exercise with oxygen?

Can you get a smaller portable tank that you wear on your back and walk? According to my PT (physical therapist, not personal trainer) walking is the best overall exercise for people who aren't physically fit or have impediments like oxygen tanks or injury.

Then walk the 6 minutes or work out the 15 and then stop! Anything you can do will be better than nothing! I agree that figuring out how to work out with your oxygen must be a challenge and I applaud you for putting in the effort to figure it out!

Would an exercise bike not work, or do you need something that can be done without equipment?

yhwhsesther wrote: »

My goal is to burn 17500 calories a week and loose 75 lbs...want to strengthen muscles and srengthen lungs to slow down copd...its hard to burn that many while sitting and walking only 6 minutes at a time..maybe just my thinking...or too big a goal right now...

Walk for 5 minutes, rest for 5 minutes, repeat. Or whatever balance works for you. After that starts to become easier, you can increase the walking time and decrease the resting time in small increments. Honestly, I know it doesn't sound like much, but runners often start with 30 seconds of running at a time. You build up endurance over time.

Talk with your doctor about being referred to Pulmonary Rehab. That should not be an issue for your insurance.

PR will teach you how to exercise while using oxygen, how to handle your dyspnea, and even provide good information on your meds.

If you are a transplant candidate, losing weight and improving, or at least maintaining, your core strength is vital.

yhwhsesther wrote: »

Im on state insurance so no pukmonary rehab ...i will continue the chair exercises and yoga...trying to add other exercise as well...

Not sure where you're located but our Medicare/ Medicaid patients frequently get physician referrals to cardiac or pulmonary rehab. It's widely accepted treatment that would be worth asking for.
To my knowledge, it is usually approved for several sessions.

We also use the 6 minute walk test for our HF patients- each day they walk as far as they can in 6 minutes and we keep track of how far they get. Our goal, obviously, is for them to be able to walk further each time. It's very motivating to be able to see measurable improvement each day. I'd recommend it. Set and achieve small goals, they definitely add up over time.
You could look into getting the walker that has a hanger for your O2 tank and a built in seat in case you get really worn out. Kill two birds with one stone and you may be able to make it quite far with the extra security and help with the oxygen tank.
You could also try the Sit and Be Fit videos. A lot of people really enjoy them.