asthma and exercise

[ash6]

So I need to loose some weight as im currently about 3/4 stone overweight and I started smoking again 4 months ago for the first time in 9 years. Im trying to stop smoking as from today though. But over the last few months ive noticed ive got a cough that keeps bringing up mucus. With anxiety aswell I find myself always thinking about my breathing and my throat is pretty sore. Whats the best types of exercises to help my cardio with the asthma? If anyone has a plan that they followed that would be awesome. I had a spiro test few weeks ago and it wasn't to bad at all the nurse said no signs of COPD and the asthma wasn't in the bad group.

Also does having a cough and sore throat effect breathing? I have some sinus rinse as my nose is often blocked and I don't really ever breath through my nose only my mouth.

Any help and advice will be great

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

The best cardio exercise is whatever you enjoy! I find I hate running/cycling/gym work and can’t self motivate however a group activity/training with friends makes me go religiously. I’m doing dance which also puts the pressure in as if I don’t go I feel like I’m letting the team down, but it’s also something I really enjoy. Find something you enjoy, any exercise is better than none and most will help cardiovascularly in one way or another.

If you find your constantly bringing up mucus but don’t have an over cold etc it’s worth I forming your AN as it can be a signed that your asthma is not completely controlled (asthmatic bronchitis). Mouth breathing can cause issues so it’s worth telling your GP about the sinus issues, maybe a antihistamine with help (depending on what’s causing the blocked nose). Or maybe you have reflux (silent reflux if no symptoms) or PND...

I hope that helps

Good luck with the stopping smoking.

[SandraT26]

I have asthma too and a couple of years ago was suffering a really bad mucus cough especially at night. My GP referred me to the asthma clinic and after lots of tests found I had ‘post nasal drip’ exacerbated by acid reflux. I now take an Omeprazole tablet at night and the cough has disappeared.

[elanaoali]

I too need lose some weight about 10lbs. Like you I have moderate asthma but also have acid reflux (treated with ompreloze) and post nasal drip (treated with dymista).

I haven't done it regularly for a while and just started back to my fitness routine. I too need lose weight about 10lbs

I find swimming a really good way of doing cardio workout and losing weight.

[gillbee]

Hi asthma with smoking = cough and mucus. I found listening /doing mindfulness at times of stress instead of reaching for the food and smokes. Helped stopped the self loathing, Hopelessness we put ourselves through when having chronic conditions like being overweight and asthma. Due to your asthma and being overweight if you live in the UK you can get 12 weeks free of weight watchers to kick start you off. I also got a personal trainer £30 a session once a week. To give me a overall on what I can and cannot do to fit in with my health conditions, general laziness lol and apathy I get. So over last 20 weeks I’ve lost a 1kg a week. The excerise I change it up to stop boredom has also helped my mental health as well as control my pain and asthma xx

[Hidden]

I do classical ballet (minus pointe work) - currently two classes a week, but any dance is good. But as others have said the important thing is to pick a form of exercise you really enjoy doing.

[Wheezycat]

I also struggle with finding exercise that suits. Running and gym......no way! Walking is good, but not good in the cold for me. I also have a complaining knee. And I get breathless quite quickly. Walking with others makes me breathless, and thus anxious. I have short log like legs, and too many of my friends have gazelle legs, so I struggle, and feel stupid always having to hold people back. So I go to a dance group, and a yoga class. I am thinking of more but I don’t want to pay for more regulars. I am thinking of getting a hula hoop. And putting together a short programme for myself here, a mixture of dance, yoga etc. At least that is my plan. And, yes, I too need to lose weight.

[SARAHBOURNEMOUTH]

What have you enjoyed in the past?..

Good on you for quitting.

[Swimmingaddict]

As others have said do what you enjoy. I learnt to swim in 2014 and got hooked, but that is when I started having more problems. I like running too but I believe swimming is the best for lungs due to the inhalation/exhalation improving lung capacity more. The trouble is that has worked against me as my lung function is still “OK”.

I think do what you enjoy.

[Matman]

Depends on your exercise tolerance.

Imperative to get an exercise tolerance assessment from a qualified individual first, so that you don’t put your health at risk by overdoing things.

Cardio Benefits generally require that you get your pulse rate up to a level where you are somewhat breathless but still able to exchange words with others close by.

The best cardio training seems to be High Intensity Interval Training but staring with very short exertion bursts.

Exercise, while providing cardio benefits, had very little impact on Wright Loss. I do 5 Miles, 6 Days a Week and each session results in just 30 to 60 Calories Lost per mile. One Chocolate Bar would put back more weight than the 200 or so Calories shed by each 5 Mile Session.

The only real way to loose weight is a lower calorie life style.

Mon to Friday I use the 16/8 Diet, whereby I finish my last meal of the day by 7pm and consume nothing more that day, then only black coffee until 11am the following day. So effectively I’m on two meals a day in an eight hour eating window (11am to 7pm). It’s tough, and I fall off the wagon sometimes, but providing I don’t compensate by eating three meals worth of calories rather than two in my eight hour window, weigh comes off and stays off.

[Barbs80]

I find walking is good exercise not just for my asthma but also anxiety. Even just going for a 10 to 20min walk a day at your own pace. Also swimming and/or yoga is meant to be the best exercise for asthma. I do a bit of cycling which is good cardio but have to take it easy. Would love to take up running but really struggle to control my breathing and to get the right pace. I always use my ventolin inhaler before any exercise and would take as many puffs as I need to during if I am feeling any shortness of breath.