Was doing great, better than everl and going to the gym 3-4 times a week. Then money got tight and I couldn't afford the gym anymore. After 6 months with no gym I could tell my breathing was not a good, but no real problems.
Now 6 months later I go back to the gym. After the first day of exercise it was suddenly really hard to breath. And 2 weeks later I still go to the gym, but really hard to breath even when not exercising. And very mild bronchitis.
Anybody have a similar experience? Could my lungs have deteriorated that much in 6 months?
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michaelm700
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Hello. I'm sorry you feel like this at the moment. I don't know the answer to your question but I would go to the doctors and explain exactly what you are experiencing.
Sometimes the things I worry about turn out to have quite simple explanations and with the right treatment things improve and in the meanwhile I've worried myself to death.
Hopefully you can see someone soon. Perhaps you might also like to call the British Lung Foundation. I did that at the beginning of the week and a lovely lady phoned me back and we talked about my concerns. They are fantastic people and there to help.
This is to be expected, you stopped exercising for 6 months! Your body is now deconditioned once more and you will have to start again, from scratch. You probably went into the gym and went at it like a bull at a gate, you have pushed yourself too hard on the first day back and now suffering the consequences.
If I stop exercising for a week or two I really notice it and have to work back up to it where I was before, you have gone 26 weeks. It really is a case of "use it or lose it" and you have now lost those gains. You need to start slowly and bit by bit increase your level of exercise.
But you should still see your doctor to check that there are no other health issues going on.
2 greys is right, I'm an ex runner and body builder it only takes 2 weeks for your body to lose its cardio function. After 6 months it's like starting again as if you have never exercised at all. You need to start gradually by walking first then build it up to running over a period of time. You are a beginner again. Get yourself a quick check up with your doc before you commence again. Good luck. 😃
All good advice given..iv built myself up over the last 6 months walking at first then introducing things as I got stronger .I started the gym 4 weeks ago as well as still walking ...i had 2 days of everything this week and when I went back to gym I felt sluggish on weights etc so even if you can't afford the gym walk outside gentle jogs and make your own weights with tins out the cupboards anything as long as your moving to regain your strength bit by bit don't rush at it little steps and take one day at a time feel better soon xxx Angie
I'm 74 and if that weren't enough, I also have emphysema; additionally, to counter act the 'emphy', I go to physical therapy twice weekly, plus I do work around my house/yard. If I spend a couple of days goofing off or too long at this computer, I can tell the difference in less endurance and hard breathing.
I was never "Leroy Six Pack" but at my age and physical condition it doesn't take much for me to start running downhill physically. Every day is a conscious effort to get off my ass and exercise somehow; out in the yard, going for a walk early morning..., SOMETHING, anything to get the old bod moving.
I've never gone 6 months without exercise since my pulmonary collapse 5 years ago and it's been an uphill battle since then.
Everyone's right above Michael. Your muscles will decondition rapidly if you stop exercising and so will not be able to use oxygen as efficiently. If I stop doing my usual exercise (PR workouts, table tennis) for just one week I can feel the difference. Work up again gradually and consistently but good idea as suggested to see your GP to discuss the deterioration and check it's not to do with any other health issue.
What everyone has said is spot on. When you stop exercising it really takes time to get back into it. Especially for us who have lung issues. I have a treadmill at home and a few weights. I think it was a good investment for me. The gym is great but I couldn't always feel good enough to go. Having the treadmill means I can walk at my leisure even if the weather is dreadful plus it doesn't cost too much to run.
Get back into exercise slowly. You can't rush it. And as to whether you've deteriorated or not, I think your doctor would have to evaluate your condition.
Don't feel down. It just takes time. It will come back albeit slowly.
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