True Confessions

OK, it's time to come clean - I haven't been exercising. This is bad - I'm a personal trainer. I'm not supposed to admit I haven't been exercising.

As many of you know, I was on vacation out in MI. While there I was swimming twice a day and windsurfing every day there was wind. I got back a few weeks ago to a furiously busy schedule. I went from vacay. mode to long, all-day rehearsals, writing deadlines, clients, and assorted other things. It was over a week before I even had time to completely unpack my car. I had no time to work out. And then I had to do laundry & clean my house. And then I got rear-ended so my back hurt (hint: even if the light turns green, if the cars in front of you are not moving, you don't get to go yet!). And then I had a headache. And then I didn't feel like it. And then I thought, I'll just do it tomorrow. And then. Then. Then. Then....

OMG! I sound just like everyone else! Those are not reasons for not exercising, they're just excuses. They are no different than all the excuses people use all the time - the excuses for which, without even thinking, I can come up with multiple solutions. OMG!

So today I took my own advice. You've seen it posted here, on Facebook, on Twitter, or heard it from me in person. Start by making one healthier choice today. You don't have to be perfect. You don't have to change everything right now. Just start with one better choice.

It's good advice. I think I'll follow it.

So, maybe I don't have time to go to the gym for an hour or run 5 miles. I can run for two. I can do some pushups at home. I can eat some fresh vegs. from my garden instead of pasta with cream sauce (or popcorn with tons of butter).

This afternoon I went for a run before it started raining. It was just 2 miles, but it was a run. I'm getting back on track, getting back to the process. Fitness is not a destination. You don't get in shape once and then you're done. It's a process - an ongoing process. And I'm happy to be back in it.

Julie

Save the Boobs - PSA for Breast Cancer Awareness

This is a new Public Service Announcement for breast cancer awareness that has got people talking.

When I first saw it, I thought it was some bad, puerile beer commercial. I wondered if it made too light of an obviously serious issue. Breast cancer awareness is about saving lives; it's not about saving boobs for men to ogle. But although I thought I should be offended, I was secretly a little amused by it's irreverence.

The spot is clearly aimed at a younger viewers who often don't give much thought to breast cancer. As too many of us know however, it is not just our mothers' or our aunties' disease. So in the end, I decided that any PSA that gets younger women to pay attention to breast cancer is cool with me. Super-cool, in fact.

But I'm curious what others think of it....

Julie

Hidden Dangers of Soy

I want to take a minute to introduce you to my friend, Dianne Gregg. Dianne interviewed me back in July for her radio show, Health Watch Radio. I had a great time talking with her during and after the interview. The show ran live in July, but is archived. You can hear it at www.blogtalkradio.com/Health-Watch-Radio.

Dianne is also author of the book "The Hidden Dangers of Soy", available from Amazon.com.
Given the prevalence of soy in our food system and the occasional hyperbole of the benefits of soy, this is an interesting read. Dianne wrote this book after discovering and dealing with her own severe soy allergy. Soy can be found in many of our foods, often not listed in the labeling. If you suspect you may have a soy sensitivity, or would simply like more information, please check out Dianne's book.

Julie

Chemotherapy - Poison With A Plan

I'm going to take a brief break from writing about fitness issues to vent. As reported in the NY Post and Huffington Post, Suzanne Somers has said that Patrick Swayze was poisoned by chemotherapy. She says the chemo destroyed his body and instead he should have tried to build up his body holistically.

This type of blanket statement greatly angers me. There are very, very many of us who are alive and healthy because of chemotherapy! It is one of the great tools we have to fight cancer. Yes, it's scary. Yes, it is poison, but it's poison with a plan.

I believe there is much good to be gained from holistic practices, but I also believe in using every tool available when fighting a mighty foe!

The problem with those kinds of blanket statements (and I heard a lot of them while I was in the middle of treatment), is that each cancer, like each individual, is different. There is no statement that can be absolutely true for every cancer. There are too many variables: type of cancer, characteristics of the particular cancer, health of the patient, age of the patient, etc.

Statements like that are dangerous. They ignore a mountain of solid science.

And they spread fear and take away hope. Chemotherapy is scary. I don't know anyone who's had it who hasn't been afraid - we don't need more help in being scared! But we choose to do it because it offers us the chance for life!

Those statements also ignore that there is much that we can do to manage the side effects of treatment. We do have some control. There are better and better drugs to help minimize the side effects. There is good support available through the American Cancer Society and many other groups. And through my work at Life-Cise, I encourage people to stay fit and active throughout treatments. I work with people in any stage of treatment and beyond, but especially encourage people to keep exercising during chemotherapy and radiation.

We all make our own choices. And when we're facing cancer, all of our choices suck! But we gather all the information and seriously make our choices about our treatments and our lives. It is not easy; it is not comfortable. It is difficult and scary. I think that is what unites us as survivors. In spite of our diverse lives and diseases, we share those moments of heartbreaking choice.

And no one has the right to question our well-considered, serious choices for our lives.

That bears repeating: No one has the right to question our considered, serious choices for our own lives.

Julie

Get Strong, But Understand the Lymphedema Risk

Over the weekend, I had lunch with my friend Mel, author of the Cancer Warrior blog (TheCancerWarrior.blogspot.com). We both talked about some of our sports and interests (she plays hockey & I'm busy windsurfing since I'm out in Michigan on vacation). Mel commented that with all of my high-intensity activities, I'm very lucky to have not developed lymphedema. So, since I've been writing about lymphedema in my last couple of posts, I thought I'd continue.

Lymphedema is a very real concern for anyone who's lymph system has been compromised by illness, surgery, or treatment. It is a life-long risk, and there is no cure. Noticed early, it can be managed. But it can become a life-altering, disabling condition.

It is not to be taken lightly!

I acknowledge the risk and have always taken it seriously. But I refuse to have my life controlled by the fear.

From the beginning I decided to take control as much as I could. I educated myself about lymphedema. I read and I talked with my doctors. I sought out lymphedema specialists to talk with. And with all of the information I gathered, I came up with a plan of action.

Once I had regained good range of motion, I began strengthening my weakened muscles. Following the advice of people who knew more than me, I began with very light weights. Actually, I started with no weights, doing slow exercises using only the weight of my arms. As I gained strength, I added weight a little at a time.

I also monitored my arm for early signs of swelling. I periodically measured my arm in several places.

I made slow, incremental progress. Over the course of many months I built up enough strength to begin thinking about taking up some of my upper body-intensive activities. I got back to windsurfing and eventually rock climbing.

After a couple of brief bouts of minor swelling (which were managed with some self-massage, some exercises to stimulate the lymph system, and keeping my arm elevated), I got fitted for a compression sleeve and glove (mine is from Jobst). I found I didn't need to wear them all the time, only as a precaution with certain activities.

I've heard women complain about how they look or feel. I don't understand the reluctance to wear a compression garment if it allows you to do things you enjoy. Personally, I am less concerned with making a fashion statement than with what I can do. And a well-fitted garment is not prohibitively uncomfortable. I would much rather wear it occasionally and still be able to do the activities I love.

And, of course, this risk of lymphedema is ongoing. I never forget about it. If I have taken some time off and gotten a little out of shape (yes, it happens), I go back to lighter weights again. I start off easy and build slowly.

So, yes I've been lucky. I'm strong and have not been debilitated by lymphedema. But I've also been aware, cautious, and prepared.

Julie