Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

As 2013 approaches, I was wondering if there is any interest in a thread for whoever wants to check in periodically as desired about how they are doing with any health promoting goals they set for themselves. Some things about cancer are totally out of our control but there are lots and lots of proactive choices we can make that can make a real difference in our health and how we feel. Even small positive changes can add up and writing down a healthy lifestyle goal that you want to achieve and how you are going to do it can be a great first step.

Being overweight is known to increase risks for breast cancer reoccurrence and poorer outcomes. I've gained a bunch of weight I want to take off so getting down to my ideal weight in the coming year is one of my personal goals. My initial aim is to lose the first five pounds with healthy eating and exercise and then build on that foundation.

Today is the first day of the rest of our lives and we don't have to wait for New Year Resolutions to start making some small, simple changes that promote health. Some may want to wait til the holidays and it's extra culinary temptations to be over to start major dietary changes if that's on your agenda but taking the stairs instead of an elevator or parking a bit further from the store in a parking lot when doing Christmas shopping this week can mean more weight bearing exercise which promotes strong bones.

Here are a few healthy lifestyle ideas below that are known to improve health that I can think of off the top of my head. Maybe others have more they'd like to add.

-Adding more fruit, veggies, and whole, unprocessed foods to our diet. When we eat a "rainbow of colors" (and I'm not talking Fruit Loops here ;), we are loading up on cancer-fighting nutrients
-Taking a walk every day. Even a short one does a body good to get moving
-Losing excess weight
-When in treatment and appetite is nill, choosing to eat health promoting foods and staying well hydrated whether one feels like it or not
-Cutting down or eliminating smoking
-Going to bed earlier/getting more sleep
-Drinking plenty of water (Some people recommend drinking half your weight in ounces of water--ie; someone 150 pounds would aim for 75 oz of water/day)
-Stretch when watching the news
-Getting daily fresh air and sunshine
-Reducing junk food/sugar
-Nipping defeated, negative thinking in the bud
-Getting in more fiber
-Taking time to relax and de-stress
-Making sure that you get in at least one enjoyable activity every day
-Laugh and sing more
-pump light weights or use a resistence band for strength training three times a week while being careful with extremities which have had lymph nodes removed
-Juicing
-Adding nutritional supplements
--Flossing our teeth every day is a healthy heart choice (It lowers the risk of stroke!) in addition to our gums and teeth loving it
etc

The possibilities for making progress is limitless!

It can be motivating to work on healthy lifestyle goals together with others. Accountability as desired and mutual support and encouragement can also be powerful tools in making progress. Is there any interest here in a thread for folks sharing the progress they are making with their own healthy lifestyle changes they are working on?

Here's to our health!

Paula

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

count me in Paula-I love your suggestions and I am going to make changes-good ones that will help me become fitter and healthier-we could check in every now and again to see how we are doing and support each other. Ok everyone sin up now!!!!

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

I like the idea. These lifestyle improvements are a big part of my strategy...

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

Paula,

You are just what I needed today. Of course the bacon for breakfast was really tasty, lol.

I've printed the list and am posting it up.

Count me in too.

PS. I did get a good laugh on foleyjsr5's typo: everyone sin up now! Yep, I think being hedonistic is a big part of my problem.

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

I'm in! I just started weight Watchers 2 weeks ago...AGAIN. Sheesh. It was great going in for Vit H yesterday and being down 5# from 3 weeks ago!

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

I am with you folks all the way! The research seems clear that physical activity to the extent that makes you sweat reduces recurrence. I am reading that daily for 30 minutes is ideal. So I go to the gym most days each week, unless I work strenuously in the garden.

