MARGARET

Before my breast cancer diagnosis, I had just trained to the max for a bike race and was as fit as I had ever been - racing alongside those 30 years my junior. For me, life revolves around being active and fit.

During my cancer treatment, daily exercise kept me in good spirits. Being able to swim, ride and run allowed me to feel somewhat normal and hopeful that I could regain fitness after treatment had finished.

In the past, there was the notion that cancer patients needed to be wrapped up in cotton wool, stay in bed and avoid anything "too strenuous". But current research has shown that exercise is actually an important part of cancer treatment.

I exercised almost every day throughout chemo, even if it was just a 15-minute walk.

After each cycle of chemo, I would plan my daily workouts until the next treatment.

If it was a three-week cycle, I knew the first week would need to be easy walks or bike rides (just to feel the breeze).

By the third week I would try to pick up the pace or increase the distance to those workouts I was doing pre-treatment.

I always exercised in the morning before I went to treatment as I often felt tired after ... as much with the process of the treatment as the actual treatment itself. There were days when I felt my body was telling me to take the day off and rest, and I did.

Chemo is feared by many, but I knew that my body was strong and I could work through the side effects. I wanted to end my treatment as fit and well as possible.

My advice is to work at the lowest level on days you feel unwell or take the day off ... but try to do something active on as many days as you can. Set a couple of goals and tackle them when you are feeling good! Having a trainer can help you get started, and it goes without saying always check with your doctor before exercising."

Margaret's Motto: "Your comeback will be greater than your setback."