What not to do at the gym?

Racy, there's a thread on the new NLN paper on exercise, and some women noted that they included push ups in resistance training, yet the key to exercising to avoid or treat LE is to go slow and steady, progress slowly and avoid things that over-stress the upper extremities, like pushups, or downward dog. I'll bump the thread.

Love your avatar, that is one gorgeous horse.

Kira

I know that it is very personal, but IF you are working with a trainer, I do hope you will reconsider. Ethically they are bound to confidence, and you could remind them to be absolutely sure to keep it private. But it is a very significant thing to factor into your fitness regimen. I would not want someone instructing me without understanding my background.

When I took a new class or worked with a new trainer, I always took them aside privately and explained my history. It made me feel more confident that they were working with all the information they needed to help me the most.  After I had herceptin, my heart would race sometimes more easily than previously, and I would take a minute or two to let it slow down. When I took a boot camp class, the teacher would 'encourage' those who took breaks to keep going. I told her my situation and said that I would push myself but needed those moments and didn't want her to be urging me on before I was ready. She totally understood and respected that (and never said anything to anyone else in the class). It made me more secure to feel that they 'knew' me. 

Racy, even with a good trainer, it's important to begin any exercise very slowly and carefully. Baby steps. If you're taking classes like yoga, avoid anything that puts your body weight on your hands or arms. Stop at once if your arm feels tingly, full, or tired, and go easier the next time.

Any doctor on your team can give you a referral for an appointment with a well-trained lymphedema therapist, who will take baseline arm measurements, give you personalized risk reduction tips, help you decide about using compression garments prophylactically for exercise and travel -- and even help you decide on an exercise program that's just right for you. Here's information about finding one near you (even in Australia):
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

Be well!
Binney