It was the second day of January 2013 and I was laying on the couch, very ill w/ strep throat, watching “The Doctors” on TV. Not really the start to 2013 that I was hoping for! The show said, “Each day this week we will give you a tip on how to keep that New Year’s Resolution.” I decided to DVR all the shows that week because I like to pass on tips to my clients and I like to learn all I can on how to help people stay motivated towards goals.
A couple of weeks later, in the LATE evening (when it’s finally peaceful in the house, kids sleeping, and all I can hear is my dog breathing as he sleeps beside me), I started watching the first show. At the end, they announce that Apolo Ohno would be on the show Friday to reveal his diagnosis. *GASP* I am a HUGE Apolo fan and have been since he hit the scene for his first Olympics in 2002. I respect everything he stands for: he partakes in an exciting /drama filled sport & gives 100%, does NOT back down to competition, is the most decorated winter Olympian, is the face of speed skating, is a published author, promotes healthy eating & exercise, his father raised him & Apolo’s story is a good one of triumph over what could have been a kid turned ‘bad.’ Oh….and have you seen those quads and teeth? *Dreamy*
Ok…. back to my blog…sorry, I got sidetracked. 🙂 I quickly skipped to Friday’s show where Apolo revealed he has a diagnosis of EIB.
What is EIB? EIB is a temporary narrowing of the airways during or after exercise that can make it difficult to breathe. It can be triggered by breathing in air that is cooler and drier than the air in your lungs. EIB can affect people who have a range of fitness levels, from casual participants to elite athletes.
Symptoms of EIB may include:
•Shortness of breath
•Chest tightness
•Trouble getting a deep breath
•Wheezing or noisy breathing
•Coughing
•Decreased exercise endurance
While the symptoms are similar, EIB is different from asthma. EIB symptoms are set off only by exercise or aerobic activity like jogging or playing sports.
EIB is common—in fact, an estimated 30 million people in the United States have it. EIB is especially common in people who have asthma—80-90% of patients with asthma also have EIB—but you don’t have to have asthma to have EIB.
I thought….. I HAVE EIB!! At the end of the segment, they announced a competition involving dinner with Apolo as the prize. So, right then, I went to my computer and completed the 3 essay questions at about 1am. I submitted the essays and have now made it through hundreds of entries to the top 10 in the country!!!
As a fitness coach, I hear this all the time – “I get too short of breath when I exercise, so I don’t do it.” AAAAhhhhh!!! That’s an EXCUSE, because #1…you can train your body to breath easier with better strength and endurance and #2 …. you may have EIB and a simple rescue inhaler would help!
My son and I are of the 80-90% of people who are asthmatic and have EIB. However, this does NOT give us an excuse not to exercise! He is soon to be 9yrs. old and very active with Baseball, Soccer, Dodgeball, and now has started running 5K’s this spring with me. I am very active with Running (completed first marathon in 2011, Volleyball, and working out in general). I want to promote that EIB is no reason to be lazy!!!! As someone who coaches individuals towards weight loss and better health, I would LOVE to be a spokesperson for EIB awareness!
Because I have been chosen as a finalist, I really want a platform to stand on in regards to teaching others about EIB. Please help me become the WINNER of the competition and be that spokesperson. As the winner, I also get flown to LA and have dinner with Apolo Ohno. The prize is over $10,000!!! Yes, here comes the plug >>>Please go to this site and vote for me …..Lisa: the ‘Fitness Focused Mom’ and help me win!! http://www.eiballstars.com/finalist-bio.aspx?id=58
I also hope that this blog spreads like wildfire. EIB is an important and easily treatable diagnosis. If you feel you have EIB, I strongly urge you to see your doctor and get properly diagnosed.
Voting is UNLIMITED until May 10. So, vote as many times as you can! Thank you!!
YourFitness-411: Stronger Inside & out 