I was wondering if my asthma will improve the more in shape I am? I have severe persistent and I am seriously thinking of dusting off my Beach Body workout program Insanity. My gym has closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and I have made a workout space in my basement. I am not in the best of shape right now (need to lose around 40 pounds), but was before and want to get back into it. I am just wondering if working out will make things worse, or better? Working from home, I can take my time and do what I can. This workout is intense. I have done it before, but it works! I am close to buying the Insanity Max: 30 program (after watching a video of it on YouTube). Any thoughts?
This all came about this week as I was cleaning my house. I had put on some shorts (my favourite to wear in the summer), and they were a little tight. I was thinking: do I not exercise now because I get so uncomfortable and short of breath, or am I short of breath because I no longer exercise? These days, I get dressed in the morning, and I seriously can’t breathe. I need two puffs of Ventolin and then I am ok. I never been so short of breath before....but I think it is stress with working long hours in the ER and ICU departments at our local hospital, and the recent death of my father (last month). I don’t know. Just looking for some input from those who less new at this asthma thing than I am.
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Willow7733
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Yes, it is and the workout is very intense. But I figure I am doing it by myself in my basement...so if I want to stop I will. Nobody is there. No pressure. I am a little nervous if something goes horribly wrong, I am alone in my basement...in a new city where I don’t know anyone - so who would even know I am in trouble in my basement?? But I will take it slow and progress from there.
No, I want to avoid the hospital so bad. Not only now, but everyday. I work in the ER and the thought of going in there and seeing my co workers...No thanks! Haha
Why on earth don’t you start with something less intense and build up to better fitness? I have a cross trainer which I have used for similar reasons, though never for long as my knees complain. But to build up I have set it on lowest resistance and do slow speed, and that works. As times goes on I can challenge myself more, but if I get breathless I will stop. If you get breathless even getting dressed it just seems too much starting with such intensity!
I agree, and that is why I am going g to start with the modifier on the videos. And stop when I need to. I used to do this program before (around three months ago), but stopped when my dad was dying and in palliative care. I live three hours away, and would go to see him around four days a week before work. I think I am in a flare right now brought on by pollen and a lot of stress.
As an asthmatic and a fitness instructor I can tell you that exercise will definitely improve your ability to cope with your asthma by strengthening your lungs 👍 but from experience things like insanity trigger my asthma because hiit training particularly when you are not already cardiorespiratory fit, is too intense and liable to aggravate your asthma. Much longer warm up, slow and steady prep for 15 minutes is much better, then increasing intensity after that. It’s not ideal right now but running or cycling is probably better. I had to give up teaching all Hiit classes as they really triggered my asthma. So in summary if you can only do something like that make sure you do a very steady warm up first as it will help. Good luck x
Wow, you're dealing with a lot. I fight with my weight and am certainly better for going to the gym. I go to Gymophobics and they have a daily 30min new routine each day on facebook. Open to all, look on facebook, at least it's free!
I have walked off 50 lbs. I started 5 minutes at a time. At that time I got short of breath and dizzy at the 5min.. I was on a treadmill, no incline and 2 5 miles per hour.
I slowly increased my time then rate, then added incline.
I'm a severe persistent asthmatic. I got slower when I have to.
Take your time and listen to your body. You can do anything you want. With enough time.
Goodness me you have a lot going on Willow7733! And I'm so sorry about your father......I mean, I've seen that insanity program, its far too much for me personally. So I'm not sure I would start there if I were you?
I've recently restarted exercising, after completing couch to 5k 3 years ago, and running regularly, I considered myself fairly fit.....until the chest problems hit.......definitely better for your lungs if you can do some exercise though. But, not if you do too much straight away, take it steady, build up gradually. That would be my advice .😊
Yes, I would say that losing weight and getting fitter will improve your asthma and general health. I have lost about 25 pounds over the last few years using a combination of exercise and better diet and have found that my asthma has improved. I think if, as you say, you need to loose around 40 pounds you may be better starting off with something a bit less intense and building up gradually, but its up to you how you feel and make sure you take a break if you find you are overdoing it. I'm sure once you start to loose weight and improve you fitness you will feel the benefit.
Hey Willow7733, it's wonderful you're looking to return to HIIT training but I think your best bet would be to stage your progress. If getting dressed is triggering your asthma, I worry it could be dangerous to leap straight back into Insanity training. Why not start by drawing yourself up a little pre-Insanity program? Check your diet to see if there are some simple tweaks you can make to support your cardiovascular health. At the same time, explore lower-impact cardio training. As others have said, brisk walking is an awesome starting point and you can do it in a surpisingly small space if you're inventive about it (e.g. looping around your basement, heading up and down stairs, etc.). Build up to jogging and lighter cardio as your body allows it. Once you're seeing some improvements, increase the intensity further with heartier cardio, until Insanity seems more achievable. You've got to put your safety first at this crazy time, as I'm sure you know in your amazing line of work! You could also notify your physician that you're struggling so much, in case they want to review your meds (and so they're informed of your change in fitness regime for the safety side). Lots of luck to you!
