I so agree.  Exercise has always helped me with my emotional health, even if it is just walking indoors in my house.  Of course, walking outside on a nice trail is even better when possible.  Walking also seems to be like oil to my joints.   A good friend of mine has had leukaemia for over 20 years and she tells me that her longest periods of remission have been when she is on a regular walking /exercise program.  Also, exercise feels like one thing we can do for ourselves that we have a little control over.  So now, I just need to keep reminding myself of how important it is when I am not feeling it😊

Sheryl, I agree with you. Sometimes I need a gentle reminder and  a little motivation .

I wish I wasn't such a procrastinator because I do feel better after a walk and some fresh air 🥹🤗🩵

@LeslieA congrats on your last chemo.  That's a milestone for sure.

Very exciting😊😊

@Tanja thank you so much for posting for those who this will benefit from this knowledge!!!! Teal Sisters Rock!!!!!

@Tanja I can't agree more. My future daughter in law, who is a PhD student in molecular science and a researcher on ovarian cancer (I know, how serendipitous is that) was at the OCC Conference in Halifax last year. She said one of the presenters was an OVC patient who could not emphasize enough the correlation between extended periods of health and exercise. She suggested a minimum of 30 min 'cardio' in the form of walking etc. plus at least some weight training (think light weights) had proven results. I don't have the research to point you to on this however, it sounds like we are all in agreement that it's a good thing.

Thank you for posting this. You've incented me to get off my arse and get moving. I'd gotten a bit lazy the last week.

Tanja, 

My apologies for misspelling your name in my original post. I wasn't paying attention and was enthused by your post on this topic, one I feel strongly about. Just to add an encouraging idea for getting motivated, Inspirehealth offers all kinds of online movement classes for cancer patients, geared to whatever level you need. I know that I respond best to a structured class rather than doing things on my own, so I like these formatted classes. They are actually fun and you can keep your camera off if you prefer. Creating new patterns in our lives such as exercise can take some effort, but remember it only takes one step forward and the other foot must follow. And then it gets easier and easier to do more. 

Leslie 

Hello, Teal Sisters!

I echo others about the benefits of exercise.  I was fortunate enough to participate in two exercise studies: one pre-surgery for ovarian cancer patients specifically (PANACEA), and one post-surgery for people living with and beyond cancer (EXCEL).  I recently joined a group of EXCEL "graduates" to get back into the routine.

A GPO (General Practitioner, Oncology) once told me that he thinks the best way to prevent cancer recurrence is exercise.  He thinks it stimulates the immune system.  He was near retirement when he told me this, so I'm not sure how up-to-date he was on the research literature, but I cling to his statement anyway.  

Exercise is also great at reducing anxiety.  Spending time in the woods at a nature retreat before my surgery helped me immensely.

Here are some online exercise programs for people with cancer that may be of interest:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMD83ZxV-CeZHuEc8iuTk9ohL_3x9bcLW

https://www.healthyactiveaging.ca/

Happy exercising!

Thanks so much for the resources😊

@FrogProf thank you for sharing!

#Healthandwellness #Exercise