← Return to Exercise during chemo

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Exercise during chemo

Cancer: Managing Symptoms | Last Active: Feb 20 7:40am | Replies (142)

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@ahurlbert30

I am struggling to have the energy and I’m worried that I will be knock down if I do any strength training but I seriously fee my muscles atrophying! I’m 38 and typically an athlete. However, I was tested for BRCA mutation in June, positive for BRCA 1, had a complete hysterectomy with oopherectomy then 2 weeks later found a lump and started on the process of diagnosing and treating My breast cancer. So my activity level has been pretty much running after kids and day to day activities to get by since then.
I’d love any help you can give on ideas to stop the loss of muscle and keep myself in as good of shape as possible. Not looking forward to starting over when this is all said and done.

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Replies to "I am struggling to have the energy and I’m worried that I will be knock down..."

I am sorry for your recent medical challenges. I am 59 and a two-time breast cancer survivor who, like you, was used to nearly-daily gym workouts. Like you as well, I had an oopherectomy almost two and a half years ago as well. I found that doing small workouts kept me focused on physical health and helped me believe that returning to normal physical activity would not be quite so challenging if I did just a little in the gym. Try doing just a few leg lifts or arm curls [if you have been cleared by your doctor to do so], or get on the treadmill and elliptical for 10 minutes rather than 30 or 40. I wish you the best of luck.

@ahurlbert30, something is better than nothing. Cancer fatigue makes it really hard. Maybe you can incorporate intentional movements in your daily activities. For example, after putting in a load of laundry, do 5 arm lifts overhead. Or loading the dishwasher, squat to lift items out of the bottom drawer instead of bending. Don't over do it, but adding a few different movements throughout can help, especially doing movements that are different from the norm.

Any other ideas?