excess weight takes my breath away!

sparrer

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

As you have COPD, ask your doctor for a referral for a course of Pulmonary Rehabilitation. This will encourage you to start an exercise regime and give you information about various breathing techniques you can use when you get out of breath. It will also educate you in various aspects of the condition and encourage you to eat appropriately.

My husband has very severe COPD and the Pulmonary Rehab has been an absolute lifesaver for him and has enabled him to keep some mobility. I can't recommend it highly enough (and it would be covered by the NHS).

I'd never hear of Pulmonary Rehabilitation until now - just scanned through a bit about it and it exhausted me reading it so it must be good for me, ha ha. I'lll certainly look further into it then go to my GP, who is very understanding and helpful, to ask him about a referral.

Barneysmom I don't know where you are but I'm in a semi rural area in Beds with 4 towns, all with pools, within a 10 mile max drive. I'm going to give them a ring and ask what they can offer, if anything, for older non swimmers. Hopefully one can come up with something. Any/everything's worth a try after the shock I had re weight!

Barneysmom

OK if you'll do it, I promise I'll do the same?
I guess it's better to waddle in the water then veg out on the settee? Oh dear will my cossy still fit :rotfl:

sparrer

Barneysmom wrote: »

OK if you'll do it, I promise I'll do the same?
I guess it's better to waddle in the water then veg out on the settee? Oh dear will my cossy still fit :rotfl:

I'll make the calls on Monday - off to visit my DM tomorrow who btw swims weekly at the age of 87!

Took DM to Majorca last June, where the air was good so I had very few breathless times. I needed a new cozzie and got one on ebay, a good make so it was cut big. I got away with a 14

Barneysmom

I never though of EBay, mine's from Asda :rotfl:

foreign_correspondent

Can you borrow a dog to walk with? - I find that dog walking seems much more fun than walking alone!

There may also be local 'walks for health' which often introduce you to some local pleasant walks and other people who are trying to get/keep active and healthy - your local council may be involved in co-ordinating the scheme.

I dont know what your age is, but there are also often local fitness activities aimed at over 50's - may be worth investigating if you fit the criteria!

p.s I am 35 and overweight, and had high blood pressure - walking for an hour a day has returned the BP to normal, I havent lost any weight, but I am fitter, which is more important to me.

Barneysmom

I have 2 dogs but unfortunately I'm not strong enough to hold them on my own, they're too powerful, DH has to do it for me. We do go to the park together though.

I'm 46.

sparrer

I also have a dog but he has problems - all my dogs have come to me from rescues where they've been classified un-rehomeable. This one won't go out without a struggle which upsets him, and me, so much it isn't worth it. Yet he loves the lead and the car, the idiot :rolleyes:, and doesn't put weight on as he literally lives on his nerves. I wonder if he likes swimming?!

I'm old enough to be barneysmom's, umm...very much older sister :rotfl:so I would fit into the catagory for activities aimed at the over-50's. Thank you for that foreign correspondent, another phone call to add to the above on Monday.

And thank you everybody for all the ideas that I didn't have a clue about..must get myself together and stop being in denial about this thing, although I do say it has to live with me, not the other way around :mad:

Barneysmom

Yes, both of mine are rescue dogs, the one girl just trembles the weight off, the daft thing!
It would be fab to take the dog swimming too, I'd love that! What a great business idea that is, dogs and owners together

lilac_lady

My sister joined a slimming class (again) last summer and someone asked her how long she'd been attending. She replied "about 30 years!".

foreign_correspondent

Barneysmom wrote: »

I have 2 dogs but unfortunately I'm not strong enough to hold them on my own, they're too powerful, DH has to do it for me. We do go to the park together though.

I'm 46.

aha - dont know if this is helpful, but my mums dog is like that - she was risking pulling her over when it spotted a cat, or interesting diversion - we got her one of these and it has been a boon -
http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/mikki-walkrite-harness_1_20210.html

when the dog pulls it literally puts the brakes on her, and stops her! Its great for training her to walk to heel, and it cant be uncomfy as she is excited to get it on as it means she is off out!