Too nervous to exercise

[Pinkmischief]

I have copd during the first lockdown I took the government advice and shielded. I returned to work once we were allowed out again and never shielded again for my mental health. Since coming out of the first lockdown I haven't exercised at all. Before lockdown I was doing my 10,000 + steps a day but now I'm too scared to walk far.

I've downloaded the NHS couch to 5k but not started it, I think I'm worried about having trouble breathing and needing my inhaler to help me get through it

Any suggestion of how to start and how to get over the fear of exercising I've never had before

Thanks

[H4CS 3 stone]

Have you joined the couch to 5k forum? Lots of advice on there, you wont be too reliant on your inhaler as you aim to run at a pace which allows you to talk in normal sentences without gasping for air, you are encourages to go super slow to build up stamina etc, can google japanese running on youtube too - good luck you CAN do this!

[Pinkmischief in reply to H4CS]

Thank you so much for your reply. I've had a look on YouTube and will give it a go after work today. Will find the forum as well I think that will keep me accountable it easy to find all the excuses. I think I need tougher get the first one out the way

[Eryl Visitor]

Did you know that a diet full of inflammatory foods can make copd worse? If you Google 'anti inflammatory diet' you'll find a list of foods to eat and foods to avoid. As a coincidence these foods will also help you loose weight.

[Pinkmischief in reply to Eryl]

Hi Eryl, Fantastic suggestion thank you I will research and I am sure it will help

[Hidden]

There are some truly amazing exercise videos on you tube which (if you have the app on your TV) you can play on the screen. They are what kept me active during the multiple lockdowns. The Body Project is the one I use and they do a range of different intensity levels starting from sitting down, lots of varied videos that I cannot recommend enough. Good luck 👍

[Pinkmischief in reply to Hidden]

Hi IawhatIam517,

Thank you for the suggestion I will look them up when I get in from work

[zinza]

Go. Just go. Even for a simple walk. It`s exactly what you need to control your current state of mind.

I would suggest Couch to 5k anytime. I did it last year and now I can run 5k twice a week without complaining. The first weeks are very easy even for beginners.

Enjoy this Monday and go for a walk. You are going to feel better.

[Pinkmischief in reply to zinza]

Hi Zinza,

Thank you so much for your response I really appreciate your support.

I walked to the station this morning, as although cold it was a lovely morning.

I'm going to start building with my walking then once I cam confortable with that I will start the Couch to 5K

Take care and enjoy the bank holiday

[zinza in reply to Pinkmischief]

The first two or three weeks of Couch to 5k are mainly about walking, so you can enter the mindset to start running. Go for it. You are going to love it!

Have an amazing day.

[Pinkmischief in reply to zinza]

Good morning Zinz,

Thank you so much for your encouragement, have have started increasing my walking 10 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes on the way home from work. Next week I am going to find a route that will take me 30 minutes on the way home from work.

You have a lovely day and if you are in the UK, stay warm it is cold this morning

[Gizmocat Moderator 13kg Maintainer]

Why not start off with walking again before you think about running? Start with a short walk as far as you can then build up gradually. You will soon get back to your 10000 steps. If you have a Fitbit or MFP on your phone you can track your steps. Seeing them build up is a great motivator. The active 10 app is useful for building up brisk walking too. Getting out in the fresh air is great especially if you haven't been able to go out and also good for weight loss. Good luck

[Pinkmischief in reply to Gizmocat]

Good morning Gizmocat,

Thank you for your reply.

I have got my Fitbit back out the draw and managed to walk to the station this morning which is approx 10 minutes, will definitely download the active 10 app, would be really useful for a walk in my lunch break

Have a lovely bank Holiday

[WasYoYo80 Maintainer 3st 7lbs]

I’ve started using the Public Health EnglandActive 10s app apps.apple.com/gb/app/one-y...

I’ve started enjoying getting outdoors again after shielding (I have bone marrow damage so my body destroys my own blood cells - I often feel fatigued) & and the reward badges have encouraged me to keep going. After my fitness improves a bit and I have worked in exercise into my normal routine, I might give Couch to 5K a go

[Pinkmischief in reply to WasYoYo80]

Hi YoYo80,

Thank you so much for the suggestion I will start with that, I think my walk to the station was about 10 minutes this morning, so I will download this app to start, I hadn't heard of it before.

Thank you and have a lovely Bank Holiday