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

I really like this plan!!! Would like to shed about 20 lb that has crept up on me over the past 10 years. I have decided (since last June) to eliminate meat/dairy from my diet and be as VEGAN as possible. It is a lot easier than I first thought. I am also very concerned about the GMO foods that are rampant in the food chain. Trader Joe's brand claims to be totally non-GMO. Healthy eating has become an enjoyable pursuit!!! Have also discovered a vegan restaurant chain called The Loving Hut. They are scattered throughout the country and make the dining out experience a blast!!! Dont know if anyone has heard much about the desperate condition of our ocean's fish...a chef I know told me the other day that since the Japanese tsunami and the nuclear power plant disaster, that all the ocean's fish (yes I said ALL) are now radioactive.
Here's to healthy lifestyle choices!!!

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...50391008_n.jpg

It's wonderful to have you guys join me. Anybody else who also wants to be a part of working on healthy lifestyle changes of your choice and sharing about it here--feel free to jump right in whenever is good for you. Everybody welcome. It doesn't have to be about food--pick whatever you want.

Wooohooo for you, Carlatte on those first five pounds biting the dust right in the middle of a gazzilion food temptations before Christmas! Congrats :)

There's a book I have found very helpful this year--I've read it a couple of times. Here are a couple quotes from “Made to Crave"" by Lysa Terkeurst. (Cheapest place to look for it is at www.AllBookStores.com if you are interested)

"I was made for more than to be stuck in a vicious cycle of defeat."


"When I am considering a compromise, I will think past this moment and ask myself, “How will I feel about this choice tomorrow morning?”

----------------

Here's something else I read that I am considering as I plan for success today:

"Every time you eat or drink, you are either feeding disease or fighting it."

Guys, let's fuel our bodies in such a way that we are building our bodies up and not tearing them down.


Have a great day, everybody!

Paula

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

"When I was in high school, I loved playing football. It was, and still is, my favorite sport.But there was one part I hated...those first two weeks of practice in August, when the temperature often hit 100 degrees.Coach Kilzer, however, knew the importance of those two weeks and he "took no prisoners"...the agility drills, the grueling windsprints, and finally the dreaded laps. I still have nightmares about those five laps around the field in full pads following a three-hour workout.My body after those first few days was so sore I could hardly get out of bed each morning. But as each day passed, the pain would lessen, and after three or four weeks, the transformation of being in "football shape" would happen.Breaking bad habits is no different. The physical and mental pain can be grueling, whether you're trying to exercise more, smoke less, drink less, eat healthier, or work less...it's never easy.But the benefits to your health and to your attitude can be priceless. Breaking a habit starts with courage, ends with discipline, and is fueled by desire.

I saw this recently, and would like to share it with you.I am your constant companion.I am your greatest asset or heaviest burden.I will push you up to success or down to disappointment.I am at your command.Half the things you do might just as well be turned over to me,For I can do them quickly, correctly, and profitably.I am easily managed, just be firm with me.Those who are great, I have made great.Those who are failures, I have made failures.I am not a machine, though I work with the precision of amachine and the intelligence of a person.You can run me for profit, or you can run me for ruin.Show me how you want it done. Educate me. Train me.Lead me. Reward me.And I will then...do it automatically.I am your servant.Who am I?I am a habit.

The author of the above is unknown, but the words are right on target. If you make good habits, they in turn will make you. But like the weeds in the garden, bad habits can take over your life. Make a decision today to pull those weeds."
Live with Passion,Mac AndersonFounder, Simple Truths
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Ten days left in 2012, including today. You guys ready to make some brand new healthy habits and boot out the ones for good that do not serve us well?If yes, HOORAY! If not, we can choose to "Just do it anyway" then say "HOORAY"!. The first part of just getting started when it comes to change can be the most challenging then it gets easier. Are you beginning your new healthy habits now or in 2013? You get to choose what works best for you without guilt and not worry about being in any kind of race with anybody else. You can do this in your own time, at your own pace,and make it a great plan, a custom fit that you can REALLY carry through.


