Thursday, January 26, 2012

Benefits of Physical Activity - Guest Blogger


Hey All!  The following is a guest post written by David Haas.   David Haas is a cancer support group and awareness program advocate at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. In addition to researching many valuable programs, David often blogs about programs and campaigns underway at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance, as well as creative fitness ideas for those dealing with cancer, while creating relationships with similar organizations.

Tremendous Benefits from Physical Activity – During and After Cancer Treatment

Regardless of whether you have completed treatment for cancer and are in remission, or are in the midst of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, you can benefit from physical activity.  Repeated studies have shown that exercise provides both emotional and physical benefits over the long term for people with cancer.

Physical Benefits

It has been known for a long time that almost anyone benefits from exercise and physical activity, no matter what their health status.  According to WebMD, people with cancer can especially benefit from integrating exercise into their health routine.  Not only does exercise help boost energy levels and stamina, but it also can contribute to long-term survival and overall health improvement.

Repeated studies have shown that even after finishing cancer treatment, individuals who continue exercising have lower rates of recurrence and improved heart and lung function.  In one study of patients with breast cancer, it was found that women who exercised just moderately on a regular basis had longer survival rates and better health outcomes than women who were sedentary and did not exercise.

Additional health benefits of exercising include weight loss and improved weight control, reduced fatigue and lower risk for cardiovascular problems and diabetes.

Emotional Benefits

The benefits from physical activity are not limited to the physical.  Most patients who begin to exercise report that they begin to feel better overall.  Depression and anxiety are very common experiences for cancer patients.  However, regular moderate exercise can result in improved mood and relief from depression and anxiety.

Another benefit from exercise is that many people experience a boost in their self-confidence.  As your body begins to get stronger, you feel more positive about the future.  You may find yourself celebrating major milestones as your body gets stronger and you are able to do more.

Talking to Your Doctor

When you sit down and talk to your mesothelioma doctor or oncologist, ask for recommendations about what types of exercise are most appropriate for starting a new exercise routine.  Depending on your stamina and strength, recommendations may range from simple stretching exercises to walking or swimming.  As your health improves, you may find that you want to add activities or change what you are doing.

Your doctor may also recommend that you work with an occupational or physical therapist initially.  They can help you develop a physical fitness routine of exercise that is not too strenuous and teach you how to exercise correctly.  You may also benefit from talking to a nutritionist to get recommendations about healthy foods you can eat to improve your stamina and overall health.

When you are fighting cancer, use every tool you can find to build your body into a fighting machine.  Even after you conquer the illness, continue the good health habits you develop to keep your body in fighting condition.  In the long run, you will benefit and feel better and happier.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

My New Fitness Fun...finding your flow.

At the age of 40, I stepped outside of my fitness comfort zone and took a gymnastics class for the first time in at least 25 years. As I have mentioned previously, I was never one for team sports as a kid. Gymnastics was the only sport I really stuck with and enjoyed...until I dislocated my elbow for the second time when I was 11 years old while jumping over a pummel horse on the way to the water fountain.   Doh!

I have thought about revisiting this sport as an adult, but never saw any classes being offered anywhere....until I signed my son up for a class this fall. There it was....adult gymnastics.....offered the same time as my son's class. Could it get any more convenient? Why wouldn't I do it?!
Looks like fun doesn't it??

Well, I will tell you why....fear. Have you flipped into a foam pit lately? Or done straddle jumps and back handsprings on a tramp? When was the last time you kicked up into a handstand? Does the thought of it make your belly do flip flops? It did for me. No way can I get out there and do these things after so many years. So week after week, I brought my coffee and my iPad and I sat.











I watched other big people tumble on the floor, flip down the tumble track and do hip circles on the bar.  I always loved doing gymnastics and longed to be out there...but I thought I was to old, to rusty.  The last time I did a forward roll I was dizzy for hours!

And then something happened.

Someone died.

What does that have to do with anything? Well, it has to do with everything....because life is short, and opportunities WILL pass you by.

If you allow fear to rule you, you will never progress. Because change means risk and risk means flip flops in your belly.

The morning after I went to the funeral I showed up to gymnastics with my son as usual, prepared to sit, drink my coffee and read the new Steve Jobs book on my iPad (which, having now finished the book, is ironic in and of itself). Then I overheard a woman talking about taking the adult class. I heard her say, "I've never taken gymnastics before." and  I thought to myself..."if she is willing to give it a try...why wouldn't I?"

I did a quick check and realized that I had sweats on and an elastic around my wrist. $20.00 cash and I was IN. I refused to let myself over think it...in fact I blocked it all together and just moved forward.....and all of a sudden there I was....doing straddle jumps and back handsprings on the tramp...tumbling across the floor and doing hip circles on the bar.

I came home that afternoon and told my older son and husband what I had done. "I took a gymnastics class!". I exclaimed. My son looked at my husband and said, "I've never seen Mom so happy about something!"

And that was all I needed to hear.

My tummy still does flip flops on the Friday night before class leading all the way up until I get out there...but I refuse to over think it...and I keep moving forward...and by the end of every class I am totally in my flow.

You can check me out here.