I am trying anything to get my lungs stronger during this crisis. I am doing Joe Wicks PE Work Out which is on Youtube every day. It's designed for school kids but it's very accessible. He also does a 'seniors' one which is very gentle indeed. I am trying to sing and play my flute and recorders. I don't know if it's helping but I feel I need to get my lungs in as good a shape as possible. Starting gentle is probably key. Good luck!
Definitely exercise. I read a recent report about what goes on with asthma in the lungs at a molecular level. A sedentary lifestyle will mean no improvement or worsening of symptoms. Do daily gentle execise it's ideal.
Thank you so much everyone for the awesome advice! I am pretty new to being diagnosed with asthma (who knew you could get it I. Your 30’s???), but I guess I have had it for a while and never had it checked. I also cough a lot when I exercise. It was actually a day at the gym (doing a kickboxing class) that I got diagnosed. I was new to the city I am living in, new job. I was always active so I joined a gym. After going five days a week doing kickboxing and weight classes, I still was coughing a lot, and hour after class was over I was wheezing. Got it checked and then diagnosed. I was wondering what comes first...the exercise or the asthma? Does exercise help, or make it worse? I really want to get back into these programs because I go to work, come home and sleep, and go back to work. At the hospital, there is always someone sick and I am constantly asked to come in early, do a double shift, whatever. Just thinking an exercise routine would help with the stress, the boredom of have no life whatsoever, and asthma on top of it all.
A simple way to exercise from a low base is to walk - try to walk as if you're late for an appointment. This is better than breathing exercises, I'm told, and as the government thinks we should all go out for a walk every day, it might be a better way to start than collapsing with exhaustion from an intense workout! Losing weight and some exercise will help you, but you do need to be careful.
Thank you for your very important post! I wonder why exercise (& nutrition) are not highlighted more in these difficult times. Many of us have more time - use it! Keep fit and prepare healthy food.
Wind back five years - asthma, sinusitis, 103 Kg (16st3lb). The doctor signed me up for a nutrition course. Come back after the summer holidays they said. My son said "So what dad - do it yourself! eat LoCarb. So, cut out the pasta, the bread, the potatoes, the rice and anything remotely sugary; and eat more fruits and veggies. Three days later I weighed 2 Kg less. Now I am an engineer - ha - must have weighed wrong at the beginning. Two days later - it works (for me) - no more excuses.
Next fitness - immediately next that is! I have used two apps ever since (plus pilatus classes). 5 Tibetans - the developer gaudus - comes from an luxury retreat in South Tirol Italy, but the app is free. They say start with 3 of each exercise and increase by 2 every week, until you begin to feel stressed. Start with 1 if you want. I am a little older and I usually do it early morning, so I stabilised at 7.
My second app is YAYOG from Marc Lauren. You can start for free but the more advanced videos cost 3 £ each I think. He was a military type, but has matured well in my opinion. When I started at one hundred Kg I could only manage the warm up, but so what!? I soon added the cool down and then included the actual Novice content as I continued my new ways of eating and my fitness level increased. Nowdays I am on the intermediate level mainly, a little modified for my 66 years.
Recently my weight has been 80 to 85 Kg (13st). Home office started beginning of March for me. I want to increase my immunity, and I have more time. I do more fitness (13 tibetans and often 2xYAYOG) and prepare all food myself - 90% plant based - including seeds and nuts and mushrooms. A lot of salad with nutritional self-made sauce. I little good quality meat or fish (or at least supplement b12 and d3). Weight now 77, asthma much better (peak flow up 100 to over 500 inaccurate probably, but the difference is relevant).
If you can get fresh fruit and vegetables now, do so. Reduce intake of processed food. Governments have to see that local farmers produce is available to the people - right now.
In the medium term:
- taxes on processed food is a possible way forward
- increased taxation on sugar content.
- medical school more classes on nutrition and fitness
- evaluate the improved air cleanliness during covid-19 and make recommendations for the life afterwards (asthma relevant!)
I am now retiring and my next steps are fasting and maybe a course in Nutrition
Books to read Joel Furmann "Eat for Life" earlier books are good too.
Andrew Jenkinson "Why we eat (too much)" - rather techy
I can only tell you for me personally I use regular exercise to help strengthen my lungs, and keep my asthma at bay, for me C.V. Is the main aim any exercise that gets me breathing hard works, I interspersed that With some form of non cardio, weights, push ups, plank, normally when at the gym I love swimming then steam room, always find breathing I the steam, wet air works for me, I know that when use the Jacuzzi the bleach they use makes my chest to fight when I breath in the fumes.
Hope this helps
Graham
P.s. I always use my blue inhaler 5 mins before any exercise to help open up my airway.
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