I can breathe freely now

My asthma doctor asked me, “Why didn't you go straight to the emergency room?” Then, on the spot, he called my cardiologist to discuss whether or not I might have had a possible silent heart attack or have heart disease. 

My pulse and blood pressure were high, and my oxygen saturation level was 82. My forced expiratory volume (FEV- a measure of how much air a person can exhale) was registering about 40 percent of what should be my normal level. 

Subsequent tests revealed I did not have heart disease; however, my blood pressure was higher than normal, and I had gained weight. How did I get to that state? I had a respiratory infection that I did not attend to. Also, I had months of inactivity due a ruptured Achilles tendon that lead to other ailments followed by even more inactivity. 

While much of my problem was temporary (the infection eventually cleared up), I was slowing degrading my cardio-respiratory system and I was informed that I would develop heart disease if I did not make changes. 

People face far greater respiratory challenges; I was fortunate that my problems were fixable. It is possible to increase your lungs’ capacity to exhale - sprint training increases FEV of asthma sufferers.  I began sprint training on a stationary bike every week, and I returned to regularly strength training once a week (The type of strength training we do at our Austin strength training facility puts great demand on the cardio-respiratory system). That hour a week of seriously strenuous exercise made a life-changing difference for me.

A few months later I returned to my doctors. While FEV does decline as we age, my asthma doctor found it “remarkable” (his word) that my FEV reading was the highest I had registered in 12 years.  To restate: I was breathing better now than when I was 12 years younger.  I passed the stress test given by my cardiologist.  Both doctors gave me a clean bill of health. 

A compromised respiratory system, untreated high blood pressure, and heart disease are mortality risk factors. You can increase your odds for survival by taking steps to avoid those risk factors.

There is no way of knowing how you will fair if you contract the flu or coronavirus. Breathing freely and being strong (strength training builds a robust immune system) can help you increase your odds of survival, but more importantly, take the recommended precautions to avoid contracting these sicknesses altogether. 

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Increasing your recovery ability

The doctors were looking for an explanation as to why John was still alive. The doctors told him they had gone back and consulted their medical books. The doctors were amazed and gratified that he had recovered.

John had developed an infection after an operation. As a result of that infection John lost 62 pounds; 23 of those pounds were lean body mass! I went to see him in the hospital. He was propped in his bed. He was gaunt. He was so weak that his wife had to hold a juice box up to his mouth for him to drink.

Prior to the operation John, was a 6'2” healthy, fit, muscular 60 year old man. He had been a strength training client of mine for five years. Every one of those five years he had increased his strength. As part of the aging process it is normal for people to become weaker from age 55 to 60. John was not the norm.  I asked John if the strength training had been factor in his recovery. He said, “Absolutely”.

Upon receiving the go-ahead from his doctors, John returned to strength training. He was so weak that on his first visit his wife had to assist him in walking from the curb into the gym. I have seen a lot in 40 years in the fitness industry: that image is one I will not forget.  Every week it was heartening to see John's rapid improvement.  In short order he returned to being hale and hearty.

No one wants to go though an experience where one is fighting for their life, but if you do it is best to increase your chances for survival. A stronger body is more apt to survive, and strength training contributes to a more robust immune system. At our Austin Personal Training facility we work with all ages and levels of fitness, even those working to overcome illness and injury.

The recovery systems of compromised clients are fragile. Experienced trainers will properly “dose'' clients with exercise sufficient to stimulate positive change but not too much to overwhelm the system. Our personal training sessions are short and designed to efficiently stimulate a change; we then give clients plenty of time to recover.

Nineteen years have past. John is 79 years old, he still goes to work, and enjoys his extended family that has grown over the years. He still strength trains like his life depends on it … because it does.

Request a complimentary first session at Kelly Personal Training

 Click here to schedule a session to try it yourself

Complimentary first workout

*Before you stop by please call us. We operate by appointment.