For National Fitness Day, we bring you five ways our community stays active with CF
*Remember to speak with your CF team before starting any new exercise
1. Emma finds Tai Chi helps clear her mind and lets her focus on breathing and posture.
I became obsessed with Tai Chi after being lucky enough to take part in a pilot study run at my CF centre. A qualified Tai Chi instructor came to my house and taught me the different poses, and we continued classes over Skype. I have continued every day since, building on the initial moves I was first taught. The movements can be adapted especially for people with CF, including variations for standing, sitting, and even those days when CF can make getting out of bed impossible. Tai Chi helps clear my mind and lets me focus on my breathing and posture, as well as helping to strengthen my core and I can practice my pelvic floor exercises at the same time.
2. Stuart plays FootGolf for Scotland and finds it helps to keep his lungs clear, and has a positive impact on his mental health.
FootGolf is a hybrid sport, combining football and golf. It’s played on golf courses with larger holes, uses a standard football and follows golf rules. It’s one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Playing FootGolf helps keep my lungs as clear as possible, as it’s a lot of walking and some courses are very long. FootGolf can be played by anyone, regardless of age, sex or ability. It’s perfect for those with CF as it’s played outdoors, so you can keep a distance to stay safe from infections. It’s great for your mental health too.
3. Edith finds swimming keeps her fit and healthy - and she’s able to educate her teammates about CF.
I joined a competitive swimming team when I was seven years old. I like being able to challenge myself physically and I have also made lots of good friends. My swimming club did a swim night fundraising event, where we sold cakes and made over £60, and challenged swimmers to swim with a straw in their mouths so they could feel what it’s like to swim with bad lungs. We also challenged them to put a balloon on the top of their snorkel and try to blow it up! I have been very lucky with my health with no hospital admissions or IV antibiotics, and I think my swimming has helped. Even if I have a cold or cough, I still go swimming as it always makes me feel better and keeps me going.
4. Trampolining proved a great way for Jamie to stay active when he was isolating during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I normally do loads of exercise like riding my bike, kicking the ball around with my friends and playing rugby league for Latchford Giants, which means training twice a week and having a game each weekend. When the lockdown came and I had to start shielding, my mum applied for a grant to get me a trampoline. This keeps me really fit. I’ve been lucky that I haven’t had to stay overnight in hospital before but earlier this year I had to stay in hospital for two weeks. I was getting fit again when I had to start isolating because of coronavirus. With not being able to go out, the trampoline has been a fun and easy way to exercise. I use it three times a day for 10–20 minutes. It’s a good workout and helps to keep my lungs clear.
5. John loves biking in the fresh air! It’s also proved a great way for him to be active with his family, even when he’s not feeling 100%
Nearly two years ago I had to give up work: being a fulltime Marketing Manager and trying to take care of myself and live as long as possible for my daughter and family, wasn’t really working. After being referred to the transplant clinic, and with an extra 40 hours free a week, I bought an e-bike. I used to love cycling but as my lungs deteriorated, small hills became mountains. I had seen grannies riding around on e-bikes, but electric mountain bikes also became available and started to look ‘cool’ in my six-year-old daughter’s eyes. Buying one is the best thing I have ever done. When I’m feeling good and I’m on the flat I turn the battery off. When I’m going up a hill, which is common around Bristol, I switch to turbo. When I’m on IVs and feeling rock bottom I can cycle with my daughter to school. It’s freedom, fresh air and a great way to clear my lungs.
Let us know how you keep fit via our Forum or join the conversation on social media.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition which causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system. It affects more than 10,800 people in the UK. One in 25 of us carries the faulty gene that causes it, usually without knowing.
Since 1964, we've supported people with cystic fibrosis to live longer, healthier lives -and we won’t stop until everyone can live without limits imposed by CF.
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