Just when you think…

Just when you think…

It can not get any better, it does.

People will not give anymore, they do.

You will not be supported, you are lifted.

Four years ago, I started the Competition for a Cure to honor my wife’s mother, Marilyn Schuenke, who lost her battle with breast cancer when my wife was 15. I vowed to honor her memory, my wife and her family.

The first year we raised $800. The second, we doubled to $1,600. Last year, we raised $11,000!

So you can understand my fear that it would not be better then that. Just when you think it would not, it did!

This year with the help of so many we raised (so far, there is still more coming in!) $12,500. There is more hope then ever that we can get rid of this disease so daughters can stop losing their moms, husbands their wives and moms their daughters. Whatever part you played in this success, I thank you.

At the beginning of the event, I told everyone that one day I hope that I won’t have to put on this event because they would have found a cure. We will keep fighting. We will keep supporting. And, we will keep hoping.

P.S. I am still taking donations so if you would still like to donate, please let me know and i will tell you how to do so.

Transformation Contest Winners!

It is my great pleasure to announce the winners of the transformation contest. Before I do, I want to shed a quick background. This contest started the first week of February and went until the last week of March. Yes, do the thinking… That is through most people’s spring break. Everyone that participated won in someway. For some it was the education, for others it was the accountability through the time of the year. Remember, the winner gets a 3 month nutritional coaching membership and $100 credit at the gym, which values around $500.

Male winner- Sean Taylor lost 15lbs and 8.5 total inches off his body. He changed some simple things in his diet and saw massive results.

Female winner- Jeanne Lasheff lost 11lbs and 7.5 total inches of her body. This was her second go around with the contest and after making a firm commitment saw great results.

The contest was for 8 weeks and although weight loss is a component for both winners it was also about a lifestyle change. Little things like water intake, meal frequency and timing all played factors.

The next transformation contest will be at the end of the year. If you are interested in the next time please send me an email now to reserve your spot.

Too many diagnosed!

Recently I have had a number of people in my life diagnosed with some sort of cancer. It seems this disease in its many forms is ever present.

I was approached by David Haas, a cancer support group and awareness program advocate at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance after he had been following my posts and he wanted to share some information of his own. So here it is. I hope you find it helpful.

Exercise and Active Substitutes Fight Fatigue and Other Cancer Symptoms

Can mesothelioma cancer patients exercise during treatment? Is exercise safe for breast cancer patients after surgery? Can people with leukemia engage in physical activities? The answer to these questions is “yes,” pending doctor approval.

Traditionally, cancer doctors prescribed limited physical activity and plenty of rest for their patients. But modern clinical research shows that exercise is both safe and possible for cancer patients. In fact, physical fitness is now highly recommended for people with most types of cancer.

Exercise, Cancer, And Fatigue

Extreme fatigue is one of the most bothersome symptoms of mesothelioma, breast cancer, leukemia, and other types of cancer. Physical exercise does not seem like a logical way to combat this fatigue. But a 2009 study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that exercise might be the best solution. The research showed that physical activity among leukemia patients greatly reduced symptoms of fatigue and depression, while it also improved heart health and quality of life.

This is good news, not only for people with leukemia, but for all cancer patients. Similar studies show that the health benefits are universal. Most patients can engage in some type of physical activity, depending on their age, fitness, cancer type, cancer stage, and treatment method. And they will reap significant health benefits. Unless they experience pain, breathing difficulties, or heart rate problems from exercise, patients should not hesitate to get moving.

Exercise Recommendations For Cancer Patients

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the best physical fitness programs include aerobic activity for the heart and lungs, flexibility exercises for the joints and muscles, and strength training for the bones and muscles. Cancer patients can benefit from even small amounts of activity, scattered throughout the day. Small steps are always the best place to start, and regular exercise is easy to accomplish when patients realize the implications for cancer treatment and recovery.

People who exercise at moderate intensity levels should get at least 150 minutes of exercise each week, or thirty minutes a day for five days. Those who exercise vigorously can cut that number to 75. Most physical fitness programs combine intensity levels and spread the activity throughout the week.

Active Substitutes For Exercise

Of course, some patients are unable to participate in a full-fledged fitness program. Breathing difficulties, heart rate issues, or recovery from surgery may limit the types of exercise they can do. The ACS suggests several “active substitutes” that most patients can easily handle.

Walking, dancing, and active vacations are good substitutes for physical exercise. Other substitutes include walking instead of driving, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and riding a stationery bike while watching television. The important thing is that cancer patients are active throughout the day.