in order to get listed. The exercise will help you keep your lung capacity for as long as possible. Keep up the awesome work! :)
  • lornaheath
    lornaheath Posts: 3
    Thank you for your great reply sahmtojandk.

    I really admire you for going through the Double Transplant. I wanted to go that route, but was turned down because of Osteoporosis in my spine. Looks like I have to live like this forever now.

    I am like you, I can't even make it to the bathroom without having to stay in there for 5 mins before I can walk back. "It's a great life, if you don't weaken." (Bette Midler - Stella).
  • sahmtojandk
    sahmtojandk Posts: 6
    I totally understand about the bone loss. I have Osteopenia in my lower spine (at 38), and we are trying to stop the bone loss before it gets to Osteoporosis. Mine is from the enormous amounts of steroids I have taken over the years in order to be able to breathe, and now that I am on steroids for life, I have to really watch my calcium intake via food and supplements. I hope you really start to see results from your pulmo rehab soon! :)

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