weight lifting

For many of the more than 2 million American women who are breast cancer survivors, life after their diagnosis can be the archetype of picture-perfect health. From eating copious amounts of fresh vegetables and fruit to faithfully adhering to doctor appointments, many breast cancer survivors lead incredibly healthy lives in an attempt to stave off a recurrence of their disease and keep their health in tip-top shape.

But one healthy behavior that breast cancer survivors have been discouraged to partake in is weight lifting, for it is believed that using weights and exercise machines induces swelling and pain around the breast tissue, particularly for those women who have a higher risk for lymphedema, or swollen and painful fluid-filled nodes that occur on the arms or on the hands. Women prone to lymphedema are often discouraged from lifting children, playing tennis or golf, or carrying a heavy bag. But according to a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine, these warnings from doctors may start to quiet down.

When I first started to lose weight, my number one goal was a smaller number on the scale. That was my sole focus. (Well, that and I REALLY wanted to wear a smaller pants size, if I’m being totally honest.) I never wanted to lift weights, never wanted to grow any muscle – I just wanted to avoid embarrassment if the tag on my shirt was sticking out.

Once I had been successful with the weight loss, though, I was still unhappy with the look of my body. Reading online one day, I was struck by the idea of lifting weights, but I didn’t want to bulk up. I gave it a try, though, and now I’m addicted. Lifting weights is terrific for women and the benefits are endless. Here are my top five.

There has been a constant battle between which foods are the right foods to eat after a long, hard workout. Honestly, I strongly believe that it depends on the type of exercise you are doing. Weight lifting is an anaerobic exercise, which means it is done with little or no use of oxygen. Jogging is an aerobic exercise, which requires the muscles and body to use oxygen.

So, according to the latest news about which foods are most beneficial after exercising, protein takes the cake. I honestly recommend eating within 15 to 30 minutes of working out and intaking a combination of the two depending on the type and intensity level of the workout.

After weight training, I recommend intaking more protein than carbs and vis-versa with prolonged running. The body needs both after long bouts of exercise to help replenish (carbs), rebuild (protein), and repair (protein) what was lost and broken down.

See Matt’s Top 10 Post-Workout Snacks.