Hi,Still pending diagnosis from my GP, but haven't been able to participate in my normal exercise activities for the last 3 months due to persistent cough and shortness of breath. I need to lose weight and get fit. I have an E-Mountain bike which I was able to complete red graded trails on at local forest, I used to go rollerskating at a local club every week but have totally lost my confidence, I went to ladies only boxercise club once a week and was doing really well but now scared of doing myself more harm. I love sea kayaking and bodyboarding and swimming but am scared to go in the water now incase I get into difficulties because of my breathlessness, but an upcoming weekend in May I am due to go on an expensive bodyboarding course which I can't cancel or move and I don't want to let my friend down, but I will be done in just getting into the flipping wetsuit without doing any of the bodyboarding..... I want to get started exercising again but just don't know where to start. Any pointers gratefully received.🙂
Best exercise with a lung condition - Lung Conditions C...
Best exercise with a lung condition
I feel the same as you atm. People who mean well keep saying, you just need to do more and get fitter and you'll feel loads better and breathe better! And it annoys me!!I ran the London marathon in 2015 before I got whooping cough, so I'm no stranger to exercise!
I'm currently having tests/trying to get well again from (??) whatever has been going on since Christmas and have barely moved/unable to work - so therefore, no exercise either. I have gained weight and lost confidence due to ++steroids.
I swear by swimming when I feel like this. I don't love getting in my swimming suit but I do love swimming and my lungs love it. I'm definitely not going outdoors yet as I think the shock would kill me (I swim in skins as I always think I'll buy a wetsuit when/if I lose weight - which of course never seems to happen for one reason or another!) I'm currently a (tight) size 18.
So swimming gets my vote, followed by walking and then usually, by a slice of cake!!
Love it. Just purchased a huub wetsuit for sea swimming and I need to lose weight before I can comfortably swim in it, and it's the largest size at size 18. Thankyou for your comments and support. Nice to know I'm not on my own! X
Hi I did a pulmonary rehab course a couple of years ago that got me moving again after lockdown. Exercise under supervision from physios who specialise in breathing issues. It is run by my local COPD team. I do a gentle exercise class once a week. Chair based exercise plus working on balance plus more energetic cardio exercise followed by lunch! I go to a personal trainer once a week for a more intense session. She tailors the training to suit what I can do as I have other health issues. She was recommended by someone at the class.It is not cheap but well worth it. I feel better when I finish and can breath better too. I love swimming but the smell of chlorine affects me now. I try to do a session of exercise at home as well. There is lots on the Internet including sessions specifically for those of us with breathing issues. Hope you find something to suit you. I too had a bad respiratory infection over Christmas and am gradually increasing what I do as I recover. Good luck.
Thankyou, funds and time are an issue as I often start work at 7.45am and finish at 6pm sometimes Mon to Fri, and 1 in 3 Sat mornings. Motivation at the end of the day is an issue!
I can appreciate what you say. I am retired so time not so much of an issue. Maybe look at online videos. I find Fabulous 50s good. Most videos are 5 to 15 minutes in length. I really had to push myself to restart exercise after my recent virus but I feel so much better for doing it. Good luck.
Thanks, will take a look at that option. X
Yoga! If you can find a chair yoga that would be perfect, or a 50+ class is gentle too. I have had really understanding instructors and the other class members have been very supportive , some are now good friends.
Start slowly. Aluk have lots of info + exercise on their website.While there,read up on " controlled breathing - pursed lips".it's gd to use to help when walking,exercising,going upstairs x
You need to talk to an expert. If your doctor will refer you for Pulmonary Rehab that will be great. but you'll be very lucky to to get on a course before May. It will be a shame if you can't get in the water and miss your course. Certainly it is possible for active people to come back from serious illness. See if you can find posts on this site from our member Natswright. She was very ill with Long Covid and has gradually fought her way back to fitness, so she can take demanding hill walks among other things. It would be worth going private to a respiratory therapist, who would advise you just how much you can do. Could you explain your worries to your friend and see if she would help you if you do get into trouble in the water. Best wishes.
I use walking to recover from a bad asthma attack, first of all very gently. Then after a while I add in swimming. I am now improving my pursed lip breathing and attending a respiratory physio, to learn generally how to improve my breathing and discuss how to exercise a little more intensely
Once I feel more confident about controlling my breathing in adverse conditions, I will start to try to get back to hill walking and orienteering.
I tried yoga, unfortunately it trigerred quite a bad asthma attack. My fault I should have stopped early on in the class
Did your gp not say about trying gentle walking to build your confidence up?
Hi ,it takes a while when you have been out of action ,,I've had illness in my lungs for almost a year on and off unfortunately it's use it or lose it ,the less I do the less I want to do ,,,I have found before walking round the block further every day also speed up daily is a good start,,also chair squats ,one extra every day are good for leg muscles ,,thing is it has to be at a slow pace or you will be unable to carry on ,Frustrating I know ,,don't give up ,,it's hard not to,,easier in the sunshine ,good luck be kind to yourself
To be honest I just do anything that exercises my lungs and push them as far as feels comfortable. Use them or lose them as they say! Hope you get a diagnosis soon.
You need tobe diagnosed properly and put on the right medication. Once on the medication I'm sure you will improve I'm sure and go about normal activities.
Did it come on quickly this or have you been deteriorating gradually?
Hi, I have had from Health Unlocked the exercise program they use for pulmonary rehab, if you contact them I’m sure they would send you the link to get it, it’s perfect for teaching you breathing techniques & exercises sitting & standing, good luck, it does feel like an uphill battle to start with but will help with your confidence 💐🌹 xx if I can find a way to send it to you I will x
Here is the link asthmaandlung.org.uk/living... , hope it helps you as much as it did me xx
Thank you Loopylorre 💕
Hope it helps Issy 22 you’ll see there’s lots of information & the physio talks you through every exercise, good luck, xx
Thank you it will help while I wait for a pulmonary rehab appointment 👍
I started with 5 minutes per day. I was not able to walk very fast at first. I slowly got a little bit faster then I was going farther and using the incline on the machine I was using. Then I was able to do 30 minutes! The first year I got rid of 12 lbs. Then I joined WW and got rid of 33 more.
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