c5k

[edwardo]

I was diagnosed COPD about 7 years ago. I'm 82 and coping reasonably well on 2 lpm oxygen I follow a mainly indoor, 3xwk programme. Apart from the aches, feel the positive benefits. I'm ambitious to increase my exercise plan and am thinking about the running prog. How would I cope with the oxygen?

[Noaky12 Graduate]

I don't know enough abput COPD and how you take your oxygen, but could you perhaps do the programme on the treadmill & that way you could have the oxygen there & at the ready should you need it? I would defo speak with the Dr first though if you haven't already.

Good luck with it, let us know how you get on? ☺

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate]

A very warm welcome to the forum Eduardo. It would be great if you could do this programme, it builds up slowly and you can take your time with it and progress when you feel ready. I would think about how you feel doing a brisk 30 minute walk at the moment because in the beginning that is what you do interspersed with slow running intervals. Gradually you run longer and walk less until you finish with 5 mins brisk walk, 30 mins run and then 5 mins brisk walk to finish. Obviously your doctor will advise you best but could you tell us more about your condition and how you take the oxygen? I am not sure what is involved.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Hello and welcome. I agree with advice of a little chat with your GP first. We did have a member who used the program on the static exercise bike to get his fitness levels up as it was a little less stressful to help build up his fitness levels. but if your doc thinks your ok to try then give it a go. Do you have a small portable oxygen back pack? I personally would take 9 weeks to do the program at walking pace first with faster walking intervals just to get used to the extra weight of the oxygen then see if you've got the energy to step it up. Which ever you and your doc decide good luck and let us know how you get on.

[JoolieB1 Graduate]

I have experienced a good increase in fitness and also improvement in my breathing and lung capacity since doing the programme so you might find it beneficial. However, I would recommend talking to your GP to get some specific advice and perhaps take along more information about the 9 week programme too..I am wondering about ur oxygen, is it in a cyclinder? I would think it might me manageable on a treadmill, what do u think?

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Welcome Edwardo. The questions you ask are for your doctors really. If they give you the OK, we'll all be cheering you on!

[edwardo]

Sincere thanks to all respondents. The consensus seems to be sound and logical advice - 'discuss with GP'. I did intend to take it up with my resp. team but GP is obviously the simplest. Again thanks everyone.

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to edwardo]

I've never been a smoker and I assume my lungs were functioning fairly normally when I embarked on the programme aged 49, so it is difficult to offer sound advice on your situation. Now I am into week9 and I have noticed (and my singing teacher has noticed) that my breathing has definitely improved. I think when you build up stamina, it does help the lungs function. I have been able to follow the programme as it stands but others have adapted it as they went so this is entirely possible. As mentioned above, you could do the entire programme walking to begin with and instead of running, do a brisk walk in the running intervals. If that is comfortable, you could then go back and do it again at a brisk walk with running intervals. It is only 9 weeks and you wouldn't lose much time that way.