Inspirational Health For Men
- Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has undergone multiple surgeries for heart health issues, has just turned 78 and celebrating by working out, eating good food, and offering fitspiration for his fans.
- According to our experts, there is strong evidence that moderate-intensity aerobic training and/or resistance exercise during and after cancer treatment can reduce anxiety, depressive symptoms and fatigue and improve health-related quality of life and physical function. However, as always, going through cancer or not, listen to your body and be sure not to push too hard.
- Overall, prioritizing your mental and emotional health by doing things that make you happy can be very beneficial during a cancer journey. Living your passion and doing things that bring you joy every day is how people take control back from cancer.
The Austrian-born American bodybuilder, who has undergone three open-heart surgeries over the past 28 years and recently had a pacemaker fitted, took to social media on July 30 to inform his fans what he was doing to celebrate.
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RELATED: What You Need to Know About Aging
In the footage, Schwarzenegger tells his fans, “Today is my birthday. I’m 78. I mean, it’s not an exciting day, I have to say that because around the number like 75 or 80 is much better, much spicier.
“But nevertheless, here we are, driving around, bicycling, getting my fitness workout done, and then I’m going to lift some weights, and then I’m going to eat some good food, and all of those kind of things, and then tonight we’re going to celebrate.”
He continued, “So anyway, thank you very much for all the happy birthday wishes from all of your members from the Punk Club.
“You guys have been terrific. I love you, and let’s continue on working to get better.”
Expert Resources to Help You Live a Healthier Lifestyle
- Recommendations for a Healthy Lifestyle: One Doctor’s Advice for Cancer Survivors
- Mental Health and Cancer — The Fight, Flight or Freeze Response
- Mental Health: Understanding the Three Wellsprings of Vitality
- Major Reduction in Cancer Risk by Following Old Standbys Diet and Exercise
- Mental Health: A Guided Breathing Exercise to Help Manage Anxiety
We’re overjoyed to see Schwarzenegger doing well and prioritizing his health as he ages, and it’s prompted praise among his fans, with one commenting, ” Happy Birthday, Great Man! You are the best. You are one of a kind. Wishing you all the very best, Arnold.”
Another commented, “The legend himself. Still outworking the world one sunrise at a time. #RespectTheWork.”
A third wrote, “Arnold, Happy Birthday! You are a great man who has changed this world for the better. Everyone who steps into a gym and picks up a barbell or a dumbbell knows and remembers your name. Without you, bodybuilding wouldn’t be what it is today.
“You are the greatest bodybuilder of all time. Thank you for everything you’ve done and continue to do. May the road ahead be long and filled with good deeds, strength of spirit, and inspiration.”
Another Instagram page, dedicated to Schwarzenegger, shared throwback photos of the bodybuilding icon working out.
“Celebrating the boss’s birthday by treating you all to some classic shots from the archive,” the post was captioned.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Heart Health
We’re glad Schwarzenegger is continuing to stay fit, especially because of his heart health history.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Arnold’s Pump Club podcast, the former body builder said, “I had surgery for a pacemaker and became a little bit more of a machine.”
Schwarzenegger had a pacemaker put in because of an irregular heartbeat.
He continued, “I know a lot of you are probably dealing with your own health challenges, and I want you to know that you aren’t alone.
“If you’re putting something off out of fear, I hope I inspire you to listen to your doctors and take care of yourself.”
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Back in 1997 he underwent elective heart surgery to replace an aortic valve that was defective.
He later had a heart valve replacement in 2018, an aortic valve re-replacement in 2020. His pacemaker was put in last year.
Schwarzenegger has come a long way since he rose to fame in the ’60s and ’70s as a competitive bodybuilder, winning the title of Mr. Olympia seven times, then became a globally-known action star in the 1980s and ’90s after moving to Venice Beach, California where he made Gold’s Gym his home gym.
