When a routine mammogram revealed that Sheryl Crow had breast cancer, she was stunned. “It doesn’t run in my family,” she says of the disease. “And I’ve always worked out and been fit, so I figured I’d never get sick.

But when I was diagnosed, I realized disease isn’t about how fit you are. In my mind, it’s so much more about how you live your life and how much stress you’re under.”

Because the cancer was caught early, Sheryl was able to avoid radical treatment like a mastectomy or chemotherapy; after a lumpectomy and seven weeks of radiation, she was cancer-free.

Although she still gets mammograms and MRIs every six months (and will need to for the next two years), Sheryl is positive about the future.

“I do believe the cancer is gone,” she says, knocking on the wood table in front of her. “But I’m acutely aware every day that I had it — and I’m trying to do everything I can to prevent it from coming back.”

One of the things Sheryl is doing to stay well is focusing on her fitness routine. “I know now that daily exercise isn’t going to protect me 100 percent from illness,” she says. “But I still believe it’s an important way for a woman to keep her body healthy.”

Her home gym, which is well equipped with workout machines, is where she does half an hour of cardio on the elliptical or StairMaster, along with some light weight training or Pilates. “I used to do yoga, but now I love Pilates because of how it lengthens my muscles, which helps keep my body more agile as I get older.” [via]