Strength/Fitness program for cancer patients and survivors

kikz
kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
in Ovarian Cancer #1
I joined the Living Stong Living Well program sponsored by Stanford. It is a 12-week program that includes two days of strength/fitness training and one optional day of group support. It is geared to cancer patients/survivors who need help getting through treatment or getting back in shape after treatment. I was referred by my oncologist. I drive 30 miles to the YMCA.

Everyone is great including instructors and fellow participants. I hate to exercise but at this point I need to get some strength back. I got on the treadmill for the first time with images that I have seen on tv of people flying off because it goes too fast. Thankfully they started me very slowly. At the end of each session you can see what you accomplished that day. I told my mom that I had lifted over 5000 pounds one day. She said, wow, that's more than that Schwarzenegger.

The support group is great, too. There is a topic each week but we can basically discuss anything we want. Today there were only five of us and we got on the subject of broken relationships. That was interesting.

They did a few tests of our current abilities and at the end of the program will test again. One is balance. I need that. When I try to stand on one foot, I can hardly lift my foot before it comes down again. I am also going to yoga one day a week so that should help..

Anyway I thought I would just let you know about this program. I don't know how far reaching it is. The program is free and during the 12 weeks we have complete access to the facility.

Karen

Comments

  • upsofloating
    upsofloating Member Posts: 466 Member
    #2
    That sounds like a great
    That sounds like a great program and wonderful that you are able to participate. Is that part of Lance Armstrong's Live Strong cancer fighting org? Physical fitness can give such a sense of empowerment and be so uplifting.
    Kudos to you for making that 30 mile trip to make it happen.
    Annie
  • Christine B.
    Christine B. Member Posts: 137
    #3
    Something to check in to.....
    Thanks Karen, I am going to check into whether there is a program like this in my area of San Diego. Anything to get the mind and body working together on healing sounds like what I need to do.
    Chris
  • rose_marie
    rose_marie Member Posts: 75
    #4
    Fitness Program
    Karen you mentioned Stanford, is that the school/hospital in Palo Alto, CA. I am not far from there and would love to check it out.

    Rosemarie
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #5
    rose_marie said:

    Fitness Program
    Karen you mentioned Stanford, is that the school/hospital in Palo Alto, CA. I am not far from there and would love to check it out.

    Rosemarie

    Rosemarie
    There are three YMCAs listed for Palo Alto in the brochure I have for the program. They are Page Mill, East Palo Alto and Palo Alto Family YMCA. Or try the website for the program which is: lslw.stanford.edu/ I just read on the website that the program was first implemented at the Page Mill YMCA in 2002. What a coincidence! I hope this information is helpful to you. The next program will probably start in August or September.

    Karen
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #6
    upsofloating said:

    That sounds like a great
    That sounds like a great program and wonderful that you are able to participate. Is that part of Lance Armstrong's Live Strong cancer fighting org? Physical fitness can give such a sense of empowerment and be so uplifting.
    Kudos to you for making that 30 mile trip to make it happen.
    Annie

    You know Annie
    I initially thought it was part of Lance Armstrong's organization but I don't think it is because his is Livestrong and this is Living Strong/Living Well. Thank you, I am use to making the 30-mile trip because I had my treatment in the same area.

    Karen
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #7
    kikz said:

    Rosemarie
    There are three YMCAs listed for Palo Alto in the brochure I have for the program. They are Page Mill, East Palo Alto and Palo Alto Family YMCA. Or try the website for the program which is: lslw.stanford.edu/ I just read on the website that the program was first implemented at the Page Mill YMCA in 2002. What a coincidence! I hope this information is helpful to you. The next program will probably start in August or September.

    Karen

    Wow,
    that is a long drive for a work out! Good for you! I wish I had something like that in Japan. I need to get this ol' chemo worn bod movin' again,lol.
    k
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #8
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • rose_marie
    rose_marie Member Posts: 75
    #9
    kikz said:

    Rosemarie
    There are three YMCAs listed for Palo Alto in the brochure I have for the program. They are Page Mill, East Palo Alto and Palo Alto Family YMCA. Or try the website for the program which is: lslw.stanford.edu/ I just read on the website that the program was first implemented at the Page Mill YMCA in 2002. What a coincidence! I hope this information is helpful to you. The next program will probably start in August or September.

    Karen

    Thanks Karen. Plan to check
    Thanks Karen. Plan to check this out first thing.
  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
    #10
    Hi Karen,
    I'm in Austin,
    Hi Karen,

    I'm in Austin, Texas and have participated in the LiveStrong program!

    It is wonderful, and I benefitted from it greatly; I encourage everyone to
    take advantage of this wonderful program.

    Also, they worked one-on-one with us and did not heap anything that our particular
    condition could not handle.

    I also recommend that those of you interested check out the yoga, chi-quong, tai-chi
    exercises that they provided, in short, the experience was uplifting spiritually as well as physically!

    Sharon
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #11
    msfanciful said:

    Hi Karen,
    I'm in Austin,
    Hi Karen,

    I'm in Austin, Texas and have participated in the LiveStrong program!

    It is wonderful, and I benefitted from it greatly; I encourage everyone to
    take advantage of this wonderful program.

    Also, they worked one-on-one with us and did not heap anything that our particular
    condition could not handle.

    I also recommend that those of you interested check out the yoga, chi-quong, tai-chi
    exercises that they provided, in short, the experience was uplifting spiritually as well as physically!

