Breast Cancer Post-Surgery Exercise Tips
We all know that any form of exercise is good and that even a little is better than none.
Here at The Primrose Foundation we understand that post-surgery can be a difficult time; a time when you want to push yourself and get back on track physically - but not exert yourself. So we asked Shelley Coleman, a Primrose Foundation trustee, for some tips on how to gently exercise after surgery.
Shelley is proud that she is in her 50’s and has been teaching exercise since Jane Fonda was wearing legwarmers. For those young enough to remember, she did the whole thong leotard thing in the ’90s, but let’s not go down that road...
Shelley now teaches just about every exercise class you can think of, from legs, bums, and tums, to step, boxercise, spin, and even ballet workouts.
She might just be the right person to give you a gentle push in the right direction, and is confident that everyone can squeeze a bit of exercise into their day, even if it is just for 15-20 minutes.
Shelley explains more. ‘’The best advice on how to get that bit fitter is to make a little commitment to yourself to move more. The most basic and probably one of the best gentle forms of exercise is to get out and walk ... now don’t get all Nordic walking sticks on this... just walk ... start a programme.
Week 1 - every day walk a mile (in one go or little bits at a time)
Week 2 - 1.5 miles
Week 3 - 2 miles
Week 4 - 2.5 miles and before you know it you are clocking up a considerable amount of mileage.
There are so many benefits to walking: it helps burn fat; strengthens those legs; improves blood pressure; improves balance and coordination; builds bone mass; boosts endorphins (makes you feel good) and, if you laugh in the face of 2.5 miles ... take it to 10,000 steps a day and you’ll really be ‘cooking on gas’. Keep going .... love yourself enough to exercise.”
Please note: For those of you wanting to start exercising, we must stress that all exercise is to be done in moderation. Please check with your Breast Care Nurse before taking on any new activities, particularly after any type of breast surgery.