Hi,
I am looking and ready to start exercising. Played football during the week, I felt great afterwards even though I did not do any running, more of a toddler jog ;). I don't think going forward this is viable as I believe it to be physically too demanding.
I am only 38 and just wondered what people of the same age are doing?
Would prednisone affect the exercise and should I see my GP before doing anything?
"A fit to run" test is advisable by your GP, you need to know whether it is safe to do any vigorous exercise. I am 66 and taken my walking ability from 35 yards to 5.3 miles with vigorous exercising to the point that my lungs are screaming at me to stop, my fev1 has also improved from 37% to 50% as a result too and TLCO from 33% to 65%.
That's so impressive! How long did it take to get those results and how long before you started noticing improvements? I've started using the treadmill and light weights, but it's slow progress! Does it ever get easier?
I started doing daily intensive exercising after I'd finished my Pulmonary Rehabilitation course in January this year. It was not easy to start with, forcing myself to do it every day even when on a "bad day" and then I reached point when exercising became a habit. So it has taken me around four months to get reasonably fit.
I have just got in from a four mile circuit walk. I was going to try a distance walk but the ground is still a bit soggy, I try to keep well away from the roads and use country tracks for extended amounts of walking. Cross country is harder physically but easier to do mentally than boring city streets, the air is definitely a lot cleaner and better for breathing.
That's fantastic progress. Going to give it my best shot! Breathing is pretty poor at present and don't want it to get worse. Were you really only able to walk short distance before? Would give me such hope!! Thanks for responding.
Before PR that was it just 35 yards! To get up the 3 flights of stairs to my flat took 20 mins, that was a year ago when I weighed a mere 71/2 stone and a few thought I was on the way out.
I cannot guarantee that it will work to the same extent as we are all different, but I can guarantee that exercise will make you feel better in yourself, you will be more confident going out you will sleep better, it will improve your own immune system, it will also aid recovery from flare-ups/hospital admissions, with walking your social life can improve as you meet and speak to people too.
You will still always be short of breath whilst exercising! but your muscles will get acclimatised to it and start to use the available blood oxygen much more efficiently, thus extending their stamina, you will able to do more and for longer before having to stop and rest. Your chest muscles and diaphragm will get stronger, the deeper breathing will become a more natural thing thus both making breathing easier.
The health benefits go much further than just respiratory disease, but consult your doctor about what you intend to do first in case you have other health issues that would prevent you doing from doing it.
I am on preds at the moment and was told by the physio when I was discharged from hospital last week not to do any exercising for 6 weeks.
I have been on them for nearly 2 years now, only on 5mg now so hoping its not an issue.
Hi Bilbo, it's a very interesting subject, my GP has advised to do as much as I can but not to over do it, so pretty open ended, I walk and a up to 1.5 miles a day, 60 sit ups a day and a 20 min cardio work out, I also do low impact Tai Chi, which helps with my breathing and keeps my body quite mobile, don't know if this helps but I feel great.have you had a look at a walking football in your area,this seems to be quite popular?
T😀
BilboBagshot
Am much older than 38 so can't imagine what people of that age are doing for exercise,however if you can keep exercising whatever way you can it all helps to keep you fit and therefore fight the demon. Keep it up.
You should certainly see your GP before taking on Prednisolone as they seem to prefer to give it with an antibiotic to help build you up.
IKeith
Fitness coach diagnosed with copd
Exercise and Breathing.
Exercise, weight gain & Symbicort Turbohaler!
Exercise twice a day 
Exercise and hobbies
