When you have an autoimmune disease, cancer, or other health condition, you may know that you should exercise to enhance your health. However, you may not know exactly how important it is or that you should do it differently than before. There are many factors that you should consider when deciding on a program that is appropriate for you.
First of all, now is the time to rethink what “exercise” means. Exercise is more than just a way to get into shape to look good.
Exercise is -
~ Movement
~ Nourishment for the body
~ Mental Health Therapy
~ Energizing for your body and mind
Benefits of exercise before and after a medical diagnosis:
~ Maintenance of body weight and overall amounts of body fat
~ Regulation of blood sugar levels
~ Control of some tumor growth factors in cancer
~ Improved immune function
~ Reduced symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety and depression
~ Keep or improve your physical abilities
~ Reduce the risk of osteoporosis (weak bones that are more likely to break)
~ Improve your balance, lowering the risk of falls and broken bones or fractures
~ Reduce the risk of heart disease
~ Improve blood flow and reduce the risk of blood clots
~ Reduce pain and fatigue
~ Increase stamina
~ Increase range of motion and correct posture
~ Increase treatment tolerance with medications
~ Prevent and manage lymphedema in cancer patients
~ Return to pre-treatment levels of strength and fitness and activities
~ Improve sleep and decrease depression
~ Overall enhance quality of life following diagnosis
It is important that you get your doctor’s approval to begin or restart your exercise plan after any kind of medical diagnosis. He or she may have specific recommendations or limitations that you should follow and share with your Personal Trainer, if you have one. You should also continue to ask your doctor about recommendations or limitations after each treatment or procedure.
Basic exercise components in your recovery plan...
*** Perform some kind of cardio vascular exercise each day. The ultimate goal is to aim for 150 minutes each week, but even 5-10 minutes each day is beneficial! It is more important to have more frequent (daily) exercise for shorter durations that one long cardio session once a week.
*** Incorporate strength training at least twice a week.
*** Work on mobility, flexibility, and balance.
*** Learn breathing exercises and stress relieving activities.
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Samantha is a Cancer Exercise Specialist certified by the Cancer Exercise Training Institute and has been training for over 15 years. She is available for complimentary consultations virtually through zoom or in club appointments Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays.