Reaching Milestones
Whether you’re living with a cancer diagnosis or some other condition, it’s common to gain an added sense of gratitude along your journey. When milestone moments arise, either during or after a cancer battle, they have a more significant meaning.
According to Cancer.net, patients and their support groups, which include loved ones, may engage in activities to help recognize and celebrate memorable milestones.
These activities include planning a nice dinner or party-like gathering and spending time donating money or volunteering to a cancer charity. Perhaps the way you memorialize your cancer milestone could be independent of others. Examples include a solitary walk-in nature and allowing your senses to take hold while you reflect.
How to Live a Healthy Lifestyle
For cancer patients, there are many advantages to maintaining a healthy lifestyle during and after treatment. The general recommendations for a healthy lifestyle are similar whether you have cancer or not.
Medical Oncologist and Hematologist Dr. Ken Miller shared some guidelines for cancer survivors who are concerned about a recurrence with SurvivorNet:
- Exercise at least two hours a week, and walking counts.
- Eat a low-fat diet.
- Eat a colorful diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. The American Cancer Society recommends aiming for two to three cups of vibrant vegetables and fruits each day.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Studies have shown that being obese can increase your risk for several types of cancer.
“The more physically fit you are going through your cancer treatment, the fewer side effects you’ll have and the faster you’ll get back to your normal quality of life,” Dr. Sairah Ahmed told SurvivorNet.
Dr. Ahmed is an associate professor in the Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, Division of Cancer Medicine, at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Understanding Aging & Additional Tips
We’ve all heard phrases like “Age is just a number,” but what does that mean? And how does it impact our health and well-being?
From the day we are born, our bodies and minds start to change and grow. This continuous process is, fundamentally, what we call ‘aging.’ Life is a journey filled with countless changes, and aging is an integral part of that journey. Quite often, when we talk about aging, we focus on the physical changes, but it’s also about the evolution of our mental and emotional states.
SurvivorNet has provided an overview of aging to guide you through this universal process.
Some key points to remember about aging:
- Aging is a natural biological process that affects everyone.
- The experience of aging can vary greatly among individuals.
- While aging comes with some inevitable changes, many aspects of aging are influenced by lifestyle choices and attitudes.
RELATED: Body Image In Your 80s: How Workout Queen Jane Fonda Finds Peace With Vanity & Cancer
- With the right information, support, and proactive strategies, aging can be a rich and fulfilling stage of life.
- Aging isn’t something to fear or shy away from—it’s a phase of life that we all share.
How Can Diet Affect My Cancer Risk?
Healthy aging isn’t just about accomplishing medical check-ups or managing illnesses. It’s also about maintaining a high quality of life as you age, keeping your body and mind as robust as possible, and living life to the fullest. SurvivorNet has put together some tips that can help you age healthily:
Physical Activity: Try to incorporate at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise into your daily routine. This could be walking, cycling, swimming—any physical activity you enjoy!
Nutrition: Eat a balanced diet heavy on fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Limiting processed foods, sugars and unhealthy fats can make a big difference in your overall health.
Social Engagement: Stay socially active. Whether it’s attending family gatherings, participating in group hobbies, volunteering, or just catching up with friends, maintaining social connections can significantly enhance your emotional health and well-being.
Mental Stimulation: Engage in activities that stimulate your mind. This could include reading, doing puzzles, learning a new skill or language, or even playing memory-boosting games.
Regular Check-ups: Don’t forget about your regular medical, dental, and eye check-ups. Prevention is always better than cure!
Sleep: Good sleep is vital for your overall health. Practice good sleep hygiene – keep a regular sleep schedule, make your sleeping environment comfortable and quiet, and try to avoid screens before bed.
Remember, consistency is the key. Building these habits and making them part of your daily routine can potentially slow down the aging process and improve your overall well-being.
Even small steps can have a significant impact, so it’s never too late to start. After all, aging is just another word for living. And our aim should not be to just live longer, but to live healthier and happier.
The Role of Diet and Exercise in Cancer Risk
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
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