First gear: (gentle) exercise during or after treatment

I use a theraband to help address rotator cuff impingement caused by surgery and radiation. It's very helpful, and after using it for awhile I have enough pectoral strength (and confidence) to open medium-tight jar lids again.

I joined the local Y's Turning Point program today and, while it's much different from the heavy weightlifting I was doing before my first surgery, it's GREAT. Twice a week fitness classes, once weekly yoga (bringing my total to 5+ days a week of yoga), and--more importantly--connecting with other local warriors! I met three women today, all of whom have been cancer-free for over five years.

It was totally refreshing.

If I wear my hot-pink shirt (which they gave me), I'm apparently allowed to use the whole gym whenever I want, too.

Komen gets on my nerves in a lot of ways, but a grant from Komen makes this possible for 170 women in my area, so maybe they're not all bad. . . .

Claire, "The right ratio of exercise to party, 1:10."

Hell yes.

I'm still plugging away at the gym. Getting a bit stronger. I can't believe how slow progress is though. I feel like I am getting nowhere. Haven't lost the weight I gained during chemo. I have been exercising and eating well. I don't know if it is due to the Tamoxifen or what. I am having my exchange surgery next week so my exercising will have to be put on hold for a bit.

I did receive a nice compliment from a guy at the gym yesterday. He told me how good I was looking, and looking at me he would never have known what I have gone thru in the last 7 months. That I looked healthy and he could tell I was getting stronger. That was such a huge compliment, especially when I have been struggling. Soon this will all be behind me

In case this is motivating, here are studies showing that Zumba is pretty effective. These are easily searchable online and return abstracts or full-text articles:

Aerobic exercise plus mindfulness/meditation

• MAP training: combining meditation and aerobic exercise reduces depression and rumination while enhancing synchronized brain activity

Effects of Zumba

• An 8-week exercise intervention based on Zumba® improves aerobic fitness and psychological well-being in healthy women
• The effects of Zumba training on cardiovascular and neuromuscular function in female college students
• Benefits of Zumba Fitness® among sedentary adults with components of the metabolic syndrome: a pilot study

Non-US Zumba studies

• Cardiovascular effects, body composition, quality of life and pain after a Zumba® fitness program in Italian overweight women
• The effectiveness of an 8-week Zumba programme for weight reduction in a group of Maltese overweight and obese women

Zumba compared to other forms of exercise

• Salsa dance and Zumba fitness: Acute responses during community-based classes
• Do soccer and Zumba exercise improve fitness and indicators of health among female hospital employees? A 12-week RCT
• Exercise intensity during Zumba fitness and Tae-bo aerobics
• Heart rate, accelerometer measurements, experience and rating of perceived exertion in Zumba, interval running, spinning, and pyramid running
• Zumba Fitness workouts: are they an appropriate alternative to running or cycling?

Zumba delivery systems compared

• Energy expenditure and physiological responses to 60 minute Zumba aerobic sessions (group class versus home) in healthy adult females
• Physiological load associated with a Zumba® fitness workout: a comparison pilot study between classes and a DVD

Today is the day! I had my first workout at the gym post exchange surgery. I have been doing cardio but haven't lifted any weights. First back and bicep workout is done. It is such a nice feeling to know that I will NOT have any more setbacks. No more surgeries or treatments. I can commit to the healthy lifestyle I was living pre cancer. There is nothing holding me back. FxxK you cancer. Take that!

It is an amazing feeling. I feel like I just got let out of jail.

MsBrompton, me too.

I'm going three times a week to some sort of exercise class, though. I'll say this: on days I exercise, my worldview is about 90% better than on days I don't.

Yay, DeeRatz! Keep us posted!

Hooray!

Kate-Yay!!! It feels so good to feel the muscles do some work. Don't care if it was machines. Good for you!

MsBrompton-happy for you. You got out there and moved. I know it's not as easy as it sounds.

I did a leg workout today. Not anywhere near the weights that I used to use or as long of a workout as I used to do. But I did it! Baby steps with baby weights.

I agree, exercise is the thing that keeps me sane. My stress reliever and helps me clear my head. I think that was one of the hardest things for me during and post treatment that made me sad. I wasn't able to do the thing that made me feel good.

Hey, Kate. Can you move today?

I am not doing anything impressive enough to announce but am happy to be confidently walking around again. This weekend we go to the Grand Canyon and I'm looking forward to the bunny hikes

I can move!

I still have a weird feeling on my non-BC side under my arm sometimes (I had a PICC for ~6 weeks) now at 6months post chemo. & yes. sometimes that strange swollen feeling but I don't feel it)

I am finally able to hike again! Four miles today on the moderate trail in Sedona. I'm whupped but feeling pretty proud of myself.

And I could not get my ring off afterwards. Weird

Superius, I live in the great, gray midwest, and I'm not good at walking in the rain, either. I blame the fact that I wear glasses, and I honestly think that's my problem: the raindrops hit my glasses and annoy me. But I like this idea of doing it anyway: it's supposed to snow here tonight (!), but I'm committing to walking this weekend!