I wondered how people approach exercise to try to maintain their fitness.
I am going to a respiratory physio as too much exercise tends to leave me rather fatigued and asthmatic. So I decided that my normal approach of pushing it, needed modification, so I sought advice.
The physio has helped me improve my breathing, through breathing exercises etc. She is now moving on to exercises to improve my general fitness.
She has kicked me off with using an exercise bike for five to ten minutes a day, on days when I am doing not much else.
What do other people do?
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Homely2
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Hi I have had the same advise from my phscio not sure what I'm going to do as walk alot anyway. She was saying swimming I can't do with fumes from chlorine, or do fast walking which can cause my asthma flare , I walk 10,000 steps day with work apparently isn't enough.
hi Homely, I have to thank my wife for getting me into a gym six years ago with a personal trainer, much against my inclination. We’ve kept this up though no longer with a PT as we know the ropes off by heart and go twice a week for an hour each.
I do 30 minutes aerobics, 15 minutes jogging on the treadmill and 15 on the stair stepper, then weight machines and Pilates stretches.
It really does help my asthma which has been good for a while now but gone downhill recently definitely caused by this windy weather. I’ve known weather has a definite influence for many years, including wind and thunderstorms. I wonder if anyone else is like this? Anyway highly recommend the exercise route and good luck if you give it a go,
hi, I think an exercise bike is an excellent idea. I started cycling about 10 years ago, I had always had an active job up to 5 years before that but physically couldn't carry on with it, so as my elder brother cycles I thought I'd try, I generally have a dose of Ventolin before starting and during if needed and it has been brilliant for my overall fitness and for my lungs. I realise it won't work for everyone but my asthma is much better when I can cycle regularly.
We have a second-hand cross-trainer and rowing machine, and a dehumidifier/air purifier sat right next to them, so I can usually manage ok if that is running. Even on a bad day, I try to do a little bit of walking or cycling on the machine, just very slowly. I also try to do some walking outside when it's not misty or rainy (damp is a trigger for me), but I'm usually more confident walking briskly when I'm with my partner - on my own, I'm always a bit worried about having an asthma attack.
I also try to keep moving around the house, and stand up for jobs that I could do sitting down. Anything is better than nothing!
I walk around 5km most days, swim once or twice a week, do some weights twice a week and when the weather is nice & warmer I head out on my bike.
I have always done a lot of walking and periodically swimming or weights but since I stopped working nearly 4 years ago I made a decision to up my fitness regime to keep my lungs in best possible shape.
I find it really helps with lung clearance and I think it has helped me keeping well and less prone to infections too.
I had pneumonia followed by covid in the months before Christmas last year which set me back but gently got into it again.
Even managed to go skiing twice, in February and last week which is fantastic! Spending most days outdoors in much better air than the air around here is brilliant for my lungs.
I think any exercise that you enjoy is best as it us most likely to be something you want to keep up. As you get fitter and stronger you will hopefully be curious to try out other activities too!
I walk A LOT. It helps my asthma more than anything else. I also do yoga which is great full body exercise and doesn’t overly accelerate your respiration.
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