Hi @Wildplaces exercise was never a favourite of mine though I didn’t mind if it was chasing a ball .I too had a busy working life and a family to look after.
It took a 76year old breast cancer veteran survivor to pull me up short about not having time to exercise.She told me she has been getting up at 6am every morning for 20 years since diagnosis to go for a one hour walk as that was the only time there were no interruptions. She does it rain or shine as it makes her feel better and more able to manage her day. She also said it required no fancy equipment just a good pair of shoes.
I walk daily for an hour and the terrain is hilly. Occasionally I miss if it’s raining or very hot.I work usually around 9 as my kids are at school and now around 4pm when they get home before dinner -it used to be after dinner but daylight saving has ended.
If I miss a walk I notice it. Walking gives me “me”time and a chance to think.My family accept this and my husband also walks now but is a lot faster.I am not fond of silence so listen to music on my phone which I have on a runner’s band on my arm.I enjoy music and drift off forgetting I am exercising.
Walking is sometimes hard because of joint pain as I am on Letrozole as my breast cancer is Er+.However I have learnt I can walk thru this after a short while and it also counters stiffness I used to have getting up in the morning.I am hoping it helps lower my cholesterol as another side effect of Letrozole has been a spike in my formerly good cholesterol.Letrozole plus I guess the whole breast cancer experience at times lowers my mood bringing on the blues and the walk releases endorphins which help with this as well.Letrozole also thins bones and as I already had osteoporosis I hope walking will help with this.
I too have read and been told about the benefits of exercise in the prevention of recurrence so that is also another reason I walk.
I also do a gentle Stretch and Balance class twice weekly involving light weights primarily to help my joints but it also has brought me laughter and fun which I also think helps.Weight bearing exercise also helps with osteoporosis .@Deanne has told us about the wonderful work The Bone Clinic and Griffith Uni in Qld are doing in this regard.
Finally I think I have become a little selfish with my time which is how I have been able to make time to fit exercise in and this is accepted by my family.But also I exercise for many reasons.
Getting back on the horse ? I fall off frequently - I get up , dust myself off and get back on again. Occasionally someone gives me a lift up.The important thing is to try - falling off is normal.
Glad to see you back!
