The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center will present FreshStart! a free eight-week lifestyle program geared to help cancer survivors adopt healthier behaviors, Jan. 26-March 16.
Cancer survivors now make up 4 percent of the population in the United States and are more likely to have health issues like obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, lung disease and cardiovascular disease after a cancer diagnosis.
With the help of supporters like Cooking Light magazine, this program is designed to help make nutritional, exercise and stress management changes easier.
Participants will meet with trained professionals and experts to talk about the following topics:
- Jan. 26: Nutritional Coaching: A nutritionist will cover special topics related to cancer survivors
- Feb. 2: Nutritional Coaching: An oncologist will talk about “Food as Medicine”
- Feb. 9: Cooking classes held at the new Cooking Light kitchens of Southern Living
- Feb. 16: Exercise Coaching: A cancer-specialized exercise physiologist will teach participants easy ways to become more active
- Feb. 23: Exercise Coaching: A specialized counselor will lead a gentle yoga dance experience
- March 2: Exercise Coaching: A cancer-experienced yoga professional will lead a gentle, restorative class
- March 9: A cancer-experienced instructor will use guided imagery, meditation and other mindfulness-based stress techniques
- March 16: A cancer-experienced therapist will lead a creative art session designed to help survivors alleviate stress
Please check with your doctor before making diet and exercise changes. Registration is required online. Space is limited for this free program that will require an eight-week commitment. For more information, please contact Teri Hoenemeyer, Ph.D., M.S., director of Education and Supportive Services at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, at tgw318@uab.edu or 205-934-5772.