Once shied away from, exercise and physical fitness are now promoted as effective supplemental treatments for those fighting cancer. With the help of a doctor and health care staff, a cancer patient can create an exercise plan to meet his or her needs, while helping to improve the quality of life during cancer treatment. Participating in exercise throughout a treatment program provides many benefits to the patient. Outlined here are some of the benefits involvement in a physical fitness program can provide.

Increase in Muscular Strength

Strong muscles aren’t just for body builders. In addition to helping the body lift heavy objects, strong muscular health helps the cancer patient support their own body during daily activities. The muscular system is the foundation of the body; increasing muscular strength can benefit most every area of a patient’s life.

Better Cardiovascular Health

An increase in heart health provides the body with greater energy. Since cancer treatment can often leave a patient feeling drained, this can be counteracted through the participation of aerobic exercise.

Reduction of Fatigue

Constant feelings of fatigue make it difficult to accomplish daily tasks. Although some people view exercise as tiring, it increases energy over the long haul. Short bursts of exercise, such as walking or bicycle riding, are just as effective as longer periods of physical activity.

Mood Enhancement

It’s common and normal to feel stressed out during treatment. During exercise endorphins are released, helping to release stress and increase positive emotional feelings. Since a positive mental state is important in treatment and recovery, regular exercise is crucial to maintain these feelings.

Refocus of Energy

During cancer treatment the focus is often on the illness and treatment. Participation in a program that involves exercise helps shift the focus from being ill to achieving wellness. This is important as it helps the cancer patient feel empowered to do something positive during their treatment. Short or longer periods of exercise can be incorporated throughout the day to help combat stress and depression.

Over the past several years it has become evident in the cancer research field that, whenever possible, exercise should be included in a cancer patient’s daily activities. Although the okay of a doctor is vital, once that’s received, cancer patients can greatly benefit from participating in the physical activities they enjoy. There are many variables that will determine the type and intensity of exercises chosen. Type of cancer, stage of cancer, and physical ability prior to cancer treatment are a few examples of determining factors. Lung cancer and mesothelioma causes patients to often choose to focus on cardio exercises which can increase lung capacity while breast cancer patients may choose to focus on flexibility exercises.  Aside from providing physical and emotional benefits, the social time and shift in focus provide further benefits that have a positive impact on the patient.

Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives because she sees how cancer has devastated so many people in this world. Liz also likes running, playing lacrosse, reading and playing with her dog, April. 

As passionate runners we all face the constant daily lifetime constraints during busy times to get in the run for the day.   If you travel for business as I do, it’s important to experience some adventures and new journeys while “fitting in the daily run”.

After traveling for business around the world for the past 20 years, I have learned a few items that you might find valuable when traveling on business.  Of course with a focus on the daily run.   Below are 3 items to consider:

1. Convention/Trade Show/Conference – The biggest hurdle is time and what time is best get in the run.   As you are probably aware, conferences can be extremely busy from all aspects of meeting as many people as possible and they are normally all day affairs.  Breakfast at 6 or 7AM and then can go well into the evening.  Yes, they can be exhausting.  Recommendation:  Always have a headlamp in your suitcase depending upon the time zones, etc. so darkness is not an opportunity to bail out of the run.  In many cases, the run might start at 4AM or after the event ends for the evening.  Yes, try running at 11PM just to change up the routine (of course be safe as the number one priority – worst case jump on the “Dread mill”) and grab a partner from the conference.   You may be full from dinner, but hold back on the alcohol and you will be fine.  Yes, using the hotel fitness center is an option, but why not go outside and explore the new surroundings.  That’s where the best experiences are, normally not on the dread mill in the fitness facility.
2. Airplanes and Jet Lag – The best thing to do no matter how tired you are from a long flight is to run as soon as you check into your hotel.  Always arrive a day prior to the meeting, which makes it easier and reduces stress.  Don’t wait till the next day as the impact on your mental and physical state will increase dramatically after 15-20 minutes of tiredness
3. Always include a Power Yoga/ core, P90X, Insanity DVD (or if you have a body weight focused strength workout bring it along) in your luggage.   Pretty easy in most cases to be able to get a workout for 30 minutes in your hotel room.
4. If safety is an issue where you’re traveling: run the stairs at the hotel and for an outside workout (yes can be boring) run around the parking area surrounding your hotel.  Think creatively and don’t focus on having your GPS unit to determine distance, calories, heart rate, etc.   Just go out and run!
5. Even if your travel consists of an out and back in 1 day, always pack running shoes, workout clothing even though you are not planning on doing an overnight.   You never know with weather, etc. that you might get stuck and not able to get home.  I have learned this lesson too many times.  Always carry your workout items in a bag.

Traveling on business can be exhausting, but don’t get discouraged and you can definitely include your normal workouts while traveling.  With a little planning you won’t drop any fitness levels!  Travel Safely.

Winter is here and with it comes the cold and flu season. We would all like to just “power through it” and continue with our training, but at what point is that doing more harm than good?

Do we just stop training and wait for full recovery or train through it?  It’s important to remember that once you do get sick the main goal is to get back to your regular training as quickly as possible without regressing into sickness again.

Be sure to evaluate how you really feel (and not how you wish you felt). In most cases you can continue training through a cold, sore throat, or even some flu like symptoms.  According to an article on www.runnersworld.com:

Remember, your energy levels will be reduced as your body fights your illness, so allow for a shorter, less intense workout. However if you’re facing a fever, no training! Raising your body temperature too much can actually make you sicker than you already are. Keep this in mind: general cold like symptoms can be miserable, but often running outside can help to clear your congestion and actually make you feel better.  Pay attention to your body if you decide to attempt even light training.

If you feel excessive fatigue after training, you may have pushed too hard or for too long. Focus on immediate replenishment of fluids and calories as you may find you become dehydrated quicker (especially if you’re taking certain medications).  Cold air can work both for and against you when you are ill. Depending on your illness, cold air can perk you up and clear up your head or the cold can aggravate any respiratory issues you may already be having.  Personally, I have found that cycling on an indoor trainer or slow jogging on the treadmill allow me to get my workout in while keeping the effects of the environment out of the equation.

Lewis G. Maharam, MD, a New York City-based sports medicine expert says, “Do what you can do, and if you can’t do it, then don’t.”  (http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/features/exercising-when-sick)  Seems like pretty sage advice.

It might seem like your cold will never end, but it will eventually. Once it does, it is important to be careful not to push your body too hard. If you over exert yourself too soon after an illness you may find yourself even sicker than you were to begin with. Take it easy. If necessary, begin with a brisk walk and slowly work back up to a jog then to running. Remember, a few days off your exercise schedule should have very little impact, if any, on your training. Listen to your body and, if need be, stop your workouts entirely and rest. Otherwise you may find you’re out of the game even longer than was necessary.

Check out http://blog-healthcaretips.blogspot.com/2011/10/four-alternative-exercise-when-sick.html for alternative exercises you can do when you are sick.