The Benefits of Fitness During & After Cancer

 

Whether it is a family member, friend, neighbour or even a colleague, we have all unfortunately been affected by cancer in some way. I am a true believer in the power of exercise and the following post, written by Melanie Bowen, is a perfect example of how physical treatments can help one deal with and possibly overcome the burden of such a horrible diagnosis.

 

Regaining Fitness During Cancer Recovery

Cancer recovery is a long road that can be exhausting for many patients.  Even when treatment is behind you, you may feel as if you will never feel normal again.  Regaining your overall fitness after cancer treatment is not an easy task, but it can be done with some determination and knowledge.  Exercising can even boost your mood and help you feel better while recovering.  It is important to discuss exercise with your doctor and take it slow until you know your level of fitness ability.

Exercising During Aggressive Cancer Treatment

While it is important to engage in some form of physical activity while undergoing cancer treatment, the intensity of aggressive forms of treatment makes it necessary to stick with light exercises.  Light exercises generally do not cause a change in breathing pattern and do not result in sweat.

Breathing exercises are a great way to increase circulation, reduce fatigue and improve lung function during cancer treatment.  Breathing exercises are especially effective for those with pleural mesothelioma or any other lung-related cancer.  Breathing exercises have even been linked to a reduced risk of depression in recovering cancer patients.

Fitness During Cancer Recovery

Patients who are done with the treatment process may be able to handle moderately intense exercises that require a bit more effort.  People who are ready to regain their strength after going through the intense cancer treatment process can engage in moderate exercises in order to get this energy back.  Moderate exercises do cause deeper breathing, but a person who is engaging in moderate exercises does not feel out of breath.  A light sweat may form after about ten minutes of physical activity

According to LIVESTRONG.com, swimming as little as 20 minutes a day three times per week can provide health benefits to cancer survivors.  Water aerobic exercises provide a cushion for the body that makes these exercises easier to complete than activities done on land.  In addition, this is considered as a low-impact exercise because exercising in water makes you feel about 90 percent lighter. As a result, water aerobics are a great exercise for cancer patients who may have joint complications. Also, water aerobics offer resistance that enables a patient to build up strength during recovery.

Taking Fitness One Step Further

Patients who have successfully established a moderate fitness routine can talk to their doctors about increasing the intensity and participating in advanced exercises.  Advanced exercises are used to build upon strength and stamina established while engaging in moderate exercises.  People who engage in advanced exercises breathe deeply and sweat after only a few minutes.

Running is a popular exercise that cancer survivors can engage in when they have built up stamina and strength.  Patients are encouraged to wait until the later stages of recovery before trying running as an exercise.  Running can fight fatigue and build endurance.  One of the biggest benefits of running is that it requires no special equipment, and runners are able to gauge their own abilities and create a workout based on these abilities.  Patients can easily vary the length and intensity of a running session.

Starting a fitness routine during cancer recovery seems like a daunting task, but gradually building up endurance and strength while recovering from cancer treatment provides valuable benefits.  Patients can regain energy and improve their overall health by engaging in physical activity that is catered to their fitness ability.  It is important to consult a physician before starting a fitness regimen during cancer treatment and recovery.

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     Melanie is currently a Master's student with a passion that stems from her grandmother's cancer diagnosis. She often highlights the great benefits of alternative nutritional, emotional, and physical treatments on those diagnosed with cancer or other serious illness.  To read more from Melanie, visit her blog for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. In her spare time, you can find Melanie trying new vegan recipes, on her yoga mat, or spending time with her family.

Tip of the Day #326: Dealing with Cockroaches

If you ever run into problems with cockroaches, try cucumber peelings to exterminate them. It is said the cucumber acts as poison to the roaches!

Tip of the Day #325: Removing Stains on Knives

Stains on knives, however obstinate, will disappear if rubbed with a piece of raw potato.

HOMEMADE BANANA FRUIT LEATHER (NO DEHYDRATOR NEEDED)

  Fruit leather has to be one of the easiest recipes out there and now is the season to do so! Summer is filled with bright and tasty fruits to experiment with and get your kids involved--it's so cheap and ALL NATURAL!
I only had bananas at home, so that is what I tried this time, and I am glad I did because the flavour was AMAZING!

You will need:
4 ripe bananas
1 tbsp of honey (optional)

Directions:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 175 degrees F and either grease or place a piece of parchment paper down on a baking sheet.

2. Chop bananas into larger chunks (see photo).

3. Place bananas and honey in blender/food processor and mix very well.

4. Pour mixture right onto baking sheet and spread evenly with a spatula to  cover entire surface. Make sure it is a thin layer and not too thick!

5. Bake for approximately 3 1/2 - 4 hours, depending on how powerful your oven may be. Trust me, the long wait is worth it ;)

6. Remove from oven--once cooled,the leather should be easy to peel from sheet, if not, pp back in for a little longer.

7. Cut into strips (or shapes)--I found scissors or even a pizza cutter to be the most effective!

You and your kids will LOVE this healthy, all natural snack!!

