Welcome to the Group

Welcome! We would love get to know you, so please tell us a little bit about yourself. You can choose any format you'd like, but most of us here share some or all of the following details:

1. History with weight loss:
2. History with Calorie Count:
3. Reason for joining this group:
4. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests:

And now just go ahead and make that first post!

Hmm the toolbar didnt show up right away .. definitly an ajax control

Hello,

1. My history has been up and down since I got out of the army many years ago. I've become complacent and find myself just not caring at times. I recently found out that I have asthma and it is difficult for me to exercise like I used to.

2. About 9 months ago I got real motivated and lost 25 lbs using CC and monitoring my intake daily. It was a real help.

3. My reason for joining is that with fewer people, I think it may be easier to support each other.

4. I play golf almost every day and even that is difficult with my breathing issues.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. My goal is 165 by Jan 1. Then a new goal of 150 by May 1.
Troy

Hi,

1. I don't have much history since I'm only 14. But anyway I was born with asthma and have never gotten rid of it although i haven't had any problems with in a few years. Well back when i was around 2-7 I lived with a step-father of mine who is no longer in my life thank god, but I would get whipped and abused if i didn't eat my vegetables and thats when I went down hill..... I cant stand eating vegetables because they remind me of him, I know it sounds stupid but its just a physiological thing. Went from about 89 to 182 pounds.

2. Just Joined

3. I joined because I need advice and what vukotamick said it justs seems to be more supportive.

4. I sit at home and play video games and I can quit playing them no problem its just once i start playing, 2 hours later im still there. I love playing Baseball and Football but because of my weight i wasn't able to play my favorite positions and didn't play any this year which is my Freshman year in High school.

hi there,

to begin with i guess its hereditary thats is why i had asthma eversince a kid but since most of my family members had it also but it was gone whe they were growing up but unfortunately for me it didnt go away until now that i am old already. i joined this group because i wanted to learn more about being healthy and how to loose weight because i feel it affects me if i am gaining weight it is much more difficult. i wanted to e healthy inside out and wanted to be aware of things around. lastly i wanted to be well and live a normal life.

 

hi all,

1. I put on a lot of weight while pregnant with my first child who is now 13.  I have tried at different times to take the weight off.

2. Calorie Count has helped, I can't remember off the top of my head how long I have been a member, but I know I took the summer off. I think that CC is a great tool.

3. I have asthma, and would like to know others handle excercise and weight loss while tending to the peskyness of the asthmatic lungs.

4. I am an artist/potter, married mother of 2, plus Gabriella Dogallini, the black lab. I love knitting, painting, reading...for more read my profile.

I have fairly well controlled asthma, it started in High School during track as excercise induced asthma, but has morphed into allergic asthma.  I use a rescue enhaler, antihistimines, breathing and lung excercises, and time in the sauna.  I recently however, did a deep clean of the house, and had 3 days of asthma attacks.  I know now that I need to protect my lungs when cleaning, and maybe even be careful during the fall.  A friend noticed that I had trouble last year at this time with this same thing.

Hello Everyone:

I started out weighing 212 in August 2005.  I started exercising (walking twice a day) and cut my calories.  I lost 30 pounds really fast.  Then it slowed down.  I'd lose some, gain a little back and then lose again.  Then about 8 months ago I started losing again and lost down to 155.  I go up to 158 or 159 and back down to 155.  It has been really hard to get below 155. 

I just happened to find the link to this site and decided to join.  I've had more success with counting calories than anything else. 

I work for a Home Builder, selling newly constructed homes.  I have a wonderful, big loving family which consist of a hardworking husband, 4 children, 5 grandchildren (and a new one on the way).  I have two dogs, Buster and Duchess who are the love of my lives.  I love to shop, design house plans, decorate houses, work in my yard, spend time with my family-especially my grandchildren, read, travel, and spend time on the beach.

I was only diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago.  I kept having this funny feeling ...couldn't breath.  I had no idea what was wrong with me.  One night I thought I was gonna have to go to the hospital because I was having so much trouble breathing.  I made an appt. with a Pulmonary  Specialist the next day and was diagnosed with asthma.  I have the most trouble with it in the Summer.  I live in a extremely humid area.  Usually it doesn't bother me in the Winter but this year has been different.  I use an inhaler when I have to.  I am suppose to be on Advair but I'm afraid of the side effects.  I also have a breathing machine that I use when it I get really bad.  I still having figured out what causes mine but I think it's humidity, dust, fatigue, and stress.  It is a really miserable disease.

