Back in July 2010, I ventured on a serious business of strength training, cardiovascular and weight reduction. I did this for a number of reasons, all in hopes of getting myself into a healthier state; both mentally and physically. Since I'm a breast cancer survivor (and rather young when initially diagnosed) I felt compelled to take my health in my own hands and meet with a physical therapist who also owns a fitness studio. He since, has put me on a strength training program in hopes of increasing the strength in my chest, (post mastectomy) and getting my lymphedema under control.
This, however, has not been an easy task. I've endured some sore days since it had been a while since tackling weight lifting. Keep in mind that since I do have lymphedema, the pounds that I lift are minimal. Now, I focus on slow, methodical lifting. Gone are the days where I tried to lift more and more weight to see just "how much can I lift?"
Now, almost 8 months later, not only have I lost weight, but I've also reduced a substantial amount of fluid in my arm. Both lymphedema therapist and trainer couldn't be more pleased, as am I.
With a new compression garment (the smallest to date!) I feel not only better about myself, but content knowing that exercise and diet does in fact manage lymphedema.
**A few excerpts from the American Cancer Society given to me from my PT/LT on weight management and lymphedema.
1) A Randomized Controlled Trial of Weight Reduction as a Treatment for Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema. American Cancer Society 2007; Shaw, Mortimer and Judd.
The conclusion: From the results of the “current study, we recommend that, for women and lymphedema related to treatment for breast cancer who are overweight, weight reduction should be considered as part of the overall management of their lymphedema”...... “Weight reduction should be integrated into the lymphedema management plan”....
2) Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing a Low-Fat Diet with a Weight-Reduction Diet in Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema. American Cancer Society 2007; Shaw, Mortimer and Judd.
The conclusion: “dietary manipulation in patients with lymphedema subsequent to breast cancer treatment appears to assist in the reduction of lymphedematous arm volume if body weight is reduced”.
