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Working Out After A Mastectomy Can Help Patients Heal. So Why Aren’t Doctors Suggesting It?

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Working Out After A Mastectomy Can Help Patients Heal. So Why Aren’t Doctors Suggesting It?

Kara Hennelly always took pride in staying active. In her 20s and 30s, she trained for and ran two half-marathons. In her 40s, as a busy pediatric emergency medicine physician in St. Louis and mom of three, she continued to prioritize working out, carving out time to exercise five days a week, mixing strength-training and spin sessions on her Peloton.

“After turning 40, I wasn’t so much focused on being a certain weight but feeling good about myself and feeling strong—that I could handle what life throws at you,” she says of her regimen.

That mental strength would become just as vital as her physical strength. In January, the then-44-year-old received a diagnosis that would change her life: She had hormone-positive, HER2 negative stage 3 breast cancer, which was discovered during a routine mammogram.

“When I saw the word ‘metastatic’ on my pathology report, I thought I was dying—that it had spread everywhere,” Kara recalls. “In truth, it is metastatic locally, meaning in my lymph nodes, but breast cancer is a whole other medical world to me.”

Kara opted for a double mastectomy, preceded by 16 weeks of chemotherapy. In the days and weeks leading up to her surgery, Kara tried to stay active. But with the physical ups and downs of chemotherapy, her routine certainly wasn’t as rigorous as it had once been. She did three days a week of “scaled down” strength-training, trying to be gentle with her body and taking as much rest as she needed.

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Kara Hennelly’s breast cancer was discovered during a routine mammogram in 2024.

So, by the time she was two weeks post-op from her mastectomy, Kara was itching to tie up her sneakers and hit the street. The only problem: She’d been given very little guidance about how to safely start reincorporating exercise.

“I was discharged the same day as my surgery, and my surgeons had me meet with a physical therapist before I left. They gave me a piece of paper with exercises you would tell your grandma to do!” Kara says with a laugh. “‘Put your arms to the side and do tiny arm circles!’”

At home, Kara tried doing her own research. “I was Googling the timeframes for certain activities: When can I run? When can I lift three-pound weights? I would’ve loved to have just a little more guidance on what to do to start building my strength back up.”

Meet the Experts: Marcella Fornari, DO, is a breast oncology surgeon at Atlantic Breast Associates in New Jersey. Sam Ciacci, PA-C, CSCS, a New York-based fitness specialist and founder of Bell Mechanics.

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If a literal doctor isn’t sure how to get back into fitness after a mastectomy, what’s the average woman to do?

The Big Exercise Question Mark

The road to recovery after a mastectomy is different for every woman—and is heavily influenced by the type of reconstructive surgery she’s undergone, according to Marcella Fornari, DO, a breast oncology surgeon at Atlantic Breast Associates in New Jersey.

If a woman chooses to go flat (a.k.a. not have implants), that’s typically the “easiest” surgical option in terms of recovery, Dr. Fornari says.

The next level up would be a mastectomy with implants, which is typically a four- to six-hour surgery, and often entails inserting temporary implants (called expanders). Over time, this creates space for the actual implants, which will be swapped in after about three months. Most patients will be sent home the day of their surgery.

The third option, which has the longest recovery time, is a DIEP flap reconstruction, which uses the patient’s own tissue (typically from the abdomen) to form the implants. That surgery typically takes eight to 10 hours and has a hospital stay of one to three nights.

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Once discharged, a patient is usually able to move around and care for themselves—within reason, says Dr. Fornari. “What I tell my patients is, you’re fully functional in that you’re going to dress yourself. You can go to the bathroom by yourself. You can eat. But you’re not doing anything strenuous. You’re not reaching up high for anything. You’re not scrubbing floors. You’re taking it easy.”

During recovery, some women may work with a physical therapist to begin gently gaining mobility and flexibility in their upper body, as many report feeling tight after surgery.

“What people with the expanders will tell me is it feels like they did a thousand pushups, or it feels like they have two bricks on their chest,” Dr. Fornari says. “It feels tight and makes you want to hunch over to keep those muscles on top of the implant from being stretched out.”

Typically, about four weeks post-op, women will be cleared to resume exercising their upper body. But what that should look like remains under-studied.

“I don’t know anything in the literature that even looks at that,” Dr. Fornari says of how to return to exercise post-mastectomy. “Even in our training, it’s not like there’s anything in our textbooks or in fellowship that we focused on.”