1. History with weight loss: My weight has been an issue for as long as I can remember. I had a lot of my asthma medications to thank for that! I went back and forth between 120 to 160 all through out my teen years. When I was 17 I decided to make a better path for myself and quit drinking and doing other substances I was using and ended up slowly gaining weight since then. I am now about 200 pounds. At my heaviest I was 220. Last year I got down to 185 but then gained some back. My goal is to be 140 by June or July!

2. History with Calorie Count: I had actually joined this site a long time ago but never actually used. I usually just carry around a notebook and track my calories that way but this seemed much more convienent. Especially, with the mobile access!

3. Reason for joining this group:I joined this group because I have had asthma all my life and I do feel that it does affect my ability to exercise and loose weight. But then I also feel like its a double edged sword sometimes because if I did exercise more often and lost the weight I would be able to breathe much easier!

4. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests: Currently, I am working as a leasing agent in Fort Walton Beach, FL. I love my job and my life! I am a bubbly person and am happy with all my life choices. I recently just moved in with my wonderful boyfriend who loves me just the way I am. We are discussing marriage and starting a family and I would love to be thinner before I walk down the aisle and would love to be healthier before I start a family! I just want my outsides to match my insides!

1. History with weight loss: fluctuation constantly it seems... though i've gone from my heaviest when i was younger which was 170 lbs... to lightest at 110-115 lbs when i was in a bad time of eating disorders.... currently living a more healthy balanced life style, not overdoing it at the gym but starting to work out on a good schedule.... current weight of 130 (up from 125 because of the dreaded christmas holidays and my poor self control with sweets!!!)

2. History with Calorie Count:just started on this site today.. i used to use daily plate, but the site got a bit complicated to use, and would load pretty slow...

3. Reason for joining this group: because i have asthma, and had that on my list of things when i signed up, and it somehow automatically selected me when signing up lol.....

4. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests: i work in an office (desk jobs = bad for weigh loss! LOL)... no family in canada, for some reason people in my family don't live too long (mum=40ish when passed, grandmum and grandpa in early 60's when passed), and i have a puppy :) who is like a child to me... <3 and i have a fiance, who i will be getting married to in 17 days! :)

 

ok, i'm done talking about myself now :)

 

Hi. Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm surprised there are not more posts in here given the large number of members..  So using the format given, here goes.

1. History with weight loss: Never had to think about it much until my thyroid had to come out. During the whole thyroid trial I got up to 160 (was about 135 before) and have struggled to get back down ever since. A few years now. I have had limited success and got to about 145 and was pretty happy with that, but over the holidays got back up to almost 160 and have decided to really dedicate to losing it as I don't like how I feel now.
2. History with Calorie Count: Did an online search and this came up. about.com is a reputable site so I thought I would give it a try. Been keeping up my food and activity logs the last few days. I like it, but it can be hard to find decent guestimates on food calories for non-packaged products.
3. Reason for joining this group: I have reactive airways disease which limits my exercise. The inhaler makes me feel jittery so I just stopped using it. I don't have random asthma attacks and don't need an emergency inhaler. But I have noticed that I've limited my physical activity to avoid that chest burning/crushing feeling when it does kick in.
4. Some interesting details about yourself: I work in computers, have 3 cats and a dog (that is between me and my roommmate) and just recently moved to Portland, OR. Looking forward to lots of hiking with mountains only 20 minutes away. Went on one this weekend but the trail was a mess with snow and ice and had to turn back early. Still awesome though. Reminded me just how out of shape I've gotten this last year. I struggled.

1. History with weight loss:

Not much!  Historically, I've been pretty fit -- I used to be a 30-mile-a-day cyclist, had a very physical job, and so forth -- but I didn't take care of my asthma adequately (basically, I had this idea that I could 'handle' it with just my rescue inhaler and force of will -- ha!).  About four years ago, shortly after moving to Louisville, KY, I got a really nasty lung infection that knocked me flat on my tail for about 2 months.  It took another 6 just to get back to normal day-to-day function ... and by then (because I was still eating like a 150-mile-a-week guy, instead of a 0-mile-ever guy), I'd already begun to gain weight.  LOTS of weight.  I had no idea you could gain that much weight that fast, in fact, especially since I was used to being able to eat literally whatever I wanted. 

About the same time, I was also making inroads in the tech sector -- which meant lots of sitting on my fanny at a desk.  I began my climb at around 145; right now, I'm sitting at 194 -- or, at least, I was when I joined CC a couple days ago.  I'm 5'9", and for a guy with my build, 194 is way too much -- I've got the skeleton of a greyhound, but I've packed on the equivalent of a St Bernard.

I hope to have more of a history with weight loss shortly, LOL.

