Marching Healthy 2012

Just got in from a good 45 minute walk, about 2K I would guess.  Went with a neighbor and her dog.  Took me an hour last time so that's encouraging.  Had my asessment done yesterday at the Wellness Centre too.  I start Tuesday.  The PT said that it's set up for 10 - 12 people at a time and it's similar to a Curves routine and your progress is monitored.  Its for 10 weeks in total, which I think will give me a good springboard into a fitness routine (considering I haven't had one for a long while). She also said that most are in varying stages of the hair issue which makes it alot more comfortable for me anyway, along with the social aspect as well.  So I think if I walk most days, attend this program 2X a week and fit in some yoga, I'm going to feel so much better!!

I am day 7 after TCH#2 (of 6).  I went to the gym today for the first time after 2nd infusion.  I didn't want to go and my little workout was not noteworthy.  However, I am still glad that I went as I do feel better.  I'm sure that tomorrow will be better and that I will work out a little harder.  Sometimes, the mind has to get moving before the body does.  So, even if you don't want to walk or exercise, do a little anyway.  Your brain just has to take the first step.  The body will catch up.

Okay, did the Kinects MyShape yesterday with the kids.  What fun!  It also has some low key Tai Chi and Yoga routines for the hard fatigue days, so I think I will try to stick with it as part of my routine.

Claire, my mom was part of a study on exercise and chemo, back when she went through it. This was at the U of Copenhagen. The study concluded that exercise helps counteract fatigue and other SEs from chemo.

my problem is that during this week when I feel like myself and have good happy energy, I am just so enjoying doing all the normal house/kids stuff (not quite enough good energy to work, sadly), that I haven't done any proper exercising at all. Bad. I'll try to do some good long walks on the weekend before round 2 on Tuesday...

Thanks Momine.  That was very interesting.  I will look it up.  But really, only in the last year or so that exercise is recommended for those who can do it.  It's foul and rainy here in Seattle, but will need to get out later anyway.  It may be a walk though as ankle is still hurting.

One other thing.  Was in NYC a week ago on a mix of business and pleasure.  One of my old colleagues/friend said "look at that body!" when we got up after our brunch.  The general consensus was no one couldn't believe how amazing I look these days.

I am saying this as think helpful to give everyone a glimpse of a future where they are past the hammering and on to a new and great part of life.  And yes, you can look hot post treatment.

I need to get moving as have work that I need to get out.  Project where something went wrong, but I could not have known that.  So a redo of about one third.  YIKES.  I need to do this today.

Anyway, to the extent that you can move, you will feel better.  And just think how easy once the hammering is over???  In fact, the only downside of exercise is that clothes look fab, so more tempting than usual.

One thing I will say too is that make sure you do arm exercises regularly.  I didn't have my weights available, so by day 4 or so of no arm exercises, things were getting a bit stiff on the surgery side.  I did weights/crunches as soon as I got home, and all was well. - Claire

Claire, I think they only published the results about a year ago, so that makes sense. My Greek docs were at first sort of taken aback that I walked as much as I did during chemo. Here people, including many docs, are still of the mindset that you should take it easy anytime you have anything wrong with you. Then they saw that I was doing quite well compared to their other patients and now several of them have come around.

Claire, that makes sense about the comparison to heart disease. After trying to read and figure out how I can prevent recurrence, I have also concluded that exercise is clearly one factor in the equation. 

Ok Finally! A good long walk in the misty rain, and square while waiting for the cookies to bake! Woohoo.

Gorgeous day here! Going for a walk on the boardwalk on the beach, enjoy the wind in (what's left of) my hair one last time, maybe even get to a trot today, feeling good! Tomorrow tx2, so I know this is my last bit of juice for a while.

Yay to those who were able to get out and do something today.  Keep trying to those who didn't quite make it. 

I couldn't get to the gym today but i did jump on my rebounder and hula hooped for a few minutes.  I read somewhere that it was good for whitlling the waist so I bought a water-filled one from Toys R Us and hula'd.  I don't know if it works but I feel like I've done something when it's over.

I WILL go to the gym tomorrow.

Lovely walk in the park with hubby. Ball cap to hide my patchiness. Happy. Day 2tx2 is so much better than last time.

Kam - the sweating and wig thing is worrying me also!  It is already 85 here today.  It was a bit cooler than the other day now that I did the big shave, but I wore it early in the morning before it was really hot.  I am really thinking I will only be wearing the wig to work and special outings.  Otherwise I think I will sport the halo and a baseball hat or a cotton scarf.  I am going "topless" right now at home and it feels nice!  

I have been slacking on the exercise front, really need to get back into it, I feel better when I move!