Easing into a healthy diet or regular exercise routine can make it more likely that you'll stick with these changes for the rest of your life.Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. The good news is in most cases, there is some type of exercise that is doable.Exercise can be beneficial for almost everyone and it’s no different for people recovering from cancer. Chemo can cause anemia due to the destruction of red blood cells. Start slowly and improve slowly. Maintaining range of motion and avoiding infection are important. Yet, there are ways to prevent further deterioration of the bones and muscles during and after the radiation or chemotherapy treatments. Walking is one of the safest activities to get your muscles and joints used to being active again. This causes numbness, loss of sensation, tingling and pain. After getting the go-ahead from a doctor, survivors may be ready to exercise, but they may not know where to start. Fitness After Chemotherapy Chemotherapy can have an enormous impact on the cancer survivor’s body and mind because of the side effects. Once this hurdle has been overcome, a protein-rich diet will help protect lean body mass. If you’re new to exercise, don’t rush.
Here are some best bets for restarting a fitness regimen. But then – disaster strikes! The quickest way to get your fitness back after a lay-off is to find a three-minute hill! When the neuropathy is in the hands or feet it is called ‘peripheral neuropathy’. “Cancer survivor” is the title everyone diagnosed with this terrible disease hopes to own — and many do. Talk to your doctor about what a healthy weight is for you and the best way to go about achieving that goal weight.For cancer survivors who need to gain weight, this will likely involve coming up with ways to make food more appealing and easier to eat. Sleeping gives your mind and body time to rejuvenate and refresh to help you function at your best while you're awake. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women of all ages and men older than age 65, and up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger.Alcohol does have health benefits in some people — for instance, consuming a drink a day can reduce your risk of heart disease. In fact, large amounts of certain nutrients can hurt you.If you're concerned about getting all the vitamins you need, ask your doctor if taking a daily multivitamin is right for you.You may have gained or lost weight during treatment. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.© 1998-2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Carol is a nationally recognized, highly educated cancer exercise specialist and consultant and has been a fitness professional for more than 20 years. Chemotherapy can have an enormous impact on the cancer survivor’s body and mind because of the side effects. Before starting an exercise program, consider what short and long-term side effects you’re dealing with. Going through cancer treatment can be difficult both physically and emotionally. Anemia can develop, which is a decrease in red blood cells. Reasons for regaining fitness after chemo. In general, it's a good idea to eat a varied diet that emphasizes fruits and vegetables.While it may be tempting to supplement your diet with a host of vitamin and mineral supplements, resist that urge. Exercise is encouraged with lymphedema, but it is recommended to use a compression garment. Surviving cancer and making it through cancer treatment are major accomplishments. Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. All rights reserved. Certain modifications may need to be made to make exercise both safe and effective. Your client’s heart rate, blood pressure and breathing will need to be monitored. Treatment can leave you feeling fatigued and may deplete your body of certain nutrients, such as potassium and iron. You’re steadily getting fitter and racing faster as you get ready for that big race in a couple of months.
It may deter your client from embarking on an exercise program. You may feel zapped after chemo treatments for a variety of reasons. Each person is unique and heals differently.