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COPD and cardio - can they coexist?

dirtycar74
dirtycar74 Posts: 1 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I am 40 and have "mild to moderate" COPD. I want to slim down my waist, as the meds (and age) have changed my metabolism. For decades after high school I was steady at 125 lbs. After quitting smoking and getting diagnosed with COPD, I have ballooned to 170 in less than three years. I need help finding the right cardio exercises that won't exacerbate my breathing condition. Please, I need help. Thanks in advance.

Replies

  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    IMO you should be asking your doctor these questions. Good luck! :drinker:
  • FleaBailey
    FleaBailey Posts: 18 Member
    Yes, you should ask your doctor, but I bet s/he will tell you that the right cardio will help your condition, not hurt it.

    In the space of 18 months I went from Stage 3 COPD to Stage 2/borderline Stage 1, all while working out. I started with recumbent cycling and treadmill walking, and under a trainer's supervision worked up to (yesterday) 90 minutes on the elliptical and (today) 60 minutes of weight-training and 30 minutes on the elliptical. I took the money I used to spend on cigarettes and hired the trainer and paid the gym fee--best investment ever. You just need to be determined, slow, and steady. My goal now is to get off the inhaler entirely--may not happen, but that's what I'm working for, and I honestly think I may get there.
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    dirtycar74 wrote: »
    I am 40 and have "mild to moderate" COPD. I want to slim down my waist, as the meds (and age) have changed my metabolism. For decades after high school I was steady at 125 lbs. After quitting smoking and getting diagnosed with COPD, I have ballooned to 170 in less than three years. I need help finding the right cardio exercises that won't exacerbate my breathing condition. Please, I need help. Thanks in advance.

    Quitting smoking was definitely the right first step. Losing weight is a great second one, and you can do that without exercise, through calorie deficit (bear with me). While you are doing that, ask your doctor (pulmonologist, I assume you have one, if you have COPD, hopefully) if there is a pulmonary rehab program in your area. These programs usually have teaching lessons in exercises for patients with COPD that won't exacerbate breathing problems, as well as breathing exercises, and dietary plans with foods that specifically can improve COPD.
    Losing weight will help immensely, as being overweight is breathing-restrictive, which is not helping your breathing-obstructive condition.
    I'm hoping you take my advice - I'm not blindly giving you some hokum here - I was a Respiratory Therapist for 9 years.
  • vadimknobel
    vadimknobel Posts: 165 Member
    agree with flea
This discussion has been closed.

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