If you haven’t already seen the link on our facebook page, you will likely find Kris Carr’s vlog posting on November 12 well worth a look:
http://crazysexylife.com/2010/vlog-16-exercise-vacation/
I thought it important to take a moment and clarify a few details about my “exercise prescription,” as she calls it; specifically, what I call “recovery aerobics.”
First, I must say it was a pleasure to meet the multi-talented, outspoken, engaging, spirited and proudly irreverent Kris Carr. Her energy is palpable and her enthusiasm and love of life contagious. Once you’ve entered her orbit, you can be quite certain you will never be quite the same. Diagnosed with an incurable cancer at the age of 31, Kris chose to leave her career as an actress/photographer and become a full-time “healing junkie.” And thus she has done just that. She gives new meaning to the word “inspirational” and her humor, wisdom and “take no prisoners” attitude is both empowering and humbling. If you’re not familiar with Kris’s journey, with her teachings – in a word – I encourage you to look for her vlog, website, documentary, and related endeavors.
Now, to the purpose of this posting. Yes, I “prescribed” a vacation for Kris. And yes, we discussed endurance exercise. However, she got the endurance aerobic thing just a bit topsy-turvy. From my perspective, endurance training is training to assist your body to better handle and endure a stressful event or period. I generally encourage about 30 to 60 minutes of endurance aerobics 5 to 6 times per week! The short 3 minute intensive aerobics that Kris references is what I call “recovery aerobics.” Essentially, I want you to train your body to do these intensive short bursts of fitness and then recover. It is the recovery - the return to your pre session resting pulse – that has the potential to significantly train your body to effectively hit a physical, chemical or emotional stress and bounce back – to recover! It is the lack of recovery that I remain most concerned about for my patients. If you have it, the complications and threats to your wellbeing and survival are far less a concern. There is also data to suggest that this type of training and the adaptation that can be successfully achieved over time, can favorably impact your longevity.
As to vacations, remember that while you are doing the respectable hard work at combating a malignancy, it is equally important for your health and yes, for your happiness, that you live and play even harder!
To your happiness and full recovery,
DocBlock
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