Feeling bad about not exercing

[Kruza]

Is it just me or do others in my shoes feel like it? I applaud everyone who is able to exercise, it is recommended, but I try and just can't. Stripping my bed and changing my sheets exhausts me, going down the street and back to my house exhausts me, let alone someone suggesting I need to walk a mile, which a lot of people seem to think exercise will cure what ails me, what can I do? I feel bad sometimes when I have to say no, I can't do all that, but should I feel bad?

[TeddyChowChow]

Hi Kruza. I don't know. I keep getting mad at myself for not exercising and want to be the energetic exercising person I once was. At the same time, I know that my body fighting cancer is hard work for it and the meds side effects are often tiring. So I'm trying to be more gracious to myself. I wonder if it is worth chatting with your oncologist about your energy levels, it is possible it is a medicine side effect or low blood count or something and they can make an adjustment to your meds to help. You are not alone in the fitness struggle!

[Khoya95]

Hi Kruza. I am 27 years old and on iBrance. I have side effects which interrupts my sleep and I often find it difficult to do exercise because I am just tired and I take time to do my other daily necessities.

I do whatever I can without exhausting myself everyday. Some days I am too tired and I don't do much. One thing I do is I try to walk a few steps inside my house frequently rather than try do one mile long walk at once.

I used to try yoga but it got difficult, so on days when I feel like I have to shake up a bit, I do some stretches. I took many pauses to breathe deeply in between and take sips of water.

Firstly, we don't have to feel bad for what we cannot do. Not everything is under our control and we shouldn't compare ourselves with anyone because our bodies, their problems and contexts are unique.

Secondly, do talk to your doctor about this and see if anything can be done about it.

Thirdly, do appreciate yourself for every thing you are able to do. That helps me a lot.

[AvidBooklover]

Do some leg stretches in bed and consider that a win. Seriously. Raise your arms above your head and circle them. Just to keep the blood moving. And nap! Do not compare to your old life. This is your new normal. And pace your ability to do each of the above more each day!

[SpongebobMom]

before MBC I was a weight lifter...HEAVY weights 5 times a week...after meds started so did the heavy weights as my joints just can not stand it anymore...that initially made me REALLY sad.

I've been trying to find other things that bring me joy and make my body feel good -- what's working now...any (I mean any) type of movement...like walking after dinner...not a power walk, just a jaunt through the neighborhood.

I have found that I love (and really NEED) stretching...I stretch something every single day. I have found some relief in joint pain and it has also made me realize that flexibility is so very important in daily activities.

Don't let anyone make you feel bad...find people that make you feel good. And while you're at it, find an activity that makes you feel good. There is something to the mind/body connection.

[Aquamoron]

It’s hard to get motivated to exercise; harder when you are fighting cancer and you are trying to be kind to yourself.

I too am on ibrance, and there are good days and days when I flop. Stretching is good as others have mentioned. There are also good YouTube videos for yoga when the mood strikes. Sometimes I feel like a walk, and sometimes I don’t. I do try and get my lungs pumping and my heart rate up, but the pat suggestion I was advised by my GP was 25 minutes of cardio everyday is just not practical. (In fact I just laughed) I do wear a Fitbit and track my steps, as I go about my day but as for an excersise routine I just wing it.

Now that the weather is getting cool my motivation will try and hibernate. So I just do what I can, when I can. I figure when I’m resting, my body is still working hard on a cellular level.

[mariootsi]

Juse do what you can do and don't feel bad!

[Kruza]

Thank you all for the suggestions and encouragement. I still work full time and by the time I get home from work, all I can do is change and rest. I try to do stretches throughout the day so I don't get stiff from sitting and the bathroom is 300 hundred steps away so that helps because I drink two liters of water while at work and have to go to the bathroom at least four times a day while at work. I try and do what I can with the energy that I have. Thank you all for your support.

