By now if you haven't heard of the health benefits of exercise and diet, then I'm quite sure you've been hiding under some huge rock. Seriously, excercise of any kind is very beneficial in the prevention of breast cancer. Although, to be painfully honest, I haven't been very diligent about indulging in my 30 minutes of daily exercise lately. But I most definitely am a huge advocate in getting out there and just doing something. If you're like me and not that enthusiastic about pushing yourself to the point of 'glowing'--a term my grandmother liked to use when referring to women in the South who sweat--then that's okay. So, if exercise was your New Year's Resolution--again--then let's get started. Initially, begin by walking for 10 minutes a day. Or if you have a little extra cash, invest in a little trampoline. You can jump, twist and shout to your favorite music while boosting your immune system and burning up some very unpopular calories. I love to just turn on the radio or tv in my case to the oldies or 80's station and dance. And, if you have a treadmill--well it's time to dust if off and stop using it for a clothes hanger. Remember, just 10 minutes a day at first and then add on 5 minutes and so on until you feel strong enough to make it 30 minutes and eventually your goal should be one hour. Walk to get your mail, and park a little further from your car in the parking lot, instead of playing Russian Roulette to get the prime spot that ensures you only have to walk 3 or 4 steps to be inside. Little things can make a big difference. If you have access to a pool, swimming is one of the best exercises you can do--and it's easy on the back and joints. Now, you knew it was coming - the dreaded D word...DIET! AOL News and Huffington Post both recently ran articles on the top cancer-buster foods that we should all include in our diets. And I have to be honest with you I was very surprised by the first two. Guess I've been hiding under some rock somewhere when it comes to hearing about foods I should be eating. Okay, so just in case you haven't seen these foods listed anywhere recently here they are: 1. Plums and peaches (I had no idea and yummy) 2. Walnuts 3. Brocolli...(one of the cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and celery that are great cancer fighters) 4. Salmon 5.Olive oil 6.Parsley ( hey, I thought that was just for decoration ...lol ) 7. Coffee ( now this one is going to put a smile on most everyone's face) 8. Beans 9. tomatoes (some say it's best to consume cooked tomatoes to reap the most benefits)
So, there you have it. Now, how about it? Let's all start living a little better by getting more exercise and eating more of these foods that can help our body fight off breast cancer. My mother used to call raw (uncooked) veggies 'live' food. By the way, studies also suggest that even if you tested positive for the BRCA or have 2 genetic mutations that increase your risk of getting breast cancer-- changing your diet and eating more of these foods can actually reduce your risk as well. And don't forget to take your suppliments like COQ10 and antioxidents that fight free radicals.
On a personal note, I just have to add that it's okay, (in my humble opinion), to treat yourself to your favorites every now and then--maybe a couple of times a week. A couple of chocolate chip cookies hot out of the oven or that bag of M&M's that's been calling your name all week now. Maybe a glass of wine or an occasional margarita--ONE only--on the weekend. My motto has always been everything in moderation, nothing in excess!
So what do you do to exercise? Have any fun tips you'd like to share with the rest of us? As Kelly always says, "Sharing is caring!" Cheers!
P.S. My daughter, Kelly, found the above image of Olivia Newton-John, one of my favorite people. Talk about a blast from the past! As I'm sure a lot of you are aware, Olivia Newton-John is a breast cancer survivor herself with her own inspirational story. I will be seeing her in November here at the Majestic Theater and can't wait!
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