Physical Activity Offers Cancer Patients Enhanced Recovery

Cancer treatment and recovery can alter activity levels dramatically. Physical exercise may be reduced or abandoned because of symptoms. Apathy can take hold. There may also be a reluctance to participate in previous activities because of the belief that one is sick and therefore should rest. In many cases this is understandable, especially if the patient is undergoing treatments that cause severe side effects like nausea, dizziness or weakness. Surprisingly, increased activity may actually reduce many of these common obstacles. Evidence from recent studies has suggested that the health effects of exercise during and after cancer treatment dramatically improve both mental and physical health. Not only does exercise combat depression and keep the body stronger, it may even increase survival rates and lower the risk of progression and re-occurrence of certain cancers. This goes for patients with all types of cancers whether it is breast cancer, lung cancer or papillary mesothelioma. Measurable benefits of exercise during and after treatment include: increased muscle mass, improved immune function, better mobility and balance, increased stamina, decreased nausea and vomiting, improved range of motion, better sleep and improved mood and self esteem. Stretching exercises and balance training can diminish weakness or instability caused by surgeries and side effects of drugs. Targeted strength and stabilization exercises can restore the range of motion and reduce pain in affected areas. Professionally guided rehabilitation programs allow the patient to increase their activity and ability levels incrementally. In some cases, exercise can begin during chemotherapy or radiation. This must be evaluated on a case by case basis by the patient’s medical team. Not all patients can jump into a vigorous exercise program right away, but this does not mean they have to wait to begin moderate exercise. Even modest activities like brief walks and gentle swimming can be effective. Gardening, housework, and active hobbies are encouraged when the patient is strong enough to participate. When people are doing something that they enjoy, it shifts their focus to positivity. Reduction of stress and promotion of positive emotions has been shown to enhance physical health in patients with all types of diseases, and cancer patients are no different. Staying motivated to continue an exercise routine while undergoing cancer treatment or transitioning into post-cancer life can be challenging, especially if symptoms are interfering with endurance and comfort. Listening to the body carefully and taking a day off when necessary is not only perfectly acceptable but is also an important safety measure. Recovery can be a long process with stops and starts, but as long as the patient is taking steps forward, the efforts will pay off. A healthier body and lifestyle through exercise is something every cancer patient and survivor should invest in. Attaining the highest possible level of fitness during and after treatment can both improve life and extend it. Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives because she sees how cancer has devastated so many people in this world. Liz also likes running, playing lacrosse, reading and playing with her dog, April.

Get A Victory...Be A Champion!

I am so very pleased and honored to be among the founding architects of this program.  The response from physicians and parents has been overwhelming.  Seem's this program has been in great demand.  We plan on making a major impact on the lives of millions of children, parents, families and this Nation.  The Campion's Program is a registered 501C(3) - we need sponsors and donors - we need coaches and coordinators to continue our growth.  Message me through here or at My Health Coach on Facebook  

The Curious Case of Jason Gradyan

For me fitness is _______________ (fill in the blank).
For some it's a path to weight control, for others a recaptured youth, for some a passion and others still its an obsession. I'm an all of the above.
One thing I never counted on when I began my journey as an adult athlete was how inspiring my fellow athletes would be to my experience. I train and compete with doctor's, MBA's, lawyers, accountants, stock brokers, stay at home Mom's, high school principals, heavy equipment operators, college students, actors and performers from Las Vegas shows, former special forces warriors, architect's....the list is infinitely varied and rich.
The most inspiring individuals are those who have had to overcome the most. When I'm aching and bitching about another 5am training run or swim, the man in this story pulls up in his pick-up and wrest's his chair from the back, laughing and joking calling our greetings, and I am humbled to silence.
The following article was written by Eugene Kaufman for The Vegas Longevity Runners Blog. Take the time to click over and read; The Curious Case of Jason Gradyan

"Never give up on your dreams" Jason Gradyan

The Silverman reviews are in!

