A
breast cancer survivor, Darlene Maggio, 50 of Quincy, has different
fitness needs than most exercisers. To meet those needs Maggio, one of
the 10 million people in the United States with a history of cancer,
sought out a cancer exercise specialist, which is a new specialty
certification for fitness professionals. It’s being offered at the
Cancer Exercise Training Institute and the American College of Sports
Medicine, among others.
Laury Hale, a cancer exercise specialist at Fitness Unlimited in
Milton, said fitness trainers learn to adjust workouts for patients who
have had surgery or who are dealing with chemotherapy or radiation side
effects, such as nausea and fatigue.
“My motivation to add some specialized training for cancer survivors
is a direct result of seeing how this diagnosis changes everything in a
person’s life,” said Hale, whose mother is a cancer survivor.
“I try to approach personal training by looking at the whole person
– what motivates them, what stresses are challenging their fitness
goals, what other life experiences occurred before they made an
appointment with me,” Hale said.
Just a few months into Maggio’s training, Hale saw her client’s enthusiasm – and commitment – grow.
“She’s the kind of client I love to see coming through the door,”
Hale said. “Ready to go to work, willing to try new ways of training,
giving feedback that helps me design a better program and making an
investment in her future.”
Maggio has regained full range of motion and has lost 42 pounds.
Last September, her body mass index was 37.7 percent, which is
considered obese. Last month it was down to 25.1 percent.
Maggio underwent a lumpectomy and seven weeks of radiation.
“It scared me,” she said. “I told myself I only have one life and
wanted to be here for my son for many years to come. While it was up to
me to make it happen, I couldn’t do it alone.”
Recovering from cancer wasn’t Maggio’s only worry. Heart disease runs in her family.
“It wasn’t a matter of looking good in clothes anymore,” she said. “It was a matter of life and well-being.”
A personal trainer for seven years, Hale, 50, measures the success
of clients by them “just showing up, reaching goals that are specific
and reasonable, and taking advantage of several resources, not just
another walk on the treadmill.”
Hale uses medical history, postural analysis, range of motion exercises and strength exercises.
Cancer survivors and those undergoing treatment have unique needs in
terms of training, Hale said. She works with doctors and follows their
recommendations.
“The wide variety of treatments, surgeries, reconstruction options
and other variables makes it absolutely essential to keep any exercise
program a part of their continuum of care,” Hale said. She said that
assessments are done prior to training and at regular intervals during
training. The information is sent to clients’ doctors and caregivers.
Being flexible and realistic in terms of goals is key, Hale said.
“Responses to treatment can vary; fatigue is a huge factor during
and after treatment, and it is important to keep this in mind planning
an exercise program. Every aspect of a person’s life is affected once a
diagnosis is received: physical, social, emotional and mental.
“I know exercise can be a healthy response to the stress of this
disease, and believe it can also be an opportunity to have a measure of
control over your body and your life,” Hale said.
“Surviving cancer creates a ‘new normal’ – and I think exercise can be an important part of recovery.”
For more info, go to fitnessunlimited.com, or call Laury Hale at 617-698-0260, Ext. 40.
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