If you are comfortable sharing,what are your goals and how are you going to reach them? I love that God gives us fresh starts 24/7/365. Past mess ups can be dealt with and left behind, beit wishing we did't regain weight once lost, being disappointed that we are now out of shape but once were, or had quit junk food or coffee and it's back or lack disipline in getting to bed at a decent time, or whatever you want to work on. Maybe you want to start with one simple positive change and build on that rather than tackle everything all at once. Or perhaps it works best for you to make change on a bunch of fronts at the same time. You pick then go fer it! It feels really,really good to take excellent care of ourselves and fight cancer every way we can. Healthy habits can make a big difference. We have a brand new year ahead with lots of blessings right around the corner.

Paula

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

I'm in!

For 2013 I am going to try my hardest to:
1. Exercise at least 4 times a week.
2. Meditate
3. Eat less sugar or cut it out completely (this is going to be a tough one)
4. Laugh more

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efwRFVHpDOE

Dr. Mina Bissel of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory sats down with Dr. Harness at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium and talked about diet and exercise. This lady is a dynamo, was given special recognition/an award at the symposium for her work, and delivered a great talk at SABCS.

OK--let's move these bodies and get our microenviormments on full alert for any stray cancer cells. How about get out for a nice walk TODAY?

Europa--you GO Girl! You've got yourself some super duper goals. :) Anybody else want to share their plans?


2013 is our year to get healthier and fitter!

Paula

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

Here's some motivation for us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaIn...e_gdata_player

This is good.
Paula

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

These links might be helpful:

http://nyti.ms/W1gTEU

http://soc.li/MO4Z44Y

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

My internist mentioned this article published in the Times recently. I have not yet read thoroughly but will and will also be looking for health apps. Recommendations are appreciated:

http://nyti.ms/ZBHW1C

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

good idea Paula.
my onc strongly believes in exercise.
Like others, I gained lots of weight in chemo and haven't been able (strong-willed enough) to shed it but maybe this coming year.
In our cancer support group, we've discussed nuitrition a lot and basically I'd say cutting out or down on all dairy products is a big one - less or no: milk, cheese, yogurt (yes yogurt is dairy!!!), etc. and sugar.
juicing is fun once you get into it but you have to clean the juicer immediately or it is impossible to clean. Carrot with a little apple and ginger - yum!
water - we could all drink more water
fruit - yes good also
less or no red meat
I'm in. Let's talk about what we're doing and maybe about weight loss!!???!!!!
health and happiness
sarah

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

This is a very nice app for tracking food/exercise:

MyNetDiary (9.99)

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

This was posted in a "NEWS" thread very recently but is relevant here and a decent read:
Healthy Lifestyle During Menopause May Decrease Breast Cancer Risk Later On
To read the full article, please go to:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/254322.php

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

Karen/Paula loving this thread and have downloaded the app My fitness Pal - it is great and I can't believe that by breakfast I have had daily sugar recommendation just with Raspberries banana and muesli!! (toasted muesli may have to go!)

May have to omit the rest of NYE entries though!!

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

You've got some fine goals, Sarah! Kuddos to you.

Nice info Karen.

Jenny--amazing how sugar adds up. Diabetics count a half of a banana as one serving. Low glycemic index fruits can be helpful when cutting back on all sugar. In my book, there's a world of difference between the natural, unprocessed sugar we get in fruit versus Coke, M & Ms, etc.

2013 is right around the corner. As we think through goals of progress in healthy life style changes we want to make in various areas, we need to discard any kind of "I Can't do it" type defeated thinking, leaving the past behind and going forward to better choices. Here's a story about kids below that illustrates that point well and moving past it and onto, "I can. I will and I'm going to do that right now".

There's also a tremendous handy-dandy book New York Times Best seller of the past that I'm about to re-read. I mentioned this motivating book today and gave a link for reading the intro and first chapter online for free in the "For those interested" thread in the keeping your mind off breast cancer section if a Christian perspective is of interest to you.

