Audrey who is a Macmillan Nurse Specialist on the Support Line, and in our Ask an Nurse section, has been speaking to people living with cancer about staying active and exercising. In today’s Community News Blog, Audrey is sharing information and some resources at the end to help you move your body.
You will find the resource links at the bottom of the page.
In a time where we are all trying to adjust to the constant changes that covid-19 is having on our lives, it is hard to keep up with it all. Having a cancer diagnosis and treatment during the covid-19 pandemic can be scary, lonely and life-altering. Trying to keep a routine and remain active can be even more difficult for people living with cancer. Knowing how best to stay safe and remain active is a common question cancer patients are asking just now.
How much exercise will depend on how fit you are generally. After surgery and chemotherapy, it is important to remember that you are still recovering, and this alone can impact your normal fitness levels.
“After surgery and chemotherapy, it is important to remember that you are still recovering, and this alone can impact your normal fitness levels”.
The rule of thumb is to start slowly and to build up gradually. If you do too much one day, you may feel very tired and sore the next day. Don't feel that you always must do more than yesterday. Some days you'll have more energy than others. Listen to your body and rest on days where you may feel more tired and don’t push yourself to do too much too soon.
“If you do too much one day, you may feel very tired and sore the next day. Don't feel that you always must do more than yesterday. Some days you'll have more energy than others. Listen to your body and rest on days where you may feel more tired and don’t push yourself to do too much too soon.”
Being physically active means any movement that uses your muscles and more energy than when you’re resting. You don’t even necessarily need to leave the house to be physically active. It can involve anything from a short walk, walking up and downstairs, online workout, housework to chair exercises.
What is physical activity?
Depending on your situation there may be different types of movement needed to help you move and exercise. There are two types of physical activity:
It is important to go at your own pace and choose exercises that meet your individual needs:
If you are thinking of starting some exercise after treatment, or for other health benefits then you may find the following suggestions helpful;
Resources to help you get started
We would like to thank Audrey for taking the time to share this information about exercising and keeping active. We hope you have found this helpful.
If there are any exercises you do that get you moving, please do share them in the comment box below. We are sure other members would love some ideas from you to get going.
Thank you for writing this really helpful blog. I have been wanting to do some exercise for a while to help my joint pain left over from treatment but did not know where to start. The tips and guidance are just what I need to get me started. Thank you for poi nting me in the right direction.
Hi OurgirlinthenorthThank you for commenting. I am so pleased that you have found the information in the blog helpful. Please do let us know how you get on with the exercises and I hope the pain in your joint eases. We are always interested to know what information and content our members want to see on the site, so if there is anything in particular you would like to see, please do get in touch. Our email is community@macmillan.org.uk.
Best wishes,
MeganMacmillan Community Team
Thank you very much Megan. I shall keep you posted!
Warmest wishes xxx
Thank you for the blog. Very interesting.The only issue I have is where you say "start with 10 to 15 minute chunks". That's off-putting for some. At my worst during treatment 10 minutes seemed like an unreachable goal. I could manage 2 minutes at the lowest setting on my exercise bike and that's all. At that time I (on the advice of my physio) walked round the island bench in the kitchen as many times as I could and also used that same bench to hold on to to do squats and leg stretches. It all helped.
Exercising at the moment is impossible for me I feel so tired and sleep most of the day I used to do yoga but couldn’t face it at the moment I’ve had my 3rd chemo and 4th session is due next week depending on results of scan which I’m due to have in 3days time the tiredness I have is unbelievable with the aching joints