A Fitness Role Model
- Actress and ’80s fitness guru Jane Fonda is pumped up to be working out with her trainer again, and she shares her excitement on Instagram. “I'm getting my muscles back! At 83!! Very happy. Wasn't sure this could happen at my age.”
- The breast cancer and skin cancer survivor was just honored at the Golden Globes on Sunday with the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille award, given for lifetime achievement in film. Highlights from Fonda's TV appearances and movies played in a montage that included footage of her workout videos.
- An expert tells SurvivorNet how important physical activity is for people with cancer. “The more physically fit you are going through your cancer treatment, the less side effects you’ll have and the faster you’ll get back to your normal quality of life.”
The cancer survivor, who was a top fitness guru back in the ’80s with her Jane Fonda’s Workout, has always been pretty healthy, but she has recently been kicking it up a notch, and shares her newfound enthusiasm on Instagram.
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Fonda has been posting more fitness workouts these days, and it’s inspiring to see.
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The New York native got down on a mat in a TikTok video last year (right after the pandemic lockdown started) and showed off some of her trademark leg lifts, while cutting in some old footage from her epic ’80s workouts.
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The Barefoot in the Park actress was honored at the Golden Globes Sunday with the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award, given for lifetime achievement in film. Highlights from Fonda's TV appearances and movies played in a montage that included footage of her workout videos, which the star started to fund her projects in activism.
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Jane Fonda on Cancer
"I've had a lot of cancer," Fonda said in an interview with British Vogue a couple of years ago. "I was a sun-worshipper. When I have a day off, I frequently go to my skin doctor and have things cut off me by a surgeon."
She had cancer on her lip, and was candid about it while promoting her show Grace and Frankie in early 2018.
"I just want to explain the bandage. I just had a cancer taken from my lip," Fonda said. "I thought it was going to heal in time before I came before you, but it's fine. I just want to explain it. I don't normally go around like this."
Fonda is also a breast cancer survivor, and announced the news in 2010 on her blog. “I had a scare with a non-invasive breast cancer but it is ALL OUT NOW!!!' She told fans how lucky she was and that they caught the “non-invasive” cancer early. “I want to thank my friends and fans who have written beautiful letters. It has meant a lot to me,” she said.
Fonda also told British Vogue that she had a mastectomy before the 2016 Golden Globes, when she was nominated for best supporting actress in Youth.
"I get out of the car and I have the strange white dress with all the ruffles? That's because I'd just had a mastectomy, and I had to cover my bandages,” she said.
Exercise and Cancer
Not only are these posts motivating for everyone to get up and get moving, but Fonda’s efforts show that men and women closer to Fonda’s age group can still work on their fitness. It’s always best to consult with a doctor to see what types of exercise may be right for you. For people living with cancer, it’s especially important to get exercise, as experts say that light workouts or even going for a walk can help manage symptoms from treatment, and keep your muscles and bones strong.
Dr. Sairah Ahmed, an associate professor in the Division of Cancer Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center, says that diet, exercise, (and stress control) are extremely important when going through cancer therapy, as well as once you’re done treating your cancer.
Dr. Ahmed stresses the importance of physical exercise. “The more physically fit you are going through your cancer treatment, the less side effects you’ll have and the faster you’ll get back to your normal quality of life.”
What to Know About Diet and Exercise if You Have Cancer
Experts also say that physical activity can even help prevent breast cancer. And for breast cancer survivors, a recent study found that exercise can also help prevent disease recurrence.
Exercise Can Lower Your Breast Cancer Risk
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