Can't exercise due to asthma attack. What do I do?

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susieqtx123
susieqtx123 Posts: 29 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi, I'm really doing well loosing weight (around 1-2lbs per wk)& I currently do about 4-5 days exercise a wk (Bikram yoga, & have a personal trainer). Unfortunately following a chest infection, I have had an asthma attack. I have been prescribed 5 days of steroids to control it , antibiotics & rest. I'm terrified that all the good work done thus far will be reversed. What can I do to keep the weight from piling on due to no exercise? My doctor has ensured that I won't gain weight because I'm on them for a short time. But I'm worried more about my 'forced' inertia will cause weight gain. Any ideas on how to keep on track without the fitness?

Replies

  • Veil5577
    Veil5577 Posts: 868 Member
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    Just keep eating at a deficit. Obey your doctor and rest and take your meds.. it's not for very long and it shouldn't undo all the work you've already done.
  • ravenmiss
    ravenmiss Posts: 384 Member
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    Exercise is for health.
    Calorie deficit is for weight loss.

    Keep within your calorie allowance and you will not gain weight.
  • oedipa_maas
    oedipa_maas Posts: 577 Member
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    Five days is a very short period of time. Don't worry, you can get right into the swing of things again, especially because you will feel SO much better. The most important thing is that the inflammation goes down in your lungs. I'm asthmatic and have been on steroids for a week too quite a number of times. It never held me back. If there is something else behind your worry that you will lose momentum after a few days off, that's one thing. But as far as your lungs are concerned, it's crucial to rest and you'll bounce back quickly.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,626 Member
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    That sucks. Obstacles - damn them!

    I don't think a handful of days spent resting will undo all the good work you've done. Even if you did gain a couple pounds, they'd come back off.

    Are you allowed to go for walks? Maybe try that?

    You'll get back on the horse. You'll get there. It's just a temporary suspension.

    :)
  • susieqtx123
    susieqtx123 Posts: 29 Member
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    Thanks everyone for all your advice. Does it mean that I eat less of my daily calories or stick to the same?
  • jdhcm2006
    jdhcm2006 Posts: 2,254 Member
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    Walk. Walking is one of the best exercises that exist.
  • EmmiDahling
    EmmiDahling Posts: 104 Member
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    1. Rest, get better, and follow your doctor's orders
    2. Consider eating at your sedintary TDEE (or slightly above) in nutrient rich, healthy foods to give your body the energy necessary to fight the infection - 5 days of rest won't make you gain all the weight back (unless you are eating a *lot*of junk)
    3. As someone else asthma, if you're not already seeing a specialist and taking preventative meds consider finding yourself a good asthma specialist so you can continue to exercise and not have asthma working against you
  • susieqtx123
    susieqtx123 Posts: 29 Member
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    Unfortunately a walk is even out of the question. I can't even get to the top of the stairs at home without wheezing & puffing : ) Really hate feeling so out of action.
  • Babygyrl_4
    Babygyrl_4 Posts: 7
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    Just because you have asthma does not mean that you can not exercise. What you should do is use your short acting beta2 agonist( rescue inhaler, ie Albuterol , Proventil or Xopenex ) before you exercise. These medications have a quick onset and last up to 4 hours. You don't have to run a marathon but simple exercise like walking or riding a stationary bike will be ok.
  • susieqtx123
    susieqtx123 Posts: 29 Member
    Options
    1. Rest, get better, and follow your doctor's orders
    2. Consider eating at your sedintary TDEE (or slightly above) in nutrient rich, healthy foods to give your body the energy necessary to fight the infection - 5 days of rest won't make you gain all the weight back (unless you are eating a *lot*of junk)
    3. As someone else asthma, if you're not already seeing a specialist and taking preventative meds consider finding yourself a good asthma specialist so you can continue to exercise and not have asthma working against you

    I have fortunately got a good doctor & am on my preventive inhalers etc. So I know he has my best interest when he says, no exercise until the antibiotics/steroids start working to reverse the lack of breath, wheezing & chest tightness. But as one that is naturally active, I can't stand being so sedentary!
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
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    Exercise is for health.
    Calorie deficit is for weight loss.

