STRONG WITH IONA #53

The Power of Exercise (Yes, I’m still Banging on About This)

As I sat in the chemo ward with my insanely brave sister-in-law, a dietician was explaining some important nutrition advice to bear in mind during her treatment. She then asked the question, ‘Do you exercise?’ - to which my sister-in-law told her she ran and strength trained. The dietician went on to explain that many people suffered from significant muscle atrophy during chemo and for her to ‘carry on doing what she was doing’. Easier said than done when you’re battling extreme sickness, fatigue, fear and worry - not to mention taking care of a toddler. But my sister-in-law is a strong one. And she has inspired me to write once again about the power of movement and exercise in the hope it might land with one more person and motivate them to move their body.

Since being diagnosed, G has been through countless appointments, some small surgical procedures, rounds of chemo, hospital appointments and tests, all alongside working and being a mama to my boisterous nephew who’s 18 months old. She has had no choice but to be physically and mentally strong. Both her body and mind have already been put to the test, and throughout it all she has not only carried on moving, but on many occasions has prioritised this.

I vividly remember us struggling to run up a hill on one of our runs - me in my postnatal recovery phase, her in the midst of cancer treatment and her saying to me ‘I need to be strong to do this, so I need to keep going.’ This is really a testament to the kind of character she is - even when it feels tough, even when she feels like shit, even when she is knackered - she still gets out for a run or does a workout.

But it’s not necessarily Gs grit and determination to carry on exercising that I wanted to share. It’s the power of exercise itself. It’s the fact that in times of struggle - when life throws challenges at you - whether that’s grief, chronic illness, mental ill health, pregnancy, postpartum recovery - you name it, exercise has got your back. Will every session or run feel good? will it hell. Will it feel easy? nope. Will you swear, curse, and sometimes cry from the struggle? I reckon so. But will you feel better after? I also almost guarantee it. I am not talking about ‘going hard or going home’ or ‘smashing PBs’ or even moving with any goal in mind other than to stay strong and feel better as you navigate what life is throwing at you.

So back to the dietician’s comment about losing muscle strength and carrying on with what you’re doing. If anyone is going to do this - it’s G. She is a warrior, and I could not be prouder to call her my sister. I will keep encouraging her to run or lift those weights; I will support her as she takes on this challenge and help her modify her movement and keep going - because I know it will give her headspace, help her feel strong, help her feel capable, and help her fight this. Exercise is medicine - if it was in drug form that you could bottle and sell - it would be the best-selling drug globally. But it takes dedication to do it - and G has that in spades.

For anyone out there struggling, battling, facing a challenge, or simply a little lost - start moving a little more, get outside for a walk with the sun (or rain) on your face, pick up something heavy and do a squat, take the stairs instead of the lift - whatever it is, it will make a difference; I am sure of it.

Please share this far and wide & feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need support. I will add a couple of resources below if you are going through something like this or know someone who is.

Breast Cancer UK - focusing on prevention of breast cancer

Macmillan - Cancer support across the UK

Mummy’s Star - Cancer in Pregnancy (and postpartum) support

Until next time.

I xx

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