asthma making me nervous to do cardio exercise

[Ash123445]

hi all, so I’m on trimbow and rescue inhalers. I’m probably about 3-4 stone overweight for my age and height and I do smoke, but I am managing to cut down. I always feel like I struggle to breath but my peak flow is around 600 mark and my oxygen level is good. I do suffer anxiety though and my breathing was always a huge symptom for me. So I haven’t done cardio exercise in around 8 years to be honest. I’ve never been in hospital with the asthma though. I know the smoking is not helping at all and the lack of exercise and being overweight. It’s really stressing me out as I want to loose weight but I worry about pushing my self.

[Homely2 Administrator]

Swimming suits me, some asthmatics do not like it, but for me it is the perfect way of getting a measure of fitness.

Your body is supported by the water, you can alter your speed whenever you want.

When I have a series of asthma attacks I lose a bit of confidence and fitness. I then go swimming to build myself back up.

[Mandevilla]

Even mild exercise will have some benefit, so don't feel you have to push yourself if it makes your asthma worse. Exercise is one of my triggers, but I just adjust what I do depending on how I'm feeling and how many potential triggers are around.

Walking is a great form of exercise and you can go as slow or as fast as you need to. On a day when the weather conditions or other circumstances mean I'm more likely to have difficulty, I just do slower and shorter walks - at least I'm getting some exercise! When I'm feeling really well, I push myself to go further and faster. And of course, I never exercise without having Ventolin to hand!

We also bought a second hand crosstrainer/cycling machine which I use a lot in winter when the weather is too bad for me to exercise outside.

GP surgeries usually have a practice nurse who can offer help and advice with weight loss/exercise/quitting smoking so it might be worth giving them a call.

[Ash123445]

thanks for the comments guys, so just done an hour at the gym and didn’t need my inhaler. I also did a 20 min beginner workout on the treadmill and I managed to complete that ok

Be heard swimming is good but I can’t swim lol

[Chelle25 in reply to Ash123445]

Well done! Keep up the good work. I also find zumba helpful and you can go at your own pace. Good luck.

[Blueforest23]

Hi OP I was going to suggest a static bike at home so you can be comfortable/go at your own pace to ease you back into exercise but it sounds like you are 3 steps ahead if you did an hour in the gym ha

[Nimrod2]

Have you been offered the opportunity to do pulmonary rehabilitation? Please ask your GP or respiratory team if this is available in your area. It is usually run by physiotherapists who specialise in supporting people with lung issues. It is a good way to start on your getting fit/losing weight journey. Please also get support to stop smoking that will have huge benefits for your health.

[jacic64 in reply to Nimrod2]

This would be my advice also, I have asthma, chronic bronchitis & severe emphysema - the pulmonary rehabilitation programme was amazing for me. I did the virtual online course as I'm still concerned about getting any sort of infection. My readings on all pulmonary function tests were dramatically improved. As you're happy to go to a gym it could be a really good opportunity to meet people in the same situation to exercise or go for a walk with. It's a six week course & then there's a maintenance group session after to help keep you on track. Definitely recommend it, good luck.

[My_fairy]

Hi Pilates are best way to strengthen your mass muscles and it will help with cardio and pulmonary function .. good luck

[fraid]

Exercise alone won't help you lose weight, it's all in what you eat. If you're taking in more calories than you burn off, your weight will increase. Hope you get help to stop smoking and with your diet, maybe even learn to swim? Gentle and regular exercise every day is better than a burn out once a week. Good luck. 🤞

[Patk1]

Well done re gym.seems Yr anxiety was the hurdle.keep it up.gd that u have cut down on smoking.much better if u stop as itll help u now+in thefure, but that's your own choice.id also suggest pulmonary rehab

[runcyclexcski]

Are your symptoms worse outdoors than indoors? If the gym works -- great; this also solves issues with pollen, cold/heat and pollution outdoors. I would also keep the inhaler and the steroids nearby.

I do not swim, b.c. the chlorine smell sets me off.

I exercise indoors with a cycling machine and Zoom. I rigged a machine that heats, humidifies, and purifies the air, and I breathe from the output tube. This allows me to push myself (w/o the machine, I would need to watch every breath I take).

[ChrissieMons]

It may be that the anxiety is at the root of all your issues, especially smoking and being overweight, so along with gently increasing exercise, you could talk to your GP about accessing talking therapy. It won't hurt to try it out.

[Ern007]

I was overweight - I had COPD/Astha and Heart at the time. I did stop smoking years ago, that does matter whichever way you do it.

I did not cut down that much on food (bulk) I did eat food with low cals - Same with Milk. I chose low fat skimmed, you can get half skimmed.

For exercise I walked , short distance at first then increased, I can't swim so that was not an option, exercise bike, I think not with my complaints then.

It worked - I felt better stopping smoking - I lost weight with healthy foods and my blood cholesterol went to normal. That was just my way.. Good luck.

[CeeCee3]

I get exercise induced asthma but Pilates has been great for me, although it’s slow movements you really drop the weight. Please do completely give up smoking, it will make a MASSIVE difference to your health in the long run.

[Smoggy1990Boggy]

Ask about pulmonary rehab. It may be worth learning to swim the water really supports your body.

[Matt-lunch]

Hi Ash - I used to be a smoker with asthma and remember the funny looks I had when taking an inhaler and a packet of 20 cigarettes on a night out. I did eventually give up - my advice is to concentrate on losing the weight first. Brisk walking for 30 minutes is an excellent exercise with very little risk. Losing the weight will benefit every part of your body and mind.. Then I would give up the fags - not easy I know - but a clean break is better than cutting down. You may put on weight but you should have your exercise routine in place - this can be done - believe me. Good luck.

[madonbrew]

You just made me think of my cousin...as a child and teenager and maybe into his 20s he was really poorly with asthma...hospitalised really regularly and just about made it home a few times. He's now 50 and has run marathons...I'm not quite sure how things changed so much for him. I'll have to ask him!! But, what I'm trying to say,is there is hope. Obviously a marathon is a bit dramatic, but little steps gradually can be good. Just be kind to yourself and be sensible and do what steps you can manage.

[Birthday60]

Slow and steady - every day. Great you are addressing your health needs - keep going

[Tree20862]

I walked off 50 lbs. I started with 5 minutes per day at comfortable pace and worked my way up in distance from there. I even did a 5K!