back to exercise

Hi Jim, hope you had a great Monday. I found that starting with simple baby steps was a great place to begin rather than pushing myself and thinking that I had the same fitness levels as I had before treatment. I think that's the struggle - accepting that you need to start small. We're not going to be as fit as we were before cancer but I know lots of people that have got back to that stage again. Some even run marathons! Maybe think about what you'd consider easy exercise and begin there? 

Don't push yourself too hard!

Have you tried Hydrotherapy?  If you like splashing about in warm water, give it a try.  After treatment, I was told to exercise - then discovered I'd picked up Neuropathy so this was better supervised.  I loved swimming, and a lovely doctor suggested hydrotherapy.  Off I went, and loved it.  I've written about it on https://aftercancers.com/hydrotherapy-causes-a-splash/

Also struggling with motivation.  Which is weird, since during treatment, I was very motivated to at least to a little bit every day.  This very week though, I pushed through.  Found motivation to do something each day.  Hoping it sticks.  Maybe beach season right around the corner helps?  Whatever it may be, I'll take it!  

Good work - what kind of exercise did you do?

I'mm doing a bit better now, but still not brilliant. 

The value of getting into some kind of exercise regime, that works for you, can’t be underestimated in your recovery journey. 

I spent many years just working and eating and living without any kind of exercise in my life whatsoever, sure every now and again  I’d decide to lose some weight, go on a diet for a few weeks, shift a stone and then get back into my old ways. 

All that changed following diagnosis, on the day I got the news I was weighed , I came in at 120 kg . As treatment began the weight just dropped off, obviously not in a good way , the prolonged stays in hospital added to the loss . So a weaker, much leaner version of me emerged blinking into the sunlight of the real world some five months after treatment.. Now just a touch over 90kg ,it was time to get serious about using exercise to change the dynamic of my life. 

I had been inspired to use cycling as my personal way forward ,which was easier said than done. 

I first of all had to gain enough strength to get on a bike.. Ironically it was walking that offered a way back into the saddle. Slowly improving my walking distance improved leg strength which eventually opened up the riding opportunities. 

I guess in summary, doing whatever it takes , however long it takes is all that matters on your road to recovery. 

Hi guys, 

I think from everything I've experienced fatigue is definitely normal in remission. It takes the body a while to get over the onslaught of pills, surgery, treatment and the psychological effects from a diagnosis. 

Everything I've read says to start little and often slowly building it up. I did the couch to 5 regime using the app to guide me. It starts very gently with walking and a few 30 seconds of running mixed in and builds up day by day until you're running 5k. Admittedly I have not run a step since my 5k but I did find it really helpful to start me off, I'm a non exercise person I'm afraid!!!

Liz x 

I was never an exercise person either. But my step daughter inspired me to do the couch to 5k. I followed the app and it was excellent. Running gave me back my mojo. It was really tough at first (just running for a single minute seemed impossible) but I built up eventually to a park run which made me feel so proud. However I did fracture one of my verterbaes during a run - aargh! So that's the end of that particular form of exercise.  

So now instead, I walk my dog every day (I bought her after I finished my treatment) and do Pilates. That really does help.

Much love x

Hi Kazzad 

Sounds like you dong great. Sometimes being influenced by others can really be the spark you need to get going. The couch to 5K effort was really good. Sorry to hear about the injury, but good you didn’t let it put you off walking the dog . Keep strong .