There are many reasons why balance exercises should be part of our function fitness goals and workout programs.

Side effects of chemotherapy, getting older, being less active, all of these can affect your balance.

Our body has a natural way of trying to compensation and most of the time you won’t even notice.

Your stride will get a little shorter and a little wider.

You’ll bend forward at the hips a little bit (and then a lot) as you walk.

This can be a good thing in the short term to keep you safe but it’s also a detriment.

Your body becomes used to these changes and they become your natural way of moving.

If you’re wondering about your stride and if you’re walking properly, make sure to grab your Free Guide:

Breast Cancer Guide to Pain-Free Walking

Why You Need Balance Exercises

You train your body to compensate for your problems.  And as this happens you start losing vital tools that help you function.

Your core becomes weaker.

Your glutes stop firing.

Your hip flexors get tighter and tighter.

Your agility decreases.

Fine movement and proprioception become non existent as you use only the large muscles to navigate your surroundings instead of letting the body explore and figure out the best way to adapt and improve.

The body works as one amazing machine with all the small parts playing a roll.  And timing is the key.  When one part moves, another part tightens.  As one part exerts a force, another part supports.

We don’t need to think about it because it’s reactionary.  When you reach for your knife and fork to eat you don’t consider having to flex your shoulders, extend your elbows, grip with your hands, and manipulate the utensils with your fingers.  Think about the time it would take if you had to go step by step through this thinking process.

We’ve trained our body through repetition, teaching it what we need.  

But this happens both for the good habits and the bad habits.  If you were the little kid sitting in the classroom as the teacher tried to ‘force’ you to change the way you held your pencil you know how firmly the body holds onto its habits, sometimes making them almost impossible to break.

Starting with Balance Exercises

So that’s why I can get a little pushy.  I want you working on things NOW.  Because I know it’ll be easier now than it will be in the future.  Yes, it can still be done, but I’m trying to save you time, energy, a load of fatigue, and of course, get you feeling better sooner.

I’ve heard patients say “I’m not quite ready.”  And yes, this can be true for many reasons but that’s the mind talking, not the body.

The body is ready NOW to make the changes to help it acclimate to the easiest and most successful way to function.

I want you to try today’s #mondaymoveswithmarian.

I want you to go through this slowly, with conviction of movement.  And with a positive attitude.  I don’t care if you can’t do it now.  I care whether or not this is a great balance exercise for you, a way to stretch your hips, and a way to engage your core.  If it’s tough, it’s a great exercise.  

If it’s easy, let’s move forward on our #foundationsfirstframework.

Let me know if you’ve got questions.  I want you to succeed!

And for more information of working through ranges of motion grab the free

Breast Cancer Guide to Pain-free Walking

Click Here for your Free Guide