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Breathing advice needed


Guest jbuttrey
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Guest jbuttrey

I have (very) recently quit smoking and also have asthma.  The asthma isn't horrible and I'm not even on normal meds for it, but it's in the back of my mind.  Anyhoo, I plan to start the C25K program Wednesday 7/16 and am very wary about possible breathing issues.  I plan to have my rescue inhaler with me just in case, but I also wondered if anyone else had been in this boat and how it worked out for you?  I would love to hear that someone has "been there/done that" and overcome it. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

 I was Diagnosed with exercise induced childhood Asthma when I was young. I have not had an "attack" in years, and do not even carry a rescue inhaler with me.  However in the middle of week 2 of walking/jogging I sure wish I had one! I have been alternating running outside and on a treadmill, I feel that when on a treadmill I can focus on my breathing better. Deep, in through your nose, out through your mouth breaths really help me. 

Good luck!!

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Thank you all for the advice and the encouragement!  I can tell a difference in my breathing since I quit smoking and am finally starting to feel good about exercising.  I am a bit grumpy but my lungs are healing and I can go longer without getting out of breath now.  I am trying to be conscious of my breathing while exercising and have been concentrating on deep breathing and keeping a rhythm, usually in for three foot falls and out for three footfalls.  This has worked fairly well.  I am, however, having difficulty breathing from my belly.  I am in such a habit of breathing from my chest that I have actually been trying to "practice" keeping my chest still while inhaling and breathing so that my belly goes in and out instead of my chest.  I read that this was the best way to breath more deeply and effectively.  Again, thank you all for the responses and encouragement.  It's wonderful to know that I'm not alone!

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Rhythmic breathing from the belly is definitely good advice. Instead of the "in for 3 steps" and "out for 3 steps" I'd suggest trying "in for 3" and "out for two". This will alternate which foot falls when you begin your exhale. There are many articles and books out there on breathing which suggest this staggered approach. When you are really pushing your pace and can't breath in for 3 counts, switch to an "in for 2, out for 1".

 

As for breathing from your belly, I had (and sometimes still have) that problem also. I found that expanding my belly when I breath in then contracting my abs to push the air from my lungs helps me.

 

I hope some of this helps.

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Robert I've never heard that advice myself.  I am not an expert or anything by any means but I would think that you wouldn't need to take such a deep breath unless you weren't breathing deep enough regularly.  I've been pretty successful so far with taking a deep breath in for 3 foot falls and out for 2 and then as I start going faster and further into the 30 minutes I breath in for 2 and out for one.  It has taken some practice but learning to control my breathing and taking a deeper breath each time has worked pretty well for me and it's helping my stamina quite a bit.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Thank you so much for this advice I have always struggled when I have attempted jogging in the past and am looking forward to starting back up in the morning. I have a lot of weight to loose (100 lbs) and determined to get healthy!

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Hi,  Great advice everyone.   

 

Taken off of Harvard.edu website:     "Shallow breathing hobbles the diaphragm’s range of motion. The lowest portion of the lungs — which is where many small blood vessels instrumental in carrying oxygen to cells reside — never gets a full share of oxygenated air. That can make you feel short of breath and anxious.

Deep abdominal breathing encourages full oxygen exchange — that is, the beneficial trade of incoming oxygen for outgoing carbon dioxide. Not surprisingly, this type of breathing slows the heartbeat and can lower or stabilize blood pressure."

 

Most of us do not breathe deep enough at all.   I like to breathe deep through my diaphragm, hold, release, many times during the day, you can feel the oxygen in your blood.  I set a reminder during the day to do this.   Oxygenated Blood=Weightloss!!!!  

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I am new to running and am having a hard time with breathing properly. The first day I tried so hard to take deep breaths through my nose and out my mouth. I ended up with a horrible headache. The second day I didn't concerntrate much on it and found myself breathing through my mouth which didn't bother me. Help! How do it train myself to breath properly so I don't quit?

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Hi Carrie,     If people get a sideache, it is because they are not breathing properly, a lot like your headache I assume.     You want to diaphragm breathing and make sure you are filling your lungs.  People do not realize how much they do not breathe right.  Let me know if this helps.

 

I also  Breathe deeply about 3x a day, I set a timer to it.   It helps to Oxygenate your blood and speed up your meatbolism.

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