An idea;)

Have just booked my first of 5 subsidised Pinc Pilates sessions with a physio. I will have five individual sessions and then hopefully be right to continue with group sessions. I would never have known about this without this post. So thank-you Robyn. :) Deanne xx

I live on a farm so have always enjoyed walking....usually 3km to get around our property. My obstacles at times are snakes, march flies, heat & rain! So, I sometimes use exercise bike instead,

Also, my kids X-box Kinect comes in very handy....I purchased a couple of exercise programs which include yoga, Pilate's, various dance classes (love Bollywood) & Zumba etc. 

Unfortunately due to our location (approx 200km from a major town centre) I don't have access to specialist exercise programs etc. only general facilities in our town....and nothing at our hospital.

Look forward to reading more ideas and advice on exercise after bc.....thanks Robyn for another enlightening blog!

 

I live on a farm so have always enjoyed walking....usually 3km to get around our property. My obstacles at times are snakes, march flies, heat & rain! So, I sometimes use exercise bike instead,

Also, my kids X-box Kinect comes in very handy....I purchased a couple of exercise programs which include yoga, Pilate's, various dance classes (love Bollywood) & Zumba etc. 

Unfortunately due to our location (approx 200km from a major town centre) I don't have access to specialist exercise programs etc. only general facilities in our town....and nothing at our hospital.

Look forward to reading more ideas and advice on exercise after bc.....thanks Robyn for another enlightening blog!

 

Very interesting reading about Annette Louden , Karen. Thanks for all the infos Fx

Hi Frederica , There is a Tasmanian yoga teacher called Annette Louden who runs courses for yoga teachers about yoga for breast cancer . You could google" yoga for Breast Cancer Sydney " and I'm sure something would pop up , failing that you could email Annette and I'm sure she would be able to put you in touch with teachers in Sydney who have done her course . X Karen

I have a walker and have been for many years mainly because we have had dogs that needed to burn up some energy.  My little dog now (16 yrs) doesn't want to leave the house any more. 

I am an early riser and am out of the house by 5:15am every day, rain or shine  and usually do a 45 min walk but today (2 days post 2nd round FEC) I could only manage 30 mins.  I also swim every afternoon and do some abdominal exercises.n  If it is storming we have an airfit that I use.

I also do relaxation and meditation techniques once a day and am considering doing it twice if I find my energy levels getting to low.

I agree with what has already posted that you need to do something you love.

I love walking because I love birds and I am a photographer and even though at the moment I am not up to lugging my heavy lens around I still love to observe all the birds in my neighborough and learn as much about their behaviour so that when I am up to capturing them again I will know where they are likely to be and what they are up to.

Joy xx

Thank you Yoga nut , beautiful and inspiring message. I am determined to try yoga and combined it with my walks. And you are so true , whatever you love, doesn't have to be something not enjoyable. Just wondering if there is a yoga course targeting people recovering or going throughout treatment for BC.in Sydney, must do some research . Have a great day and all the best to you too. Federica xx

Thank you Yoga nut , beautiful and inspiring message. I am determined to try yoga and combined it with my walks. And you are so true , whatever you love, doesn't have to be something not enjoyable. Just wondering if there is a yoga course targeting people recovering or going throughout treatment for BC.in Sydney, must do some research . Have a great day and all the best to you too. Federica xx

Being a Physio this is a hot topic for me :) The nurses looked at me sideways but I took my yoga mat into hospital when I had my double mastectomy 10 weeks ago ...I figured there was nothing wrong with my legs ! Pre surgery I walked about 8km/ day during the week and 12 km on the weekends and did 4 yoga and Pilates classes a week . I was back at my first yoga class 8 days post op ( which I modified quite a bit ! But it was amazing how much i I COULD manage) since then have either walked 8km/day or been to my usual yoga class 4 times a week despite the chemo . If i feel awful I figure ill just go and lie on my mat and do a few twists ...but once I get there and start breathing I suddenly feel great and manage the whole class. The range of motion and strength in my arms and shoulders has been back to its preop level for the past 3 weeks . I haven't done 12km walk yet largely because its just been too hot . I also haven't been to my Pilates class ...I know I would physically manage it now with no problems but yoga offers so much more in terms of meditation , breath work and healing energy ( which I can definately use more of right now !) Plus 2 of my teachers run a pretty physical class so it is actually equally demanding to my Pilates class . And the happy thing for me is my scarf stays on while I'm upside down ! Professionally , I think the main thing is to find something you love .... Whether its walking , biking, ,dancing , swimming, gym classes . Then you are more likely for It to become part of your life routine . It is neither sustainable , realistic or enjoyable to force yourself to do an activity you really don't enjoy. Maintaining a level of exercise is a big issue , not just for us BC ladies but for many people with chronic illness , There is new and overwhelming research about exercise reducing the risk of cancer recurrence so it's an essential part of our "treatment " and one we can have a large amount of control over . Fear not If you' ve never done much exercise!!....every day is an opportunity to start , try something new . It often works best if you have a " buddy" with you for company , encouragement and a good laugh ! There are subsidised exercise physiologist sessions for cancer patients in many Capital cities so that can be a good place to start if you feel unsure where to begin . All the best and Happy Moving to us all :)