How about we each give one or more specific, written, attainable short term goal for a healthy lifestyle change for this week and then follow up on how it's going? If you fall down, no big deal--just get right back up. Put your goal in the present tense and make it happen! The odds of reaching a goal go up tremendously when we write it down then proactively aim for it. It's been said that if you shoot for the moon, even if you miss you'll reach the stars. :) We can get where we want to go one step at a time.

Paula



-------------
The I Can't Funeral

by Author Unknown

Donna's fourth grade classroom looked like many others I had seen in the past. The teacher's desk was in front and faced the students. The bulletin board featured student work. In most respects it appeared to be a typically traditional elementary classroom. Yet something seemed different that day I entered it for the first time.

My job was to make classroom visitations and encourage implementation of a training program that focused on language arts ideas that would empower students to feel good about themselves and take charge of their lives. Donna was one of the volunteer teachers who participated in this project.

I took an empty seat in the back of the room and watched. All the students were working on a task, filling a sheet of notebook paper with thoughts and ideas. The ten-year-old student next to me was filling her page with "I Can'ts". "I can't kick the soccer ball past second base." "I can't do long division with more than three numerals." "I can't get Debbie to like me." Her page was half full and she showed no signs of letting up. She worked on with determination and persistence. I walked down the row glancing at student's papers. Everyone was writing sentences, describing things they couldn't do.

By this time the activity engaged my curiosity, so I decided to check with the teacher to see what was going on but I noticed she too was busy writing. I felt it best not to interrupt. "I can't get John's mother to come for a teacher conference." "I can't get my daughter to put gas in the car." "I can't get Alan to use words instead of fists."

Thwarted in my efforts to determine why students and teacher were dwelling on the negative instead of writing the more positive "I Can" statements, I returned to my seat and continued my observations.

Students wrote for another ten minutes. They were then instructed to fold the papers in half and bring them to the front. They placed their "I Can't" statements into an empty shoe box. Then Donna added hers. She put the lid on the box, tucked it under her arm and headed out the door and down the hall.

Students followed the teacher. I followed the students. Halfway down the hallway Donna entered the custodian's room, rummaged around and came out with a shovel. Shovel in one hand, shoe box in the other, Donna marched the students out to the school to the farthest corner of the playground. There they began to dig. They were going to bury their "I Can'ts"!

The digging took over ten minutes because most of the fourth graders wanted a turn. The box of "I Can'ts" was placed in a position at the bottom of the hole and then quickly covered with dirt. Thirty-one 10 and 11 year-olds stood around the freshly dug grave site. At this point Donna announced, "Boys and girls, please join hands and bow your heads." They quickly formed a circle around the grave, creating a bond with their hands.

They lowered their heads and waited. Donna delivered the eulogy.

"Friends, we gathered here today to honor the memory of 'I Can't.' While he was with us here on earth, he touched the lives of everyone, some more than others. We have provided 'I Can't' with a final resting place and a headstone that contains his epitaph. His is survived by his brothers and sisters, 'I Can', 'I Will', and 'I'm Going to Right Away'. They are not as well known as their famous relative and are certainly not as strong and powerful yet. Perhaps some day, with your help, they will make an even bigger mark on the world. May 'I Can't' rest in peace and may everyone present pick up their lives and move forward in his absence. Amen."

As I listened I realized that these students would never forget this day. Writing "I Can'ts", burying them and hearing the eulogy. That was a major effort on this part of the teacher. And she wasn't done yet.

She turned the students around, marched them back into the classroom and held a wake. They celebrated the passing of "I Can't" with cookies, popcorn and fruit juices. As part of the celebration, Donna cut a large tombstone from butcher paper. She wrote the words "I Can't" at the top and put RIP in the middle. The date was added at the bottom. The paper tombstone hung in Donna's classroom for the remainder of the year.

On those rare occasions when a student forgot and said, "I Can't", Donna simply pointed to the RIP sign. The student then remembered that "I Can't" was dead and chose to rephrase the statement. I wasn't one of Donna's students. She was one of mine. Yet that day I learned an enduring lesson from her as years later, I still envision that fourth grade class laying to rest, "I Can't".