[Beattheodds]

I too beat myself up with unfulfilled goals of exercise when just the tasks of daily living poop me out! I try to switch my self talk to those of a friend and be kind and gentle with myself. This “new normal” business is a bitch!

[Kruza in reply to Beattheodds]

This “new normal” business is a bitch! I like that 😀😂 Also because I still work full time, I am tuckered out by the time I get home. I guess I need to give myself GRACE.

[kokopelli2017 in reply to Kruza]

hi Kruza. my heart goes out to you💛. I can't even imagine being able to work. so please give yourself a lot of Grace. I know you need the health insurance but not quite sure how you manage to work full-time......you are a very strong woman. so please give yourself a 'pass'😊. and please be kind to yourself🙏. best of wishes...XO

[Kruza in reply to kokopelli2017]

Thank you, I try to give myself a lot of Grace. Thank you for your kind thoughts. I am working on trying to get outta here so please pray form me so that my inquiries bear fruit.

[kokopelli2017 in reply to Kruza]

I pray🙏 the outcome goes your way! hugs to you💛

[Contrarielle]

od days when I feel tired to exercise a do some housework e.eg. washing vacuuming shopping cleaning etc and figure thats enough. Sure,I feel a bit guilty, but on days the weather is nice I do go out for a wee bit. Good luck

[hurricaneheather]

having been an athlete, the change in exercise has me reframing the mind-body attitude about exercise. i have been active until recently, and doing less HIT activity. i acknowledge and celebrate what i am able to do. walking, yoga, biking, and light runs are enough.

[Tazi127]

i rarely post here but read these posts alot. I just want to thank all who have posted on this topic. It is a very frustrating issue to not have energy to make bed or take dog for walk when I have just woke up from a 9 hour sleep! I'm 67. Mets to bone since 2020. Fazlodex and ibrance. Since my change to faslodex my energy got worse, exemestane didn't seem to keep me down as much. I sometimes feel like making up an excuse as to why I can't participate in some event or dinner date. Ugggg. Yes.....it certainly is a birch this fighting cancer . I'm very blessed for being able to be alive and participate in life even at a lower existence. Pet scans blood work all great , I have wonderful docs at ohio state. Thanks to all who post. It's been incredibly helpful and very reassuring so many times. Blessings to all.

[Kruza]

Yes we have to be thankful that we can do as much as we can do each moment. I am also thankful for my caregiver, my daughter. Everyday she hands me my lunch bag with breakfast and lunch in there and then drops me off at work and picks me up everyday. On days that I have to prepare stuff on my own, I end up being late for work. My one and only grand daughter thinks I go to school because when she came and stayed with us for two weeks her aunt dropped both us off and picked us up and gave us our bags. So her conclusion is, I go to school just just like her. When they call me she asks me if I went to school and whether I am happy. Go figure, a two year old's mind has logic 😂😂😂

[jersey-jazz]

Before I go for a rest, I will spill the beans to you. I used to be someone who never worried about being too tired to function. I ran around trying to accomplish what I had set out for an eight to ten hour day. Foolishly, I still plan an eight hour day but really only last for four or five hours. I have exceeded my five hours, now, and have to rest with my hot water bottle(s). I may continue this thread after resting. Then, again, I may give up the ghost for the day. It used to be so strong but these cancer drugs have done significant damage. Kindest regards1

p.s. Today, I spent the five hours going to the hospital for tests for my heart. It doesn't sound so good but will know details next week.

[Kruza]

Jersey-Jazz, I will send up a prayer for you and that heart of yours. I have to last 8 hours at this job of mine. Trying to find ways and means to retire, but, for that health insurance, i would already have retired.

