Post 9: Exercise

Genesis Care, Newmarket, where I’ve been having my ‘sunbed sessions’, is a dedicated clinic, providing both RT and CT. As part of my time there, I was encouraged to speak to the folks in the on-site gym, which is not open to the public and for cancer-club members only.

There’s recent science/evidence that says exercise releases chemicals which help fight tumours and that being fitter during cancer treatment can help aide post-treatment recovery, by helping the body to be stronger.

Anyone that knows even the slightest bit about me knows that I am not a gym-goer.

I’ve never had a #gym subscription, (other than my 15yo lads!), no idea what machines or weights to use, or for how long. Plus, they’re always full of people that make it look like they know what they’re doing, so this is all new to me.

Well, the two gents in the cancer-gym made me feel more than welcome.

They understood my physical condition, i.e. slow and a tad overweight, along with having an extra piece of mass stuck to my chest, and they helped to take me through the absolute basics of absolutely everything; from which weights to use and why, through to how to stand for best stability and strength.

I was having 2x one-hour sessions in there for weeks, and as my RT came to an end, I’ve continued to train (under their guidance), using the various exercise machines that we have had at home for YEARS, and not really used!

I’ve been trying to get up and into our little ‘gym’ at home most days before work, even before my boys are out of bed, but there’s something I’ve noticed a while back that I can’t shake… IT’S SO BORING!

I’ve put a TV on the wall AND have Alexa blaring out (Ministry of Sound: The Annual II) at the same time to make it a little more interesting and keep my focus. I’m not trying to be super-fit, nor be Schwarzenegger-shaped, but more like I’m trying to not-die.

Oddly, having this lump has been a kick up the backside to get myself sorted that I’ve needed, so maybe something good has already come out of this.

Having been doing it since Jan’24, I do already feel that I’ve made a little progress, in that I’m not an instant sweat-mess after a few minutes on the exercise bike!