Getting active with Cathy Nobil-Dutton, LCSW, CPT

If the start of the new year has you thinking about picking up more healthy habits, you are in good company. But keeping healthy resolutions can be a challenge.

To help support your efforts to be healthier in 2021, Living Beyond Breast Cancer CEO Jean Sachs, MSS, MLSP, spoke with licensed clinical social worker and cancer exercise specialist Cathy Nobil-Dutton, LCSW, CPT. They spoke about ways to stay motivated and help your resolutions become healthy habits. Ms. Nobil-Dutton also discussed why staying active is important for people both during and after breast cancer treatment, and how a cancer exercise specialist can help find safe activities that account for the effects of treatments like surgery and radiation. You can also follow along with her basic exercises to kick off your new year below.

Ms. Nobil-Dutton is available for consultations. Learn more at bodyesteem.org.

For more information on cancer exercise specialists and how to find one in your area, visit the Cancer Exercise Training Institute and the Pink Ribbon Foundation.

Cathy Nobil-Dutton, LCSW, CPT

Cathy Nobil-Dutton, LCSW, CPT, is the founder of Body Esteem. Cathy is a clinical social worker in private practice, certified personal trainer and health coach, certified cancer exercise specialist, and certified cancer navigator. Read more. 

 

 

Jean A. Sachs, MSS, MLSP

Chief Executive Officer, Living Beyond Breast Cancer

Jean began her work with LBBC in 1996 when she became the organization’s first executive director; she was named CEO in 2008. Jean brings a lifetime of women’s advocacy experience to her role as CEO. She lives LBBC’s mission everyday by speaking with newly diagnosed women about their needs and gaps in support. Read more.

Cathy’s basic exercises to kick off your new year

Try out these five simple exercises to jump start your exercise routine. They’re designed for people in active or past breast cancer treatment to help boost lymphatic drainage and work multiple parts of the body. You can do these exercises in your home, even if you have very little space. Start with the upper-body exercises, and then progress to the lower body. Doing the exercises in this order helps with draining the lymph nodes. And before starting any exercise routine, make sure to check with your healthcare provider.

Shoulder shrugs, circles, and squeezes

Work up to 10 repetitions of each exercise.

 

Cat and cow

Choose between the chair and floor versions of the exercise. Ten repetitions.

 

Squats

Ten repetitions. Your knees should line up with your ankles and should not move forward.

 

Planks

Work up to 10 repetitions.

 

Glute bridges

Work up to 10 repetitions.