Exercise induced Asthma help

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mefabgirl
mefabgirl Posts: 7 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi

I started a diet 11 weeks ago and I have now lost 23lbs. I need to start exercising though to tone up, there is still more weight to lose.Trouble is I have exercise induced asthma (which has improved slightly with weight loss) and im on a daily steroid inhaler, I have flat feet which causes pain in my arches and tarsal tunnel. I also have weak muscles in my left knee and often get sciatic pain in my right leg. So with all these problems I don't know where I should start with exercise.
I can't afford the gym and I dont like the water. I power walk to work from the train which is about 10 mins each way, but im not sure what else I can do to increase weight loss and tone up.
Any help would be great.
Thanks

Replies

  • Marlitharn
    Marlitharn Posts: 36 Member
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    You might see if your doctor could refer you to a physical therapist who can work with you to find an effective exercise regime that may also alleviate your sciatica isues (worked for me a few years back). Yoga and/or Pilates could be something to look into, too - low impact and all that jazz. Congrats on the weight loss and good luck!
  • citrusy
    citrusy Posts: 10 Member
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    I don't know where you live, but there are some dirt cheap gyms out there like Planet Fitness and Bally that have $10 a month memberships. Gyms don't always have to break the bank!
    Does your inhaler not help with your exercise induced asthma? I have the same thing and I'm just supposed to use my inhaler 15 minutes before heavy exercise and it helps a lot.
    Anyway, I'd highly recommend strength training of some sort. I would talk to a doctor or physical therapist about what kind of exercises are safe for you to do, but there are all kinds of body weight programs you can do at home to start. If you can invest in a home set of barbells so much the better!
    Good luck and congrats on your progress so far!
  • bravid98
    bravid98 Posts: 80 Member
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    Severe asthmatic here! I hope your asthma is not getting in the way of exercise for you. If it is, please consider seeing a specialist rather than just your PCP, you may need to adjust your medication blend to control your asthma better.

    When asthma is well controlled a rescue inhaler is just that, a last resort medicine to get you breathing again. Generally they shouldn't be needed more than once or twice per week IF your asthma is controlled correctly with maintenance medication.

    So assuming your asthma is well controlled, you said you wanted to tone up. Cardio is good for your overall health, but it doesn't do much to tone anything. For that you need strength training.

    Barbells and free weights can usually be found pretty cheap at yard sales this time of year, plenty of people who made resolutions to get fit who didn't even last 6 months! There are plenty of programs you can find online that you can do at home, just stick with it!
  • hoyalawya2003
    hoyalawya2003 Posts: 631 Member
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    I have exercise induced asthma, and was told (by a specialist dr, no less) that I would never be able to run. I just completed C25K and have started Bridge to 10K. I still find running outside more challenging (probably due in part to allergies), but I no longer have to use my inhaler for treadmill runs at all, which is huge. My doctor recommended that I use my rescue inhaler (albuterol) 15 to 20 minutes prior to running, which is what I did until my lungs had improved.

    If you don't want to/can't join a gym, there are lots of things you can do--increase your walking, body weight exercises (Body By You or Convict Conditioning), youtube exercise videos. I also have sciatica that flares up periodically, and I find that yoga is helpful. For your feet, you may want to go to Foot Solutions or the Walking Store or somewhere similar and get insoles for your shoes.

    Good luck, and don't let anyone tell you that you can't exercise--you can!
  • mefabgirl
    mefabgirl Posts: 7 Member
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    Thanks for all the tips guys

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