Over the last 8 years we have had the honor of working with thousands of individuals battling cancer. We have seen exercise result in some amazing transformations.
For example, did you know that most of our patients finish their cancer treatments stronger than they were when they began?
Imagine with me for a minute.
Picture that you have just been diagnosed with cancer. This is something you never thought would happen to you. Now you are so overwhelmed with fear and anxiety that you don’t know what to do.
You wonder how you will respond to your treatments. You picture yourself sick. Weak. Tired.
Too tired to get out of bed.
You worry if you will have the strength to go about your normal daily life.
You wonder if you will be able to continue working. If you will be able to continue taking care of your family.
What will happen to them?
What will happen to you?
The truth is, I cannot tell you that exercise will take away every single problem you will have as you battle cancer.
I cannot tell you that exercise will cure your cancer.
I cannot tell you that exercise will cause your cancer to never, ever come back.
But I can point you to our research. The data we have collected from thousands of patients, just like you.
Chemotherapy and radiation treatments often cause a decrease in protein synthesis. The effect of this is muscle weakness.
In fact, the entire field of exercise oncology was born when exercise physiology professor, Dr. Carole Schneider, experienced muscle weakness in her hand as a result of the radiation she was undergoing for her cancer. Because of this weakness, she was unable to open jars to cook for herself. Dr. Schneider decided to try exercise as a means to improve her strength.
The rest is history.
On average, our patients see a 33% increase in their muscular strength during cancer treatment. In other words, most of our patients finish cancer treatment stronger than they were when they began.
Another negative effect cancer treatments often result in is cardiac abnormalities. The heart muscle loses its ability to pump with as much strength as it could before. Oftentimes, treatment is delayed, changed, or even stopped because of these cardiac changes.
However, our patients have seen a 13.9% improvement in their cardiovascular endurance!
This means that no only is the heart protected, but it becomes even stronger!
We have also measured increases in muscular endurance and flexibility as a result of exercise during cancer treatment. We’ve seen decreases in fatigue, pain, depression, anxiety, and fear of the future, as well.
So, when someone asks me if I believe that Exercise truly is Medicine, my answer is an unwaivering “YES!!!!”
Exercise is Medicine.
Exercise is HOPE.
Exercise is one thing you can control in this crazy, unpredictable, sometimes chaotic world of cancer.
Exercise is something that every single person – whether they are battling cancer or not – should be doing.
If you would like some help getting started with an exercise program, we can help you! We are currently expanding Maple Tree into hospitals across the country. If we are not in your area yet, we have a variety of online programs that will help you get started and keep you accountable for your health journey. Consider joining one today!
Getting Started – $97
https://www.mapletreecanceralliance.org/product/getting-started-program/
What you can expect:
- Downloadable workbook
- 8 modules
- 8 instructional videos
- Patient testimonial
- Goal setting
- Meal planning
- How to plan your ideal day so that you can incorporate exercise into your schedule
- Permission to dream
Survivor Strong – $40
https://www.mapletreecanceralliance.org/product/survivor-strong-weight-loss-group/
What you can expect:
- Education regarding Intermittent Fasting, My Fitness Pal, Gluten-free/Sugar-free lifestyles
- 4 weeks of custom workouts (5 days/week), with links to youtube videos that describe proper form and modifications
- Workouts can be completed in under 30 min
- Comprehensive Meal Planning Guide with breakfasts, lunch, dinners for all 4 weeks – you can build your own plan
- Nutrition information for each
- Snacks/desserts included
10-Day Plant Based Challenge – $20
https://www.mapletreecanceralliance.org/product/10-day-plant-based-challenge-guide/
What you can expect:
- Comprehensive guide of plant-based, whole food recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Private Facebook community with free coaching and education
Membership – $7/month or $70 Annually
https://www.mapletreecanceralliance.org/membership/
What you can expect:
- Access to our recipe library, with recipes listed out according to symptom
- Access to our exercise library with a variety of different types of workouts – range of motion exercises, yoga, HIIT, Cardio, Upper body, and more
- Educational downloads – questions for physicians, portion control, goal setting, 23 ½ hours
- Exercise videos – beginner, intermediate, advanced