The Effects of Losing our Trees

Please help in keeping our trees where they belong!

Tip of the Day #324: Cleaning your Rings @ Home!

I have been getting the question "what is the best way to clean my rings, especially diamond ones?" a lot lately, and the answer is TOOTHPASTE--but it must be the paste and not the gel. Use a clean, SOFT toothbrush (this will NOT scratch your ring) to lightly scrub. I just bought kids brushes from the Dollar Store. Once the piece is completely covered, take a soft cloth or towel to polish.

General Mills *Fibre 1 Almond & Cluster Delight* Cereal Review

 MY RATING: A  BIG THUMBS UP!

    As we all know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and with my recent lifestyle change of exercising and eating healthier, I decided to sign up for my chance to take the Fibre 1 Almond & Cluster Delight Cereal Challenge. Not to mention, I have major stomach problems, and my surgeon had told me it is essential that my fibre intake be drastically increased. However, it has proven difficult for me to find many foods I truly enjoy that are high in fibre.
   
    When my box of cereal arrived in the afternoon, I did not want to wait until the next morning to try it, so both my little guy (2.5 years old) and I chowed down on a bowl--VERY quickly! I can honestly say it was really tasty and I don't know who enjoyed it more, me or my son, which is surprising for a toddler to enjoy a 'healthier' cereal :) Needless to say, this just proves that the flavour is superb, without needing added sugar! 

The cereal consists of whole grain flakes and almond-filled clusters. I've always been a sucker for almonds, and these clusters are like a little treat! I even enjoyed another bowl that evening (yes, I AM one of those people who sometimes enjoys a bowl of cereal for dinner!)
   





Here are some facts about the Almond & Clusters cereal:

• 1 cup amounts to 40% of your daily fibre intake (10g)
• 1 serving (1 cup) consists of your daily-recommended iron intake (great for us anemic individuals)
• 25% of your calcium value with milk 
• packed full of other essential vitamins and minerals

According to diabetes.ca, the benefits of eating fibre are through the roof:

"Combats constipation

• The most undisputed advantage of insoluble fibre is its ability to soften and expand stool volume, speeding up fecal transit and elimination.
• Commercial preparations such as agar (Agarol) and psyllium (Metamucil) are effective stool bulkers.

Improves control

• Soluble fibre from legumes, barley, oats, some fruit and vegetables can help regulate blood sugar swings and by lowering serum cholesterol, protect against heart disease.
• Excess blood fats are possibly reduced by soluble fibres such as pectin, bean and oat gums, and the types in legumes (lentils, chickpeas, navy, pinto or kidney beans).

Heart health

• May improve by diets rich in fibre, through its cholesterol lowering effects.

Possible protection against cancer

• In the bowel, bacteria converts fibre into short chain fatty acids, which provide energy for the body and may help protect against cancer."

    Really, what is there NOT to like about this cereal? I have tried the Fibre 1 bars in the past, but I prefer this cereal over those any day. Furthermore, I have eaten other "clean" cereals in the past, but have found without added sugar to my bowl, they do not have the great flavour. Well, that defeats the purpose of 'healthy' now, doesn't it?
  Again, within this "challenge," I was to eat the cereal for a total of one week every morning for breakfast. I was anxious to experience the results and see if it did in fact help with my intestinal issues. Well, I can tell you by the second afternoon, I was already noticing a difference, and by the end of the week...wait, the box didn't even last the entire week because I ate it all by Day Four! I can honestly say it had done wonders for my digestive tract though!

    Overall, I do recommend anyone and everyone to try a bowl of this tasty goodness! As parents, we know how difficult it is to remember that WE  need to are get our nutrients on a daily basis. Between feeding our little ones, driving them to sports or other activities, completing the normal household chores and getting the kids ready for bed, I admit I have even skipped meals simply because I was "too busy with other things." So, with the Fibre 1 cereal, I take those few minutes every morning to sit with my kids before school and enjoy a bowl, knowing at least I am getting a well-balanced breakfast. If your kiddos enjoy it like mine do, that's an even greater bonus!

Any negatives? Although this cereal is not yet available in your local grocery store, I can only guess that it may have a higher price point than your average cereal. However, that is only a small 'price' to pay for better health.

So, now is the really exciting part for all of you! Get your calendars out because from June 3^rd through 25^th (while supplies last), fans will have the chance to snag one of two coupons redeemable on either July 16^th or July 23^rd, 2013.  To keep yourself informed of these upcoming events, head over and become a fan of the Life Made Delicious Facebook page here. This is also a great page to find out more about eating healthier and is a great resource for quick and family-friendly meals!





* Disclosure – I am participating in the Fibre 1 Almond & Cluster Delight Cereal blogger campaign by Mom Central Canada on behalf of General Mills. I received compensation as a thank you for participating and for sharing my honest opinion. The opinions on this blog are my own.