--------------------

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

Count me in -- I think. I also have joined Weight Watchers again. I am line dancing as exercise. I mentioned at weight watchers that I need to stay healthy because I am a survivor. Other survivors identified themselves, including an Ovarian cancer survivor. But for me, eating healthy food and exercising is hard. I am lazy and I love junk.

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

2012 has been a terrible year for diet and exercise. I just can't seem to easily make changes like the past. Until 2012 I exercised every day, walking for up to an hour, lifting weights, hiking, etc.

I keep switching on meals to make what is most convenient, not necessarily what is healthy. I feel since chemo that meal planning and making meals that are complex is just so hard. Before cancer treatment I could have several days of meals planned out in my head. Now I can barely plan 1 meal. Argh!

I want 2013 to be different. I've spent the last week cleaning the house and organizing. I'm ready to make changes!

I've made an appointment at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine for an evaluation on January 7th. I'm going to see if they can help with the weight loss and to get off the blood pressure medicine. I think I need a baby sitter to get me back on track in the new year and am hoping an enthusiastic acupuncture student will be the catalyst I need.

I'm looking outside at the beautiful San Diego weather, and you know what? I think I'll go for a walk.

Love you ladies!

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

This link is to a lecture by a university prof talking about the value of exercise relative to lowerig risk of recurrence, as well as feeling better during treatments. It is very encouraging!


http://www.dundee.ac.uk/externalrela...2/campbell.htm

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

Happy New Year! :)

I listened to the lecture while I worked, Evergreen--thx. Thanks too for the links all who contributed to that. If we see a link or resource that will encourage others with healthy habits, let's share away.

'Lizbeth and MJo--glad you are here and ready for progress!

Everybody,
This year really and truely can be different and loaded with lots of progress with whatever healthy habit YOU want to make progress on. If it's the area of losing weight, pick a plan that works good for you--it doesn't matter what anybody else is doing. This doesn't have to be about food at all though--jump right in with your written goals for fighting cancer with lifestyle changes and how you plan on accomplishing them and let us know how it's going.


Here are my written goals for this week that I am tacking up on my fridge and will track my progress:

I am exercising a minimum of one half hour every single day this week. It feels GREAT to move my body and get my metabolism revved back up to an efficient fat burning furnace, melting away the excess!
T
W
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F
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M

A "Food Curfew" helps me tremendously and I avoid a heap of snacking temptations by having my mind made up ahead of time that supper is my last food of each day. That's what I am sticking to this week!
T
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F
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M


I am going to feel fantastic when I get back in my ideal weight range and am healthy, lean, and fit again. I feel better already having my plan for success. Today and every day this week I am fueling my body exclusively with plenty of nourishing, nutrient dense, unprocessed foods that build my body up. My body thrives when I eat lots of raw fruit and vegetables. Whether it's raw or cooked, I choose food that promotes vibrant health and energy. If I want to sweeten something, I am using fresh fruit or stevia to make it sweet. I am eating until I am pleasantly satisfied and then I am stopping. I am not eating anything I will regret later or that will tear my body down!
T
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F
S
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M


I am drinking at least half my body weight in ounces of water/caffeine-free herb tea each day this week. Good hydration makes everything work better!
T
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M


God always has His help available to me in every detail of my life and knows all about my struggles with overeating. I am asking for and accepting His help!
T
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M

I am keeping track of how each day goes. If I mess up I plan to get right back on target. Today I am recording my weight and measurements (chest, waist, upper arm, hips, upper thigh) and will have one of my kids take my photo front, side, and back in fitted clothing . I will repeat these periodically and watch myself shrink.

Today and all of 2013 is a brand new, fresh beginning, full of good things God has for us.


