Exercise benefits?

[Shar0n]

I started swimming after diagnosis. I'm not sure how much it has helped my follicular lymphoma but it has made a huge difference to my mental and physical wellbeing. I have met other swimmers of varying ages (since joining a gym at age 60), we share our struggles and I feel they are now my friends. My question this week is - do you take more exercise than before diagnosis and if so how has it helped you?

[Tinkerbellcgy]

I started aquasize in January 2014 which was 18 months post-transplant. Psychologically it has helped me tremendously. The fact that I was exercising also enabled me to continue to panticipate with my aquasize throughout most of the duration that I was receiving chemo for my third trek into Cancerland in 2016.

There is a sign on the wall at my pool that says something like "the best antidepressant is exercise". Very true.

[R16728]

I've always been a fit person who loves his exercise. (Gym, pool, bike, paddle, garden, hike) For me the difficult thing was temporarily stopping exercise during my down times with chemo and recovery. I've always gone back to it when my body told me it was ready and I always credit my good physical shape for getting me through the rough spots more readily. During my "down" times, when I didn't have enough energy for normal workouts, I'd spend a few minutes each day doing yoga poses while I watched TV. The toughest thing about exercise is "getting moving" but once you talk yourself into it, the benefits are huge. Learn to enjoy the feeling after you finish and the excitement of doing it.

[laylalulu in reply to R16728]

So so true, just get your butt off the chair lol your body will thank you

[wmay13241]

Before cancer therapy my wife was unable to exercise - now she is able to exercise. Everything I've read says exercise is the one best thing you can do for your health.

[laylalulu]

I feel like excercise is great at anytime in our lives, good for the mind, soul and body. It also helps to drain our lymphatic system. Excercise eating less sugar is all good things to do! Keep on swimming!

[Smileyman]

I don't get time for exercise .... try to get a walk at lunchtime is the best I can achieve, I commute (by car) 2 hours a day, by the time I arrive home and have eaten evening meal it's too late ... doesn't help that I can occasionally comfort eat, when the doctor asked me about weight loss I didn't need to answer - the stress of a slow diagnosis cycle has not done me any favours at all.

[Shar0n Volunteer in reply to Smileyman]

Yes it's tough, especially when you have that long commute. Any exercise is better than none and there's some evidence coming out now that short periods of exercise can be very beneficial (with the usual medical cautionary warnings):

nhs.uk/news/2013/06June/Pag...

That study referred to more intensive exercise but a brisk 15 min walk can have enormous physical and mental benefits, which I can see from my own experience.

I think it's being accepted now that exercise doesn't do much for weight loss anyway but the other benefits go far beyond that.