Am I being unrealistic?

[Gymbutnogym]

Last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I had extensive treatment of surgery, 16 rounds of chemotherapy and 10 rounds of radiation.

Everything has gone really well (than you NHS), I’m clear and getting my life back.

During the chemo, I lost all energy completely towards the end of my treatment. Walking across the road was seriously hard work, I couldn’t do anything. I also put on two stone on weight, due to the steroids and craving sugar (for energy I assume). I was already overweight and this just added to it.

At the end of the year, after the all clear, I started WLI, I’ve lost the two stone.

Now, my AIBU, would I be stupid to start a gym and walking regime? I’ve lost all confidence in my ability to exercise or do much physically. But I know for a healthy rest of my life, I need to get back to proper exercise.

Would you join a gym for the actual gym and also to swim? The current weather is not making me want to outside walk. Would you start with maybe 20-30 mins exercise every other day? Or should I push myself more?

I really want to lose more weight and get more healthy, any thoughts are appreciated.

I’m just finishing off my last last round of chemo. I desperate to start my ‘new life’ and to get fit and healthy again although I know if I push myself too much I’ll suffer the next day. I plan to start with swimming

I'd start with gentle walks on routes where there are benches should you need a break. Take water and a healthy snack if you need a break. I'd try to go every day though, for whatever time that feels comfortable and doesn't wipe you out. I'd add in gym once you're easily walking an hour each day at a reasonable pace.

I'm sorry you've been through so much, and happy to hear you're recovering so well.

Exercise is very important alongside weight loss to preserve your muscle mass. Ideally you should aim for at least 2 strength sessions per week alongside some moderate intensity cardio. But you can build up to this. I'd aim for something that makes you feel tired but not exhausted. So if 20-30 minutes every other day is giving you that then that's a good place to start.

I'd also start building in your strength exercises in a low-key way, you want to build up your strength but not burn out or get injured. Think about building squats, wall sits, wall push ups, planks etc into your day so maybe aim to do 5 minutes at a time a couple of times a day. See how you feel with that. Again, your end goal should be continuous progression in your strength workouts but you might not be ready for 30 minutes at a time yet.

How are you doing? If you need a chat just shout on here or DM me.

I think I’m trying to run before I can walk, with gym and walking.

I feel so nervous! I was going to sign up
to the gym tonight and lost my bottle.

Thank you, I’m going to read this properly and research the exercises that will provide these goals.

Thank you

My mum has had both her knees replaced in the last few years. She was determined to regain her fitness and after the first op (in a November) she would take a walk to the end of the street, and then to the shop round the corner and then round the block and then extending that to a bigger block. She started small and built it up. Her consultant was so pleased with her progress that he prioritised her second op and she did the same after it, building up the walking. She still goes for her daily walk unless the pavements are icy.

Start small OP and build it up.

Well done your mum!!

Yes, maybe small steps would be better, than a big regime.

It's great to set your targets high but your body has been through a lot and needs time to rebuild.

i do agree, I think I just am rushing a bit to be back to “normal”, and being able to say “I can do this”

Look at the local gyms to see what they offer. Are there seated weight classes? It's a good way to start out easily without strain. I'd work on strength first, then add in flexibility and movement via chair yoga and very light cardio, maybe low intensity steady state (liss) with a recumbent bike. I also found instructors for seated classes really good at adapting exercises for varying ability levels.

I’m recuperating for the same reason. I joined the gym - discounted rates for being disabled, which cancer is - lifelong. I do walking on the treadmill about 40 minutes three times a week, one beginner Pilates class, and some basic strength training three times a week - two leg exercises, two arm ones. Eg, I am not strong enough to do any squats at all, so I practise sitting and standing up from a chair and back again. I’m not confident about swimming, due to two mastectomies.

I never even thought about the chance of discounted rates, is your gym a chain or an independent?

I’ll look at their classes.

It’s a local authority one. I pay £15 a month and that includes everything, the gym, swimming, all classes etc.

So glad to hear you are getting better OP.

Would it be worth speaking to a few gyms, not sure how it works but if they have any decent PT’s they may be able to help you with what exercise to start with and may be able to tailor a routine for you which you can change as you can do more/different things.

Best of luck x

Look at Move Charity. It is design for young cancer patients under 30 but have some pre recorded videos with post treatment rehab or prehab in mind

Do you like swimming lengths? I happen to love it so it has been a good way to recover fitness after I was unwell for six months. I think it’s really important to pick something you like. I also have a stationary bike so I can exercise whilst reading or watching tv

after I finished chemo and radio a few years ago the NHS offered a discounted scheme at the local council gym as part of the heath & wellbeing recovery process - might be worth asking.
I started classes which I really enjoyed and kickstarted me into getting into a regular routine. I now follow 30 minute fitness videos x 3 a week and walks here and there.

Dragon boat paddling is one of the sports recommended for breast cancer survivors, and there are some teams specifically for women who have gone through this. You could look for a team near you (Google dragon boat 'pink ladies') or a regular dragon boat club. It is a great way to get fit and lose weight, and also very supportive and inclusive sport. If you are in Yorkshire let me know, our club will make you feel very welcome!

I love this! I‘m going to check this out!

I’ll message my McMillan nurse, she’ll know.

Thank you

I think I’d maybe prefer aqua fit.

That would be good to do indoors.