Forum Discussion
Fighting back with fitness
I thought I would share my ups and downs regaining my fitness since chemo.
For a start I gained an astonishing amount of weight during chemo, around 20 plus kgs. I had gained 3 to 4 post surgery also before chemo. (Bilateral mastectomy and recon) After chemo with my oncologist blessing around 6 weeks I went on to optifast as I wanted to drop the weight as I was going back in for surgery to finish my reconstruction and I had such awful body image with the gain (and lost breasts). That was successful.
However once again I started gaining weight...I was finally workingg full time (that took 6 months to be fit enough), I was quite stessed about workloads and my brother had a life threatening accident (head injury and 3 spinal fracture) thankfully he came through. I am and always will be an emotional eater.
During all this and my gradual return to work I was trying to recover my physical fitness. Pre treatment I attended the gym 4 days a week and most weekends swam or did aquafit. All I could manage on chemo was walking in a hydro pool which kept some muscle tone. My back hurt, my knees hurt, I had constant muscle spasms and lower sacral /hip pain. I was so weak in the legs if I got on tbe floor I couldn't get up. I did do a cancer exercise group for a few weeks but had to stop as started back at work.
I started back at the gym and zumba then got exhausted and stopped. I was diagnosed with reduced heart function at this time.
I did the encore program and felt pretty good then tried gym work again but felt exhausted again and stopped.
I became fearful of becoming overtired by exercising, more so after being back working full time as I really struggled.
But I didnt give up.
I started with walking again using my fitbit and had got to 9000 steps a day after 3 weeks....then bam...spent a week on the lounge and barely could make it through the day. Plus my knees and sacral pain worsened.
Then I tried gym work. Light cardio. Some weights and stretching. Felt fantastic 3 weeks then bam...on the couch again.
So I have seen an exercise physiologist to help. What I am to do is not workout at 8-9/10 effort now. I'm to work out at 5-6/10. This isn't easy as I feel fine but so far this is working. I've been using that theory in classes also. I also have accepted if I can only exercise 3 weeks in 4 then that's better than no exercise. If I'm really tired I skip it.
I tried to have no exercise days but am focussing on not just resting on these days but keeping busy.
I'm finally feeling like the old me. My holiday week away last week included long walks, bowling etc. I no longer felt like a recovering breast cancer patient but the old me.
My diet. ..well I'm focussed on that too. I've rejoined weight watchers and focussing on nourishing foods. I'm pre planning and packing lunches ahead and even breakfasts (frittatas, pancakes etc) so no time excuses in the morning. I'm down almost 5 kg. Still another 5 before I'm feeling better though.
So something is working. Life is most definetly worth reclaiming.
Kath x
For a start I gained an astonishing amount of weight during chemo, around 20 plus kgs. I had gained 3 to 4 post surgery also before chemo. (Bilateral mastectomy and recon) After chemo with my oncologist blessing around 6 weeks I went on to optifast as I wanted to drop the weight as I was going back in for surgery to finish my reconstruction and I had such awful body image with the gain (and lost breasts). That was successful.
However once again I started gaining weight...I was finally workingg full time (that took 6 months to be fit enough), I was quite stessed about workloads and my brother had a life threatening accident (head injury and 3 spinal fracture) thankfully he came through. I am and always will be an emotional eater.
During all this and my gradual return to work I was trying to recover my physical fitness. Pre treatment I attended the gym 4 days a week and most weekends swam or did aquafit. All I could manage on chemo was walking in a hydro pool which kept some muscle tone. My back hurt, my knees hurt, I had constant muscle spasms and lower sacral /hip pain. I was so weak in the legs if I got on tbe floor I couldn't get up. I did do a cancer exercise group for a few weeks but had to stop as started back at work.
I started back at the gym and zumba then got exhausted and stopped. I was diagnosed with reduced heart function at this time.
I did the encore program and felt pretty good then tried gym work again but felt exhausted again and stopped.
I became fearful of becoming overtired by exercising, more so after being back working full time as I really struggled.
But I didnt give up.
I started with walking again using my fitbit and had got to 9000 steps a day after 3 weeks....then bam...spent a week on the lounge and barely could make it through the day. Plus my knees and sacral pain worsened.
Then I tried gym work. Light cardio. Some weights and stretching. Felt fantastic 3 weeks then bam...on the couch again.
So I have seen an exercise physiologist to help. What I am to do is not workout at 8-9/10 effort now. I'm to work out at 5-6/10. This isn't easy as I feel fine but so far this is working. I've been using that theory in classes also. I also have accepted if I can only exercise 3 weeks in 4 then that's better than no exercise. If I'm really tired I skip it.
I tried to have no exercise days but am focussing on not just resting on these days but keeping busy.
I'm finally feeling like the old me. My holiday week away last week included long walks, bowling etc. I no longer felt like a recovering breast cancer patient but the old me.
My diet. ..well I'm focussed on that too. I've rejoined weight watchers and focussing on nourishing foods. I'm pre planning and packing lunches ahead and even breakfasts (frittatas, pancakes etc) so no time excuses in the morning. I'm down almost 5 kg. Still another 5 before I'm feeling better though.
So something is working. Life is most definetly worth reclaiming.
Kath x
17 Replies
- Good on you Kath!