[jersey-jazz]

Dear Kruza -Thank you so much for your good wishes. Today, I need them. Two evenings ago, I met my Waterloo. I used to be head of the County Committee of my town and several other towns. I had to give that up, three years ago with the advent of the liver metastases. I then became somewhat involved with the League of Women Voters. Our group had organized a local political debate for Wednesday evening and I was to have had a roll in it . That morning, I had driven almost sixty miles up to Memorial Sloan Kettering, had blood drawn, a treatment and a meeting with the oncologist. Then, I had driven the sixty miles back, stopping at the supermarket and bank and then home. I had lain down in the afternoon and then, I COULD NOT GET BACK UP to drive myself up to the meeting which was only about ten to twelve miles from here. I am not a quitter. This is so hard for me to admit that I can not do this thing.

The results of the tests for the heart taken at the local hospital today will be sent to my doctor in the next week and she will prabably put me on some sort of heart stuff. It needs to be soon as I am traveling to South America on 7 November, just over two weeks from now. Last minute Lizzie. That's me.

About your insurance, made possible so that you can stay home, I know nothing because I am old and have very good insurance. However, on this website, there has been much information about cancer patients being fast tracked with coverage. As every single one of us that is suffering with MBC knows, we all are made aware about how short life is. Please decide exactly what you desire for how you want your life to be lived. Then, get help from all government levels, local county, state and national, if necessary. I believe that you can do that.

[Kruza in reply to jersey-jazz]

Thank you so much for your encouragement. I am doing all the research I need to get me outta here soon. Praying for you so that you have a wonderful trip to South America.

[jersey-jazz]

Good on you!!!

[jersey-jazz]

In my way of getting on the plane on 7 November, the gremlins were hard at work, here. Friday, my cell phone stopped taking a charge. It's dead as a door nail. Saturday, I began the search for an affordable phone and came home to find that the fridge/freezer from 2004 is making a terrible dying noise. Sunday and today I went shopping for a new fridge to be delivered before I go. Sunday, son Bruce came over to winterize my motorhome to find that there is no, I repeat no power anywhere in the thing, not even when it is plugged into the house. The main on off switch seems broken. Bruce cannot winterize without opening the rear slide out. It was one of my jobs that I did not do today, to call Thor motor company to find the way to open the slide mechanically. I did manage to buy a fancy new fridge/freezer that will actually be delivered Friday! Hooray! Before I go to bed tonight, I have to measure sugar and raspberries to mascerate to be made into jam, tomorrow morning. That is, if I try to keep to my schedule. The phone hunt has been unsuccessful, so far. Between now and the 7th, The family is coming here on 5 November for a combined birthday party of daughter Leslie and daughter-in-law Heui. The table will be opened and all the good dishes will come out. Then, they will do the dishes and put them on the table instead of packing them back in the sideboard. This way, when I come back on 22 November, I can spend the 23 November cooking and baking, something I absolutely love to do and somebody else can take care of table setting, etc.. Sorry! This is some rant! I got it off my chest, though.

Please keep us informed about your retirement. Maybe we can have a remote retirement party for you. That could be interesting.

XXX OOO

[Kruza]

You are busy, good luck in all you are doing.

[jersey-jazz]

That really was some rant, wasn't it! I forget that I am past my prime, with MBC, an iffy heart and that I am only good for four or five hours in a day. So, I schedule a day that would take eight hours to accomplish. There is almost always a list that has things on it that did not get crossed off but get moved to the next day. No new cell phone, yet and the motorhome shows no signs of life. I am getting on with the jam and marmalade making, though. That's my fun and makes me happy. They go into Christmas boxes for my family along with other homemade and little store-bought things to put smiles on there faces. There will come a reckoning. Oh! Oh!

[Katie9898]

I live on a waterfront street with a sidewalk that goes along the water for miles and I watch people out walking all day long. I used to be one of them, but due to lack of energy and a bone on bone knee (had the left one replaced, now need the right one done), I’m not getting a lot of exercise.

I try to do little things, park further away in the grocery store parking lot, do some laps inside my house etc.

There is a lady who does chair yoga exercises on Instagram. I try to follow along with her and that helps with stretching.

I’m glad you wrote, as I was feeling the same way!