The following is from a Guest Blogger by the name of Davis Haas who stumbled across my blog and wanted to write a guest spot. I've never had anyone ask me that before and I thought "Sure! Why not?!" Here is his contact info:
David Haas Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Guest Blogger,
http://about.me/haasblaag
I hope you enjoy reading it!
Working it Out, by David Haas
If you have been recently diagnosed with cancer; run, don't walk to your nearest
gym. Do not wait for treatment to be over to start working on building a healthier
body and doing all you can to prevent this dreaded disease from coming back once
it's gone. An interdisciplinary panel of experts has put together set of guidelines and
have strongly advocated the importance of physical fitness for both during and after
treatment. The National Cancer Institute put a spotlight on these recommendations
in their article, “Guidelines Urge Exercise For Cancer Patients, Survivors”.
Okay, the "run, don't walk" remark is not to be taken too literally. It really only
means to that exercise should be taken into account very seriously. Although some
cancer patients, whether they are diagnosed with a rare disease like mesothelioma
or a common one like breast cancer, can actually perform certain exercises while
their cancer is still an active issue. However, many patients will need to adjust their
activity level to accommodate their illness. Before heading to the gym, do some
research and find out the appropriate accommodations and fitness needs for your
specific type of cancer and cancer treatment.
Some cancers are wasting diseases where keeping weight on and maintaining
adequate muscle mass are of vital importance and basic goals for any fitness
program during treatment. Other cancers are routinely treated in a manner which
typically leads to excess weight gain. In these cases, fitness programs should be
tailored towards trying to limit excess weight gain. Also, some treatments can
have serious fitness related side effects like leaving bones brittle and vulnerable
to breaking. It is very important to be aware of such issues and tailor your fitness
regimen to account for them so as to not create new health issues while trying to
work your way out of cancer.
In all cases, fitness programs during treatment should have a fundamental goal of
maintaining and improving basic quality of life. This includes goals like maintaining
energy levels, reducing the side effects of treatment and reducing pain. In addition
to improving basic body functions, working out can help improve one’s self-image.
The importance of how you feel about yourself and how you perceive yourself
during treatment should not be underestimated. Survival may depend on how
diligently you work at surviving. Feeling good enough about yourself to feel you
have reason to live can make a critical difference in just how diligent you are in your
daily routines.
Work out for yourself and get back on the path of seeking normalcy and happiness
while both in and out of treatment. Exercise may be not be the cure to cancer;
however, it can regain vitally, a positive spirit and leave you feeling like your healthy
self you once knew.
http://www.mesothelioma.com/treatment/
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20089410-10391704.html
