I exercised a lot before diagnosis, double mastectomy, chemo and radiotherapy, and got heartily sick of being told how great exercise is at preventing cancer. I exercise because I like it. If it was a great preventative I wouldn't have been diagnosed with cancer.
I think most people (including me) would avoid ever describing anything as “preventing” cancer. There is plenty of evidence to show that exercise reduces your risk, along with other things like maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress and limiting alcohol, but none of those things prevent cancer entirely. There are young, healthy, teetotal marathon runners who get cancer unfortunately. But exercise certainly has lots of other benefits for your heart, bones and brain, so it’s great that you enjoy it ❤️
I have regularly exercised for the past 25 years or so. I struggled with it due to some health issues. After a hysterectomy for a large (10 lb) fibroid I got back in to it as soon as they cleared me. Once you can barely get out of bed & to the bathroom, you never want to feel that way again. My body isn’t perfect & doctors would tell me to lose 15 lbs but I’m healthy and active
Exactly this! Needing help to go to the bathroom after having DIEP flap reconstruction is what really keeps me motivated to be strong for as long as I can. Functional fitness all the way!
Sure, why not want to look good. That lymph treatment looks good. If it just happens to have health benefits, even better!
I exercised a lot before diagnosis, double mastectomy, chemo and radiotherapy, and got heartily sick of being told how great exercise is at preventing cancer. I exercise because I like it. If it was a great preventative I wouldn't have been diagnosed with cancer.
I think most people (including me) would avoid ever describing anything as “preventing” cancer. There is plenty of evidence to show that exercise reduces your risk, along with other things like maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress and limiting alcohol, but none of those things prevent cancer entirely. There are young, healthy, teetotal marathon runners who get cancer unfortunately. But exercise certainly has lots of other benefits for your heart, bones and brain, so it’s great that you enjoy it ❤️
Re: wellness/fitness and external (looks) vs internal (feels) motivations, Mikala Jamison wrote something that touched on the conflict some of us have over being disappointed in ourselves for wanting to be thin: https://substack.com/@bodytype/note/c-56355611?r=4iva&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
I hadn't seen this, and it's so good! Thank you! Have subscribed too ✔️
I have regularly exercised for the past 25 years or so. I struggled with it due to some health issues. After a hysterectomy for a large (10 lb) fibroid I got back in to it as soon as they cleared me. Once you can barely get out of bed & to the bathroom, you never want to feel that way again. My body isn’t perfect & doctors would tell me to lose 15 lbs but I’m healthy and active
Exactly this! Needing help to go to the bathroom after having DIEP flap reconstruction is what really keeps me motivated to be strong for as long as I can. Functional fitness all the way!