Paula

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

I made it 3 days so far with no sugar. Brutal...just plain old brutal. Friday I start swimming and I have signed up for yoga 3 times a week.
This is going to be tough but I'm determined. My goal is to lose 15lbs. I lost 28 during treatment. If I lose the additional 15 lbs, I'll be at my ideal weight. And I would be able to fit into those skinny jeans that have been collecting dust in my closet.

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

Atta girl, Europa! Those skinny jeans are shouting your name--go get 'em! It definately gets easier IMHO once we get the sugar and junk out of our systems...kinda like a "detox" of garbage in our systems.

I have two great days under my belt (YAHOO!) and it sure feels wonderful to be following through on my goals for this week. I felt like snacking tonite and nearly did a couple times but stopped myself because of tracking my progress on my goals up on my fridge. I had already checked it off that I stuck to no food after supper and didn't want to X it off. Cravings always pass when I don't give into them.

I am so ready to lose my "fat suit" and be healthy, slim, and fit again.

How's everybody else doing on their goals? If not so good, put it behind you and begin fresh. We can do this together and get where we want to go a day at a time.

Paula

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

This challenged and encouraged me me this morning:

"If it matters, you make the time.
If it doesn’t, you make excuses.
Standing in an imperfect place is just the perfect place to begin, and everyday offers the hope of Day 1."

Quote by Ann Voscamp http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/...daily-planner/

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

I will exercise today. My food is not good. Will try again tomorrow.

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

MJo: What are foods you tend to crave? I wrote a recipe book turning cravings into healthier dishes. Like Mac n' Cheese. I would be happy to post the recipes.

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

Sweets. Carbohydrates
I literally feel weak and ill if I try to eliminate sugar/carbs. I have to find some kind of balance.
There are diabetics in my family but my numbers are ok so far.

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

Good thread. Eating healthier and more of the rainbow is a goal for me. Along with getting back to my walking exercise as much as I was doing before treatment began.

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

MJo: For something sweet try making fruit leathers. Take a bag of frozen strawberries and toss them in a sauce pan with a 1/4 cup of water and some lemon rind. When they have been simmering for about 10 minutes, remove from heat, remove rind and using a handheld mixer, puree to a smooth thick liquid. If you need more sweetness, add a tablespoon of honey. Heat your oven to 180 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour mixture on top. Spread so there is a uniform thin layer on the pan (but not so thin that you can see through it). Bake for 5-8 hours. So, make it in the morning because it takes a long time. It will be done when the fruit leather has lost it's shine. Let if cool and cut into strips. I store mine in parchment paper rolls. You can make this with applesauce, apricots, raspberries...etc.
For carbs, try some of the Gluten Free breads and pastas. They are fantastic.

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

So how's it going with 2013 healthy lifestyle changes, guys?
Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. Little positive changes add up to big progress. What can you do this week to promote a healthier you?

Paula

Paula

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

I've chosen to try to follow a Her2+ diet. The biggest challenge for me is to reduce/eliminate avocado. My parents have an avocado farm and I've been eating them daily most of my life, and I love them and they are generally healthy. But apparently not for Her2+ BC. Since reading this diet, I have not had any red meat but I've cheated a little and had margaritas (alcohol) on New Year's Eve. Here is a link if you're interested:

http://foodforbreastcancer.com/artic...rvivors-eat%3F

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

Replacing the words, "trying to" with "Learning to" helps me learn new habits. AND, for me, (emphasis on me) most things are a decision and a commitment. I find it helpful to be 100% committed to learning something new. What I mean by that is I make a decision, such as, I will walk 20 minutes every day. It is something I re-commit to each day, even if it is just two 10 minute walks. Once I've made this decision, this commitment, I know it will happen. It is not an option, not something I am trying but I make up my mind that it is something I am learning to do by actually doing it everyday - also called a practice. Not everyone likes this method, I am sharing it because it really is about being present, and every day CHOOSING to practice or learn a new behavior. At least in this regard, (how my mind works) once I've tried something 100% I can better decide if it is for me. Glad to see people reaching for health, and looking for ways to support your bodies, mind and spirit.

