She's A Maniac!

I've always wanted a personal trainer. I've always been pretty sure that is the only way I would consistently work out. Like I've said many times, it's funny - in a not so funny way - what comes with cancer. Courtesy of cancer and the Mercy Thrive Cancer Fitness & Wellness program, I have a personal trainer throughout my treatment and for some time after. I am SO not Jennifer Beals (remember when I did this walking into Jimmy John's?!), but I will be someday soon.

Jason is my guy. He counts for me while I do my sets. He changes the weights. He cleans the stuff I touch. He cheers me on. In return, I make fun of him, sometimes telling him he sounds like he is praising a puppy instead of me when he says, "Good job, Gwen."

Do I want to go everytime? Nope. Do I cancel sometimes? Yep. At some workouts I am able to press 65 pounds, and two weeks later I may only be able to do 20 pounds. However, I am convinced these workouts are one thing that help keep my mind sane and my heart happier. For that, I am very, very thankful.

Below is a blog from David Haas, Family Hospitality Coordinator at Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. He found me on the world wide web and asked me to post this article on my blog. It stands for what I believe in. I hope it can help awareness. No quotes in my blog for today... this one's just for David. Enjoy!
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The Importance of Fitness During Cancer Treatments
Cancer continues to be a leading cause of death throughout the world. With medical advancements leading to new ways to cure this disease, doctors still note that exercise for cancer patients proves vital. Exercising and remaining fit while battling and recovering from cancer may help patients overcome the worst effects of its treatment and help them maintain their recovery after treatments have ended.

In fact, as the National Cancer Institute reports on its website, fitness during and after cancer treatments aides individuals in diminishing one of the most common side effects of treatments, which is fatigue. Chemotherapy is notorious for eliminating vital nutrients from a patient's blood. A person may witness his or her iron levels drop because of the chemotherapy and, as a result, begin to feel tired and weak. The doctor might prescribe iron tablets to help increase the levels of iron; however, gaining strength and overcoming fatigue can be achieved better by undertaking fitness activities.

Most medical professionals recommend walking as a primary way of getting regular exercise. Some mesothelioma patients may be too ill from their treatments to try more strenuous activities, such as weight lifting or running. However, walking, even at a slower pace, helps keep the person's blood moving and heart pumping, as it should. Even more, this exercise aides the person in keeping up his or her metabolism. Patients may grow tired during a round of walking; however, in most cases they feel better afterward.

If a person has not exercised regularly prior to treatments, he or she may be advised to begin slowly in the chosen fitness regimen. Patients might walk for 10 minutes a day and build up to walking a half hour or 45 minutes per day when their bodies become accustomed to the exertion. Getting used to the activity prior to taking chemotherapy treatments may help that person avoid the worst of the side effects, including vomiting and tiredness. If the patient does experience these symptoms, they may be less than what is experienced by someone who does exercise at all.

After treatments have ended, it is still vital for people to keep up their fitness levels. It may be tempting to fall back into old habits; however, if they gain weight, they increase their chances of compromising their remission. Maintaining a fitness regimen proves important in people's successful recovery from cancer. Their bodies require daily exercise routines. 

David Haas
Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Guest Blogger
http://about.me/haasblaag