“Struggling a little this morning. Hard to exercise because of fatigue. Frustrating.” - A MyLeukemiaTeam member

“I had to lie down today and take a very long nap because the pain is wearing me out so much.” - A MyLeukemiaTeam member

Staying active with leukemia can be challenging. Fatigue, pain, muscle weakness and other condition-related symptoms can make it hard to perform household tasks or just get out of bed each day, let alone exercise. For those who led an active life before diagnosis, coping with the side effects of leukemia can be challenging.

On your “good days,” regular exercise—even walking slowly—can boost mood, improve sleep, and speed recovery from treatments. It may even help you get back to your ideal weight.

Members of the MyLeukemiaTeam community who stay physically active say they feel stronger and more upbeat about life. Many look forward to their daily walk, yoga, or lap swimming, even when they’re feeling tired or discomfort.

Several members swear by the benefits of staying active and encourage others to start as soon as possible. “I stopped walking much at all [after diagnosis] and now six years later, I started again,” said one MyLeukemiaTeam member. “It has made me feel great, really.”

Other members who have gained weight during treatment look forward to shedding those unwanted pounds. “Exercising helps so much!” said one member. “I did not do enough of it during my year and a half of treatment and a stem cell transplant. Now I’m paying the price.”

Walking: A Popular Start

The first step: Set simple activity goals, such as walking the dog or trekking to the mailbox a few times a day.

Walking is a great weight-bearing exercise that builds bone, and a popular first step to getting back in motion. “During treatment I would stay active doing ‘laps’ around the nurses' station," recalled one member. “Make sure you walk every day even when you don’t feel like it," advised another.

As you build strength, gently step up your activity. Several members recommend yoga. One member said, “I took yoga to gain back...confidence and slowly got stronger. You can do it but it does take time. Meditation is also helpful."

Taking care of family can be a workout in itself. “Yeah, I get exercise, I babysit my 3-month-old granddaughter 50 hours per week!!!” quipped one member. 😄😄😄

Be realistic about what you can—and can’t—do. When you’re ready, get clearance from your doctor. You can ask them for guidelines about safe exercises and how to set reasonable goals.

Do you struggle with staying active? Have you found ways to keep moving on your good, bad, and so-so days? Share your experiences in the comments below or start a conversation on MyLeukemiaTeam.com.