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

Bumping this up because I love it !!!

This is a very nice app for tracking food/exercise:

MyNetDiary (9.99)

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

"No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you are
still way ahead of everyone who is not trying."
(Unknown)


IrvineFriend, what an interesting article/website on the Her2 diet and other subjects! Thank you for sharing it. I plan to look it over more carefully when I have time.

SoCalGal, I like how you substituted "learning to" for "trying to". I was going to say "I think I'll try that" but am re-phrasing it to 'That's a great new tool for me to learn too". :)

"Lizbeth, how did your Jan 7th eval go with the College of Oriental folks? Hope you find some good help there.

MJo and Carlatte--hope the Weight Watcher's plan is going great for yas!

Karen, that's neat that you've found an app that is working so well for you. :) I don't have a smart phone but I bet your sharing that resource with be a help to others here. Anybody else giving it a whirl?

Europa, your fruit leather sounds yummy. I make mine raw in a dehydrator --just blended strawberries with a dash of stevia set on a low temp. My family likes it a lot and so much better for us than fruit roll ups from the store.

You mentioned healthy recipes you've put together. When you have time, I'd love to glean from your ideas for healthy substitutes when I feel like something crunchy and junky (like chips) when carrot and celery sticks aren't what I'm in the mood for on the crunch part. I like Nori seaweed wraps for the salty chewy texture. Thanks in advance for ideas on beating salty, crunchy type cravings. A glass of water, praying, and getting out of the kichen and going for a walk instead of prowling my cupbards does help me in the cravings department when I do it. :)

One of my favorite ice cream substitutes is making the healthy stuff with frozen bananas and frozen berries by either putting them through a Champion Juicer with the blank on or whipping them up in a Vitamix (high powered blender than I use nearly every day for smoothies, soup, etc). It comes out like soft serve ice cream and you can make all sorts of delicious varieties.

Welp, my good news is that I met my first goal: I'm five pounds down from Jan 1st and now I'm going to build on that. I slipped up on some on the goals I shared for this past week but see overall progress. It's a relief to be getting the garbage out of my system and am ready to "fully detox" from all junk food (and hopefully residual chemo chemicals will exit too).

I . Paula O, am hereby officially stepping off the crazy rollercoaster of yo-yo weightloss/gain. Been there, done that too many times and I have had more than enough of working hard to take weight off then putting it back on bite by bite with poor choices. The fleeting enjoyment of the taste of junk that tears down my health instead of building it up is not worth it. I have a hard time stopping with two M & Ms and since I seem to have difficulty with moderation when it comes to sugar and chocolate, I truly am better off with the first bite, lick, or taste of it. I admire people who are completely satisfied after one Dove chocolate but that's not where I am at, at least at this time of my life so best for me to accept that and press on to where I want to go getting back into shape and fit and trim again and make this body as UN-inhabitable to cancer as I can. I've read that sugar wrecks havoc on our immunity and considerably lowers and I want mine strong. This is a weak area for me and I am asking God for strength.

This is an excellent article about weight loss, weight maintenance, and goal setting:
http://www.dwlz.com/alsessays/alessay02.html
Anybody want to talk about it after you read the article?

Paula

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

Started back at the gym on the treadmill and have the Cook this, Not that cookbook out. I'm on my way.

Discovered my blood pressure was through the roof and have banned sodium, sugar and alcohol from the diet.

Okay ladies the year is just started. So excited and serious about losing weight, eating better and getting exercise!

Re: Fighting Breast Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
 

ugh....ate some frozen chocolate cake. I get weird cravings on treatment days. Not sure why but I felt a little off. After a little cake I felt better. But overall I have been doing well and have been sticking to my goals. I poured a whole container of salt on the rest of the cake as to prevent another relapse. Ugh.....so sad, so sad indeed. It was a very good cake.