Exercise Physiologists in Sydney

Eastmum

Hi - this post is Admin approved (just need to be mindful of the community guidelines  )
I'm keen to get some recommendations please, of any Exercise Physiologists in Sydney (especially on the Eastern Suburbs or Lower North Shore and surrounds), that specialise in Breast Cancer peops like us! There are a few of them listed in the BCNA service directory - anyone used any of those and found them to be great? Anyone used others that are not listed and found them to be great? Has anyone been to Cancer Fit Australia in Greenwich? Thanks in advance! 

Patti J

Why do you need an exercise physiologist Eastmum? 

Eastmum

Hi @Patti J - I'm about to start Chemo and I'm totally unfit. I haven't done any real exercise for an incredibly long time. I want to do something positive throughout all of this treatment, try to lose some weight if that's possible and get exercising - so I'd love to get the advice of an exercise physiologist. I know that all I probably need to do is to start walking - cheap and cheerful! I would like to find out about working with weights though, and I've had a full node clearance on one side + a double mastectomy with expanders in also I'm insulin resistant and have an osteo-arthritic knee with lots of other areas of wear and tear.  So I'd prefer to get advice from someone who's worked with Breast Cancer people before rather than just someone at the local gym or any run of the mill personal trainer. 

Sister

Good idea @eastmum

Patti J

My son is a personal  trainer and far from run of the mill. Unfortunately  he lives on the other side of the world. 
It's  very interesting to me that it takes a serious health issue to get people into exercise. 
I hope you can get fit Eastmum. Just as I  hope everyone else on the forum can lose the weight they need to. Being fit is so important.

Eastmum

Hi @Patti J - I hear you! I am be-moaning the fact that I have let my fitness and healthy weight lag so far behind and I have absolutely no excuse - it's simply a case of 'I'll get to that tomorrow' combined with a sedentary job that has me sitting at a desk for hours on end - I take full ownership for my predicament.

On the other hand, I'm celebrating the fact that I have an opportunity to do something about it. This Breast Cancer has given me a huge wake up call - and I think that's the case with the many people who get into exercise as a result of a serious issue. So rather than let this disease get the better of me, and bring me further down into 'un-fitness', within the parameters of what I am able to do during my treatment, I'm going to use it as a spring-board to do as much as I can to come out on the other end as a new and improved version of myself  

PS - definitely did not mean to suggest that all personal trainers are 'run of the mill' - a thousand apologies to anyone I've offended - a poor choice of words indeed. What I meant was, that I would particularly love to consult someone who has experience with people who are undergoing treatment for Breast Cancer, and all the baggage that comes along with that. xxxxx

MoiraC

Hi @Eastmum -good to hear about your plans. Any small steps are good I reckon as long as we don't feel over pressured to do it.There is lots of research evidence showing the positive impacts of exercise on dealing with side effects, helping with overall health to fight ongoing cancer. The following is just my experience not a promotion! I found the exercise physiologist at the Lifehouse at RPA Andrew to be great -he is also a qualified physio and did a very thorough assessment of me and developed a plan bearing in mind my limitations due to bone mets.I am not many sure fitness instructors are qualified at this level. He gave me at home stuff to do and they also run multiple group sessions during the week -you work on your own tailored program  and there is none of that gym junkie yelling out stuff. ( my bias I know) Everyone has cancer and all ages. I know it is on the other side of Sydney but may be of use. Also have you checked out whether the Mater Hospital  has any similar programs as they have Prof Fran Boyle there and I think a full cancer centre. Hope you find a good person that works for you and is well trained.

TonyaM

Hi Eastmum,
don’t beat yourself up too much about not exercising- it’s very easy to get out of the swing of it. 2 bouts of bc and being in a wheelchair for 18mths from  a broken ankle killed my exercise mojo! Walking is a good place to start.After treatment I attended the’Enrich’ program run by the Cancer Council.Encore is also another exercise program that helps after treatment.They are free and run by exercise physiologists and dietitians. I guess you’d need to be careful with expanders in and so an exercise physiologist or physio would be the way to go and not a trainer.Chemo is going to knock you around so be kind to yourself- there’s no rush.

Giovanna_BCNA

Hello @Eastmum
You may like to have a look at the website below, ESSA Exercise and Sports Science Australia.  You can search for an accredited exercise physiologist and see who is available in your area.
https://www.essa.org.au/find-aep

SoldierCrab

https://www.pincandsteel.com/
this might help you as you are in a city.... 

Kiwi Angel

@Eastmum I have always been a fit active person and intended to be so during chemo. I started off well still able to get up every morning (apart from crash days) to either go for a brisk walk or run, then it was down to a walk every morning as I started to get muscle weakness (especially up hills) and now this last 2 weeks (had cycle 3 of TC last week) with nausea, insomnia, muscle weakness, fatigue and a tinge of feeling sorry for myself I haven’t been for a walk. In about a week and a half. Feel absolutely gross but just can’t do it. My oncologist and chiropractor have both told me to be kind to myself which is a hard thing for all of us to do when we have such busy lives. I think u r having AC chemo which I believe can be a little tougher from what I have read from the ladies on this forum so definitely be kind to yourself too xoxoxox

Sister

I was doing 5km walks every day for 2 out of the 3 weeks on AC until the last one.  Heart rate went up, head pounding, fatigue and breathlessness set in - I'm doing the rehab oncology exercise programme (completely monitored) but have not been able to start walking again which is frustrating

kmakm

@Sister I feel your annoyance. I had my first go at an exercise walk yesterday. It was only 1.5kms (but with hills) and I'm still wrecked and sore today. I've been told by my predecessors in the Choosing Breast Reconstruction group to start much smaller. So frustrating.

iserbrown

@Eastmum
Hi!    Did you resolve your dilemma on looking for an Exercise Physiologist?

SoldierCrab said:

https://www.pincandsteel.com/
this might help you as you are in a city.... 

I looked at pincandsteel but there was nothing near home and hence kept looking.
  
Trust you are coping with where you are at with treatment
Take care

Annski

@kmakm - hullo, I've been following your story here and just wanted to say how much I've admired your strength and honesty. Now though I really do want to say: take it easy! You have so much on your plate and have been through so very much. Your body and mind both need healing time. Walking is fine but fifteen minutes might be a good start, somewhere quiet and peaceful. Plus it is getting colder now and your autonomic temperature system might be challenged. Don't get overheated then too cold.
Am thinking of you and sending gentle warming wishes.

kmakm

Oh gosh @Annski, that is so nice of you to say. I did make a conscious choice to be very honest here as I think it's the best way to help others. To share my experience, warts and all, to reassure others that we're more alike than different, and that we're all in this together.

You'll be pleased to know that I've got better at pacing myself since that last post above! I'm being as careful as I can with my scheduling so I don't overload my days. Nothing on tomorrow until the evening (school concert) so it'll be just me and the black and white dog heading out for a steady walk! I hope you're keeping well. Kate xox