Exercise - weight lifting during chemo

Hi,

I continued to do strength training classes with weights and and some cardio classes (but less) throughout 5 months of chemo. I think I went about 3 times per week and I always chose the quietest classes where I could avoid many people (and any germs they might have!). It was just post covid lockdowns so everything was sanitised constantly. Also, other members paid extra attention for me. I had a very good fitness level before my diagnosis, so I think this helped too.

The benefits for me were massive. If I ever felt tired before a class, I could guarantee by the end of it I felt energized and reinvigorated, like I'd been given a magical boost. It helped me a lot to cope with what was going on and I never felt 'weak' during chemo. It helped me to still feel like me and I had few side effects from chemo - how much is due to exercise I don't know but I like to think it contributed. I probably didn't work out at 100% the same level as before due to healing from operations and towards the end painful toenails, but I always gave it my best. The coaches were amazing and made adaptations for me, so when my toenails were painful, I avoided any lunges or things that made it worse and I was told by my physio to avoid planks and press-ups. I also walked and cycled a LOT and hence avoided any public transport since I don't have a car. Once all my treatment had finished, it meant I still had a good fitness level that was much easier to get back into my normal routine and I didn't have a big mountain to climb to get back to where I was.

I remember at the time reading about some hospitals in Australia that have gyms in the hospital to encourage people to train after and to maintain muscle mass and strength during cancer treatment and how much it benefits patients. I hope that one day this will become a standard quality of care for all patients. I remember reading something too about the cycle of chemo fatigue and muscle loss - chemo makes you tired, which leads you to move/train less, which leads to muscle loss, which leads to weakness, which leads to fatigue and tiredness and so on....

At times, my family thought I was crazy, but I always listened to my body and never ever pushed it too far. If there was ever a day where I felt too fatigued (I always felt a clear difference between tiredness and fatigue), I would not train and I would rest my body as needed. I also always had a full nights sleep and ate very well so that my body could heal and rest and had the capability to train. I am no professional, but based on my personal experience, I would recommend to anyone to do some kind of movement/gentle resistance training depending on your level. Listen to your body, find your limits and don't push yourself too far, whatever you can do will help.

Wishing you the best of luck with chemo and any training that you manage to do!

H we Kiki,  here is an excellent article and it supports exercising.  The important thing was knowing the boundaries of your program.  Also check with your physician.  When I went through radiation the radiation oncologist advised walking only so I did behave but went back to my regular routine as soon as I got the okay to do so.  Helps both the mind and body.  Here is the link. https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/exercise-during-cancer-treatment--4-things-to-know.h00-159543690.html#:~:text=Years%20of%20clinical%20trials%20show%20the%20benefits%20of%20exercise&text=What%20they%20found%20left%20little,recover%20faster%20with%20fewer%20complications.
Take care

Barbara

thank you, that is encouraging to hear...i actually put my gym membership on hold cause i do not want germs, plus I actually like exercising at home...i am kind of annoyed that doctors discouraged weights, planks, etc during surgery and radio because i did loose strength...i'm just gonna carry on getting back into weights again, and keeping my immunity up with 2 minute cardio bursts on minitrampoline throughout the day,  treadmill walks to keep up my steps....good to hear from others who kept exercising as i do know it helps recovery.

Thanks, very encouraging!

It sounds like you have a good plan and are well prepared at home, I hope it goes well for you!

The reason I was told to avoid planks and push ups was because I had had a lumpectomy & some lymph nodes removed in the beginning. My physio explained that the chain of lymph nodes is a bit like a bungee cord and always tries to contract and tighten which can leave you with reduced mobility and cording in the long term, so when we do exercises like planks, press ups and other things that contract the pectoral muscles it causes tightness. I had a double mastectomy earlier this year, and only recently have I been given the green light to return to doing all exercises again, but I have to be mindful of myself and to always counter stretch after a session to prevent the cord contracting!

I had a brilliant oncology physio who took me through the journey.  She devised a plan and increased the level as I progressed.  We are still in contact even though I ended my treatment last November. My PICC line was a bit of a problem but it saved my veins!!

It is easy to do too much and I have had to learn to listen to my body. On the plus side I am back to playing tennis and doing yoga and Pilates.

I had a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction with implants.

You will work it out

Yes, you can do whatever you can physically manage. Just remember that you can’t quite push on through as much, as your body will tire more easily. The fitter you stay, the less you have to climb to get back to your normal self after treatment ends. Found when I was at my most tired, exercise energised me. Cardio as well as strength training is good and improves cancer outcomes. Good luck with everything x