Home → Day-to-Day Matters → Ask-The-Expert Conferences: Day-to-Day Matters → January 2006: Physical Activity and Breast Cancer → Routines for present good health and future?

Routines for present good health and future?

Page last modified on: October 7, 2008

Question from Reggie: What are your exercise routines? Are they designed for future good health, as well as feeling good and healthy now?: Answers —Miriam Nelson, Ph.D.: I feel very fortunate because I happen to love to exercise and I also get to do it for my work, in terms of that's what I study. I am a runner. I also do a lot of rock climbing, and depending on the seasons, I will bike or swim or ski. I tend to try to take advantage of the seasons, because I like the outdoors. I have three teenage children, so there was a long stretch when they were little that I barely hung onto my exercise routine. I finally told myself I didn't have to do it by myself, and the kids would grow up and I could get back into my routine. I love to think of exercise as being social, so I like to run with a team here at Tufts that runs a marathon every spring. I think of it as the future, but I also do it for now because it makes me feel good.; Julie Gralow, M.D.: I also incorporate exercise into my life for the present and the future. I am a jogger, not a runner. I run at a slower pace, and I've never done a marathon, although I have done a couple of half marathons. With Team Survivor Northwest, I regularly do a women's triathlon with short distances. With Team Survivor, I had a chance to ride my bike from Seattle to Portland, which is 200 miles, and do a variety of other activities, like the dragon boating. On a daily basis, it's more the jogging and bike riding. I found I need to commit in order to get myself out there on these gray winter days. So now, my husband and I have planned a week-long biking trip in Croatia in May, so that's encouragement for me to get out on my bike so I'll be in good shape for this trip. I know that if I sign up for something and I've turned in my registration, that will help get me out there more in advance.; Judith Sachs, moderator: I teach tai chi and exercise to senior citizens. My students, who are 75 and up, are my inspiration to keeping active. I do my tai chi every day. I do yoga and I jog. I bike in good weather. It is harder as I get older to feel that I can get past the aches and pains, and I just have to be very patient with myself.

On Wednesday, January 18, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Physical Activity and Breast Cancer. Miriam Nelson, Ph.D., Julie Gralow, M.D., and moderator Judith Sachs answered your questions about the many issues related to physical activity and breast cancer.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Miriam Nelson, Ph.D. is the author of the international best-sellers Strong Women Stay Young; Strong Women Stay Slim;Strong Women, Strong Bones; and other titles. She is Director of the John Hancock Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition and Associate Professor of Nutrition at the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.

Julie Gralow, M.D. is associate professor of medical oncology specializing in breast cancer at the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and director of breast medical oncology at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

Judith Sachs is a health educator, writer, speaker, and former member of the Breastcancer.org editorial team.