Saturday, November 9, 2013

The Asthma Cure - Me and My Jump Rope

How I Beat Asthma


I remember the days of my youth wheezing and not being able to breathe.  As a kid on the playground and as an athlete playing all the sports,  I would be bent over sucking wind and gasping for air.

I spent days at the hospital in oxygen tents and Mom would drive me around the neighborhood with my head sticking out the window as the fresh air hit me in the face.  This was before inhalers were readily available to provide relief.  The doctor said, you are allergic to dust, mold, on and on the list went. 

When I was older I went to see a food allergist that said I was allergic to chicken.  He also made a point to tell me that asthma is something you have for life, it's not something you outgrow.  Your mindset is so important.  I was determined to prove that it was possible to overcome this chronic disease.  While Doctor's provide valuable advice, YOU are responsible for your health and well being.  And YOU determine the actions, outcomes, and results you achieve. 

I still remember one high school day vividly, it was during basketball practice and we were running wind sprints.  I was having trouble breathing and the coach started yelling.  I was frustrated and embarrassed yet was determined to find a way to overcome asthma.

The first thing I did was to stay away from smoking.  From there, I came across the jump rope when I was 17 and started jumping as a way to stay fit. I then started running and completed 5k's, half marathons, and thanks to the inspiration from my friend Dave, I completed a marathon.

I did get an inhaler that provided immediate relief in case I did have an attack, but I didn't want to rely on medicines.  I started jumping rope and running and noticed the change in my lung capacity and my fitness level. The rope is great for your pulmonary and cardio systems.

And your HEART is your biggest muscle that is constantly in use.

The jump rope is convenient, easy to do, easy to master, and this is important always accessible, with running or other exercise you need equipment, a gym, or fancy sneakers.  2 minutes of jump rope a day will start you on the path to ultimate fitness, and you will be an expert in a few weeks of jumping.  The rope is also low impact on your joints.

25 years later and I have not used an inhaler or any other medicine for asthma. I have been jumping for 30 years and I have not had an asthma attack all thanks to the rope.

I speak to many people that say they are too uncoordinated to jump but believe me after doing it for two weeks you will be an expert.  If you're  a little hesitant of using the rope, go to Walmart/Amazon buy a $2 vinyl rope and cut in in half, you can get the benefits of jumping rope without having to actually skip over the rope, and as your confidence grows you can move to a another rope. Watch your body start to melt.  Be patient the results will come!

Try it. Don't give away your inhaler or medicines just yet, but as you begin on the this new path of fitness and wellness watch as they fade away.  Be of good cheer, have courage, and just begin.

The body has a miraculous ability to heal itself, all you need to do is give it a little help. And remember with a little faith, we can move mountains!

Check out my ebook "The Asthma Cure" on Amazon.com.

To your health,

Tom Kaufmann
Coach K






Wednesday, November 6, 2013

The Mud Streak

We have 3 children and when they were younger the boys would play football in the backyard with their friends.  I remember looking out one afternoon at the patch of mud running the length of the yard and getting frustrated about the destruction of our beautiful grass.

I then came across a great quote that I keep handy when dealing with our little lovebirds.  One day the wife looks out at the backyard and says to the husband, "did you see what the boys did to the grass?"

The husband smiles looks at his wife lovingly and says,  remember honey we're raising boys not grass"

Love that quote.  The boys are older, they don't play football in the back yard any more and guess what, the grass has grown back to a lush green. 

We have to remember they are only kids once, let them play, let them romp, let them have fun, let them enjoy.

Boy, I do miss that mud streak. 


With Love,


Tom Kaufmann
Coach K