    Keep within your calorie allowance and you will not gain weight.

    This ^
  • patriciapowerswilliamson
    patriciapowerswilliamson Posts: 109
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    Sad, I have asthma and I run distance. My issue is that I love food. Anyhow, my doctor is treating me with medicine and I have a rescue inhaler. I refuse to stop exercising, it's the only thing that keeps me sane. Can you swim? Swimming is very good for the lungs and can help with managing asthma.
  • phyllisgehrke
    phyllisgehrke Posts: 238 Member
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    I have lost 61 pounds with minimal exercise.
    I always eat below my calorie goal
    I have arthritis in my back and hips so exercise is very minimal
    I have met my weight goal and I am now on maintenance
  • Fuzzipeg
    Fuzzipeg Posts: 2,298 Member
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    Best thing is, to do as you are told. It's frustrating but overall long term health is everything. Take care of yourself while you are young and you should not have too many problems when you are older. Just take care of yourself what is a week or two in a life time?
  • susieqtx123
    susieqtx123 Posts: 29 Member
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    Best thing is, to do as you are told. It's frustrating but overall long term health is everything. Take care of yourself while you are young and you should not have too many problems when you are older. Just take care of yourself what is a week or two in a life time?

    Thanks for that. As it is in the very early stages of the recovery. I had the attack yesterday, I had better go with the docs advice. Especially as he was going to admit me onto a ward because he was worried about the infection hitting my lungs, which is causing the severe breathing problems.

    I must admit I do feel really bad, so will take it easy, as the doc says : )
  • chriamaria
    chriamaria Posts: 76 Member
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    Stretching would be good during this time. You wouldn't be bringing your heart rate up much but your muscles would still be getting some flexibility. I have asthma, so I understand what you're going through. Been on prednisone and the like for bronichittis a few times. Never really gained much if anything during those 2 weeks that I was prescribed to take it. I even ate to comfort myself sometimes, but really it took so much energy to do anything it wasn't a problem.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
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    Good for you for planning on following your doc's advice!

    Yes, as long as you stay within the daily calorie goal set for you by MFP, you should still lose weight. Hopefully you're doc is right about the steroids not causing any weight gain but know that if they do, it's probably just water weight and nothing to freak out about.

    Hope you're better soon. Take care!
  • oedipa_maas
    oedipa_maas Posts: 577 Member
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    Just because you have asthma does not mean that you can not exercise. What you should do is use your short acting beta2 agonist( rescue inhaler, ie Albuterol , Proventil or Xopenex ) before you exercise. These medications have a quick onset and last up to 4 hours. You don't have to run a marathon but simple exercise like walking or riding a stationary bike will be ok.

    She's recovering from a serious attack. She can barely walk, she says. This is an entirely different scenario that every day asthma management. This is not the time for "do it anyway." She has to heal; asthma can kill people, better to be careful.
  • susieqtx123
    susieqtx123 Posts: 29 Member
    Options
    Just because you have asthma does not mean that you can not exercise. What you should do is use your short acting beta2 agonist( rescue inhaler, ie Albuterol , Proventil or Xopenex ) before you exercise. These medications have a quick onset and last up to 4 hours. You don't have to run a marathon but simple exercise like walking or riding a stationary bike will be ok.

    She's recovering from a serious attack. She can barely walk, she says. This is an entirely different scenario that every day asthma management. This is not the time for "do it anyway." She has to heal; asthma can kill people, better to be careful.
    Thanks for putting my point across. It was a very serious attack. An ambulance was called out & I was really worried. I don't think under the circumstances I should be doing hard core riding on a bike! I had 3 doses of a nebuliser and my sats were low & they wanted me to be in hospital for a few days to be sure the worst was gone. So I will take the advice of those that say rest & see what the end of the week brings. At the moment I've just crawled up the stairs to go to the toilet & I'm still wheezing 10minutes later : )

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