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This lack of knowledge leaves women vulnerable—and at potential risk of injury. If she goes too hard too fast at the gym, she could, for instance, pop a stitch, resulting in a hematoma (a.k.a. a pooling of blood) that could necessitate returning to the operating room. (Though this is rare, says Dr. Fornari, it is something to be mindful about.) Less dramatically, she could be left with general swelling or soreness.

Dr. Fornari’s blanket advice: “You just have to listen to your body. You’re not going to go back in and go straight back to where you were. Ease yourself in, and if it doesn’t feel good, then step back and work yourself up again.”

Trial and Error Leads to Epiphany

Intuitively, Kara began following a similar approach as she got back into running.

“I started walking three days after surgery—just up the street and back, very slow,” she says. She waited until her four-week post-op check-in to pick up her pace to something resembling a run.

“I was finally like, I’m just going for the run,” she says. “I think it was a 16-minute mile. I could have walked it faster, but it just felt good to move.”

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Kara kept building up her stamina and distance. One day she was able to run 5k without stopping. Then she quickened her pace, notching 15-minute miles instead of 16.

“I’ve just been slowly adding, going up to four miles or trying to work on going a little faster,” she says.

In the strength-training department, she’s taken a similar trial-and-error approach. Right now, a tricep dip—which had been part of her typical routine prior to surgery—seems intimidating, so she’s swapped in tricep kickbacks instead. Bicep curls with 15 lb. dumbbells feel good, so she’s doing those too. “I just want to feel like I have my strength back,” Kara says.

That need to reclaim her strength and feel at home again in her body is a familiar one to Sam Ciacci, PA-C, CSCS, a New York-based fitness specialist and founder of Bell Mechanics. Sam underwent her own double mastectomy in February 2023, following a stage one breast cancer diagnosis.

And just like with Kara, Sam was sent home with scant information about how to get back into fitness following her surgery.

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Sam Ciacci, a New York-based certified strength and conditioning specialist and founder of Bell Mechanics, underwent a double mastectomy in February 2023, following a stage one breast cancer diagnosis.

“I was told for the first two weeks, don’t lift anything heavier than five to 10 pounds and don’t go overhead,” she says. “Then, once I got the clearance at about four to six weeks, I could return back to activity. That was it.”

Sam heard similar stories on her breast cancer message board, which planted the germ of an idea. As a personal trainer with a background as a clinician, maybe she should be the one to create a program for women just like her.

“There’s no guidance,” Sam says. “I’m not accepting the [recommended] wall walks or little range-of-motion exercises. I don’t think that’s enough.” After all, she reasons, the shoulders and arms are connected to the rib cage, so it doesn’t make sense to work them in isolation. Instead, Sam incorporates moves that mobilize the entire torso.

As she began working weights back into her regimen, Sam took copious notes of what worked and what didn’t. After a year of tinkering, tweaking, and tracking, a structured fitness program emerged, which she called HER Journey. The 12-week program, which incorporates both strength and cardio, takes women through three progressive four-week phases, each building towards the next.

The healing phase focuses on mobility and range of motion. “You’re not having to lift heavy weights,” Sam says. “You’re just doing reps and getting the volume in. You’re getting back into your squats, into your presses.”

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Next comes rebuild, which begins focusing more on strength-training. “That is more loading—or decreasing the reps and increasing the weight,” she says.

Finally, comes empowerment, which adds explosiveness to the movements. “The new exercises that they learned, we’re going to do it with heavy weight and we’re going to work on doing it fast,” she says.

The program is designed to be done with a handful of equipment like bands, dumbbells, kettlebells, and medicine balls. And while it’s meant to take three months, Sam stresses that there’s a lot of flexibility built into the plan. If a woman feels like she needs an extra week or two in the healing phase, for instance, she can take it. The program is about building both strength and confidence.

“I really want to educate through this program, so women feel empowered and confident to know, I can lift this weight, if I do it safely and do it correctly based on how Sam’s teaching it—and I can go heavier,” Sam says. “That is when the transition from a fragile to an anti-fragile mindset begins to happen.”

And a woman can feel like her body is, finally, once again her own. One user who tested Sam’s program said that the plan made her feel more confident.

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“The program was easy to follow and progressed at a speed that didn’t feel overwhelming but was still challenging,” she says. “I was so happy to see the difference it has made in just one week and I’m excited to continue this journey.”

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Amy Wilkinson is an entertainment editor who also specializes in health and wellness. When not editing or writing, she can be found teaching Pilates as a comprehensively certified instructor.

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Adults hop on viral ‘rebounding’ trend to make exercise fun again — ‘I feel like a kid’

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Adults hop on viral ‘rebounding’ trend to make exercise fun again — ‘I feel like a kid’

Forget boring home workouts, on-demand HITT classes and cold winter runs.

