Physical Fitness and its Impact on Cancer

Years of research have established that exercise is good for everyone. Physical activity improves health in numerous ways. It controls weight, strengthens the body, lowers the risk for disease and promotes emotional well-being.

In addition to these health benefits, researchers have discovered that exercise can impact cancer. A growing body of evidence shows that physical fitness plays an important role in reducing cancer risk. Despite the benefits, more than half of American adults do not get enough exercise.

How Much Exercise is Enough?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other national health organizations advise adults to engage in 30 minute of moderate physical activity at least five days a week. Those who participate in vigorous activities should work out for 20 minutes on at least three days a week.

Good moderate activities include brisk walking, hiking, bicycling, aerobic dancing and water aerobics. For more intense exercise, people can consider race-walking, running, backpacking, roller-skating and high-impact aerobics.

Calisthenics, stretching, and yoga are good examples of flexibility and balance exercises, which are have a place in a good exercise plan. Weight training, isometrics and exercising with resistance bands are good for strength training.

How Does Exercise Impact Cancer?

According to the National Cancer Institute, physical activity reduces the risk of developing certain cancers. Abundant research shows that exercise protects against colon, breast, prostate, endometrial and lung cancers. Regular physical activity also prevents cancer recurrence and increases the survival rate among cancer survivors.

What are the Benefits for Cancer Patients?

Men and women who struggle with painful cancer symptoms and treatment side effects also benefit from a cancer fitness program. Cancer takes a toll on a patient’s energy, emotions, appetite, sleep and more. Although many patients feel too tired and sick to exercise, physical activity actually increases their energy levels and combats the fatigue and nausea.

It also improves a cancer patient’s emotional health. Clinical studies and individual reports reveal that exercise lifts the mood and encourages a positive outlook. Even for those facing advanced mesothelioma and other late-stage malignancies, exercise gives patients a higher quality of life that allows them to face their challenges with determination and hope.

David Haas

http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/david/

Attention Springettsbury bootcampers: Unless we experience worse than average rain/storms tonight, class is on! We will be meeting at the amphitheater, so we will have cover. If class needs to be rescheduled, we will inform you via the website and Facebook by 5:30PM.

“If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don’t;
If you’d like to win but think you can’t,
It’s almost a cinch that you won’t,
If you think you’ll lose,
You’re lost;
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a person’s will,
It’s all in the state of mind.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stranger or faster hand;
But sooner or later
The person who wins
Is the one who thinks ‘I can’ ”

Saturday in the park, I think it was the 4th of July…ok, so it’s actually the 24th of September, but that’s not quite as catchy, is it? Stop by our booth this Saturday at Springettsbury Park during their Saturday in the Park celebration, to include food and entertainment. You’ll get the low-down on our new session of BraninBody Bootcamps, not to mention fantastic deals that we won’t be offering anywhere else! Come out between noon and 7 pm, and in case of inclement weather, the date will be changed to the following day, Sunday the 25th.
Now, you cannot tell me that “Saturday in the Park” is not stuck in your head! See you tomorrow!

Check out the details of event at the township’s website, www.springettsbury.com.

Good morning and congratulations on your choice to join us for four weeks of bootcamp this fall! If you have any questions, please visit our contact link above for our email and phone numbers or our Bootcamp page for details on class times and locations (Springettsbury Township Park or Lake View Park, Jacobus). With this deal, you are welcome to join us for four weeks at either location regardless of when the current class session started. We look forward to helping YOU reach YOUR individual fitness goals whether it’s to burn fat, get stronger, look better, feel better, or all of the above!

Evan and Kara Branin

According to the American Heart Association, low cardiorespiratory fitness leads to a higher level of mortality and coronary and cardiovascular disease, REGARDLESS of a person’s age, sex, and body mass index. In other words, even if you’re thin, if you can’t climb a couple flights of steps without being out of breath, you need to improve your cardiorespiratory fitness, so get up and move!!!! -K

Here’s a great article recently posted by ProGrade Nutrition. Enjoy! Click here.

Here’s a tasty appetizer without all the refined carbohydrates.

will need:
zucchini
tomato
onion
garlic
olive oil
seasonings

Cut zucchini into long slices, 1/2 inch thick.
Drizzle with olive oil; sprinkle with black pepper and Mrs. Dash on one side (this side up).
Bake at 400 for 10 minutes.

Chop onion and saute in olive oil. Halfway through, add 2 pressed garlic cloves. Season with black pepper and cook until tender.

Flip zucchini. Drizzle this side with olive oil, black pepper, Mrs. Dash, a little garlic salt, and parmesan cheese. Top with diced tomato.
Broil for 5 minutes.

Top zucchini and tomatoes with onion and garlic and more parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!

Alrighty bootcampers, who’s up for this? Let us know, and we’ll register as a group! Please leave your comment on this blog post to let us know if you’re interested. Check out Tough Mudder’s website here

BraninBody Bootcamp’s first 8-week program is a success! Members are getting stronger, leaner, and more fit each and every week. We couldn’t be more excited with their progress!

We are now planning our fall bootcamp class. Starting Saturday, August 20th, 2011, the next 8-week block will start. As the date gets closer, we will post details here and on our Facebook fanpage.

In the meantime, if you aren’t signed up for our current class, please feel free to drop in to any class for $10! Classes are still Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6PM, and Saturday mornings at 11AM.