Today’s blog post has been written by David Haas.  Thank you so much for giving us this great info and there are so many cancer patients around the world.  You can learn more about David and the work he does here.

Enhancing Cancer Treatments with Exercise

A sedentary lifestyle has long been known to contribute to the risk of many types of cancer and other chronic diseases. Poor circulation, imbalanced hormone production, weight gain, and numerous other side effects of a lack of exercise can also mean more complications during treatment and worse side effects. This can ultimately contribute to the need for a less aggressive style of treatment and lower chances of survival. It will certainly mean a lower quality of life for patients.

Researchers looking at the fitness levels of those diagnosed with breast or prostate cancer found that regular exercise offered enormous benefits. Breast cancer patients who regularly exercised had a 40% reduction on the combined risk of dying or experiencing recurrence. Exercise meant a 30% lower chance of dying from prostate cancer. Though information is limited due to insufficient studies on the many types of cancer, current research has convinced the major cancer research organizations to recommend all patients and survivors work to improve their physical fitness.

How Can a Fitness Program Help During Treatment?
Undergoing treatment puts the body under enormous stress. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgeries will suppress immune function and cause a set of common symptoms for most patients. The possibilities for exercise will be more limited during this time, but benefits can still be gained. Specific types of exercise can aid recovery from surgery, and these will usually be done under the guidance of a specially trained physical therapist. Even short walks and low-intensity yoga will help to overcome nausea, fatigue, depression and other common complaints.

The key to exercise is regularity. The amount and intensity should always be subject to change, especially during treatment but also as fitness levels improve. Choosing a schedule and sticking with it is the way to reduce symptoms of treatment, as well as to ensure that the program continues to offer benefits after treatment. Everything should be done to make exercise as enjoyable as possible.

What Type of Exercise is Best During Treatment?
During this sensitive time, doctors have traditionally told their patients to take it easy and relax as much as possible. Relaxation is important, and so are safety concerns regarding patients over-exerting themselves during treatment. However, a qualified fitness expert can help to design the right exercise program for any patient, even during lung cancer or mesothelioma treatment. The benefits are too many for this option to be overlooked.

Guidelines have been issued that suggest cancer clinics begin working directly with fitness professionals to implement safe and effective programs for all patients. Though options will be more limited during treatment, the schedule that is established can be modified to include more enjoyable forms of exercise as health permits.

]]> http://exercise2day.info/2012/02/enhancing-cancer-treatments-with-exercise/feed/ 0 http://exercise2day.info/2012/02/simple-steps-to-lose-weight/ http://exercise2day.info/2012/02/simple-steps-to-lose-weight/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:36:25 +0000 Laura http://exercise2day.info/?p=727 Continue reading →]]> On average, Americans eat way too much and don’t get enough physical activity each day.  Are you one of them?  Unfortunately, these habits have made us one of the heaviest nations in the world!   I believe most of us would like to eat better and exercise more so I’m going to share with you some information on how you can do just this.  

And here it is folks, Monday, again?

Yup! I don’t know why it is that each and every week, it seems, I struggle so much more on Monday mornings.  I think it’s because I’ve really enjoyed my family time and then Monday comes and everyone heads in their own direction.   Anyone else? Lets see a show of hands.

Oh, good, everyone struggles? I am not alone?

Neither are YOU!

Thats what I am here for. What are YOU struggling with?

You can either reach out and let me know and we can work towards you overcoming or you can tell yourself, again, that its ok, maybe tomorrow you will do better!

TOMORROW!…Tomorrrow…tomorrow? …

Me?  No, I did not get up and workout this morning. *sigh* but I am planning on making up for it later this evening and I WILL get it done!

How’s your Monday?  How’s the journey?

So, as a parent of someone who is a teenager, I do struggle with finding ways entice them to be healthier.  I won’t lie….we like chips and dip and soda and all that stuff cause it does taste good.  It’s not healthy but it still tastes good.  We’ve really implemented some fun stuff into what we would typically do doing a Steeler game or other fun event.  We pop air popped popcorn, eat rice chips, make veggie platters, even lean meat and cheese trays.  We focus on being healthy and making it work for our family.  Even thought they aren’t as strict in their meal plans, it’s okay.  I do what I need to do to make it work for me.

If you’re finding some struggles coming your way, please reach out.  I’m here for you!

Here’s an example…..I have a friend, who is in the midst of divorce.  Over the holiday season, she typically bakes  and keeps baking supplies on hand.  As her day progressed and the tension rose in her home, the bag of candies that would top her homemade cookies disappeared.  She ate a whole bag of candy in one day.  At the time she was doing this, she didn’t give it a second thought but after reviewing her habits, she noticed a pattern.  On stress filled days, she ate and she ate and she ate.  And guess what!?!  She’s put on some extra weight in the process.

Does this sound like a similar habit?  If so, here are some tips on how you can control emotional eating.

• Remove the temptation.  If you don’t have the things that tempt you in the house, you’ll be less like to emotionally binge on food that isn’t there. Go ahead and clear out your cupboards of all the things you’d be tempted by.  If you have others that live at home with you, have them hide those things so you won’t know where to find them.  If you have unopened items and want to get rid of them completely, donate to a food shelter or give away to someone else.  Regardless, if it’s not there than you won’t eat/drink it.
• Build a support system. Reach out to friends or family for positive support.  The next time you want to binge, pick up the phone and call a friend or a workout buddy.  There are also a variety of groups you can join too.
• Relieve your stress. Yep, I know.  Easier said then done some days but, find a way to relieve your stress and boost your mood that is positive and life-affirming rather than self-destructive. Go for a walk,  read a book, call a friend, get your nails done are a few examples.  Just find something to do that will make you feel good.  When you feel good, you’re less likely to want to turn to food.
• Write it down. Start a journal and include both what you eat and your mood.  Jot down what is bothering you.  You’ll then be able to see a trend of what is going on and also develop a plan on how to tackle those types of events.

I hope these tips will help you the next time you are feeling stressed or down.

What a year 2011 has been for me.  I can’t believe all of these things have happened.  When I look back, I am in awe of what I’ve been able to accomplish and know that 2012 is only going to be even better!

Some of the highlights:

• Watched my Mother defeat Breast Cancer.

• Led back to God.

• Was able to quit my Full Time J.O.B. and become a Work at Home Mom fulfilling my life long dream of helping others.

• Founded BeFitChat with my friend DeAnna Verbouwens.

• Went on an awesome Girls only Caribbean cruise.  What a BLAST!!!

• Celebrated my 3rd Beachbody coaching anniversary.

• Found a Doctor to help treat my RA and is actively working with me to get it under control.

• Had some amazing people brought into my life who have changed me.

• Traveled all over the country…including Washington DC, Dallas, Santa Monica, LA, Niagara Falls, Eastern NC and even further to The Caribbean.

• Started War on Debt.

So, Goodbye 2011 and Hello 2012!!  Thank you for being a part of this year!

Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas!

In celebration of the HOLIDAYS and the SPIRIT of Christmas we would like to bring you a chance to win some amazing prizes!

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