This is me...

[Lilybug13]

Hi. I'm 26 and a mum of 2 girls aged 4 and 2. At just under 15 stone I need to do something about my weight and my health... not just for me but for my family.  I have just started my weight loss journey that I am determined will work, starting with the 12 week plan from the NHS. I have mild asthma but it prevents me from exercising in traditional ways such as running etc. The one exercise I have been able to stick with is swimming but I would love to be able to try something new, so if any one has any tips on suitable exercise for an asthmatic that would be great. 

[Diana]

Hello, and welcome, by tackling your weight everything else will follow, diet is more important than excercise for losing weight.

Just imagine in a week ( you tend to lose more in the first week), you'll be lighter snd on your way to that new you, even walking will help.

Ask for help if you need it here 

[Ros1]

Best wishes for your journey to health eating, you have come to the right place to get lots of help and encouragement. Regarding exercise I would suggest as well as your swimming you try building up your walking and have a go at Aqua-fit, Yoga and Pilates and see if they are good for you. Every bit of additonal exercise you can do I have found helps to lift your mood and the walking can be done with your girls.

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Hi Lilybug13,

Welcome to the Weight Loss NHS forum.  I'd like to give you a link to our Welcome Newbie post:

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Hope you'll join in any Challenges or maybe join the Monday group weigh-in sessions if you like the idea of a weekly weigh-in.

Good luck with your goals.

Lowcal

[maiziepops]

Hello, I agree with the previous comments. When you start to lose weight that will help everything else. I started walking, just short distances and now I can do 7 miles. If anyone had told me I could walk 7 miles I would have scoffed at them. Friend of mine once told me that at my weight any activity at all, no matter how small would benefit me greatly and that has always stuck in my head.

[Venusflytrap]

My best friend at my slimming club just started walking everywhere when she began. She got to goal much faster than me and has maintained her weight completely at goal for several years.  Yes, she is my hero.  You might find something to record your steps and distances gives a lot of encouragement.  I found a walking app on my iPod, so I didn't even have to buy anything extra.  Now all I have to do is remember to charge it, wear it and press the start button.  Not like yesterday!  I am trying to rebuild my walking distances after a lot of duvet days in front of the TV recently.  And it is surprising that even a trip along our local shops or popping into the Drs for a prescription can double my output.  

[Clumsymare]

Your going to laugh at this but my daughter has really bad asthma that has always stopped her doing much exercise, that was till she started learning to play the trumpet. Her medication is just inhalers now and can do a full session of wheelchair basketball now without stopping or having take her inhalers. When her asthma doctor at the hospital recommended playing brass instrument to help her to get going I thought he needed help... At our local doctors we have learn brass up in Asthma.

Start small with your exercise and as you get stronger and your weight gets less you will notice a big difference aswell.  I walk after only a week a dog walk that took me an hour at the start I'm already down to 40 minutes for the same walk.

[Hidden]

HI, I have pretty bad asthma and I love cycling it doesn't seem to set me off so bad. (but I always carry my inhalers and antihistamines.)

[Lilybug13]

Thank you for all your advice. I have continued swimming, swam 50 lengths of a 25m pool on weds :), and have done 20 mins on my exercise bike a few times this week. Although the bike does set off my asthma it isn't that bad and is manageable. I will definitely be interested in the Monday weigh in group and feel really motivated this week :). I normally see walking as a chore but I am determined to walk more in my daily life and not rely too heavily on my husband driving me around.