I lost over 100 pounds using a very aggressive diet and exercise program. When I started my FEV1 was 16% (as measured by spirometry a week after I had been released from the hospital) and with both weight loss and exercise got it back to what it had been when I was first diagnosed; in the mid 30s. I've been in the mid 30s ever since. A lot of that was due to weight loss, but exercise helped me get my heart and lungs functioning at their most efficient, so I was in very good physical shape aside from crappy lungs. I got off O2 completely for over 10 years.

And how did you do that @A MyCOPDTeam Member? I am not even on oxygen yet and am doing pretty good, but I am curious to know what it is you did to get your function back to what it was. Thanks.

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A MyCOPDT...

I focus on mostly protein-rich foods, @A MyCOPDTeam Member, and most of my weight loss (against my will) I attribute to my latest diabetes medication as I’m down 25 pounds and eating junk to try and keep the weight on.

If you haven’t checked into what Russ Winwood has to say about keto diets, ketone esters, etc., for helping you feel your best despite the COPD diagnosis, you may want to check out his website or fb page:

Russ is on fb:

https://www.facebook.com/copdathlete/

Russ on his own site:

https://copdathlete.com/

Good luck with your efforts to lose weight and qualify for a transplant. Hugs to you.

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A MyCOPDT...

Wow, @A MyCOPDTeam Member - that’s a great accomplishment ! 100 pounds AND improving your lung function is wonderful.

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A MyCOPDT...

Weight loss is a complicated process, as we're learning, but it does boil down at the end to calories versus calories out. There are lots of things that influence that, but in the end that's it. I know. Nearly 20 years ago, on O2 24/7, very heavy, on lots of meds and generally a mess, I went on an aggressive diet and exercise program. I was lucky: I had no reason not to exercise as hard as I could as long as I kept my O2 sats at a good level, so when my doc told me to "knock myself out", I took him at his word and worked as hard as I could on the bike, the treadmill and with weights. Over 18 months I lost well over 100 pounds, got rid of a lot of meds, my c-pap machine, got my FEV1 from 16% when I started back to the mid-30s where it had been when I was diagnosed, got off the O2 completely for nearly 10 years and got a whole new wardrobe. I was able to work until my planned retirement and continue to travel, consult and play with my grandchildren. If you can make Keto work for you, that's great, but I would encourage you to actually change your eating habits in a way you can sustain.