2. History with Calorie Count:

Since The Horrible Lung Plague of 2005, my weight has been up and down -- not so much because of concentrated efforts to lose, but because my ability to actually do things has fluctuated a lot.  I wasn't on controller meds -- I had no health insurance, and I kept telling myself I could handle it -- so how much I could do physically depended a lot on where I was, the season, the air quality, etc (I was consulting at the time, so I was often back and forth between here and North Carolina).

I finally resolved to Really Do Something About It -- which first meant admitting to myself that I didn't even have it all under control -- after my most recent doctor's appointment revealed to me exactly how much I'd gained.  Starting two new controller meds has made me feel really hopeful, so I decided I would track my calories in a blog -- and, lo and behold, ran across CC while trying to look up the nutrition facts for whole wheat bread.  Something just clicked; I signed up, and I think I'm here to stay.  I love this place.

3. Reason for joining this group:

Asthma is exacerbated by excess weight, but it also carries its own challenges where weight control is concerned.  I'm hoping to be able to connect with other people and trade ideas and experiences.  I don't feel like I have a whole lot of offer anyone else at this point in terms of what they should do -- but I sure have a lot advice about how not to manage your asthma (and your weight)! 

Right now, I think I have a lot to learn.  I was raised to be a little too self-reliant, sometimes -- now I have to learn how not to always say, "I've got this," and when to consult people with more wisdom and experience, and when to go to my doc and say, "Okay, I need help."  I'm hoping I can work on that here.

4. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests:

Ah, the fun facts!

I work as a software engineer.  Right now, I have a permanent job in a corporate environment, which is fine except for the insane hours (with luck, they'll calm down here in a week or two).  Ultimately, I'd like to get back to consulting, with more of an orientation towards graphic design and web development -- but I have a bunch of obligations to resolve and goals to achieve before I can have that freedom of movement again.  Then, I'm also considering a career change (to education, probably at a middle school level, which, everyone tells me, means I'm either crazy, a masochist, or both).

My family is all over the place -- my closest relatives are my Mom, in Connecticut (where I grew up), and my sis in Baltimore (nice place to visit, I can't live there).

I live in a neat little Victorian with my room mate, Cameron, who is pretty much my best friend, if not always my best supporter in this endeavour.  He and my cats think I work too much.

My interests are broad and varied -- computers (obviously) and programming, art, writing, music, horses, cats, dogs, martial arts, movies, anime, comics, reading, biking, biking, biking...  Right now, I'm at work 12 hours a day (plus 6 hours or more on Saturdays), so I don't get a lot of time to indulge my hobbies.  Here's hoping that will change soon.

Anyway, this is getting waaaaaay too long, so I'm going to cut it off while I still can :D

Hi! I've had asthma for nearly 27 years. My grandmother and mother both suffered from it terribly. When I had breast cancer about 7 yrs. ago, I lost over 50 lbs. I realized that I actually could breath better. But then, old stupid me...I gained weight and the asthma, while never gone, seem to almost double in intensity and severity.  So bad that I'm now back on an nebulizer, rescue inhaler and advair. Humidity, cold and really hot weather  seem to  bring it on full force. If I dust or vacum, I've learned to wear a dust mask. Not one of those cheapie paper ones either. I bought one with twin washable filters. Makes a HUGH difference in the number of dust induced asthma attacks!!  I started walking slowly, trying to get some sort of excercise. Can't do that while I'm talking though.

I totally flunked a stress test a couple weeks ago. I thought I was having a heart attack. Turned out I now also have high blood pressure! (when it rains...yada, yada, yada!) So now, I'm in the process of trying to lose my weight all over again. I've lost a total of 11 lbs. so far. 3 lbs lost since joining Cal. Counters last week. I think even this minor weight loss has been a help for my breathing. I'm not waking up at night as often  reaching for my inhaler.

When I read the difficulties by other asthma sufferers...I can't begin to tell you how it made me feel. I hate to use the word "happy" but I am happy to find people that are in the same boat as me. You get to feeling kind of alone. Not able to be as active as you use to be...people who don't have breathing problems brushing off any attempts on my part to tell them how asthma affects me.  Only asthma sufferers, their families and doctors know first hand  the mental and physical junk that asthma tends to dole out. 

So to all fellow asthmatics out there...thanks in advance for letting me vent. And good luck to all who are trying to lose weight for health concerns.

Original Post by dixdill:

 Only asthma sufferers, their families and doctors know first hand  the mental and physical junk that asthma tends to dole out.

 Dixdill, you're so right.  It amazes me how many people will say things like, "Yeah, but it's just asthma..." or will assume that someone like me has trouble breathing because he's out of shape, rather than the other way around (yes, being overweight makes the asthma worse -- but I know which one came first, LOL!).

