Exercising ideas?

[kayers3]

I've been doing pulm rehab for about a month, trying to get my lung function up and everything feels soooo slow. They are really cautious about moving up exercise. So they've been gradually nudging me up but again it feels so incredibly slow. Perhaps I'm being impatient...
I was wondering if y'all had any suggestions keeping in mind the following:
My lungs are significantly less strong than the rest of my body. Shocking, I know. So I go into exercising feeling like I should be able to do things, start, and quickly realize that my lungs and body do not agree on what exercising feels like. Right now what I'm doing is moderately hard on my lungs but too easy for the rest of my body. I'm not really sure how to balance this. I feel like I should push a little harder, but I'm not sure what the best way would be...
Should I try to exercise for longer or harder to better help my lung function? I can't doing anything that is too aerobic b/c I will bleed. I was told to try to keep my heart rate below 135, and I've found that when I get close to that or go over I start to cough up blood. (My resting heart rate is around 108). I've even been listening to ballads while I work out to try and help control my heart rate and keep me relaxed.

 

[jbrandyn]

low impact swimming worked wonders for me, just have to fine a pool that is well ventilated, colder water pools are also really nice.
My regimen is: 4 laps breast stroke, 4laps freestyle, then 2 laps with a kick board, 2 laps with a bouy, a couple laps of long strokes and breath holding, and finishing off with a couple cool down laps.
Swimming is really good for getting lung capacity up.

 

[beleache]

I am also doing pulmonary rehab & as you have said it is very slow. Everything you do in pr is documented so I think they start out slow & increase at a slow pace .. I think this has to do w/ insurance (besides your health of course) I am doing pr 3x's a week , 1 hr. sessions. I try to do 30 on my treadmill on the off days.

 

[Evilee]

I think resistance training would be better for you than getting hard after cardio. You'll still get your heart rate up but it won't be nearly as extreme. Once you've built some strength you could start to mix in more cardio or do the resistance training with more of a 'circuit' intensity in mind.

It's very important that you're intelligent about finding your boundaries. There is no point in pushing past your limit if it means that your going to the couch or the hospital for an extended period. You don't make ANY progress when you're sidelined.

I've written a little on my blog about using gymnastics rings to start resistance training (They make bodyweight movements much easier). Take a look if you're interested.

http://evilee.blogspot.com/2012/04/rings-as-easy-resistance-training.html

 

[MariposaNicole]

Yoga would be my best suggestion... That way you can focus on slow, deep breathing while keeping your heart rate where it needs to be, and get an all-over strength building workout at the same time <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[kayers3]

Thanks for the ideas! I used to do swim team, so I have trouble going slow in a pool -- but I may give it another whirl and try to take it easy! I've started some resistance training with bands so we'll see how that goes.

 

[TarHeelBlue2007]

Since you did swim team, I have two more ideas.

One is to try a set of 8x25, starting w/ as many breaths as you need, and each lap after that has one less breath. It's not too hard, but allows you to practice breath control.

Other idea is a set of 10 "sinking balls." You curl up in a ball close to the wall, head underwater, and slowly exhale until you sink to bottom. hold your breath at the bottom for a comfortable amt of time (or time yourself), then return to surface. Again, strengthens lungs and breathing capacity.

Good luck!