Anyone exercising during chemo?

Mrsayala24

Hello all!

I’m going through my second round of chemo. I’m on day 11. I have always been an active person. I exercised bed for chemo and have continued to exercise through chemo (not as hard or long). Anyone else exercising during treatment and has it helped you with side effects?

santabarbarian

I am exercising as much as I can, and I believe it is helping me. Chemo week I am lucky to get a short walk. But the other 2 weeks I am doing pilates twice, and two hikes. It is definitely helping me mentally. I am on day 14 today and yesterday and today I did my pre cancer normal weekend exercise, One hill hike and one with lots of stairs. Of course, now I rest a lot (triple my old resting) but I do manage the whole hike.

I had a consult w an integrative medicine cancer treatment doctor. He prescribed interval training -18 min routine. He said its very important for your body to get the message it is being used and must keept itself strong including heart. Lower recurrence rates among exercisers. Sweet spot is 3+ hrs per week.

Also, a fasting-mimicking diet beginning 2 days before chemo is helping me w chemo side effects. Look on August Chemo thread -- I posted a lot about it there. Cheers!

WC3

By the end of my first two infusions I was able to manage a much slower version of my 2.5 mile walk but I developed low platelets and anemia after my third infusion and had to stop with that. I did walk to the local shops when I was able to though. I had a lot of muscle burning and actually lost a lot of muscle mass during chemo though but I am a "Jerry's Kid" so that might have something to do with it.

Castigame

I was 47 during chemo. I had 8 dose dense chemos. the only exercise or movement for 3 days after each chemo was going to bathroom and using a short and steep stairs in my townhome. however day 4 thru day 14, I walked as much as possible. about an hr every day. yes daily walk helped me to get thru those chemos. and one more thing sleep is your best friend. I used to sleep 20 hrs during those 3 days and probably 15 hrs till next chemo came and repeat.

prayers for minimal side effects.

JaBoo

I was not doing real exercise, meaning nothing organized or gym.

During AC (dose dense - so every 2 weeks) , I was lying low for 2-3 days after treatment. Otherwise, I was walking. Around 10000-15000 steps a day. I went for a walk on most days - in forrest terrain with hills. It did wonders. Wild trees are my antidepressants and in combination with movent - it really helped.

Now during Taxol, I must restrict the walking drastically due to burning feet. I feel worse in general, my back is hurting from the lack of movement. I don't get anywhere near the recommended 3 hours of weekly exercise.

AllyBee

My first time through chemo I didn't exercise much at all, especially during AC. Once I moved on to paclitaxol I started going back to the gym, but only a bit of cycling. Everyone just told me to take it easy.

I started interval/crossfit style workouts after I'd finished treatment. I've recently been diagnosed metastatic and have made a real effort to keep up my workouts. I manage 3-4 times per week depending on appointments and my pace is much slower.

I definitely think it helps with fatigue and my mental state. I like to feel like I can control some part of my health. Hasn't done anything to help with the weight gain but my diet is pretty crappy.

Mrsayala24

Thank you for sharing your stories! I think we are all trying to do the best we can.

Santabarbarian what do you mean about fasting-mimicking diet?

illimae

I was pretty active but I did reduce my step goal during chemo from 10,000 to 8,000 and exceeded it most days. I also did my 1st 5k a couple months in and was fortunate to have never had fatigue. I highly recommend daily walks 😀

CaliKelly

Awesome illimae! Keep it up! Personally I would have gone nuts if I didn't keep up my gym routine through out my treatments! I'm a former fitness trainer, have done some form of exercise almost everyday since my teens. During chemo I didn't workout the first 3 to 4 days after infusion, just walks at the beach. But after that back at the gym even though often just to visit my machines and weights😉 , by then 2nd week, felt good enough to do my workouts just less weights and very low intensity. Helped me stay sane! First question after every surgery was"when can I work out?""what do you mean by take it easy?"Do be careful of germs though! Lots of sanitizer!