anyone else have copd and trouble exercising?

I don't have COPD, but I've had severe asthma since birth, bad enough that I seem to end up in the hospital at least once every cold/flu season. I can also sympathize with the prednisone treatment---hate the stuff.

I agree with the advice to start slowly and add more as you're able to do so. I started with some of the shorter, simpler Leslie Sansone videos and have been able to gradually progress to longer, more difficult ones. It's reallly hard to find the balance between pushing myself to progress and not pushing too hard and having a bad asthma attack. I pay close attention to my breathing and, if it becomes too labored, I just follow along as best I can without trying to keep up with the pace of the exercise video. It seems to be working so far. It's a little disappointing not to be able to progress faster, but I'm grateful that I can do any exercise at all.

Also, I always use my rescue inhaler before starting a workout.

2 lbs is a great loss! That's 1/2 lb a week. You are doing great, just keep at it!

My mom was diagnosed with COPD a few years ago. She has never smoked even one cigarette, but her father was a heavy smoker.

Sounds like you would be a great candidate for a pulmonary rehab program. Ask your PCP about it!

Sounds like you would be a great candidate for a pulmonary rehab program. Ask your PCP about it!

totally agree. You need to attend a pulmonary rehab programme which will teach you about pacing and breathing control and chest clearance techniques. They need to be run by physiotherapists/ physical therrapists rather than personal trainers as it needs someone to have the expertise and knowledge of chronic lung conditions.

lifestyle modifications such as smoking cessation and a good diet also help

I was diagnosed with a COPD about 16 years ago. I quit smoking 14 years ago. Today, I am exercising and changing how I eat.
I am 47 years old. I was diagnosed with Chronic Brochitis. The doctor told me that a COPD gradually worsens as we grow older.
However, a COPD is not a death sentence. I am a firm believer that we can change our own bodies. I believe that the key to success is diet and nutritiion. I personally have watched someone diagnosed when she was 78 years old with Emphasema and Lung Cancer stage 4. She is 82 years old today. No chemotherapy and no radiation. Her philosophy was to enjoy what she has left. And she is. So, what has she done you ask?
She is eathing much better, LOTS of greens. I have read many articles that say the foods we eat can heal what ever our problems may be. In fact Susan Summers wrote a book on it. She talks about what the doctors don't want us to know; that we don't need all these pills and medications or treatments. I think she is on to something. Face it, doctors make money from sick people.
The woman I am speaking about is my mother. Yes, she is having some problems now. But they gave her a death sentence almost 4 years ago. I thank God she is still here. And I think if it wasn't for the healthy eating, she wouldn't be.
So I am learning to eat better. It's a process, a slow one. But with my COPD, I am doing fine. I am running 3 1/2 miles. Longest distance was almost 5 miles and I did that in just about 1 hour. Not bad for someone with a COPD huh? Yes, I have good days and I have bad. Your body will talk to you and let you know. But seriously, healthy eating and exercise. A COPD does not have to hold you down.

I have Emphysema and Lupus. I have never taken any exercise in my life apart from when I did a couple of years at karate about 20 years ago. Therefore, it was a big shock to my lungs and joints when I bought an exercise bike a couple of months ago!! At first it was hell and I could hardly manage a couple of minutes before I was breathless and aching. Now I can, if I feel like it, do 30 minutes of vigorous cycling and burn up to 420 calories. I wanted to start 30 day shred to try and get rid of my saggy belly but after 10 minutes of day 1 I was completely beaten and my joints flared up causing me much pain. I'm going to see my GP at the end of the week and I will be asking his advice on exercise and whether he thinks I may be able to build up to do 30 ds. In the meantime I know I'm helping my lungs by exercising them so will continue with the cycling.

Hope this helps :flowerforyou:

Hi I too have COPD and asthma. I also suffered through 4 years of prednisone. I gained 100 lbs while on that nasty drug. Got cushings too. I have now been off of the prednisone for 4 years and still have quite a bit of weight (60lbs) to lose. Hats off to your for being on top of the issue with weight gain while taking prednisone. I do know and wish I had known when I was taking prednisone that high GI carbs are not good and not metabilized well while taking it. Eat fresh veggies and fruits for your carbs. Pulmonary rehab is a great idea! I went and learned a lot. I have just started Leslie Sansone videos. I can do it and only make it through 1 mile at this time but I just started this week so I have only completed the 1 mile 2 times so far. I have oxygen so that helps and I am hoping that if I continue to do it everyday I will progress. :happy:

OMG, cushings and prednisone are a bad combination. I live on those pills after having both adrenals out. They give me the cortisol I need.

Depending on your symptoms, it is sometimes necessary to exercise for shorter duration and increased frequency. That can mean twice a day, or it can mean breaking up a single exercise session into multiple, shorter intervals.

I think you may be underestimating what an accomplishment it is to even lose a couple of pounds. COPD has a number of effects that disrupt metabolism and can lead to muscle wasting. Changes and improvement are possible, but the pace of improvement is very slow compared to those w/out COPD.

But regular exercise training is a critical part of your lifestyle and every minute you can do is providing important benefits. The personal testimonies included in this thread should be encouraging--results may come slowly, but they will come.