The YMCA Livestrong Program for Cancer Survivors

Recently I officially graduated from the Livestrong at the YMCA exercise program. I promised my instructors, as well as myself, that I would write a post about the Livestrong program upon my completion. So here goes…

For people like myself (the non-athletic type), signing up for any type of group exercise program is no easy thing to convince yourself to do.

When I was a kid, I loathed phyed class and literally jumped for joy when I was no longer required to take one. Luckily, all through my school days, I had loyal friends who kindly chose me to me on their teams. I avoided participating in sports then. I still do.

This does not mean I do not exercise. Heck, three years ago, days before my bilateral mastectomy, I participated in a 10K during the Fargo Marathon event. To this day, I’m not quite sure how I pulled that one off so close to my surgery. I crossed the finish line again a year later.

These days, mostly, I’m a walker. I walk my dogs or I walk on my treadmill.

But back to Livestrong…

I am not a fan of Lance Armstrong. I’ve never really had any opinions about the guy. I don’t care about his sport. I don’t care about his marriage breakup or the time he spent dating Sheryl Crow. I don’t care much about his Tour de France records standing or falling. I did not watch his interview with Oprah. I just don’t and never have formulated opinions about him or what he does/does not do.

Does the fact he disappointed so many people who do care about these things matter?

Sure it does; disappointing people is always tough for those on both sides of the disappointment aisle.

Last winter, when all the stuff about Lance was going down, a family member said to me, “Well of course, all the cancer survivors are standing behind Livestrong.”

Well, why not?

I stand behind Livestrong as well. I can easily separate Lance Armstrong the man from Livestrong, the foundation he began.

One thing I can say with certainty is that the free YMCA Livestrong exercise program for cancer survivors was a genuine gift that I was very grateful to have received. Every cancer survivor participant I have spoken with has said the same.

After a cancer diagnosis, during treatment and for a long time after (if you’re lucky enough to have an after treatment time), a person is very often weakened not only emotionally, but physically as well. I know I was and still am. Treatments can knock a person down. For me, my stamina, range of motion, flexibility and weight have all been dramatically affected.

The Livestrong program recognizes this knock down that the body takes following a diagnosis, but not in a condescending let’s feel sorry for the cancer people kind of way.

The instructors, at least mine, treated every participant with exceptional “normal-ness”.

My class had a team of floating instructors who gave each participant individualized advice, instruction, and encouragement. They pushed, but not too hard. They encouraged, but not in a patronizing manner. They offered instruction without pressure to perform in any certain way. They accepted each person’s ability level without judging. They offered compassion without pity. They were just really nice and more importantly,  genuinely helpful in trying to help each participant achieve her/his personal goals.

At my pre-admittance to the program interview, I also was given two binders generously filled with useful information about cancer and cancer resources. I was a bit past the need for this, but still have found them to be useful and informative. It’s nice to have these guides handed to you all nicely organized and ready to use. They are another perk of this program for sure.

If you decide to take advantage of this wonderful program in your community, before beginning you will need permission from your oncologist, or some doctor, to participate. You will be given a brief evaluation (not threatening at all and no scale involved!) of your physical abilities so your progress can be tracked. You will fill out a few forms. You will be asked a few general questions about your cancer and such.

Here’s the really great part – you will not be charged anything at all! This program is completely free.

Also, while participating in the Livestrong program not only do you get to take this class for free, you and all of family members living with you; get to use the entire YMCA facility free of charge for four whole months.

How great is that?

This commitment alone speaks volumes about Livestrong, the organization.

When your twelve-week class ends, once again there will be the follow-up forms, evaluations and maybe even a party! It’s fun to see proof on paper that you actually have improved.

Unfortunately, another observation I must also share is that my class slowly dwindled in numbers. This was due mostly to the nature of cancer. Several participants had to pull out and return to vigorous treatment regimens.

Such is life in Cancer Land.

It’s also worth noting that each week stories were shared and friendships developed. We did more than just exercise together; we listened to and cared about one another.

As for my own personal fitness goals, admittedly gains I made were very small. The scale numbers didn’t shift much in the right direction either. But that’s okay.

Small steps count too.

So, if you have ever thought about participating in your local YMCA’s Livestrong program, go ahead and sign up. You won’t be sorry you did! For more information, click here.

Finally, in case any of my wonderful Livestrong instructors are reading, I want to say, thank you. You guys and this program are great!

Have you ever participated in the Livestrong program?

How has your body taken a “hit” physically post diagnosis?

What’s your favorite form of exercise?

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