Resources
It’s hard to know what’s good and what isn’t. And who wants to spend their money on something that isn’t worth it.
Because of that, I’ve created this list of things that I find to be the best. Please note, I do not receive any funding from products mentioned on this website. That’s important because it means I recommend what I think it actually best, not who pays me to say their product is good.
Stuff to buY
Protein supplements
If the amount of food listed above is beyond what you can currently take in, you might consider a protein supplement. They are not all made equal. Look for products that are low in sugars (fewer than 4 grams) and actually high in protein (>20 grams) in each serving. Examples include:
Powders (to be mixed into milk, water, juice, food)
o Organic Protein and Superfoods by Orgain
Pre Made drinks
o Iconic (lactose, gluten, soy-free)
o Boost Max Women (lactose-free)
o Boost Glucose Control (contains milk)
Trackers
There is some evidence that tracking your activity during cancer treatment could be useful to your doctors. It will help you know how you are doing objectively, over time. If you would like to purchase a tracker, here are a few we like:
Least expensive:
Mid-range:
Most Expensive:
Weights
Individual dumbbells cost about $1 per pound.
If you start with 3, 5, 7, and 10 pound dumbbell pairs, it should cost you about $50 at a sporting goods store, Target, or Walmart. You can go back and purchase 12, 15, and 20 pound weights when you are ready. This approach avoids a large outlay of cash at one time.
Adjustable dumbbells.
This approach saves space and likely means you have all you will need without having to head back to the store later. There are several brands. Here are a few I recommend, all of them can be ordered online and delivered to your home.
PowerBlocks.
The Sport 24 set goes from 3-24 lbs for $169
The Sport EXP 5-50 stage 1 set goes for $369
Bowflex Home Gym Series 5-52 pounds
Trusted Resources about nutrition
• The American Institute of Cancer Research is connected to the World Cancer Research Fund and one of the most audacious projects in the field of Nutrition and Cancer: The Continuous Update Project, which seeks to continuously update the best science regarding exercise, nutrition, and cancer. Trust everything they say. www.aicr.org
• The American Cancer Society is a trusted source because of the remarkable quality of the scientists at ACS, and because they turn to published scientists in particular content areas before putting something on their website. (I know because I’m one of those experts to whom they turn before publishing online.) The ACS search engine is remarkable. If you search for something and don’t find it at ACS, it probably doesn’t exist. www.cancer.org
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the professional organization behind every registered dietitian. Their website does have articles relevant to those living with and beyond cancer. More importantly, their website can point you to an oncology nutrition specialist. Click on ‘find a nutrition expert’ in red on the home page. You can choose in person or telehealth options. Once you see the matches, click on ‘specialty’ to choose Cancer-Oncology Nutrition to match to nutritionists near you who are well trained to address your very specific needs. Some will take insurance, some will not. Eatright.org
A subset of AND is the Oncology Nutrition practice group, which includes even more reliable tips at oncologynutrition.org/home
Trusted Resources about Sleep
The National Cancer Institute has published several online pages about sleep problems and insomnia during cancer treatment
www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/sleep-disorders
www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/sleep-disorders-pdq
The American Cancer Society has multiple webpages devoted to sleep problems. Start here:
www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/sleep-problems.html
Trusted resources about Move
Here is a chair exercise video for you to try from MyVictory.com, if that seems like a good place to start
• MyVictory.com is a subscription service with over 2000 high quality exercise videos for people living with and beyond cancer. If you buy the Moving Through Cancer book, you get a free 12 month subscription to MyVictory to give it a try.
• Hire an exercise trainer with specific training to work with cancer patients. I strongly recommend Linda Gottlieb at www.fittraining.net who can do virtual sessions with you from any locaction.
• If you prefer to find a program near you, go to the Moving Through Cancer exercise program registry at the Exercise Is Medicine website. There are over 1700 programs loaded onto the registry. Many of them are free! Exerciseismedicine.org/movingthroughcancer
• There are multiple online options for exercise during and after cancer treatment. My favorite is FitSteps for Life, which includes prerecorded you tube style videos as well as live Zoom classes: cancerfoundationforlife.org/exercise-videos/
• Try the Cancer Exercise App. It was developed by expert Dr. Anna Schwartz and is available at the App Store.
• Talk to your oncology care team about a referral to a physical therapist or an exercise program. They may know of resources in your area and will tell you about them if prompted.
Trusted Resources about Lift
• Here is a handout of the basic exercises that you can print out and use at home
• Here is a video explaining these exercises from MyVictory.com
• Here is a video where the trainer does each of the exercises one time through, so you can do the exercises along with the trainer from MyVictory.com
• On our video page, we have alternative videos for strength training exercises when you feel you have mastered the basic exercises from Maple Tree Cancer Alliance
In addition, you may want to find a program of your own to follow. These are resources I trust:
• MyVictory.com is a subscription service with over 2000 high quality exercise videos for people living with and beyond cancer. If you buy the Moving Through Cancer book, you get a free 12 month subscription to MyVictory to give it a try.
• Hire an exercise trainer with specific training to work with cancer patients. I strongly recommend Linda Gottlieb at www.fittraining.net who can do virtual sessions with you from any location.
• If you prefer to find a program near you, go to the Moving Through Cancer exercise program registry at the Exercise Is Medicine website. There are over 1700 programs loaded onto the registry. Many of them are free! Exerciseismedicine.org/movingthroughcancer
• There are multiple online options for exercise during and after cancer treatment. My favorite is FitSteps for Life, which includes prerecorded you tube style videos as well as live Zoom classes: cancerfoundationforlife.org/exercise-videos/
• Try the Cancer Exercise App. It was developed by expert Dr. Anna Schwartz and is available at the App Store.
• Talk to your oncology care team about a referral to a physical therapist or an exercise program. They may know of resources in your area and will tell you about them if prompted.