Getting started exercising with Asthma?

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.

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.

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

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!!

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

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!

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....

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!

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.