I'm with Marg, I have a hard hitting 15 min window then boom...Im out for the count. No matter how hard I've worked with my exercise physiologist the past 13 months and smashed my final assessment. She also taught me it's not about going hard at it, its running at a lower pace and building...rebuilding from the ground up. She also doesnt work with anyone going through treatment, as she said its a time the body needing gentle stretching and a little walking but predominantly its time for healing.
It is a long hard road back, nobody tells you that, my extra 5kg is still there after 2.5 years no matter what exercise, diet anything it doesn't change. It's tough, but I put it down to chemo induced menopause is the absolute culprit.
I agree with you, at 2.5yrs post now, I too feel like the old me...and I never thought I would even remotely. The other thing I think that you get really good at, is self awareness, knowing your limitations and so my expectations have changed dramatically, so I dont feel the pressure anymore to be anything but than who I am now..the new me.
Keep going, you will smash those kilos.
Hugs Melinda xo - Kath, you're amazing. I really admire how determined you are. X
- Dear Network members,
Reading all the tips and experiences about fitness has been very encouraging for me. Four weeks after chemotherapy and radiotherapy finishing and now on anastrozole, I too am trying to build up my fitness and stamina. I have a hill behind my house - a 20 minute walk up and back, with birds to watch too and views of mountains - very good. I am having mild problems with my ankles aching. I also have terrible balance and those bottom kitchen cupboards are quite a challenge! I am going to try a yoga class at a local gym next week - one free session to see if you like it.
Best wishes to you all from jennyss - you are my inspiration
- My day oncology checked my weight at every treatment, and discussed with my oncologist my dose when I lost weight, but there was no suggestion I should not lose weight (I wasn't really trying anyway!) or that adjusting my dose (my oncologist didn't) was in any way difficult. If you have 6 months of chemo, and your pattern of eating and exercise changes, it's not hard to imagine that it will take much longer than 6 months to get back to a healthier pattern - weight is unhelpfully like that! . I was double lucky in that my pattern of eating changed (due to taste buds loss - I could taste healthier options, ate less, could not stand alcohol) and I didn't have any significant change in exercise as I did not have fatigue. So I wasn't trying to change back to my old pattern after chemo, just trying to keep to the new one.
- @Joanie Yes...try and stay stable on chemo. The dose is weight dependent up or down. I saw a dietitian on chemo to stop gaining weight but it didn't help. For me it was probably the lack of activity that really contributed as well as requiring high amounts steroids. One of the things they recommend post treatment though is to exercise as they have found women who do have lower recurrence rates. Why? They have no idea.
I exercise as it keeps my arthritic back more mobile and assists with keeping my weight stable and is good for managing stress. It's nothing to do with cancer recurrence but it was definitely something my oncologist discussed even in our first meeting. Nothing dramatic. 30 minute walk and suggested weight lifting 2 to 3 times a week to keep bone health as our treatments can impact on that too. - What remarkable women all of you ! I started a daily one hour walk plus a twice weekly gentle Stretch and Balance class and have just finished 8 weeks of Encore.
The walking has helped on all levels - physical, mental and emotional - I did fall off the wagon for 3weeks however when a good mate died from cancer at 56 and succumbed to comfort eating - sadly Christmas is always a challenge foodwise as every goodie I like is available but due to persistent hinting and example of my husband am back walking again.Walking yet again have had joint pain my ankle this time but again seem to be able to walk thru it and it goes away. And yes need to lie on the bed for a while after as quite hilly where we live but am doing it. TBH exercise and I have never been tight but I listen to music on my phone which distracts me from the job at hand - even listened to the Bruce Springsteen autobiography for many walks spoken by the man himself -not a real fan but quite a good “ read”.
Stretch and Balance is gentle involves some light weights and designed for our community senior citizens and I am the youngest by quite a few years .The first time I did it was the day after radiotherapy ended and went home slept all afternoon - very embarrassing! This class has helped a lot too with joint pain but is in recess now until next year so have increased my walking to twice daily - am lucky my route is very shady as darned hot lately.
Encore was fabulous for so many reasons - floor exercises followed by hydrotherapy in a very warm pool as well as a weekly guest speaker about matters of interest to bc survivors and above all being with others who had been there done that too.
I think we are all human - things happen that distracts us from our health then it’s time to be gentle with ourselves but eventually to get back on the “horse that bucked us “ .Life is good and worth fighting for. - @Zoffiel - I'm on my knees worshipping you! I was at the pool today and 800m nearly did me in - I haven't even started any treatment yet!!
- Great effort ladies. I to have always been active with sport.Even when I wasn't able to play due to sports injuries I managed to give back as a coach. Before my diagnosis this year I was feeling fit and healthy I do think that helped me recover well after my mastectomy in April.
6-8 weeks after surgery I managed to get back into the gym .It was frustrating at times because I just wasn't able to push my body as hard as before. It took a while to start working up to the level I was at and with walking nearly every day things seem to be back on track even though I do require rest in the afternoon.
Exercise has and is the best treatment for body and mind .With summer arriving living in the West we have great weather and beaches which I enjoy also as therapy. So gym walking and swimming is what helps me.
I will continue on while my health is OK hopefully by staying that bit healthy and fit it will help through the tougher times.
So only do what your body allows you to do take it one day at a time .
