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PiNK 2018 SUMMER p.8-p.9<\/strong><\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re coping with the effects of treatment or just lacking in motivation, use these tips to get moving and make exercise an enjoyable part of your daily life. But physical activity can have specific benefits for people who\u2019ve had cancer. \u2018Keeping active throughout the cancer journey can reduce the negative impact of some cancer-related side effects such as fatigue, weight gain and lymphedema,\u2019 says Che Penny, a cancer rehabilitation specialist at Salisbury District Hospital.<\/p>\n And there\u2019s no doubting that exercise can have a positive effect on mental health, from improving wellbeing and reducing anxiety to helping you feel more in control. The key word is \u2018moderate\u2019. \u2018Moderate intensity exercise should make your heart beat a little faster but you should still be able to hold a conversation,\u2019 says Che. A brisk walk is a perfect example which most people can squeeze into their daily routine.<\/p>\n Worries about developing lymphedema, a chronic swelling of the arm after surgery, can put some women off exercising. But you\u2019re more likely to increase your risk by overly protecting your arm and not using it enough. \u2018Some women get a \u201cfrozen shoulder\u201d from trying to protect the side they\u2019ve had surgery on,\u2019 says Che. \u2018This can be prevented or helped by gentle exercises, progressed over time.\u2019<\/p>\n The fact is there\u2019s nothing to stop anyone getting back to the activities or sports they enjoyed before treatment or from starting a new activity. The most important thing is to start slowly and build up gradually, especially if you\u2019re new to exercise.<\/p>\n Official guidelines recommend doing at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week, but you can split this up however you like. \u2018These guidelines can be achieved with daily activities, tweaking what you already do,\u2019 says Che. \u2018For example, park a little further away at the supermarket, use the stairs instead of the lift, or make your gardening and housework a little more vigorous.\u2019<\/p>\n It\u2019s also recommended that we all do some exercises to help strengthen our muscles, whether that\u2019s yoga, dancing or lifting light weights.<\/p>\n \u2018Some people have never exercised before or had no desire to,\u2019 says Che. It\u2019s really important, he says, that everyone knows about the positive outcomes from physical activity, \u2018so they know they can help control their weight, increase their wellbeing and may lower the risk of recurrence by starting an exercise program,\u2019 he says.<\/p>\n The idea of going to a gym can fill people with dread. \u2018A lot of people think that a gym or exercise class if full of lycra-clad, muscle-bound men and women, all super fit, who will look and laugh at the newbie,\u2019 says Che. \u2018The majority of facilities cater for all ages, shapes and sizes.\u2019 Signing up to a gym, class or group with a friend can be a great way to motivate yourself.<\/p>\n \u2018If the gym isn\u2019t for you, go for a walk, go for a swim, do exercise at home\u2026the options are endless,\u2019 says Che. Over the years, Vita has heard form women who\u2019ve enjoyed activities as diverse as Nordic walking, aquacise, dragon boating and even curling.<\/p>\n \u2018Exercise doesn\u2019t have to be expensive,\u2019 says Che. \u2018The internet is a great tool for finding local walking, Tai Chi or yoga groups, as well as some useful home exercise plans.\u2019 Strength and Flex, for example, is a five-week exercise plan for beginners, to improve strength and flexibility, available on the NHS website (nhs.uk).<\/p>\n Think you hate exercising? Perhaps you simply haven\u2019t found the right activity. Worried you won\u2019t stick at it? Tracking your progress can be a great way to stay motivated. Think exercise is too hard? Start slowly and build up.<\/p>\n Often the hardest thing is getting started. But once you do, exercise can become an enjoyable part of everyone\u2019s life.<\/p>\n Make them realistic and achievable and, more importantly, rewarded when they’ve been achieved!<\/p>\n Geta friend to exercise with you, whether it’s going for a walk or swim together, or joining the local gym.<\/p>\n Mix what you do throughout the week. Gym one day, yoga the next, country walk the day after. <\/p>\n Make yourself a decent playlist, or find your favorite album, and blast it out when you’re doing the housework or on your walk. <\/p>\n If you don’t enjoy your chosen activity, you won’t stick to the program. It should be fun, not a chore! <\/p>\n PiNK 2018 SUMMER p.8-p.9 Whether you\u2019re coping with the effects of treatment or just lacking in motivation, use these tips…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":27357,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[64],"tags":[728,694,731],"class_list":["post-31686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pink-article","tag-exercise","tag-pink-en-2","tag--en"],"yoast_head":"\n
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\nWe all know exercise is good for us. Whether helping keep the extra pounds at bay or preventing conditions like heart disease, the health benefits of being active are clear and well documented.<\/p>\n
\nSo why do we sometimes find it so difficult to get going? Many things can conspire to stop us being as active as we\u2019d like to be. Time is often limited, motivation might be lacking and exercise can seem like hard work. And if you\u2019re recovering from treatment or dealing with side effects, exercising might be low on your to-do list.<\/p>\nPhysical barriers<\/h3>\n
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\nChe says one of the most common physical barriers to exercise he sees in patients is fatigue. As paradoxical as it might sound, however, there\u2019s strong evidence that regular moderate activity reduces fatigue.<\/p>\nMental barriers<\/h3>\n
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\nWhile physical effects like fatigue can put a dampener on plans to get active, sometimes the mental barriers are just as hard to overcome.<\/p>\nChe\u2019s top five tips for getting active<\/u><\/h3>\n
1. Goals<\/h4>\n
2. Friends<\/h4>\n
3. Variety<\/h4>\n
4. Music<\/h4>\n
5. Enjoy<\/h4>\n
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