motivation to exercise

Fantastic ! Keep going!

hi everyone, thank you for your encouragement and words of Advice. Well I got out for a walk with my neighbor yesterday it was 21 degrees here in Melbourne and what was suppose to be a 1/2 hour walk turned into nearly an hour, it just felt so good to get out and walk. I was absolutely exhausted when I get back as we live in a really hilly area. But I can't tell you how good I felt. I will try and use my wind trainer (a bike training device I attach my road bike to and ride stationary)this weekend.

A friend is taking me a mediation class tonite using crystal bowls and apparently they sound beautiful.

Today it is cold and pouring down with rain. Feeling a bit down as this weekend is our family ski trip to Falls Creek. My husband has taken the  kids. I stayed home as I am unable to ski with post 1 week op scars.

thanks again everyone, oh and if anyone lives S.E suburbs in Melbourne and wants to go for a walk, let me know.

rgds
Veronica

Hi Vinn,

The Heart Foundation have walking groups all over the country. Click here to visit their page. Type in your postcode and you will find some groups close to you. We also have a walking challenge at the moment which may be just the thing you need. We can connect you with other members for that. If you are interested click here to join. If you have any questions you can email - communityprograms@bcna.org.au  or give us a call on 1800 500 258.

Ann-Marie x

Like Dianne said, aim small. I used to ring my neighbour 6 doors down and say are you home, I want to walk and I need a rest at your place in the middle. That's what I would do, make it 5mins down to her place and have a bit of a yarn on a chair on her veranda and then walk home. Next up I would walk a small walk along the beach and back to the road to home. Not far, about 15mins round trip and that was good. Now of an arvo I walk 3km round trip along the beach and I must admit I have to push myself to do it at times but I am mostly sticking to every day unless its pouring rain. I want to do a 10k walk soon but I am not sure if I could make it all at once? Maybe I should take a rescue phone with me and phone home if I run out of puff.

Yep, those exercise slumps are hard enough to work through let alone after Cancer treatment!

When I'm in an exercise slump sometimes finding some new music to download onto my MP3 can act as a motivator. My 2 teens love suggesting new tracks to try out. 

Buying a brand new pair of socks for exercising sometimes works too - so beautifully soft & springy when you 1st put them on!

As the others have already suggested, take it slowly. 

You can do it!

Mel xxx

Hello Vinn,

It is hard to get motivated straight after your surgery and the longer you put it off, the harder it gets.  Maybe if you put your walking clothes out with your trainers the night before so you can wake up, step into them, and go straight out the door before you think too much about it - this worked for me.  Once you do it, the fresh air and the birds make you feel better almost immediately.

Any little bit is better than none and you feel so much better as a result.  Take it slowly and try to be consistent - it's not a race - and the best motivation is lessening the chances of recurrence as Deanne said!

Even if you don't find a walk-buddy, there are always regulars who say good morning with a smile, which is a nice way to start your day.

Keep in touch with your progress.  Michelle xx

You can ask anyone!  If you don't have anyone local to you why not start with an on-line connection and motivate and report one another?  I struggled to get moving for a long time after my mastectomy, however I also suffered a lot of anxiety in relation to reconstruction options.  Eventually I found that exercise was the best way to work through my anxiety and I can sleep again.  

I started slow too - just getting out the door and around the block was the first step each day.

K

hi Vinn2016

You can ask if anyone is local to you. 

I am in rural NSW where are you ? 

I would love to have a walking partner and take it slowly. 

Like the others I couldn't exercise while I was on chemo and it took me months afterwards to even walk 1km without being a write off the next day. Now I can do 5 kms without being a write off but I have slowly increased it. I dont get to walk everyday but I would love a walking buddy.

While going thru chemo my kids helped me by walking me around our 2 acre fenceline. 

One step at a time is how we do it after treatment. 

I have a miband lot cheaper than a fitbit but does basically the same thing. it helps me see what I am walking each day. 

take care 

Alice 

I tried to keep exercising through chemo as it really helps my mood as well as my weight...but the last 4 weeks of taxol just sucked all energy out of me and I have managed very very little the last 3 weeks. I finished my chemo last week....still on herceptin. I am exhausted. I actually now consider attending an appointment and then a quick supermarket visit as exercise as I am exhausted when home again.

However...I know this isn't  enough. And yes....as said aim small. Even 5 minute stints of walking around the yard 3 times a day will help. I have found a fitbit or similar device really helpful and just track your normal steps to start with and aim each week for a thousand more per day. 

I'm  joining into a cancer treatment exercise program held through the local YMCA here at Broken Hill hopefully next week. It is 45 minutes...which scares the crap out of me presently but will try. I do manage at least once a week a pool visit and just walk up and down and do my arm exercises and attempt some laps. I am wiped out the next day...but I do love it. I did aquafit during AC but not on taxol.

My pre cancer diagnosis fitness was good....mobile job, gym session 4 days week, zumba 1 day and swimming on weekends. Pffft....now a shower exhausts me. But we will get there.

Yep I hear you I just got back in to a routine of going to the gym and my knee went. I have had a athroscope and it is not healing as quickly as I hoped. I feel the same with the motivation, I'm finding it tough. I'm on eave at the moment and going to really try to get back in to it, good luckxx