    Sharon

    Hello Sharon
    Yes, all the people at the YMCA are terrific including my fellow participants. I am not a person who has exercised much in my life but I figure if not now, when? I am also taking yoga along with my cousin and a friend at the senior center in town. All the classes for seniors are free and run year round. Of course I had to finally admit I'm a senior. Just kidding, I am never reluctant to give my age (63) but the title of senior citizen is a little harder to accept. I still feel like a young woman. I am really hoping that this program helps with all the aches, pains and general weakness I am experiencing.

    Karen
  • djinco
    djinco Member Posts: 87
    #12
    kikz said:

    Hello Sharon
    Yes, all the people at the YMCA are terrific including my fellow participants. I am not a person who has exercised much in my life but I figure if not now, when? I am also taking yoga along with my cousin and a friend at the senior center in town. All the classes for seniors are free and run year round. Of course I had to finally admit I'm a senior. Just kidding, I am never reluctant to give my age (63) but the title of senior citizen is a little harder to accept. I still feel like a young woman. I am really hoping that this program helps with all the aches, pains and general weakness I am experiencing.

    Karen

    You're Beautiful!
    You look great. You have cause to celebrate.
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #13
    WOW, that sounds great
    Do you think they have programs for those of us who are still going through treatment. I work so hard to try and regain strength each time I have an infusion and I feel like I lose ground.
    (((HUGS))) Maria
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #14
    Mwee said:

    WOW, that sounds great
    Do you think they have programs for those of us who are still going through treatment. I work so hard to try and regain strength each time I have an infusion and I feel like I lose ground.
    (((HUGS))) Maria

    Maria
    This particular program is for both patients and survivors so check your area for something similar.

    Karen
  • LaundryQueen
    LaundryQueen Member Posts: 676
    #15
    kikz said:

    Maria
    This particular program is for both patients and survivors so check your area for something similar.

    Karen

    It's a good thing
    Just want to say that the Anticancer book has a lot to say about the benefits of exercise for cancer survivors (especially during chemo). Exercise reduces excess estrogen, blood sugar, insulin & insulin-like growth factors--exercise reduces these tumor promoters. Exercise is the antidote to the bad effects that result from having a sweet tooth. Exercise also reduces cortisol--the stress hormone that jacks up blood sugar even when someone isn't eating sugar.

    Exercise might not prolong my life yet I think exercise helps improve my quality of life a great deal. Thanks, Karen, for bringing up the subject!

    LQ
  • rose_marie
    rose_marie Member Posts: 75
    #16
    kikz said:

    Rosemarie
    There are three YMCAs listed for Palo Alto in the brochure I have for the program. They are Page Mill, East Palo Alto and Palo Alto Family YMCA. Or try the website for the program which is: lslw.stanford.edu/ I just read on the website that the program was first implemented at the Page Mill YMCA in 2002. What a coincidence! I hope this information is helpful to you. The next program will probably start in August or September.

    Karen

    Hi Karen, Checked out
    Hi Karen, Checked out Living Strong Living Well on Google and there are quite a few programs here in my area. I placed a call and left a msg to a Y that is closer to me than Stanford. I learned that there is NO cost to cancer patients or survivors. My local Y has the class on Tues and Thurs from 10:45am - 12noon.
    Thanks again Karen for this wonderful information.
    Rosemarie
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #17
    rose_marie said:

    Hi Karen, Checked out
    Hi Karen, Checked out Living Strong Living Well on Google and there are quite a few programs here in my area. I placed a call and left a msg to a Y that is closer to me than Stanford. I learned that there is NO cost to cancer patients or survivors. My local Y has the class on Tues and Thurs from 10:45am - 12noon.
    Thanks again Karen for this wonderful information.
    Rosemarie

    You're welcome
    I'm glad you found it.

    Karen
  • rose_marie
    rose_marie Member Posts: 75
    #18
    kikz said:

    Rosemarie
    There are three YMCAs listed for Palo Alto in the brochure I have for the program. They are Page Mill, East Palo Alto and Palo Alto Family YMCA. Or try the website for the program which is: lslw.stanford.edu/ I just read on the website that the program was first implemented at the Page Mill YMCA in 2002. What a coincidence! I hope this information is helpful to you. The next program will probably start in August or September.

    Karen

    I'm Signed Up!
    Living Strong-Living Well class starts at the San Mateo Y Sept 12th. It is a 12 week class and what is also great, is that while on this program, you can go to the Y whenever you want and use the facility wihout cost. Tues and Thurs from 11:30a, to 12:45pm
    Again Karen, I can't thank you enough.

    Rosemarie
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #19
    rose_marie said:

    I'm Signed Up!
    Living Strong-Living Well class starts at the San Mateo Y Sept 12th. It is a 12 week class and what is also great, is that while on this program, you can go to the Y whenever you want and use the facility wihout cost. Tues and Thurs from 11:30a, to 12:45pm
    Again Karen, I can't thank you enough.

    Rosemarie

    That's great Rosemarie
    I am really enjoying my class. The instructors and fellow participants are so friendly and supportive. I am surprising myself with what I am able to do at the gym. I only hope I will keep it up when the session is over. I am thinking about joining the Y at that point but I would probably join in Morgan Hill which is so much closer to home. I'll ask about it. I know you'll enjoy it.

    Karen

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