COPD & Emphysema Support Group

You'll want to start small and work your way up. Walking is one of the very best exercises that you can do, and it will help keep your lungs from deteriorating so fast. You may find it easier to walk indoors, either on a treadmill, or at a mall. But just remember that you don't have to set any land speed records. Every step counts! And for me, it really helped me quit smoking 10 years ago.

My most recent FEV1 was 73, and I try to walk 2 miles indoors at the mall, 4-5 times a week. My mile has gone from 35 minutes to 24 minutes, so I'm getting better at it. I also like the mall because I can sit on a bench and rest if I need to. It still "counts."

One other thought. If you can get yourself into a Pulmonary rehab program, that will really help get you started on exercise. I've never had the opportunity, but I hear they are wonderful. Good luck.

I totally agree with Sue. I also might want to add that our muscles use oxygen. When we get out of shape, it takes more oxygen to do anything because our muscles require more and we experience breathlessness. As we get back into shape our muscles require less oxygen, therefore, we experience less breathlessness. As you can see from Sue's example, her 35 min mile has gone down to 24 min. You can break up your excercise, you don't have to do it all at once, 10 min in the morning, 10 min in the afternoon and 10 min at night counts and 30 minutes of exercise for that day.

Another word about rehab. They are not only about exercise, they are a total program. They covered nutrition, medications, the disease, phychological problems and solutions, bone health and much more through classes that go along with an exercise program. They sign you up for the ones that apply to you. At least that's what they did at my rehab, it was wonderful.
Welcome to DS,
Warmly, Shirley

One mile in 25 minutes is pretty darn good. I think its going
to take me awhile before I reach that point. Sue...congratulations
on your progress.

After years of little or no real excercise, I decided to go out
for a "jog" to test my current situation. 200 yards and I was
gasping for breath and my entire body felt limp by the time
I made it back to the house.

I started feeling ill as the hours went by. Laying down made it worse.

Sue and KyleesNan...You are right on the money.
EASY DOES IT.

The biggest difference I noticed between jogging and
walking is that its easier to use the pursed lip breathing
when walking. When I try to run, I'm bouncing up and
down to much and it interupts my breathing.

I wasn't shocked when the doctor told me my x-ray showed
I had emphysema. I knew I had a problem. Still trying to
find out what I am capable of doing without making myself
sick.

Thanks for the help. I'll be taking it slow and easy while
I try to increase my excercise routines.

Welcome to DS. My fev1 is 18%. Over the course of a day I try & walk a mile & do 10 minutes on my recumbant bike. I use a pedometer to measure my paces. When I was first diagnosed, There was no way I could do this.

Hello and welcome!

Walk...Walk... Walk...
Is the best thing you can do for yourself and your lungs.

My FEV1 12%.... how many miles can I walk? I honestly couldn't tell you.

If I get out of bed, shower, make it to rehab and workout for 1 1/2 hours pacing myself, I feel at least I did something!

I usually can only walk with o2 about 15 steps before having to sit and purse lip breath.

Keep walking and best of luck to you!

Thanks everyone. I discovered inhaling through my nose
and exhaling from my mouth is making all the difference.

Not sure if my pursed lip breathing technique is 100% correct
but, I notice when I exhale through my mouth, its 2 to 3 times
longer than my inhale. I believe I might have been pursing
my lips too tight when I first started. Seems much easier now.

Reminds me of when I was in my 20's, when reading eastern
philosophy and meditation was the center of my life.

I havn't felt this good in years. Take care and have a
good day.

My fev is 46% and I can't tell you about walking but I just started back to the gym and with oxygen I can go 10 minutes on the flat with the elliptical, 20 minutes on the stationary bike and then some light weights. Without the oxygen, I can walk across the parking lot and be breathless. I know I have a lot more conditioning to do, though.

mamaloo; I seem to have the same problem carrying
a lot of groceries in from the car. I'm breathless within
minutes if I don't purse lip breath.

Can walk a mile nonstop and feel great while I'm doing it.
15 to 20 minutes later I start feeling like I'm not getting
enough oxygen and become fatigued for hours.

Not what I expected. No warning that I'm over doing
it while I'm walking. Guess I'll have to cut back a little bit more.

Well enough of my personal problems. Keep up the
good work. I read one story of a lady on oxygen that
gradually built her stamina up to the point where she
is walking 3 1/2 miles and is no longer on oxygen.

Take care and have a good day. Ted