Mike Deibler is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a highly sought after fitness professional.  He has a Master’s Degree in Exercise and Sport Sciences and is a Licensed Sports Nutritionist.  Mike has helped hundreds of individuals who could not lose weight, get to their goal weight and stay there.  To learn more about Mike’s fitness services or receive more free fitness tips, visit him at www.sandiegopremiertraining.com. You can also follow him on twitter at http://twitter.com/SDPT or his blog at www.premiertraining.blogspot.com.

Submit Your Diet or Fitness Related Questions to Us!

Question One

If I have an extreme case of asthma but need to to lose weight, what are my exercise options?

Mike’s Answer:

While most research is pointing to high intensity workouts burning the most fat and overall calories, it is not the only option to lose weight. Low intensity exercise will still burn calories and can still lead to weight loss. It just may not be the most efficient way to do it. For a weight loss program, you just need the combination of less calories consumed than burned, a cardio routine, and a strength routine.

For your cardio routine, you can stick with low intensity exercise such as walking. You will need to closely monitor your intensity level. You know your body best and what you can handle. Your pace should be a comfortable one. Since you are performing low intensity work, you want to try and increase your time doing it. If you can handle it, try and shoot for 45-60 minutes of cardio each time.

Your strength training will be an integral part of your routine, just like any weight loss program. Again keep it lower intensity and you should be fine. I would recommend performing straight set exercises. This means you perform one exercise, rest for 60 seconds or as long as you need to recover, and repeat before you move onto the next exercise.

Because of your exercise limitation, you will need to closely watch your calorie intake. You may not be able to burn as many calories while exercising as someone without asthma so you need to be careful with your food. As long as you can keep a caloric deficit you will lose weight. It will be a hard and slow process but you can reach your goal even with severe asthma.