Silverman is the best run and most challenging multi-sport endurance event on the planet.  That may be a grand statement but, Silverman backs it up.  In so many events the athlete's are so much chattel.  Go here, moo....go there, moo...Silverman treats the athlete's like athletes - individuals who have sacrificed in pursuit of a major goal who are about to attempt something rare and spectacular.  At Silverman you are special - and it feels good.  Furthermore Silverman treats fans, family and volunteers to an engaging and entertaining sometimes gut wrenching celebration of human spirit and extraordinary endurance. Race director Frank Lowery could run a school for race directors.  Every turn is flagged, every aid station well stocked and staffed by enthusiastic volunteers, every detail managed - nothing is left to chance except the athlete's ability to finish one of the worlds most grueling and relentless courses.

Sponsors get a high end audience, athletes get the challenge of their lives, Henderson gets a world class athletic event (that the world has yet to discover), volunteers get inspired and amazed and the sport of Triathlon gets elevated another notch by the professionalism, competitiveness and shear love of sport that Silverman creates.  Truly a unique happening even in this crazy sport we all love.

You can race the other-man races but you haven't met your greatest adventure until you've raced Silverman.

Wisdom from my friends; rain that dances, thunder cloud and the wise Eagle

Lactate Threshold Work Outs - The Keys To Success

We're 7 weeks out from Silverman Triathlon www.slivermannv.com.  I've been doing significantly more running this season than I have in past seasons.  The reason being, my run sucks I have a squatty body with tree stump legs better suited to rugby than distance running.  Triathlon is a swim, bike, run race not a swim bike race.  That said, I want to improve my PR's (and run splits) therefore I need to attack my weaknesses.
To that end I start a 6 week series of lactate threshold track workouts this week.  I learned this from my coach Frank Lowery www.lowerymultisports.com.  These are painful (brutal really) sprint work outs that - moaning and groaning aside - are the key to success in terms of improving run times, efficiency & strength.
If your in Henderson NV on Thursday mornings between now and October 22nd - drop by the track at Green Valley HS and join me.
Here's what the work outs look like.
Each session begins and ends with 1.5mi warm up / 1.5mi cool down + stretching
3 x 50 yd strides + 2 x 100 yd strides - these start slow and build to sprint pace and help transition the body into fast run mode
Main set. - these are run at 90% to 95% of max effort.  The key is constancy - 1st lap as fast as last lap, focus is on form and pace - creating muscle memory and mental toughness. Rest interval is half the distance run (run 200 cool down 100 and so on)
Week 1. 2 x 100 6 x 200, 1 x 400 (1800)
Week 2. 2 x 200, 3 x 400  2 x 200 (2000)
Week 3. 1 x 200, 1 x 400, 1 x 600, 1 x 600, 1 x 400, 1 x 200 (2400)
Week 4.  1 x 400, 2 x 800,  2 x 400 (2800)
Week 5.   1 x 400, 1 x 800, 1 x 1200,  1 x 800, 1 x 400 (3600)
Week 6   3 x 1600 (4800)  
These are my work outs - yours may vary of course.
Last spring I used this series to set PR's in my 5k, 10K & 1/2 marathon races.
For the last two years I've taken 3rd place in my division at Silverman  (last year I shaved 44 min of my overall time and still I took 3rd).  In 2009 I'm looking for redemption.

Join The Discussion - What Are We Doing To Our Kids?

Why be a Coach? (help others while you help yourself)

Helping someone transform their health and their life is a powerful and profound experience. Getting paid to do it is icing on the cake. This is an opportunity for everyone. You don't need expensive or time consuming certificates.

You can get paid to be fit? Sign me up!

We're inundated with gory details of "FINANCIAL MELTDOWN" but BeachBody coaches are thriving. Create and control your personal economy. Get fit and get paid to look and feel your best - then help others do it too.

Running Extends Your Life Span - Fitness is Life!!