When I lived in B'more, I had a boss whose daughter had, as he put it, 'pretty heavy asthma,' but was relatively easily managed, and even he seemed to have trouble understanding that, for some of us, it takes years to hit on the right management strategy (and then only if we can afford it -- Singulair, in particular, has been a miracle drug for me, and if I ever lost my health insurance, I have exactly no idea how I'd pay for it).

I know what you mean about the word 'happy,' -- but I really am happy to know that I'm not alone.

I've noticed that people with asthma, as a whole, tend to be pretty hard on ourselves.  We've grown up with the same misunderstandings and assumptions as everyone else -- so when our asthma prevents us from keeping up with the things that keep us healthy, we come down on ourselves hard.  It's good to talk to other asthmatics, because we're all in the same boat, and it's easier to talk about what's going on when you don't have to worry that someone's going to say, "You're just making excuses."

Just joined the group today,hi everyone!

I found and joined this site on saturday,just 3 days ago now,and love it.The calorie counting and exercise output charts etc are fab and really help to keep me motivated.

I have never dieted before,never calorie counted before now.Joined this group because I want to share experiences and learn from others experience of trying to start a diet and exercise routine with asthma as the monkey on my back.

I know my asthma is less severe when I am lighter so that will be a very positive side effect of losing weight for my wedding.

I am 36,run my own little business from home,have 2 kids,2 massive and crazy labrador retrievers and am finally getting married later this year to my fantastic boyfriend of 18 years.Hobbies?I guess reading is my favourite one and I do love going on long walks,although the icy weather just now and the fact that I am so heavy make it more difficult for me,not so enjoyable when you have to stop to breath and take inhaler every 20 minutes.Looking forward to being able to run up a hill again.

 I have had asthma since I was 12 at least.I had a severe lung infection when I was 12 and have,looking back,had asthma since but didnt get diagnosed or prescribed inhalers until I started having serious breathing problems at 21.I ended up at A&E one night with a serious asthma attack and the doctor asked what inhalers I was on.That was my first diagnosis.I am currently on seretide(lovely purple coloured inhaler)morning and night and the ventolin when I need help so take that about 4 times a day at the minute.

I find I suffer more from my asthma if the weather is cold or if its quite humid,mist is dreadfull as I cant breath in it at all.My lungs work better when I am lighter too so thats going to be something I am looking forward to once I lose some weight.

Food affect my asthma too so this caloried counting should help with that as I am taking less dairy and dairy is the main culprit when it comes to aggrivating my asthma.

Going to add my rye crispbread lunch to my calorie chart now,I will visit again in a few days.

Oh nearly forgot.A very important question!I am being very strict and putting everything I eat or drink in my calorie chart and I just thought,

DO INHALERS HAVE CALORIES?

Scottish -- I don't think inhalers have calories worth mentioning, but I'll do some research and see what I can find.

1. Well I am not really looking to lose weight, I want to lose fat and gain muscle because I live a sedentary lifestyle and I have exercise induced asthma.  I just want to be more motivated by exercise instead of being scared of it.
2. Well, I just signed up for this site.  :D
3. I have had asthma for 10 years.
4. Some interesting details.. I go on the computer wayy too much, read a lot of books, I do graphic design, I'm attending college, I work at a movie theater full time.

1. My weight has moved around drastically for a long time. I'm 24, when I was in high school I was around 260 pounds. I lost a lot of weight by doing Tai Bo. I at one point was down to around 180 but over the last 4 years in my relationship with my fiance I let myself slip a lot. I currently weigh 275 pounds, my all time heaviest. When my asthma was really bad I didn't even try to exercise buut no I have it a bit more under control, and after some positive motivation and tips from my doctor, I am ready to get my weight down for good. I must have crossed a line somewhere. The one that everyone comments about-- " How does anyone let themselves get that big?" Over time. I can hardly tie my shoes anymore or pick up a penny off the floor.

I sighned up with Calorie Count when I was telling my soon to be father in law about my visit with the doctor and how I needed to drastically cut calories. He reccomended this site to me and I love it. It's easy and convenient!

I joined this group because I have had asthma for about 11 years. Sometimes it's under control and sometimes It's really bad. For a long time I was a smoker too. I made some bad choices there.... I quit about two years ago.

Details.... I have two dogs, a lab and a daschund, I am a foster parent so I stay home to give them as much attention as they need in a given case. I am about to be married in three months. I like to scrapbook, be with my friends, shop (not for clothes though), play some computer games like sims, and I love college. Persuing my bachelors in psychogy, sociology, and human relations. I also love movies, especially series, it's awesome to miss the commercials!!!