The latest wellness trend bouncing around TikTok involves a workout you might not even realize you’re doing, and that’s the point. It’s called rebounding. This low-impact exercise involves jumping on a mini fitness trampoline — called a rebounder — to get your heart pumping and support lymphatic drainage.

On Amazon, this best-selling model is currently on sale for just $129. It measures in at just 40 inches, making it ideal for small spaces while still offering room for an adult to jump, squat and jog in place. Users swear it gives them a seriously effective full-body workout, and many remark that it’s “so much fun” to use.

Clinical trials also back the benefits: a 12-week rebounding program for overweight women showed significant improvements in body composition as well as a decrease in diastolic blood pressure.

Ready to jump on the rebounding trend, too? You’d better hop on this Amazon deal fast.

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This sleek rebounder by BCAN is sturdy and easy to set up, thanks to pre-assembled bungees and simpel video tutorial.

Reviewers say it’s completely changed their workouts, with one remarking they “feel like a little kid again.” Others have also noted it’s much easier on their joints than higher-impact exercises.

“It absorbs impact well and allows for a nice, smooth rebound that is gentle on the joints, making it perfect for a low-impact cardio workout,” one person explained. “Whether I’m doing high-intensity intervals or simply bouncing for fun, the movement feels fluid and responsive.

The BCAN model features an upgraded handlebar for added stability. It’s 8mm premium bungee — with a durable woven outer layer and a 350-strand natural latex core — delivers smooth, quiet bounces, so you can enjoy your workout without disturbing others.



This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter. As a health-forward member of Gen Z, Miska seeks out experts to weigh in on the benefits, safety and designs of both trending and tried-and-true fitness equipment, workout clothing, dietary supplements and more. Taking matters into her own hands, Miska intrepidly tests wellness products, ranging from Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Longevity Mix to the viral Oura Ring to Jennifer Aniston’s favorite workout platform – often with her adorable toddler by her side. Before joining The Post, Miska covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette.

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Fitness trainer with 18 years of experience shares why exercise is crucial for kids: ‘Not just about health and fitness’

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Fitness trainer with 18 years of experience shares why exercise is crucial for kids: ‘Not just about health and fitness’

Exercise is often spoken about in the context of physical fitness – stronger muscles, better stamina and improved overall health. But its value, especially for children, extends far beyond the body. Regular physical activity can quietly shape character, teaching lessons about effort, patience, discipline and resilience that mirror how the real world works. From learning to cope with discomfort to understanding that progress takes time, exercise can become a powerful training ground for life itself.

Exercise is important for kids. (Image generated via Google Gemini)

Also Read | Chennai fitness trainer with 18 years of experience shares 5 simple things to focus on for long-term fitness

Chennai-based fitness trainer with 18 years of experience, Raj Ganpath – founder of the Slow Burn Method, co-founder and head coach at Quad Fitness, and author of Simple, Not Easy – is shedding light on why exercise is important for kids, with the benefits going beyond health and fitness. In an Instagram video shared on February 27, he explains how the impact of exercise extends far beyond physical wellness, shaping resilience, discipline and long-term character development.

Embracing discomfort

According to Raj, exercise is one of the healthiest ways to help children learn how to sit with discomfort in a safe, structured and sustainable way. Life inevitably brings challenges and unease – something adults understand well – but many children today are shielded from situations that test their resilience.

He explains, “Exercise is a great way to experience this discomfort in a safe and sustainable manner. Lifting weights, holding a plank, doing cardio, repping till it burns, all of these things are opportunities to embrace discomfort, opportunities to put themselves in a place where they’re not comfortable and learn from it, opportunities to practice physical and mental resilience.

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Learning hardship

The fitness trainer emphasises that hardship is an inevitable part of life, and meaningful success often requires pushing through moments of difficulty. While most adults recognise this truth through lived experience, children may not always have the same exposure to challenge. Raj believes exercise can bridge that gap.

He elaborates, “It will teach them that they need to do hard things if they want to accomplish something. Getting through a very hard workout, setting a goal and achieving it, completing a task. All of these things are not just random chores. These are incredible opportunities – opportunities to experience hardship and build fortitude.”

Delayed gratification

In today’s fast-paced world, the desire for instant gratification is stronger than ever – and children are growing up at the centre of it. With technology, streaming platforms and 10-minute delivery services, almost everything is available at the tap of a screen. As a result, the ability to wait, persist and work steadily towards a long-term goal can easily take a back seat. Exercise, notes Raj, offers a powerful counterbalance.

