We are thrilled to introduce FILOTIMO FIT!
Filotimo Fitness introduces Cancer Patients, their families and friends to exercise and physical activity with the help of our expert Physical Instructors and Partners.
Exercise is important when it comes to Cancer, as it may lower Cancer risk by helping control weight, reduce sex hormones (such as estrogen, and growth factors that have been associated with cancer development and progression) preventing high blood levels of insulin, reducing inflammation and strengthen the immune system and it can boost the quality of life during Cancer treatment.
There is strong evidence that higher levels of physical activity are linked to lower risk of several types of Cancer. These include but are not limited to:- Stomach Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Breast Cancer, Bladder Cancer and Colon Cancer.
For more info email evy@filotimo.org.za
WE ARE PROUD TO BE PARTNERED WITH
PLANET FITNESS & WiSH [WITS SPORT & HEALTH]
Why exercise is important for cancer patients and survivors - by Nicole Fuller
I love the saying exercise is medicine without the side effects. We all know how beneficial exercise is in general, whether you have cancer or not. Lets look at the benefits.
Evidence based research has proven the benefits of exercise from a physical, mental as well as a spiritual/emotional perspective. What truly stands out for me is that exercise can help reduce the chances of developing cancer as well as to prevent a cancer recurrence.
Exercise can help prevent and manage the many treatment related side effects of the very harsh cancer treatments late and long term as a result of chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy as well as endocrine and targeted cancer treatments.
Help manage and prevent depression, anxiety and moodiness. Exercise stimulates the production of dopamine which produce feelings of happiness and pleasure. The release of serotonin a neurotransmitter accounts for euphoria and good appetite. These happiness hormones also may play a role in reducing stress levels. Other benefits include prevention and management of osteoporosis and joint pain, improve cognitive function and memory, improve cardiac and lung function, prevent thrombotic events, improve sleep, improve immune function, wound healing and help manage blood sugar levels.
Healthy balanced eating, weight control and (BMI) body max index for improved body image go hand in hand with exercise. A body mass index of over 25 is considered as obesity. Being obese not only increases your risk of developing cancer but can also cause a cancer reoccurrence as well as other lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cardiac issue’s. Oestrogen is produced in fat so the risk of developing endocrine/oestrogen positive breast cancer can be significantly increased if you are overweight.
Most normal people find it difficult to start and commit to an exercise program, for cancer patients this is even more daunting. It is vitally important that you get clearance from your medical doctors before starting any form of exercise program especially if you are in active treatment or have just had surgery. It is also vitally important that you have proper guidance from exercise specialists that have experience and knowledge in dealing with cancer patients/survivors, physiotherapist’s occupational therapists, cancer exercise specialists etc. Exercise is hard work but there are so many modalities of exercise out there that can be adapted to each individual’s goals needs and abilities.
This is even more important for cancer patients and survivors you want to reap the benefits but you also need to be able to cope and enjoy the exercise. The recommended amount of time is 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week plus 75 min of more intense exercise per week, which equates to 30 min of exercise per day. A combination of both cardio and strength is most recommended, strength can be one’s own body weight exercises or weight training . Recommended cardio is brisk walking/hiking which is very manageable for most people, running, swimming, cycling, elliptical, rowing etc. Other recommended exercises are yoga, Pilates, Zumba, dancing, NIA which is non impact aerobics, water aerobics.
WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?
As a Former Elite/Springbok distance Athlete, I coached middle distance running at Fitness from Africa running club for 5 years. I am a certified CETI Cancer Exercise Training Institute USA, Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist.
After my own remarkable recovery from Breast Cancer because of my fitness. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge on the benefits of exercise for Cancer Patients from a physical, mental, and Spiritual perspective.
I offer one on one, as well as group sessions exercise classes for Cancer patients. It is very important for Cancer patients to be advised on appropriate/correct exercise which specifically suits their own goals needs and abilities. It is also vitally that before starting an exercise they get clearance from their Doctors, before they start any form of exercise.
NICOLE FULLER
MEET OUR SPORT PSYCHOLOGIST
MARTIN
SCHEEPERS
Martin Scheepers is a Counselling Psychologist and Sport Psychologist with over 20 years of experience assisting both individuals and couples manage personal stress, improve interpersonal relationships, anxiety and other life challenges.
As a Sport Psychologist, Martin has assisted national sports teams and individual sportsmen and women reach their full potential. Martin has worked with, amongst others, Bafana Bafana, the South African Women’s Hockey team, various teams in the Rugby franchises, the Strikers Cricket team, Olympic athletes in various disciplines, as well as young athletes and “weekend warriors” across sporting codes.
Martin has a passion for helping people transform their lives to enable them to reach their full potential, whether it is personal or sporting related.
