Last week I went for my the CT Scan of my belly button. The CT Scan didn't take me any more than a 1/2 hour total including parking and walking to and from my car. This study is very organized. I found out today that my randomization puts me into the the 30 minute fitness group instead of the 60 minute group. I was hoping to be in the 60 minute group however this might be a blessing in disguise.
Today I was called by one of the fitness trainers from the study and wishing me a happy birthday and telling me that they had a birthday present for me. I could start my fitness program. Because I will be on vacation next week and out of the city I will start my first fitness session and orientation on Feb 7th. I am excited!
Reflections on my journey in my 12 months of fitness. Moving from the couch to the stairmaster, running and other activities.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Wearing an accelerometer
What a strange sensation to think that my every move is being monitored! I quickly forgot about the equipment and went about my daily morning activities however then I suddenly felt that I should be moving more than normal…all this by a piece of equipment strapped around my waist that I cannot feel or hear. Interesting. Of course I just did my normal activities instead of increasing what I do because the device is measuring what my activity rate is now and will check and see what will be at the end of the study so it needs to be accurate to capture this information for the study.
Next will be my CT scan and then the real work begins!
Next will be my CT scan and then the real work begins!
Friday, January 14, 2011
How I got into the program
In the middle of October of 2010 I learned of a Breast Cancer Beta Fitness study that was looking for participants when I was sent an email by a friend. Because my mother had breast cancer and also a friend I was interested in seeing if I qualified for the study. The same evening went to the website for the study and then email and called their office and left a message. The next day on Global Calgary News Hour there was a news item detailing the study.
By the end of middle of November I was invited to an information session at the Tom Baker Cancer Center in Calgary about the study to find out more to see if I was still interested. As they explained the requirements of the exercise commitment I wondered if I would be able to do it but thought I should at least give it a try. I was nervous but excited that I might be able to participate in a study that would make a difference in a devastating illness.
The coordinator of the program explained that if I was going to participate in the study that I would have to commit to being randomly selected to being assigned to an exercise program that was either 30 or 60 minutes per day. Three days per week I would have to attend the Westside fitness centre and meet with a fitness trainer and then two days I week I would have to work on my own at the fitness centre or somewhere else. That evening we had several forms to complete in order to continue and they took one full hour to complete. We also had forms to take home and complete and return.
The next part of the journey was to book an appointment to attend the Tom Baker Cancer Centre to have blood drawn. That was easy. You sit and they remove the vials for their study. A couple of days after the blood draw I contact the coordinator to see if I was able to continue and she yes, that I was healthy and could continue to the next step.
The next step was to take place on Dec 16 where I would have to do a fitness treadmill test, weight, height, waist and hip measurements. Unfortunately that day when I woke up I had laryngitis and I went to the appointment because I was unable to cancel it and they said that it was not a good idea to proceed because I was probably getting sick and I did! The next opportunity to do the fitness test was on Jan 13th! I now had to wait almost a month to get to the next step.
By the end of middle of November I was invited to an information session at the Tom Baker Cancer Center in Calgary about the study to find out more to see if I was still interested. As they explained the requirements of the exercise commitment I wondered if I would be able to do it but thought I should at least give it a try. I was nervous but excited that I might be able to participate in a study that would make a difference in a devastating illness.
The coordinator of the program explained that if I was going to participate in the study that I would have to commit to being randomly selected to being assigned to an exercise program that was either 30 or 60 minutes per day. Three days per week I would have to attend the Westside fitness centre and meet with a fitness trainer and then two days I week I would have to work on my own at the fitness centre or somewhere else. That evening we had several forms to complete in order to continue and they took one full hour to complete. We also had forms to take home and complete and return.
The next part of the journey was to book an appointment to attend the Tom Baker Cancer Centre to have blood drawn. That was easy. You sit and they remove the vials for their study. A couple of days after the blood draw I contact the coordinator to see if I was able to continue and she yes, that I was healthy and could continue to the next step.
The next step was to take place on Dec 16 where I would have to do a fitness treadmill test, weight, height, waist and hip measurements. Unfortunately that day when I woke up I had laryngitis and I went to the appointment because I was unable to cancel it and they said that it was not a good idea to proceed because I was probably getting sick and I did! The next opportunity to do the fitness test was on Jan 13th! I now had to wait almost a month to get to the next step.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The journey from inactive to active
I have decided to write this blog on my journey in the Beta test for the Breast Cancer fitness study for several reasons.
First of all I guess that I am writing this blog for a very selfish reason. I want to write it because I feel that it might help me stay motivated for the year that this study will take to complete. A year is a long time to stay motivated about exercise if you haven't done any. I know that in the beginning it will be easy because it is new, exciting and I am going to contribute to findings that will improve a woman's health but as time goes this elation will turn into mundane day to day hard work. I want to make sure that I record my thoughts on what is important to me and why I have decided to participate. In this way I will be able to look back and refresh when I feel frustrated.
My second reason is again for selfish reasons and it is to let me friends know how I am doing as I proceed though this year long journey. I want to share with them my trials and tribulations and am hoping that they will also cheer me on to success. This is going to be at times a difficult journey and I will need my family and friends in the side lines cheering me on.
My last reason for the blog is to record my ups and downs for myself as I journey through my new goal and also I will know my progress. The study will evaluate my progress at prescribed times however I want to evaluate my own progress to see if this is making any difference to my health in general. I am a healthy person but inactive and I am hoping by the end of this study that I will have a new view on exercise and incorporate my new ways into my life style!
Now let me tell you how my journey began and where I am.
First of all I guess that I am writing this blog for a very selfish reason. I want to write it because I feel that it might help me stay motivated for the year that this study will take to complete. A year is a long time to stay motivated about exercise if you haven't done any. I know that in the beginning it will be easy because it is new, exciting and I am going to contribute to findings that will improve a woman's health but as time goes this elation will turn into mundane day to day hard work. I want to make sure that I record my thoughts on what is important to me and why I have decided to participate. In this way I will be able to look back and refresh when I feel frustrated.
My second reason is again for selfish reasons and it is to let me friends know how I am doing as I proceed though this year long journey. I want to share with them my trials and tribulations and am hoping that they will also cheer me on to success. This is going to be at times a difficult journey and I will need my family and friends in the side lines cheering me on.
My last reason for the blog is to record my ups and downs for myself as I journey through my new goal and also I will know my progress. The study will evaluate my progress at prescribed times however I want to evaluate my own progress to see if this is making any difference to my health in general. I am a healthy person but inactive and I am hoping by the end of this study that I will have a new view on exercise and incorporate my new ways into my life style!
Now let me tell you how my journey began and where I am.
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