Breast cancer treatment takes a toll on your body. You'll need a lot of time to rest and let yourself heal. On the days when you feel good, you may want to take advantage of the opportunity to get a little exercise.
Research shows that moderate exercise can be a great mood booster for people with cancer. Exercise during cancer treatment can also help keep up your muscle strength and stamina. That can improve how you feel during and after treatment.
If you want to start an exercise routine while you're in treatment, talk to your doctor first. They can tell you what will be safe for you. If you're in physical therapy after your mastectomy, you can discuss your exercise routine with your physical therapist.
You can do strength training in your home without having to worry about going to a gym. Bodyweight exercises are easy to do, and they'll help you develop strength and flexibility. Here are three great strength moves to try during treatment:
This exercise helps increase movement in the core of your body. It can also improve core strength:
- Sit in a chair and clasp your hands together in front of you.
- Slowly lift your arms over your head.
- With your arms fully raised, bend your trunk to the right, keeping your arms over your head.
- Return to the starting position.
- Repeat on the left side.
You can do 1 to 3 sets of 5 to 7 reps on each side of your body.
Lunges
Lunges are a good way to work your hips and legs. They also strengthen your abdominals and the muscles in your lower back, which will help with your posture and core strength:
- Start standing up with your feet hip-width apart and your hands on your hips.
- Take a big step forward with one leg.
- Lower your leading leg by bending at the knee. Try to get your thigh parallel to the ground.
- Hold for a count of three.
- Slowly step back into the starting position.
- Repeat with the other side.
Try to do 3 to 5 lunges on each side at first. You can work up to more over time.
Box Step-Ups
Doing step-ups onto a raised surface like a box or a step will work your hips and legs to increase functional strength. It will also increase your endurance for walking and climbing stairs, which is helpful if treatment has kept you sedentary.
- Place a raised box in front of you or stand in front of a stair.
- Step up with one foot. Bring up your second foot as if you are climbing stairs.
- Step back down one foot at a time.
Start with 3 to 5 reps on each let. Work up to doing more as you get stronger.
