How to Lose Weight When You Have Asthma

Summertime is a season of fun, sunshine, and adventures. For many adults, though, it is a time of increased stress because summer is also bathing suit time.

If you want to beat your summer anxiety and get into shape before you hit the beach, it’s essential to start losing weight right away. If you have asthma, you might believe you’re just doomed to spend the summer wearing sweats. The truth is that there are some ways you can lose weight even when you have asthma. You’ll have to be more careful than your friends, but it is possible to lose weight and feel great about yourself.

Asthma and Weight Loss

First off, understand your physical limitations. Do you have exercise-induced attacks? Is your asthma a problem when pollen counts are high? Does it affect you when you try to work out too fast?

Before you start working out, understand what movements might lead to your asthma attacks. While it is possible to exercise with asthma, you still need to be careful to choose activities that don’t make it difficult for you to breathe.

Pick Low-Impact Exercises that Won’t Induce Asthma Attacks

Next, pick low-impact exercises that won’t take your breath away.

Consider things like yoga or swimming instead of running or aerobics. Always start slowly and work your way up gradually to longer workouts. Instead of trying a 30-minute yoga session, for example, start with 10 minutes. Instead of trying to swim 20 laps, just try to swim five. If at any point you begin to suspect your asthma is acting up, then quit the activity and take a break. You can try again on another day.

Watch Pollen Counts Before Beginning Exercises

Make sure you exercise when pollen counts are low and in areas that don’t have allergens. That might restrict you to working out at the gym or in your living room. Forgo basements that could be moldy, areas that are dusty, and friends’ houses if there are pets present.

Unfortunately, if your asthma is severe, pollen and grass might make it impossible for you to exercise outdoors.

Have Inhaler Handy

Be sure to keep your rescue inhaler on hand in case you begin to feel your asthma acting up during your workout. Some physicians advise their patients to take an inhale before a workout, so check with your doctor to see if he would like you to take this precaution.

Follow Healthy Diet

Finally, make sure you follow a healthy diet. Losing weight is a great goal, but you can’t do it if you’re eating junk food. Always try to eat healthy foods on a regular basis; the type of diet you follow doesn’t matter as much as your consistency. Skip the sugar and instead eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.

Having breathing issues doesn’t have to mean you can’t lose weight. In fact, with patience and planning, it’s possible to exercise, get fit, and still lose weight in spite of your asthma. You can consult with a board-certified physician in your area before beginning an exercise routine or if you have concerns about how exercising might affect you.