Exercise is an Important Component of Cancer Treatment

Today I have a special treat for you! I was contacted by Melanie Bowen to contribute a guest article about the importance of exercise and cancer treatment. She has done a lot of research on the topic and wanted to share with any one that is affected by such an awful disease. I hope you enjoy Melanie’s work! (P.S. If you’re wondering where I have been, I have been battling the stomach virus since last Thursday. I plan to get back on my blog once or twice a day starting  March 5.)

People diagnosed with cancer should include exercise as a part of their treatment regimen. Exercise helps people eliminate toxins from the body. Toxins and free radicals contribute to the development of cancer in the body. Toxins are eliminated faster when people exercise. Here are some benefits of exercise if it is incorporated into the regimen properly.

Physical Activity Can Reduce the Risk of Cancer
Physical activity can benefit patients with all types of cancer, including mesothelioma. Colon cancer and breast cancer are the two types of cancer that have the most dramatic reduction in risk of diagnosis, because of regular exercise. Breast cancer can be reduced by as much as 80 percent, and colon cancer is reduced by as much as 40 percent with regular exercise. All it takes is 30 minutes of moderate to rigorous physical activity to reduce the risk and increase survival rates.

Physical Activity Improves a Cancer Patient’s Immune System
Fighting cancer requires a strong immune system. Vitamin C and other nutrients are often recommended to build a healthy immune system, but exercise can also be effective as long as the patient is not suffering from anemia. Patients with anemia tend to pass out with intense or rigorous exercise. Speak with a physician to determine what is recommended for your condition.

Fitness will allow cancer patients to heal faster, and even in some cases fewer chemotherapy treatments may be required if the patient’s immune system is fighting diligently. Speak with your doctor to develop a plan where you can exercise as often as possible to fight your cancer!

Improve Prognosis
Sedentary people are more likely to develop cancer and also to have recurring episodes of cancer. In fact, sedentary people are more likely to develop any type of chronic disease than fit people. Exercise is a must to prevent free radicals from forming in the body, which is a primary contributing factor to cancer and disease development.

Exercise is Important in Health and Wellness
If you want to improve your prognosis and live longer, try to exercise more and keep your stress levels low. Exercise also increases endorphin levels and improves mood. People in a good mood will heal faster and will feel better after having conquered cancer. They will regain their independence and learn to live again. Exercise is great way to heal and be healthy again!

Reason to Exercise #1: Confidence

Use these reasons to help motivate you to exercise.

I’m starting a new category for my blog about reasons why you should exercise. I believe your motivation is  a key component to staying with a fitness routine. If you have never done it before, or if it has been a while since you have, you might be having a hard time finding something that motivates you. I came across this picture, and I thought it would be a really great place to start. The first one is a great place to start, as it is one of the reasons I try to do it every day: confidence

How You Feel When You Don’t

If you don’t exercise, you may not realize how exercise and confidence go together. I didn’t either before I started doing it. If you don’t currently exercise, you are missing out on a great area to make you feel confident in all aspects of your life. Going without exercise is like a phone that hasn’t been sufficiently charged. It will make it for a little while, but it won’t last long. You will notice that others’ comments towards you will have a greater impact on you, both good and bad. When you make decisions, you will feel less sure than you would if you had exercised. Your self-worth isn’t going to be as high as it could be.

How You Feel When You Do

Exercising can make you feel like a super hero.

Exercise can make you feel like you can conquer the world. The level of confidence you possess is like no other. You feel better about yourself when you exercise, so when you talk to your boss you will feel much more confident about whatever you are discussing with him or her. Exercise boosts your confidence by making you feel like you have  accomplished something. You know you are slowly working toward your goals which will make you feel like you can accomplish things in all walks of life.

How Exercise Affects my Confidence

Personally, if I haven’t exercised regularly, I feel less sure of myself at my job. It’s highly important for me to feel confident because I am a teacher. If I stand before my students feeling unsure of myself, then I run the risk of losing control of my classroom. I also will allow the antics of the students to bother me more and could lead them to unnecessary discipline action. I am not as sure of myself when discussing things with parents, and I could easily be convinced to do something for a student that is not in the student’s best interest because a parent asked me to do it.

Confidence is such a key component to all of us. Exercise is a great way to gain a little bit more of it, so it only makes sense to try to fit it into our everyday lives. You may not notice it at first, but the more you exercise, and the more consistent you are with doing it, you’ll see the more confidence you build up as a result. Have a great day ladies and gentlemen, and may all your fitness dreams come true!

Justin