Location
Stony Point, NYI'm a certified Personal Trainer (ACSM), musician (viola), and 9-yr. breast cancer survivor (yea!).
I exercised all throughout my treatments; I was determined to return to all the activities I love, including playing music, climbing mountains, skiing, and windsurfing. In the beginning of my cancer experience I exercised because it's something I enjoy. But I quickly discovered that exercise improved how I felt and helped me manage the side effects of my treatments.
When I finally finished treatment, I started training to return to climbing. Just one year later, I climbed Mt. Rainier to raise funds for breast cancer research. I followed that with trekking through the Himalayas, and later summiting Cerro Aconcagua, at 22,841' the highest peak in the Western hemisphere.
I'd spent my life as a professional musician, but I felt so strongly about the benefits of exercise for cancer survivors that I got certified as a Personal Trainer. I still play music, but am now also dedicated to helping others stay fit and strong.
I write about fitness for cancer survivors at http://FitnessforSurvivors.blogspot.com.
juliegoodale submitted a way to: Live with cancer
way to be well created 12.07.10
Best exercise while you're fighting cancer?
Yes, yoga or pilates can be a great choice. Strength training is important for maintaining lean muscle which we tend to lose during chemo, and for slowing bone loss - another side effect of many of our drugs. Strength training can also greatly help us in recovering our strength and ability to do normal daily activities after we've recovered from surgery. And cardio is vital for keeping our heart & lungs healthy.
So, what's best? Any exercise has benefits, but the one you'll keep doing is best. If you think getting on the treadmill for 45 minutes is what you have to do, but you HATE the treadmill, how long do you think you'll keep it up? You are more likely to continue with some activity that you enjoy.
A lifelong commitment to moving is more important for your health than any one specific exercise. Ride a bike, walk the dog, lift weights, skip through your neighborhood - just move!
