pilates/yoga?

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everyminute
everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
edited June 2014 in Working on Your Fitness

For the fitness folks..

I was running and strength training regularly before dx...well until I blew out my knee and had surgery to remove my torn meniscus (3 weeks before dx - it has been a rough few months!).  Since diagnosis  - including bilat mastectomy with immed reconstruction (expanders) and halfway through chemo - I have been walking as much as possible - usually 2 miles 4-5 nights per week.

Anyone do pilates during chemo and radiation?  I would like to start going back to the gym and doing the treadmill (it is getting dark so early) and maybe take a pilates class once or twice a week - aside from being careful about germs (sanitize, sanitize) does it sound like an ok plan?  I am concerned about lymphadema (20 nodes removed) and would like to keep moving especially during upcoming radiation.

 Any thoughts?

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  • Daffodil
    Daffodil Member Posts: 829
    edited October 2008

    My PS has forbidden any exercise involving the pecs. I did some gentle yoga~~~until I had to have one expander replaced, and PS said no-no!!! I have been working with a rehab trainer (also teaches at my Pilates studio), doing Pilate-based exercises modified for no pec involvement. I am hoping to get back to real Pilates after the exchange process is completed!!!

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  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited October 2008

    There are many Pilates exercises you can do on a reformer that do not invole any upper body. I got started with a trainer doing just that after my exchange when I had horrible nerve pain in my chest. Five months later, my butt is tighter, and I'm getting the upper body really involved now. I think Pilates--especially the reformer--is the most amazing thing ever!

    Anne

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  • lisa-e
    lisa-e Member Posts: 819
    edited October 2008

    I have been seeing a physical therapist who is also a pilates instructor. She has ordered a cd designed for rehabilitation after a mastectomy. I had surgery on 9/25 so it is still too soon for me to start working out, but I really want to start.



    If you are concerned about LE, any exercise program should begin gradually.







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  • Daffodil
    Daffodil Member Posts: 829
    edited October 2008

    Lisa, I'd love to get that CD for my trainer. Please let me know the pertinent info when you have it. I can't tell you how good it will feel to do something that feels "normal" once you have the energy~~and will give you energy!

    Good luck..............................

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited October 2008

    me too...I am meeting woth a yoga instrutor (wont start until after surgery)...i would love him to see it

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  • lisa-e
    lisa-e Member Posts: 819
    edited October 2008

    Pansy and everyminute, I will post info about cd when I have it. I will talk to physical therapist soon so will specifically ask about it.



    Cheers!

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  • jackiebrown
    jackiebrown Member Posts: 52
    edited October 2008

    I also had bilat/expanders and exercised throughout chemo. I went to the gym, used the treadmill at an incline and walked about 45 min (no running). I had chemo every other week and did my walks everyday on my week off.

    I also did gentle yoga, some weight training, and pilates-based exercises - but nothing involving the pecs. If you're interested in yoga I can send you some exercises. If it's weights just do bicep/tricep exercises. With pilates, I too love the reformer and think you can do a lot without using your upper body.

    Exercise during chemo made me feel much better !!

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  • mocame
    mocame Member Posts: 669
    edited October 2008

    Okay, these maybe stupid questions so bear with me.



    I used to do pilates at home before my dx. I enjoyed it. Now I wanted to get into yoga and pilates again but I don't know what I'm allowed to do and what I'm not allowed to do. I had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction and I'm 4 weeks post exchange. My PS only said not to do any exersizes the first two weeks after the exchange.



    Is any upper body workout/strength training allowed? What's the reformer? Any help would be appreciated.



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  • Daffodil
    Daffodil Member Posts: 829
    edited October 2008

    Mocame, I would check with PS very specifically. You do NOT want those implants in peril until you have a go-ahead. I can't wait!!!

    The advantage of doing Pilates in studio is using the equipment, such as the Reformer, and someone monitoring your movements. Many studios have instructors trained to work with post-mastectomy as well as post-exchange clients.

    This is a demonstration of the Reformer!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hjrwt9aAgrY

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  • jackiebrown
    jackiebrown Member Posts: 52
    edited October 2008

    Dear Mocame,

    My plastic surgeon said no exercise first 3 weeks post exchange, and no upper body exercises for 6 weeks. I had to go back in for surgery to correct one side (the muscle was showing through) and that time around my ps suggested no exercises involving the chest wall for 12 weeks, but I was able to do lower body exercises within 3.

    The reformer is great as it helps you target very specific areas.

    Hope this helps! 

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  • mocame
    mocame Member Posts: 669
    edited October 2008

    Thank you for the information.  I've always done my pilates at home and the results were great!  I've never used equipment like that. 

    I guess I'll have to call my PS and get more specific information.  I've been doing just walking and biking but I'd like to work on my upper body soon.  He let me do that after 2 weeks.

    I guess I'll see what he says.  Thanks!

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