He explains, “Everyone wants everything right away today. This is true for us adults too, but it is even more true for our kids because this is the only world they know. A world where everything happens right then and right there, whenever they want it, wherever they want it. Exercise will teach them to wait, to be patient, to trust the process, to fail and still keep going, to work towards something larger that they will get much later. This is a very important character building quality and will serve them well for many, many years to come.”

The fitness trainer concludes, “Exercise is not just about health and fitness. It is a simulation of life itself. A ready-made character building tool available to you to help prepare your kids for life, the raw and real life that they’re going to have to deal with no matter what. So make sure they build the habit and make sure they embrace it.”

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Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

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What Are “Movement Snacks”? How To Try This Trending Fitness Hack

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What Are “Movement Snacks”? How To Try This Trending Fitness Hack

The World Health Organization says the average adult is supposed to get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity five days a week, which sounds somewhat doable until it’s 9 p.m., your kids are finally in bed, and you just want to fall onto the couch and dissociate. But more and more people online are talking about “movement snacks” — little bite-sized amounts of exercise you can do throughout your day to meet your 60-minute goal without having to make special time for one big workout. Because yes, we all want to be our healthiest, but sometimes a HIIT class at the gym is just not in the schedule.

We asked personal trainers and fitness coaches for their favorite movement snacks you can do in the office, around the house, and on busy weekends when everyone’s home.

How much exercise is a person really supposed to get?

While the WHO recommends 60 minutes a day, the CDC is a little more lax, recommending at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week, or about 30 minutes a day, five days a week. While it may feel like you’re the only one struggling to fit a workout into your daily routine, you’re far from alone. In fact, it’s always been hard for most Americans. So, while movement snacks may be a cute new term we’re all hearing for the first time, fitness pros have been promoting bite-sized exercise forever.

“I work with busy professionals, so I’ve been integrating micro workouts of two to 10 minutes into my clients’ lifestyles for almost 20 years,” says Andrea Marcellus, certified personal trainer and CEO of AND/life.

The most important thing for your health isn’t getting all your daily movement done in one big, perfectly curated workout — it’s about being consistent, Marcellus says. Movement snacks can help you stay consistent because you don’t have to budget a big chunk of time; instead, you can fit something simple into your day when you have three minutes to spare. Hell, you don’t even have to change clothes or go anywhere.

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“Most people think movement only counts if it’s a workout. That mindset is what keeps people sedentary. In reality, your body doesn’t care if steps come from a hike, a gym session, or pacing when you’re on a call,” says Lindy Royer, physical therapist and balanced body educator. “This is where you win the game — by stacking movement into things you’re already doing.”

Movement Snacks To Try Throughout Your Day

  • Set an alarm on your phone to chime every hour — that’s what women’s fitness coach Allison Kalsched tells her clients. When it goes off, stand up and do 10 bodyweight squats. Then go back to work. When you get tired of squats, mix in walking lunges, push-ups (it’s fine if they’re modified!), or dead bugs. Throw on 30 seconds of jumping jacks or high knees for bone-building benefits, which is important for women in menopause, she adds.
  • Take a micro walk. “Five minutes or 500 steps is my absolute favorite,” says Dr. Milica McDowell, doctor of physical therapy, author of the forthcoming book Walk, and exercise physiologist at US Physical Therapy. “It changes mood, lowers blood pressure, boosts mental clarity, and can help you get your cumulative steps in.”
  • Dance to your new favorite song with your kids or all by yourself. “Dance party was big with my kids after dinner,” Marcellus says. “It takes four to 10 mins and helps kids burn off dinner energy, while also giving parents a metabolic boost.”
  • Stop and do 60 reps of any full-body exercise, like squats, lunges, or jumping jacks — this usually takes about two minutes, no matter which one you choose, Marcellus says. Or, hold a plank for one to two minutes.
  • Pair walking with habits that already exist to get your steps in, like marching in place while brushing your teeth or doing a lap inside the house while your food is in the microwave. “This means you’re not adding time — you are upgrading your time,” says Royer.
  • Count your housework. Sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, general domestic labor — these things totally contribute to your total exercise time each day, says Royer.
  • If you go up or down the stairs at home, just… do it two or three times. That little extra here and there adds up, according to Royer.

The best advice is to focus not on “how can I move right now?” but “how can I do something that isn’t sitting right now?” Royer says. “The real truth that most people ignore is that sedentary time is the real enemy, not a lack of workouts. Focus on breaking up your sitting time. Build in frequent movement snacks. You’re not looking for perfection, just something more than nothing. You don’t need more time; you actually just need more conscious efforts to move.”

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