The Holistic Health Warrior

Posts Tagged ‘exercise’

Pilates Exercise

Yoga Exercises

So which is better? Yoga or Pilates?

Thousands of beginners ask themselves this question when they decide to take their health and fitness seriously. It’s tough to make a decision because many gyms offer both Pilates and yoga classes. And according to many people I know, both of these classes are very popular. Read the rest of this entry »

How To Fight Cancer Treatment Side Effects
by Liz Davies

Fighting cancer is not an easy battle. Feeling sick, even depressed and nervous are often states associated with people who are undergoing treatment. While resting may seem like the best thing, and being physically active would not feel like an automatic response, an exercise routine is one of the best things to combat the side effects of cancer treatments.

Cancer treatments, like radiation, chemotherapy or surgery, have many side effects such as loss of appetite, hair, muscle and bone mass, and loss of flexibility, just to name a few. A regular exercise routine has the ability to stop and even reverse these side effects. Using all muscle groups throughout treatment will aid in preventing muscles from wasting away, increase the much-needed oxygen to the tissues and to the brain,  and will help the body stay fit.

Cancer patients have a weakened immune system because their white blood cell count is down due to the treatments they receive. Anything that will boost their immune system is important and physical activity makes the immune system healthier.

Routinely being a part of an exercise regimen is known to increase mood. It is often hard for cancer patients to find the motivation to start their day in the morning. But the motivation can be found through exercise. Exercise pumps the body with positive neurochemicals which promote an elevated mood and can alleviate pain. These endorphins can sometimes become addictive which also encourages the exercise routine to be continued. The chemicals are able to battle stress and symptoms of depression. When the battle of staying in bed is overcome it allows cancer patients to see how strong will can beat physical sicknesses.

It is a consistent routine that is important. It is also important to include the three major types of exercise: stretching, cardio exercises, and strength training. The level of exercise is going to depend on the individual. Factors like prior fitness level, type of treatment, and type and stage of cancer. Even just 15 – 20  minutes of  walking, stretching or yoga has very positive mental and physical benefits for cancer patients.

Whatever the exercise regimen that is decided on, it is important to stick to it! Things, like exercising with a friend, creating a workout journal, and choosing exercises which are especially enjoyable, are easy ways to create the motivation to stay with a routine. No matter if a cancer patient is going through mesothelioma or surgery for colon cancer, an exercise routine is motivational and beneficial for all types of patients.

*Disclaimer: Be sure to check with a professional health care provider before starting any exercise routine.

Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives because she sees how cancer has devastated so many people in this world. Liz also likes running, playing lacrosse, reading and playing with her dog, April.

Thanks for sharing your insights with us Liz. Keep up the good work.

To Your Great Health!

This is by Article by Ronald Yip – Weightloss Consultant (see more below)

Excessive weight has become a big issue to everyone, men and women alike. Given all the unhealthy effects of fats to the human body, it is definitely not right to take this issue for granted. However, you need a good deal of effort to be successful in living away with weight problems. The primary thing you need to do is to engage in a weightloss exercise.

Not only is exercise helpful in achieving weight loss, it also is beneficial in terms of decreasing the risks of heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. It can also improve the overall fitness of the body. There are different kinds of exercise you can engage yourself into so as you achieve perfectly fit body. However, the best one to consider is the one that can help you lose weight permanently.

Here are a few examples of a good exercise perfect for weight loss. It is interesting that some activities can be very productive and not that much tiring as you are expecting.

1. Sitting while reading and watching TV. Actually these daily activities that you think should be avoided before are more helpful in losing weight rather than sleeping or sitting quietly. This is because these activities burn up brain energy that amazingly burn up the carbohydrates and calories too.

My take: Hmmm… I have never heard of “burning up” brain energy before…. so I am gonna pass on this tip. Anyway… moving on…..

2. Light household chores like washing and dusting. Even a little thing in your lined up chores will help you burn total calories when it is done in a minimum of two to three minutes time per day. When trying to lose weight, a simple dusting could help you burn out the excess fats in the body.

3. Walking. Walking is considered to be the best weightloss exercise. It burns 55 percent of fats in the body. It is a normal activity in your life but amazingly helps you out of weight problems unconsciously.

4. Light jogging. This is effective in burning large energy in just a single session. However this might not be fitted for overweight individuals. It is advised for them to engage themselves first in walking, then brisk walking, until they are developed enough to perform heavier weightloss exercise like jogging.

5. Running. Through running for seven minutes, every minute will help you burn 10 calories.

6. Performing anaerobic exercise. This exercise for weight loss is an intense one. Along with this kind of exercise are weight training, sprinting, and the like. Since all the energy being used in this kind of exercise comes from the carbohydrates in your body, it is indeed helpful in terms of weight loss.

With all these exercises, you will be given a lot of choices in terms of achieving your weight loss goals. You can choose one, which you think is best for you. Or, you can actually do them all. With these natural ways in burning the calories in your body, a good body is within your reach. No side effects involved and no extra cost as well. However, it is important to make sure that you take the weightloss exercise in moderation and in regulation to gain more effective results.

Ronald Yip is a weight loss consultant. For more great tips and advice on Weightloss Exercise, visit http://www.weightloss-recipes.com.

More Thoughts from Mellisa McJunkin – Health and Wellness Advocate

Question: What are you without an immune system?
Answer: You are dead.

As morbid as it may sound, it’s true. When your immune system is weak you will get sick. When your immune system completely fails you will die.

If I could show you a way to boost your Natural Killer Cells by up to 437%, would you be interested in hearing more? Of course you would.

Get Healthy and Wise with Extreme Health 4Life

It seems like a kind of  no-brainer, but experts have actually done a study to figure out: 

Breast and prostate cancer patients who regularly exercise during and after cancer treatment report having a better quality of life and being less fatigued.

“Using exercise as an approach to cancer care has the potential to benefit patients both physically and psychologically, as well as mitigate treatment side effects,” says study lead author Eleanor M. Walker, M.D., division director of breast services in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Henry Ford Hospital.

“Plus, exercise is a great alternative to patients combating fatigue and nausea who are considering using supplements which may interfere with medications and chemotherapy they’re taking during cancer treatment.”

Cheryl Fallen of Gross Pointe Park, Mich., was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer while she took part in the ExCITE program. Through a mix of exercise, acupuncture and good nutrition, she didn’t experience some of the more common side-effects from treatment — nausea, fatigue, and trouble with memory.

“ExCITE offers cancer patients a way to holistically approach their cancer care by tailoring a specific exercise routine to fit the needs of the patient, whether it’s rehabilitation after surgery, or to enhance circulation or improve the immune system prior to chemotherapy or radiation,” says Fallen.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100520213110.htm

To Your Great Health!