Kokorozashi---- I totally 150% agree. I struggle with how to pay for the things that help my asthma the most. I love Singulait, it works miracles for my asthma AND my allergies, Advair is amazing too, but both of these cost around or over $150!!! So I run on samples from the doctor's when I can and then go from there. My fiance was a track star in high school and didn't even know anyone with asthma until he met me. He has a hard time understanding when I need to wake up at night to use my inhaler. He scolds me when I need to use my inhaler more often when it's not under control. I wish he understood even a little. He can run 3 miles on a treadmill at a really good pace while I stroll next to him and although I know it's not his fault I am so jealous of his unlimited air supply. He ran in a marathon once and I woul dlove to be able to do that with him some day. He's incredibly supportive, but as you say, can only be so empathetic!!!! I honestly felt as if I were the only one in this particular boat!!

Original Post by kokorozashi:

Original Post by dixdill:

 Only asthma sufferers, their families and doctors know first hand  the mental and physical junk that asthma tends to dole out.

 Dixdill, you're so right.  It amazes me how many people will say things like, "Yeah, but it's just asthma..." or will assume that someone like me has trouble breathing because he's out of shape, rather than the other way around (yes, being overweight makes the asthma worse -- but I know which one came first, LOL!).

When I lived in B'more, I had a boss whose daughter had, as he put it, 'pretty heavy asthma,' but was relatively easily managed, and even he seemed to have trouble understanding that, for some of us, it takes years to hit on the right management strategy (and then only if we can afford it -- Singulair, in particular, has been a miracle drug for me, and if I ever lost my health insurance, I have exactly no idea how I'd pay for it).

I know what you mean about the word 'happy,' -- but I really am happy to know that I'm not alone.

I've noticed that people with asthma, as a whole, tend to be pretty hard on ourselves.  We've grown up with the same misunderstandings and assumptions as everyone else -- so when our asthma prevents us from keeping up with the things that keep us healthy, we come down on ourselves hard.  It's good to talk to other asthmatics, because we're all in the same boat, and it's easier to talk about what's going on when you don't have to worry that someone's going to say, "You're just making excuses."

Kokorozashi---- I totally 150% agree. I struggle with how to pay for the things that help my asthma the most. I love Singulait, it works miracles for my asthma AND my allergies, Advair is amazing too, but both of these cost around or over $150!!! So I run on samples from the doctor's when I can and then go from there. My fiance was a track star in high school and didn't even know anyone with asthma until he met me. He has a hard time understanding when I need to wake up at night to use my inhaler. He scolds me when I need to use my inhaler more often when it's not under control. I wish he understood even a little. He can run 3 miles on a treadmill at a really good pace while I stroll next to him and although I know it's not his fault I am so jealous of his unlimited air supply. He ran in a marathon once and I woul dlove to be able to do that with him some day. He's incredibly supportive, but as you say, can only be so empathetic!!!! I honestly felt as if I were the only one in this particular boat!!

Hi!

 

 I've grown heavier every year since High School. Last year I joined the gym, worked out a lot but I wasn't monitoring my eating so I didn't get very far.

 This is the first time I've used Calorie Count. I really like the set-up!

 I've had asthma for the past 2 years since a bad case of pneumonia. Exercising with Asthma is always a little more difficult and I thought some help would be good to motivate me.

 I'm currently a student, off for the summer so I've got lots of time to exercise. I like to hike and take pictures, usually at the same time!

hello everyone!

 

first things first. i was diagnosed with ibs a couple of years ago, and ever since then, i've had severe dietary changes. i've never really had a problem with my weight in high school. i ran cross country all four years, so i looked great in high school, even though my weight was around 150-160. (i bulk up instead of getting slender when i run long distance)

since i left for college, i find it hard to exercise, but i never changed my eating habits until i was diagnosed with ibs. i had to change it overnight. because of my ibs i've lost my appetite, so i can go long periods without eating and not realize it, which causes problems for my hypoglycemia.

basically, i joined calorie count to keep myself healthy and active, and i thrive in group settings, so this seemed perfect for me.

 

i joined this group because growing up, i was the only kid with asthma. i was diagnosed with asthma when i was around 5 months old, and have been hospitalized on occasion for it. as you can imagine, exercise is difficult for me with my asthma, but when i was running daily, i had little trouble with it (excluding the running bit :D) it's nice to not be the weird kid with the plastic hook anymore.

 

as i said earlier, i'm going to college and majoring in psychology. i have a bunny named snowball, and he's a big cuddlemonster. i'm interested in plenty of things, especially music and cooking. and i'll end it here, so i don't ramble forever.