'Insanity' workout and eosinophilic asthma?

[Amy2091]

Hi all, so I have severe eosinophilic asthma - I take a lot of meds to control it and am awaiting possible biologics once covid is over with. I have been shielding for 7-8 weeks now and I'm starting to worry how much lack of exercise I am getting. I didn't do a lot before and only have an office job. I did the insanity work out years ago with a friend, it was very hard! But as I've put on half a stone during isolation and am already overweight I'm really tempted to invest the last of this time giving it ago with some healthier eating. I'm just worried my chest might not handle it, obviously I will adapt this where I need to I'm just curious if anyone else with this level of asthma has been successful and knows if it would be a good investment or a waste of money?

[Js706]

Wanting to get some exercise etc done during lockdown is great - I know I've piled on a fair few pounds myself!!

But it sounds like your asthma is pretty uncontrolled generally if you're awaiting biologics? And so if exercise is a trigger your chest may well struggle with the level of the insanity workouts - and its no good if you end up making yourself much worse from an asthma point of view.

There's loads of free/cheap stuff out there online now especially with lockdown so maybe try some of that first to see how you cope?

These are a few things I've tried or looked at as I'm trying to increase activity but my lungs are struggling with it!

-realbuzz.com/virtual-events...

-nhs.uk/oneyou/active10/home

-nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/g...

[asthmaticclimber]

I am in a similar situation I gained a lot of weight during treatment when my asthma was extremely out of control!

Honestly if I tried to do insanity now I would die! Personally I think the best idea is to start with something easier. There are so many online resources particularly during the coronavirus as lots of online personal trainers have been releasing videos if you have access to the internet!

I have found that doing a little every day has made it much easier for me to keep as much weight as possible off.

[Amy2091 in reply to asthmaticclimber]

Thank you both. I completely understand why you've advised this, exercise in itself isn't too much of a trigger for me so long as I plan ahead and use rescue meds before hand. The last time I did a 'run' it was the rest of my body that let me down more. I have nothing against the available exercises available atm they are all great, but I feel I need something more to keep me focused and for quicker results. I might just be impatient lol.

[Tengudreams in reply to asthmaticclimber]

How do treatments make you gain weight? Is it the steroid? Any chance info on that would be amazing.

[Js706 in reply to Tengudreams]

Its mainly long/repeated courses of steroid tablets that can cause weight gain. They do it in a few different ways - they tend to increase people's appetite, make you retain extra fluid and they also affect how your body processes sugar/fats etc.

And then aside from the treatments just having uncontrolled asthma can cause weight gain through lack of activity etc too

[TheRigsby]

I wouldn't be spending money on Insanity, if you feel your lungs may not be up to it. I used to do T25 workouts,which were less intense and also had an easier option on ever session.

Now I prefer DDPYoga. If you do an online search and see the results,you will be amazed at what you can achieve without having to run and jump,destroy your knees and come close to heart/asthma attack!

I've always trained with heavy weights and strongman style because I just can't do intense cardio,but since starting DDPY my breathing is stronger and I feel healthier and a lot more flexible. When the gyms open again I will,probably, go back to strongman but I'm going to carry on with this because it has helped in so many ways and doesn't trigger my asthma. You can go at your own pace and take a break when ever you need to.

Healthier eating is a must! You don't need to go on any mad diets just try to be in a calorie deficit most of the time. You will be surprised how much you can eat and still lose weight.

Remember tho,you can't out-train a bad diet!

Hope this can be of some help.

[gillbee]

I have severe asthma and on biologic injections. I have a treadmill, kettlebells and free weights. I do Pilates before getting up and then before breakfast treadmill maybe 5mins fast walk. Only what I can do safely. Mid morning light weights and afternoon kettlebell all before I have a snack or lunch extra and go on the treadmill 2-5mins each time. It helps and helps lungs expand. Then go from there

[Wrighty2018]

I do lots of on line LIVE workouts such a Davinia Mccall called (OYG) ownyourgoalsdavina.com on Instagram , other good are SINFIT FITNESS on FB and Instagram FIT2FITE on FB and Instagram . I have never been as fit as I am now . I work out 5 times a week for 45 minutes as I too am Shielding . I even do the class from my phone

[GFloss]

Hi Amy, it's great you're feeling motivated to increase your activity yet I totally agree with the others in that there are better starting points that won't put you at increased risk of injury and/or asthma attack right now. If you think of the fittest athletes in the world (not saying that's any of our goals, haha!), they train in a way that builds up their fitness over time. They don't go from nothing to their competition level. I see so many people who fall into the trap of going from nothing/very little to something that's a bit beyond them and then back to nothing again. I'd say start with some more manageable workouts via YouTube, get back into that for a while and then invest in the Insanity workout when you're already maintaining a good baseline fitness routine that's not worsening your health in any way. Along with the healthy eating you mention, of course. With this approach you're far more likely to lose the weight in such a way that will help you keep it off for longer. Lots of luck to you.

[Willow7733]

Hi Amy, I also have wanted to get back into fitness, and started Insanity last week. The first day, I could only get through half the workout, but I feel I am getting better. I am currently not having well controlled asthma, and am taking pretty good medications (Dulara, Ventolin, Singulair, and Prednisone). Because I am doing this program at home, I can control what I do and how hard I want to push myself on any given day. I have lost some weight and feel like I am getting my fitness back. I am like you, this Covid crisis has got me thinking I don’t want to gain any more weight than I already have. Staying at home has been a challenge not to snack every chance I get! The others are right though, ease into it slowly, and the payoffs will be great. Listen to your body, and rest when you need to. I also have T25 here at the house, and may switch it up by doing some days of that when I am not feeling my best, or even something more like Pilates or yoga when I am having a bad day. As long as I keep moving and trying to better my fitness level.

[bunnynlg]

Hi. I also have severe eosinophilic asthma. I am having the biological treatment for it, as well as other medications. I would not recommend that u start with Insanity. Try a lighter method of exercise first and build up slowly. U need to listen to ur body and learn how it has changed. Then u will know what u can and can’t do

[Clanmacbeath]

Hi. I also have severe asthma and I'm on biologics. I love exercise however it doesn't always like me and my asthma. I did insanity a few years ago with my husband and lost a couple of stone. These days I have signed up to les mills online. I think its about 12 quid a month. You get access to body combat, step, attack, pilates, plus high intensity workouts similar to insanity. I bought myself a weight bar and a step from argos which I use. The workouts are various lengths from 15 to 60 minutes. There is hundreds to choose from and you can download the app to your tablet or smart TV. The great bit is I dont have to go to the gym and I can stop if im breathless without people staring. Good luck and I hope you find something that works for you.