Monday, January 23, 2012

The positive fitness can have on the C-word, Cancer that is.

Last week I got an email from a man by the name of David Haas. He was very interested in writing an article to talk about the affects that fitness can have on cancer. This year has been an interesting year where both my sister (who found a lump - at the age of 24) and my dad (skin) had cancer scares. Both were fortunate to come with postivie results but so many people these days aren't as lucky. I really agreed with what David had to say and appreciate his efforts to talking about cancer and getting others comfortable with the C-word. We need to talk about it because if we don't, it negativity behind such a scary way will never change. Take it away David...

According to the Cancer Fitness Institute, fitness proves to provide a variety of cancer survivors, including those going through a rare, painful and difficult tratment regiment such as mesothelima treatment, with farpreaching benefits. Although exercise and exertion were frowned upon int he past, physcians and reseachers alike now know that participating in an exercise program is beneficial to cancer patients and survivors. If you are currently undergoing a treathment regiment for any type of cancer, a fitness program that best suits your lifestyle needs can improve your quality of life and help you in many other ways such as the following:

Improve Muscle Strength
As you exercise and improve the strength of your muscles, you enable your body to better support you through out the day. Stronger muscles do more than help lift heavy objects; they also provide your body with energy for simple tasks too.

Reduce Stress
Some days are more stressful than others. During exercise your breathe in and out, releasing stress and pent-up frustration. Whether you practice yoga or ride a stationary bike, moving your body gets endorphins moving, leading to reduction of stress and feelings of calm.

Impact Day-to-Day Duties
Participating in regualr physical fitness can help you be providing you with the energy you need to tackle daily duties. Although some believe exercise wears you out, it actually increases your energy over the long-run. The little activities that tire you over the course of the day can feel a lot less strenuous as you build your muscles and cardiovascular health.

Reduce Fatigue - listen up people. This is a big one for everyone!
Fatigue can be frustrating when there's so much to do. Aerobic exercise, such as walking or riding a bike can boost your energy and help you fight fatigue. Since an increase in energy can greatly impact your quality of life but more importantly, an exercise can help you feel more energenic.

Increase Cardiovascular Endurance
The strength of your cardiovascular system impacts the rest of your health. Participating in aerobic exercise that's comfortable for you will increase your stamina and endurance. AS you battle tiredness and not feeling well, both of these factors can provide you with much needed energy during and after your treatment.

Shift your FOCUS
Doing something good for your body helps you shift your focus from illness to feeling well. Since your emotional state is an important part of your program, you can use exercise to feel better physically and emotionall through the relief of endorphins.

In closing, by using physical fitness and exercise as tools in your fight against cancer you are empowered to work toward the achievement of wellness. Exercise at your own pace and with the guidance of your doctor. When you create an exercise plan that suits you as an individual you take part in improving your physical fitness and redirecting your focus to wellness.

Thanks so much for this awesome article David!

Have a great week everyone and don't forget to step out of your comfort zone.

Yours in health and fitness,

Nicole

Monday, January 9, 2012

New city, New pad, New job, New gym...NEW! Eeek.

So the last few weeks/months have been hectic to say the least and my gym schedule went completely out the window for the last month and it showed. Not just in how I looked, but more concerning how I felt. I tried to give myself a break and try to relax but after a month it hit me that I was feeling a little down on the inside and the solution was easy. Hit the GYM!
In the last month, I quit my job, started a new job, moved out of my parents house and in with my boyfriend and did I mention, I moved to Vancouver island and that all this took place over the Christmas break?Needless to say, the transition has been busy but I couldn't be happier. So far 2012 is the best year yet!
To explain how it all started, I got offered an amazing opportunity to work for Molson Coors in Sales on Vancouver Island and I couldn't pass it up! I am so blessed to have gotten the job and everyone is AMAZING. The job is going to be challenging but you know me, I'm always up for a challenge and it's exactly what I wanted.
In addition to switching jobs, which was on Vancouver island and therefore I made the big move out of my childhood home (I was living in my parents basement and paying them "rent") and in with my man to a place I hadn't even seen in Victoria. The place is amazing though and for now I'm solo until Brett moves over with TD. I really like Victoria so far and at this point in my life I feel that it is where I need to be. I am in LOVE with our place because it really feels like home. Lots of space in the kitchen which I am cooking dinner in as I type this. I just got back from an AWESOME workout! My first in a while...which led me to the first mini melt down of 2012.
Last week I was in Vancouver for training and decided to stay for the weekend to see friends, family and Brett but the poor guy ended up dealing with a very emotional Nicole. I had been doing really well but had been putting everything and everyone else first and on Saturday I had a mini meltdown. When I don't feelsettled or don't have time for a workout I start to feel lost and kind of bad. I'm sure lots of you can relate. This is combination with coming off of Christmas, living out of a suit case, being on the road and trying to eat well can be hard. I'm not going to lie to you. You can "eat well" but it is very hard to be in your regular routine. Which is what I was missing.
Today was a new day though and after a day of training with Danna (my awesome coworker) I was driving home and decided to visit my new gym and scope it out. It is pretty sweet! Small, and nothing compared to the Oval but it has everything I need and exactly was the doctor ordered to cure my rut. I picked up my membership card and drove home to grab my gym bag so I could get a workout in before dinner. For now on, I am keeping a stocked gym bag in my car at all times. I'm also keeping track of my workouts on my calendar (which is posted on my fridge so it is visible whenever I'm craving something) as a reminder to stay on track.
So here is to a new year and new opportunities! What is your new challenge for 2012?

Eat. Train. Sleep. Repeat!

Nic out!