Facing some serious side effects from prostate cancer hormone therapy, two weeks ahead of my Lupron androgen suppression therapy (ADT) injection I began to exercise regularly. And eat less, with better nutrition.
In those two weeks I have lost six pounds and my blood sugar is under glycemic control.
The day before yesterday I had my ADT injection. And after that, I went directly to the gym. And I plan to continue to do so, through fatigue and other issues. By telling myself:
This is for your life.
And it is. With high-risk prostate cancer that includes Gleason scores of 8 and a PSA of 49, at this point hormone therapy is a necessity and will have a direct impact on my survival.
I am optimistic that staying active while on the therapy will help me to offset depression, maintain a healthy weight, and minimize muscle loss and bone weakness.
And even if I end up gaining weight or having other problems, I know that they will not be as severe as if I had not exercised.
Hit the gym
After not working out for several years, I found out that my Medicare Advantage plan covers a free gym membership. So, I called a nearby Planet Fitness and went in for a visit.
Planet Fitness is a self-proclaimed “no-judgement zone.” No comments, gawking or pressure from others means a comfortable workout environment for everyone – young and old.
The staff are very friendly and helpful, and after a quick tour I decided to sign up. And I am so glad that I did.
The membership at Planet Fitness includes a consultation with a fitness trainer to develop a workout plan for your individual fitness needs. My goals were for strength training, for my arms, chest and stomach.
The trainer developed a workout plan for three days a week. Alternating days are for 30 to 45 minutes of cardio activity (walking, riding my bicycle, swimming) and the seventh day is to rest. It looks like this:
All workouts start with a warm-up and core training (toning the midsection) and end with stretching
Day 1: Chest, shoulders and triceps
Day 2: Cardio
Day 3: Lower body
Day 4: Cardio
Day 5: Back and biceps
Day 6: Cardio
Day 7: Rest
The trainer showed me how to do the exercises and use the equipment, and she printed out the workout plan to help me remember the exercises.
The routine is effective, and I have not experienced any exercise-related pain after the workouts. And I have felt great.
Morning exercise
I work out early in the morning, when I have more energy. And in addition to the gym I have signed up for an arthritis aquatic class that starts on September 9 and hope to start doing lap swimming as an additional option for a cardio activity.
Since I am a diabetic, the morning workouts took some adjustments with respect to my morning meal and medications.
I have found that taking my diabetes medication early in the morning saps my energy. So on gym days I eat a small no-sugar breakfast (a bowl of no-sugar cereal and unsweetened vanilla almond milk), which holds me through the workout.
I then take my diabetes medication after the exercise – taking it sooner negatively affects how I feel while I am exerting myself.
Please note: this is not a recommendation – just something that I have found that works for me.
The important thing about starting a new exercise routine, especially as a diabetic, is to be cognizant of your body’s needs for nutrition and medication as they relate to your morning activity.
And the most important thing, as a diabetic and a prostate cancer patient – is to stay as active as you can.
Be well.