Regular exercise comprises the third pillar in my cancer battle plan along with attitude and diet. I’m not suggesting that you do my routine, but I am suggesting that you maintain a regular exercise routine, the more vigorous the better. Work up to completing a HITT, ((High-intensity Interval Training), routine. It is not easy, but persevere because it works!
Vigorous exercise helps both physical and mental fitness, both of which are integral tools in fighting cancer as the clinical evidence proves. Physical fitness appears to be an obvious benefit of exercise, but mental fitness? The mental discipline and toughness required to complete your workout routines regularly do help you mentally deal with cancer battle. You achieve a positive feedback message every time you complete a hard workout session, with the thought "I may have/had cancer, but I can still do this hard fitness routine".
Your workout may be ballroom dancing which is challenging in it’s own right. But if this is your preferred exercise mode, then don’t just stick to sedate waltz's; work in some schottisches, tangos, polkas to get your heart rate up. Similarly, if you are a walker, try to work in some “power walking” as a regular part of your routine. Once again, the idea is vigorous exercise as intense as you are capable and eventually work up to a full HITT routine.
How do you maintain start or maintain the exercise routine and diet? The answer is attitude, which is sisu. Sisu also drives the other two pillars. It gives you the mental fortitude to “carry on”. It will not happen overnight but keep plugging away. You will be surprised what the “right” attitude will accomplish! As a proviso, check with your health care provider before embarking on an exercise routine to ensure that there are no health issues that may pose a problem.
The workouts will not be easy and I am not suggesting that you do a complete HIIT routine from the start. Rather, work up to it or if you feel capable, jump right in!
Click here to return to the Three Pillars Page
Vigorous exercise helps both physical and mental fitness, both of which are integral tools in fighting cancer as the clinical evidence proves. Physical fitness appears to be an obvious benefit of exercise, but mental fitness? The mental discipline and toughness required to complete your workout routines regularly do help you mentally deal with cancer battle. You achieve a positive feedback message every time you complete a hard workout session, with the thought "I may have/had cancer, but I can still do this hard fitness routine".
Your workout may be ballroom dancing which is challenging in it’s own right. But if this is your preferred exercise mode, then don’t just stick to sedate waltz's; work in some schottisches, tangos, polkas to get your heart rate up. Similarly, if you are a walker, try to work in some “power walking” as a regular part of your routine. Once again, the idea is vigorous exercise as intense as you are capable and eventually work up to a full HITT routine.
How do you maintain start or maintain the exercise routine and diet? The answer is attitude, which is sisu. Sisu also drives the other two pillars. It gives you the mental fortitude to “carry on”. It will not happen overnight but keep plugging away. You will be surprised what the “right” attitude will accomplish! As a proviso, check with your health care provider before embarking on an exercise routine to ensure that there are no health issues that may pose a problem.
The workouts will not be easy and I am not suggesting that you do a complete HIIT routine from the start. Rather, work up to it or if you feel capable, jump right in!
Click here to return to the Three Pillars Page
Exercise
SISU & Life/ Health Balance