I think we can all make a claim at being at least slightly guilty in letting our guards down when we are feeling good and happy within our bodies. We do this not only in our eating habits, but also in our exercise regimes.
If you think back to when you may, or may not have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you changed all sorts of habits in your lifestyles. You were suddenly concerned or obsessed with a healthy body. Though a pure or single reason can never be given as to the why of the illness, a change of style went fairly quickly from perhaps bad eating habits, abstaining from tobacco and or alcohol, consideration of environmental conditions as well as stress levels, and exercise was probably moved up a notch in your priorities. Am I right? So why sit back now when you were lucky enough to survive, recuperate and regain a sense of normality after the trials and tribulations of breast cancer? The key is to sustain and maintain! Do a spot check on yourself every week. Ask, am I actually taking care of myself as much as when I initially feared for my health and survival? I know that I am certainly guilty, so I want to remind you of a few exercises to help you maintain your physical and mental well-being.
Firstly, take a breath!Â
Take the time to inhale completely through the nose and exhale completely through the mouth, all performed very slowly.
This can be done either sitting or standing. Your body needs the oxygen to nourish the muscles and organs before you can do any form of exercise. Breathing also forces you to focus on your inner being and pulls the mind away from outside distractions. Approximately ten deep breaths are sufficient. If you begin to feel light headed, stop and pick up the breathing when the light headiness subsides.
Secondly, take the time to walk.Â
Take the dog for a walk. Buy your milk or a loaf of bread by foot. Ultimately, just walk to take your mind off the daily pace and concerns. This is a very beneficial and passive cardio exercise if you can keep a steady but comfortable gait. Forty-five minutes is a good length of time for walking and done perhaps five times a week. Walking can easily be done during ninety percent of your breast cancer stages.
How about swimming?Â
With winter rolling in it may be a little chilly, but there are plenty of gyms that offer not only pool use, but also classes in Pilates, yoga and more. There are also personal trainers available to help you in developing a program for your special needs. Trainers and instructors are extremely useful not only in developing programs, but are also valuable in guiding you along the correct track for what your body will require as time progresses. Remember, your choice of exercises will depend on the stage of your healing and recuperation. Your exercises will change from perhaps the Post Rehabilitation Breast Cancer exercises to the Breast Cancer Survivor and Fighter exercises to maintain good health.
Exercise is so important for your health maintenance and there are so many options! Try to spark that will again to maintain! Check it out.
MEET THE EXPERT
