Fitness and Exercise: It does a body Good.....

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Staying fit is important to me on a few levels. First off, I am a naturally active person. Once upon a time I had a real hard time sitting still long enough to watch a movie. Once I would sit down, it was then that all the things I needed to do would come to me. When I do presentations or public speaking, I definitely get my steps in, because I am in constant motion. Even though those steps are not uphill or challenging I still consider them as steps. Did you know that fat stored estrogen? It's true.... Given the type of breast cancer I had was estrogen receptive, it is important for me to keep my fat content as low as possible. So for me it is a matter of life with or without cancer! I choose without!!!!

With exercise comes a sense of inner accomplishment. Setting a goal and reaching it or making it through a yoga series like the 14 day program I like to do with Julia found on Amazon Prime. Then there is the release of hormones that makes you feel better. It is like you have a renewed sense of being. So, if you are feeling down take a walk or exercise, it really does get you out of that funk.

The treatment for cancer is just as debilitating as the disease and the recovery process is quite long. Therefore, you need to be patient with yourself when it comes to exercise. Prior to being diagnosed with breast cancer I was very active. I studied martial arts, took walks, hiked often, always in motion in one way or another. Imagine my surprise when after the treatments were done, I was only able to do two push ups…. Yes, just two! Crunches I was able to do three, yea just three! I could only walk down the block a few houses before tiring. Then there was the day I put my right ankle on my left knee and saw my calf literally fall under my leg. I cannot tell you how much that grossed me out. I was mortified.

How was I going to rebuild, get back to the athletic self I was? Patience is the key….. If you expect too much from yourself it is only going to cause frustration and despair. Instead map out a plan and start with the idea that you will do as much as you can do and stay with that for a week at a time. Then try to increase as you feel more capable. If you increase by one that is good. If you do not feel you can increase continue at the current rate and try to increase your endurance. Overall, praise yourself and be patient. You have been through a lot and if nothing else that alone should help you see what your are capable of.

Most mornings when I wake up I take ten very deep breaths while in childs pose. Cancer does not like oxygen, so I imagine if there are any cancer cells in my body, the oxygen I am breathing in is obliterating them. Being in childs pose feels as if I am creating space between each of my vertibrea. Then I will spend some time meditating. I ask myself what my day is going to look like and then I try to envision it, with a positive attitude. Then I roll onto my tummy and do ten push ups. I’m just getting started at this point. I carry out my morning routine and then decide when and where I am going to exercise on this particular day. My schedule is anything but routine. Once I decide the when and where, I will then decide on what exercise to do. At home I usually stick with yoga or I will jump on the elliptical or recombinant bike. At the gym I will decide what body parts to work out, leg and back or arms and abs. If hiking is what I want to do, to the mountain I go…. No matter how you go at it, just go at it. Get out there and take care of yourself, mostly because you are Worth It!!!

Until next time Take care and Love yourself!!!