i wish i knew more so i could help you, but it may be from the smoking and junk food from those years ago or my other geuss is that maybe cut down on lifting weights in the gym and try just running 5 times a week. running is aerobic and lifting weights and stuff in the gym is anaerobic. if you want to have endurance you need to do aerobic activities like running often. hope i could help and best of luck to you

I know that you said that your insurance is dodgy about paying for doctor visits, but in this case, you need to go. It could be a lot of things, including asthma (yes, you can get that later in life) or COPD, or it could also have something to do with your heart - sometimes getting short of breath can be a symptom of heart problems…

Don’t wait this out, get to a doctor ASAP…

You could contact the local heath department and see if there is a community health clinic in your area (I know there are several in Portland, so if you are still close to Mt. Ranier that might be an option) These clinics see patients on a sliding scale, and know how to get medications and tests for people who can’t afford them.

You may be anemic. Go to the Doctor and have a CBC done. You may need a iron supplement.