Lynn Lester Howland’s post-cancer fitness transformation story is truly inspiring. After being diagnosed with a life-threatening form of stage IV cancer, Lynn took it upon herself to make positive changes in her lifestyle using physical activity and nutrition as a cornerstone. Despite the challenges presented by her illness, she was determined to take control of her health and wellness journey—and that’s exactly what she did!
Not only has Lynn successfully completed multiple half marathons since beating cancer, but more importantly, she leaned on the power of exercise and healthy eating to help her recover completely from an experience that could have been devastating. Through passion, dedication, and commitment, Lynn has achieved peak levels of health and well-being—all while living with few side effects or downtime caused by chemotherapy treatments or other medical therapies used during this time period.
Let’s talk a bit about her story along with an actionable plan for all the cancer patients who are down and out now to get back to their lives:
Lynn’s Inspiring Fitness Story
Following her 2009 breast cancer diagnosis, Lynn turned to fitness and learned how to be resilient. Although she initially felt lost in the weight room, Lynn cut back on continuous cardio and became serious about gaining muscle. She was aware that the thing she could bank on to make her feel stronger was maintaining a slim, toned figure.
Lynn has beaten cancer and is putting her renewed strength toward creating a better future for her loved ones. Now that she has lost weight and is physically healthy, she is eager to take on new tasks with confidence and determination. Now, she claims, the gym is hers to do with as she pleases.
How could you do what Lynn did?
Well, the story is really inspiring, and it’s unbelievable how she managed to fight cancer and stay on top of her fitness goals.
But praising her is not enough, and if we really want to praise her for what she did, we believe it’s better to get on with our fitness journeys to change ourselves for good. Sounds good?
Let’s talk about the ways that can assist every cancer patient can make a fitness success story out of them:
1. Engage In A Physical Activity
Everyone may find it challenging to make time for physical activity for various reasons. However, the rewards for people who have survived cancer and are still through treatment make it well worth the time and effort.
Exercise has a wide range of health benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, enhancing mood and mobility, and relieving the discomforts associated with chronic diseases like cancer. In addition, it has the potential to reduce cancer recurrence and increase post-treatment survival.
You might begin by increasing your daily activity level slightly. The results of even a modest contribution can be significant.The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of moderate activity (like walking) every day and 2–3 sessions of strength training (such as stretching a
2. Strive To Stay At A Healthy Weight
Many people who survive cancer struggle with their weight due to the emotional strain of dealing with a cancer diagnosis, the physical discomfort of undergoing treatment, and the disruption of their regular habits. But we have got the example of Lynn. You already knew that despite all the odds, she did what many of us even failed to think.
It is normal for the body to undergo a period of transformation after cancer treatment. But one of the best things you can do for your health and quality of life is to make an effort to maintain a healthy weight.
Practical Tips To Stay At A Healthy Weight
- Stay away from sugary sodas.
- Make sure you’re getting enough shut-eye.
- Reduce your serving size and savor each bite.
- Reduce your time in front of the screen and attempt to spend more time on it.
3. A Balanced Diet Can Do Wonders
The best diet for cancer survivors is the same as the best diet for everyone else, which may come as a surprise. Eat lots of fresh produce, whole grains, legumes, and olive and canola oil for healthy fats. Also, reduce your consumption of fatty meats and dairy products.
Practical Tips To Get Desired Results
- Include fresh produce in your daily diet.
- Replace sugary cereals and white bread with whole-grain options.
- Reduce your consumption of convenience foods and packaged meals. Consider preparing meals at home instead, and not just buying them.
- While a balanced diet is optimal, those who frequently fall short can benefit from taking a multivitamin.
- To prevent food poisoning, it’s important to take precautions.
4. Take Care Of Your Mental Health
The events that follow a cancer diagnosis can have an effect on one’s mental and emotional well-being. Additionally, stress, anxiety, despair, and other related conditions are frequently experienced by survivors. As a result, it’s critical to give your mental health the same importance as your physical health.
If you ever think you might need assistance, speak with a medical practitioner. You can feel better with the use of treatments like medicine and talk therapy.
Wrapping Up
Lynn Lester-Howland is definitely an inspiration for all cancer patients and fitness freaks out there. After years of dedication to her health and fitness, she has finally overcome cancer. Her journey should motivate everyone to never give up on themselves, no matter how tough the situation might be.
So, if you have been going through cancer for a while and you have given up on the hopes, you better stay alive because you can still do it, and no matter what the world thinks, we believe in you.
Let’s do it!
