Staying Healthy, Staying Strong, Staying Young

Excellent info', Nordy! Thanks so much for sharing it!   Deanna

Claire - I consider cycling fun also... and skiing as well, although since we have been teaching our kids the last couple of years, snowplowing has become a chore... just looking forward to the day (think it will be next year) when my youngest is making s-turns and stopping on her own. My oldest reached that point this year and it is awesome! And yes, I agree, you have to find what works for YOU! Some people do better if they have a walking/running/cycling/exercise partner. This is two fold as not only does it give you someone to socialize with, but also gives you someone to be accountable to if you don't show up! I personally like to run alone, although I do enjoy that running with someone faster than I will make me improve my speed. As for cycling... the bigger the group the better! I don't really need someone to talk to, but I always think "safety in numbers" out on the road! Group ex classes are great for someone that really needs that push. I am not really big on them... but I have to say that I took a Zumba class and it was a lot of fun. I sweated bullets, challenged myself, and that hour went by so quickly! 

This is a great thread, Claire.  Thanks for posting it and to all who have contributed!!!! 

Osteopenia is not osteoporosis, but is the start toward it! Kind of like being pre-diabetic. There are things you can do to try and build back bone and keep it strong - such as the exercises I mentioned and eating right. Some people never develop osteoporosis, event though they are osteopenic - but you will have to work at it. You may want to talk to your family MD/internist about it and see what he thinks you can do as far as exercise. If you are already pretty active, you can probably stay active and add on some of the resistance work, but if you haven't been active, it is good to get clearance ahead of time. You can also talk to your onc about it and see what he/she has to say. Good luck! I am osteopenic also and try to stay active to fight this every step of the way!

I started walking and then running about 18 months ago.  Before that, I was busy chasing four kids, but never really exercised in a regular way.  Sure, I gardened, played with my kids, and worked hard around here, but it wasn't "me" time - it was just tiring.  About a year and a half ago, I saw Biggest Loser for the first time.  (yes, I dont' watch much TV but my husband got into it) and I thought of THOSE people could bust their butts, so could I!  I started walking and running just 15 minutes a day with my Ipod on (essential - absolutely essential for me to have the music - being ADD, I get SUPER bored with any exercise routine if I don't have a distraction!)

Now I'm up to about 45 -50 minutes a night and I incorporate in that my "driveway" routine, ab crunches and some butt exercises and strength training.  I usually do about five nights a week.  

 Yesterday I went to the cardiologlist for the first time.  Having lost my dad in February to a heart attack without any warning, I wanted myself checked especially after chemo.  There is no evidence at this time of damage done by the adriamyacin and I passed the stress test with flying colors.  The doctor said my cholesterol levels were fabulous and said he wished his were as good.

I ran through chemo when I could - so I didnt' lose too much muscle.  I was out exercising 2 weeks after my mastectomy.  

My advice is to find something you love to do.  If you hate aerobics inside in the living room, like I do, then don't do it!  If you like being outside, find your niche there.  If you hate running but love Richard Simmons type stuff, then do that - or join a gym or class if that's your thing.  Personally I cannot exercise in the morning.  I just can't do it - but I find around 7:30 at night I'm ready to tie on the running shoes and go!    I am in better shape physically now than I was before I was diagnosed.  I wasn't able to tolerate tamoxifen, so I live with the fear of a recurrence and that's what gets me outside and running every night.  

I will tell you that if nothing else, it gives you back a feeling of empowerment.  Cancer takes so much from us; as I tell my friends, this is my way of shoving my foot up cancer's behind!   I struggle a lot with fear of recurrence to the point that I get myself very worked up, and this helps boost my endorphins  and clear my head.

Great thread - I never saw that study before and it's very interesting!

Nordy and Claire:  Thank you, I will check with my primary about osteopenia.  I walk several miles each day and I would like to start running.  I have not done strength training since my dx, I hope I  can start that without problems.

calamtykel:  How great to hear you are in better shape now than before you were diagnosed!  You are a great role model. 

It is a nice rainy day here... like normal. Only rode 20, but ran 5.3, so I am happy to have gotten out there, but sad that I didn't get to do the 75miles with 3500' vertical today. What can you do??? Claire - do you ride STP every year? I did it in 09 - it was my first major ride and I did it in one day with the longest training ride up to then had been 34 miles. LOL My brother didn't think I could make it. I kept thinking, "If Lance can come back from cancer and win the Tour, I should be able to do a measly 206 miles in one day." It worked. Mind over body. But since then, I haven't had the desire to do it again... there are plenty of other rides out there! Next weekend is the MS century in Utah and we are doing that. We have a great team, so it should be a blast.

Thank you for starting this thread, Claire, and thanks to all of you who have contributed to it! I NEED this thread!! I feel empowered and motivated for the first time since my exchange surgery nearly 5 weeks ago. I'm having my post-op visit with my PS on Tuesday and I'm hoping to get the green light to start doing some sort of weight training and cardio.



Especially since exchange, I've been so scared to "bounce" or "lift" because I'm afraid my incisions will open or my foobs will shift or I'll otherwise mess something up. I haven't done ANYTHING other than walk at a moderate pace. I'm literally watching my body become more soft and flabby every day and feeling a little depressed as tamoxifen works its way through my body for the 2nd full month. Not sure if the chemopause hasn't also been contributing to my changing body and, of course, my fears of lymphedema.



I know how GREAT exercise makes me feel and how good it is for us so doggone it, I am going to go for a good brisk walk right now! Thanks again and please keep these positive posts coming!!! :-)

Oh Claire_in_Seattle, I'm so sorry to hear of the fall. I hope it is just a bruise. Put ice on it anyway.

Oh, Claire. I am sorry about your wipe out! That stinks. I hope all the swelling goes down. You are right in resting and icing - also elevation and compression will help. (Think RICE). I can't believe anyone was outside cycling in the nude today! Good grief! And really - I don't think summer is ever going to get here! Thank goodness for gear!!!

Claire, hope the bruise heals quickly so you can get back on the saddle! Glad you still had fun at the parade.

Claire, you're such an inspiration!  But don't overdo it!  Even world-class athletes need time to rest and heal after an injury.  Deanna

I don't have lymphedema and I don't wear a sleeve. I don't do heavy lifting.....10 pounds max. If you are a serious weight lifter then it might be different.??? I know a poorly wrapped arm can do more harm than good, and I don't know that even wearing one correctly will prevent it if you are prone to it. (Of course if you already have LE then you need to work with a specialist on what precautions you need to take so it doesn't get worse from exercise). Toning actually helps strengthen the lymph system.....so it is something we all should be doing (start slow, put it into your regular workout schedule etc.)