Sunday, June 2, 2013

Guest Post: Cancer and Exercise

OOh here we have a guest post from MELANIE on the impacts of exercise and how it can help those dealing with cancer! Great post for today, June 2 which is National Cancer Survivor Day!




Fighting Cancer with Physical Fitness


Cancer patients can benefit greatly from understanding which exercises are ideal for each stage of recovery. Conferring with the doctor and maintaining a conscious effort to make exercise and nutrition a part of the daily regimen is the one of the best ways to approach a healthy recovery from cancer. Choosing the right exercises will help recovering cancer patients feel better mentally and physically, while reducing fatigue as well. Light exercises are ideal for patients that are still taking it slow, moderate exercises help patients begin regaining strength and advanced exercises are ideal for patients that can begin improving their condition as well.  

Walking

The light exercises are usually a starting point for people that are still undergoing aggressive treatments for mesothelioma or other lung-related cancers. Patients should not be out of breath when doing these types of workouts. It should be easy to hold a conversation while doing light exercises. Recovering patients should never break a sweat when doing these kinds of exercises. Taking walks can help patients begin to regain endurance and muscle strength again. Routine walks also improve bone density and reduces the rate of bone loss. Taking walks also helps mitigate fatigue patients feel from undergoing radiation and chemotherapy.

Biking

Recovering patients usually break a sweat about 10 minutes after starting a moderate exercise routine. Patients should not be out of breath, and should still be able to carry a conversation at this level of physical activity. Biking is a moderate workout that can help recovering patients improve their immune systems, mental health and cardiovascular performance. Biking is an ideal choice for patients that struggle with joint problems. This exercise is an effective solution for continually improving conditioning and strength in order to fend off cancer. The biking regimen should always cater to the patient’s specific condition or state of health.

Running

Advanced exercises should have recovering patients sweating just a few minutes after they begin. These vigorous exercises will require fast and heavy breathing. Running is one of the best exercises for patients that are in the later stages of recovering from cancer.  Running helps to improve endurance, strength, bone density and the patient’s emotional and psychological state of mind as well. Running also helps to reduce bone loss and fatigue as well. However, it is important for patients to ensure that the intensity and distance for each run isn't too strenuous. One of the best things about running is that it’s easy to do and doesn't require any special equipment.


Recovering from cancer can be daunting, but it’s certainly feasible with a plan. Taking a consistent and measured approach to improving health by focusing on fitness and diet is one the best ways to win this battle. Adhering to certain exercises in each stage of recovery will help patients avoid the risk of overexerting themselves, while making the most of their time and efforts. It’s important to pick exercises that are fun, and be open to changing the routine or exercises every few weeks as well. Finding different ways to stay engaged in this holistic recovery regimen is one of the best therapies to improving your quality of life.


Melanie is currently a Master's student with a passion that stems from her grandmother's cancer diagnosis. She often highlights the great benefits of alternative nutritional, emotional, and physical treatments on those diagnosed with cancer or other serious illness.  To read more from Melanie, visit her blog for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. In her spare time, you can find Melanie trying new vegan recipes, on her yoga mat, or spending time with her family.



Thanks so much Melanie for this wonderful post!
I hope it's helped anyone out there dealing with cancer or who has loved ones dealing with cancer currently! <3 <3

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