10 Facts About Me and Exercise

By John Bottrell, RRT

4 min read

I have now been blogging since October of 2007. Since then, my first post every year has been about exercise, dieting, and/or getting in shape.

After finishing last year’s post on this subject, I decided it would be my last post. I mean, how many new ways can you write on the same subject and still make it interesting? Yet here I am doing it again. Or, here I am trying anyway.

I am 50 years old this time around. I will be 51 by the time this post is published. That means I have been dealing with this disease for half a century. When I look back on my childhood, it’s not me anymore I’m thinking of. It seems like a different person altogether. So things that kid did no longer embarrass me.

Yes, I did many embarrassing things because of my asthma. Allow me to list a few here. These are things the past me would hide from.

Gym class troubles

1. In gym class, I was very awkward. Once, we had to run back and forth in the gym. After running back and forth several times, I got disorientated. I turned around and smacked right into Bruce. We both fell to the ground in pain and agony. I was also utterly embarrassed. My fellow students blamed me, of course. They laughed at me. As I look back, can I blame this on my asthma? After all, I mean, it was a rare occasion that I could run at all. So, it makes sense I would suck at it when I did get a chance.

2. Most of my classmates loved gym class. I hated it. So much so, in fact, that in high school, I had my doctor write me a note excusing me from it. Instead of doing gym class, I had a free study hour in the library. Ah, it was nice. So, yes, I did once use my asthma to my advantage.

3. I did it again in college. At Muskegon Community College, you must take a PE class to earn your Associate’s Degree. I did not want to do it. So, once again, I asked my doctor to write an excuse for me to skip it. And it worked. So, it is a fact that my doctor helped me earn my respiratory therapy degree.

Weight fluctuations

4. As a kid, I was always skinny. I was a runt, so to speak. The other kids picked on me for it. I could eat anything I wanted and never gain weight. Of course, I kept eating that way even after I stopped growing. And by the time I was 30, I was overweight for the first time in my life. Funny, that is when I started exercising. And, ironically, I learned to love it.

5. I started my diet that year in January. I went for my first run in 40-degree weather. I made it quite a distance before my chest started to burn. But I was still doing it. And I finished my 3-mile run. It was such a great feeling. This is a testament to modern asthma medicine. With controlled asthma, I am now able to run, even in the winter. Sure, my chest does burn a little when I run in the cold. But I can still do it. Yay!

6. Can you imagine going half your life not being able to do something and then all of a sudden you can do it? Maybe that’s why I like doing it so much while others do not. I appreciate that I can do it because, for so many years, I could not.

Becoming a runner

7. Unlike that kid version of me, now I love exercising. I often get up early and look forward to going for a morning run. Yeah, I suppose that might make me a nerd. But, unlike the kid version of me, now I don’t mind being a nerd.

8. So, I was talking about this with a coworker. Not being a nerd, I mean, we were talking about running. He was inspired by the fact that I was able to run with asthma. So he asked if he could go with me. I said yes. And he ran with me. But, he did not run. He walked alongside me, running. Then he did three laps around the park to my one.

That was when I realized I do not run. The term my friend used was a wog (walk/jog). And that’s fine, he said, at least you are getting out. So, yeah, I still get teased some by my friends. But I have thicker skin now, so to speak. I can handle it. And I can also laugh at myself. Sometimes, as I'm running around the high school track, I feel like I'm running very fast. I have a good imagination. Yet my friend brought me down to earth.

Setting goals

9. Some people say you should not make New Year’s Resolutions. They say this because most of us fail. And then we get discouraged, maybe even depressed. But, I don’t think that way. I think it is better to try and fail than never to have tried at all.

10. And here I go again: Another post about exercising; another post about getting in shape. Another resolution I will try to keep. It’s hard to do. But it’s so important, especially if you have asthma. At least that’s my opinion.

Many times in the past, I have succeeded. I have a history of staying in pretty good shape. But the past few years have been challenging for me. Last year I did not do so well with my resolution. This year I plan on succeeding again.

How has your relationship with exercise changed over time? Share your experience with us in the comments below.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Asthma.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Leon Lebowitz, RRT Moderator & Contributor
Hi John, and thanks for this little review of the history of you and exercise (with asthma, for 50 years!) Your candor with the community will no doubt hit home for many of our members. I know it did for me!! As always, keep up the good work - I find your writing is wonderful to read! Warmly, Leon (site moderator <a href='https://asthma.net' target='_blank'>asthma.net</a>)
Melissa.Arnold Community Admin
John, this post made me smile. You keep wogging -- it's not about how fast you go, but just that you do. And I say this because my couch has indents from where I have been firmly occupying it since lockdown began last year. Sigh. Like you, I stopped doing gym class when I was in school because of my own mobility issues. That study hall was the best! I am an avid reader, and when I was a kid I read FAST. So it was a joy. I was also able to take music lessons with the band teacher and eventually joined the band. (Worth noting because I did have a smaller lung capacity. Band was a big help in working on that!) Today, I just walk. Well, I did. I started losing some weight thanks to a healthier diet and felt "excused" from exercising. I really do need to get moving again. -Melissa, <a href='https://asthma.net' target='_blank'>asthma.net</a> team
shellzoo Member
Before the pandemic I got myself to my weight goal. I felt great and my asthma was very controlled. Then I got sick with what I think was Covid 19. After that, between the fatigue, being stuck at home unless working and just the stress of it all I gained back a bit of the weight. Now I can feel my asthma slipping a wee bit. I just got a fitness watch and have plans to get back on track with my health and fitness. I never liked exercise because even as a child I would get so out of breath. Now I know why and I can treat myself before exercise. I prefer a long hike on a trail but I have a treadmill too. The treadmill is nice because I don’t have to worry about fitness clubs. I just throw a video on while I go through the program. I know from a year ago how much better I felt at my ideal weight. I am still a great person but I do breathe better lighter.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Moderator & Contributor
 Hi again, Shellzoo, and thanks for joining in the conversation as regards John's article about asthma and exercise. I think many of us have had unexpected changes to aspects of our lifestyle during the pandemic, so you are not alone! It's now up to all of us to try to get back on track as best we can. Good luck with your plans moving forward! All the best, Leon (site moderator <a href='https://asthma.net' target='_blank'>asthma.net</a>)
jules123 Member
Thank you for your post on Asthma and exercise John. I read it with interest. My exercise woes actually started at the start of lockdown when suddenly my entire active world collapsed like many others experienced. i had started a decent exercise program including cardio, toning and weight training a few months before, including a new sport which I loved, was feeling stronger and fitter than I had for at least 10 years, my asthma was controlled, and then, suddenly, with no warning covid 19 hit and the world was stuck at home, with no outlet for us exercise junkies. Doing a few basic exercises in the confines of our livingrooms compared to the space to move in the great outdoors (we live 2 minutes from the beach and ocean so our lives revolve around marine activities), was heartbreaking along with the news, views, conspiracy theories and accompanying stress about the pandemic everywhere you looked. i became depressed, gave up all social media and spent my time painting and exploring my creative side which was at least a small outlet for pent up emotion. The day we were allowed out again, I was pounding the pavements along with at least half my neighbourhood, during the two hours, 6-8am (not my favourite time to exercise, but beggars cant be choosers) that we were allowed out. A year down the line, and we can exercise at any time, gyms, parks and beaches remain open and I have regained the fitness and emotional wellbeing of March last year. The only cloud that continues to hover overhead is the constant possibility of a third wave of infection, and another dreaded curtailing of exercise and sporting activity.