Get My Act together

MJo · 03-14-2010, 09:19 AM

A few months ago I complained on this board about weight gain and how I was back to my unhealthy lifestyle. The past few months it got even worse: A woman who has been helped my my agency is grateful. She works for Panera Bread and several times a week leaves a bagful of leftovers in the staff lounge. At least Panera has better quality than some of the junk you can buy in the supermarket. My co-workers and I polish off the goodies in the shopping bag in one day, whenever she brings it. I have got to start ignoring that bag!!!

I just read Dr. Servan Schreiber's AntiCancer: A new Way of Life. While I read these books with healthy scepticism, I can relate to him. After his first bout with brain cancer, his diet remained "Western" He ate a cup of chili, a bagel and a coke for lunch at the hospital cafeteria every day. How I understand! After his relapse he became careful about his diet. His list of dos and donts and foods to eat or avoid is pretty simple. I have also started using turmeric, but I read that people with gallstones have to be careful. So I'm monitoring gastro aches and pains.

I hope I can improve my diet and get back to exercising, because I have put myself at risk for heart disease, and my high sugar consumption has made my body a great "feeder" for cancer cells.

I don't think I can totally emulate Dr. S. He writes about how happy a meal of vegetables, peas, fruit and a little bread makes him today. My reaction was "Are you crazy." I do, however, plan to improve my bad eating habits of the past year. I did okay for about 3 years after my diagnosis. I want to get back on track.

Gerri · 03-14-2010, 10:14 AM

MJO,

I know you can do this, because you have done it in the past. I remember a few years back when you wrote about your success with Weight Watchers - you inspired me to join and I have lost 60 lbs on the program. I can relate with your reluctance to rejoin because no one likes to go back and start over again - but if you look around you will see that so many in that room have joined again and again. For me, I honestly can't count how many times I joined, lost weight, never made it goal, and put the weight back on. I am closer to goal than I have been in a long time and I am going to make it this time. I am not saying that it is easy. These past few weeks at work I have had to resist Girl Scout Cookies, candy, Krispie Kreme Donunts, and the list goes on and on. I have found that each time I resist, it makes the next time easier. The pride that I feel is so much better than the guilt that haunts me if I give in to temptation. I am determined to make it to my goal and am confident that I will. I feel so much better and love having to buy smaller clothes.

You really can do this. If the mind set is there, the behavior will follow. I admire you for putting this out there - it shows that you are ready to begin again.

I wish you all the best in your weight loss efforts. There are so many of us who really do know exacly how you feel.

Shobha · 03-14-2010, 10:39 AM

MJO,

As Gerri said, you can do it! You have my best wishes to make a transition to healthy diet a success.

hugs,
shobha

caya · 03-14-2010, 11:52 AM

I'm right there with you MJo - The two years before I got diagnosed I was in the best shape in a long time. - I was going to Curves 4-5x/week, I was really watching my diet, etc. I have gained about 35 lbs since then, mostly since being on Tamoxifen and Femara.
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia last Spring, and there are some days I can barely move, let alone work out. I am reluctant to rejoin Curves as I have mild lymphedema in my right hand/arm, and I am skeptical of the machines with the weight lifting aspect. I try to walk on my treadmill or outside when the weather permits, but it is very frustrating because it seems that unless I am eating maybe 1100 calories/day or less, with no carbs, I can lose a few pounds.
I have an appointment this week with a clinical dietician at the hospital where I had my mast. - she specializes in BC patients. I hope she can give me some idea of what to do ...

all the best
caya

PinkGirl · 03-14-2010, 12:09 PM

Let me know what she tells you Caya. I have gained steadily since
chemo ... my doc sort of blames it on the arimidex. I'm like you ... have
to eat like a bird to lose a pound. Ugh! I gained weight on WeightWatchers.

caya · 03-14-2010, 02:11 PM

I will definitely report back, Pink. I see both my onc. and the dietician on Thurs. I know my onc. is going to chide me for not losing weight - he told me last Sept. to lose it, and I know I have to, and I have tried. I'm seeing the dietician first, so when I see my onc. I'll show him whatever she advises. His advice to me was to cut out carbs (no bread, no pasta, no potatoes etc.) Easy for him to say, and I have tried that and the scale barely budges, so why should I deprive myself?

all the best
caya

Becky · 03-14-2010, 02:36 PM

It will be interesting. As Pink Girl knows, I USED to have no problem controlling my weight. I ran about 30 miles a week. Then I had to revert to walking and trendmill hill climbing due to an ankle difficulty and last year's bad icy winter. So, I have not been on a run since May 2009 and barely ran the winter of 2008/2009. You will be happy to know that I have gained 12 lbs and it won't budge. I think I need 90 minute hill workouts, no carbs and little meat. I am not used to the will power part either. I am used to eating 1800-2200 calories a day (as Pink will attest) and being able to maintain my weight (of which I did need to lose 10 lbs but now its 25)!

For me, I think its the activity factor - hard and long almost every day - period. I don't even eat badly either. I do think that without the running, those carbs have to really go (not the fruits and veggies but the potatoes, rice and bread). I just don't move around as fast and hard as I used to. Maybe I'll try that out and after a year off, I might try to go on runs again when the weather is good - otherwise just my treadmill hills.

I was thinking some weight training might help - build muscle and boost metabolism.

Rich66 · 03-14-2010, 04:07 PM

I think it's helpful to have good alternatives that make avoiding carbs less like punishment. If you're a chocoholic (like me), a whey protein drink with cocoa and stevia tastes good, has lots of anti cancer ingredients and gives a sustaining energy. Mixing some microwaved unsweetened baking cocoa chips with Stevia and a bit of peanut butter is indulgent without the carbs. You can put it in those mini foil cups for portability.
Seems like most green vegetables are low in carbs. Think salmon with asparagus and olive oil. More punishment please.

Mary Jo · 03-14-2010, 07:28 PM

Hi MJO......This from the other Mary Jo.....thanks for your honesty and for your admitting you are human.

I am too. I'm always working on my health....always. Every day I tell myself I will eat healthy. Some days I do and some days I don't. When I don't I feel so rotten - not only physically (when I O.D. on sugar) but mentally because I know I am not caring for myself the way I should. Not only because I have had cancer - but because it isn't good for me period.

Thankfully, my cholesterol levels are awesome - my HDL (good cholesterol) is 101 - my LDL (bad) is 116 (in the range it should be) and my TRIG are 50 (very low - and that's good) - often times that gives me the go ahead to eat what I want because genetically I just have great cholesterol AND it isn't because I do all the right things. I do exercise but nothing extreme.

Like Becky.....I had an injury too - knee - so had to take it easy. That didn't help me - physically or mentally - made me kind of lazy and feeling bad so I'd reach for this or that.

I did start a weight training program - just at home. A physical trainer set it up for me - that's helped - and I continue to do my power walking (but no more running - afraid of hurting my knee again) - I'll continue to try each day to eat the right things and avoid those things that I shouldn't eat - at least in excess.

My weight is ok - thankfully. I've taken some weight off but always trying to take off more. OH THE JOYS.

Thanks MJO - for bringing it up - it's nice to hear that we're not alone in the struggle.

Happy you're doing well..........Hugs.......

the OTHER Mary Jo

Jean · 03-14-2010, 08:35 PM

As we age it gets harder and harder to drop those pounds which used to come off much easier only 10 yrs. ago.

Last week I had started eating a veggie soup type of diet....for lunch and a small bowl for dinner then some protein. It was not hard since I do enjoy the veggies.
I did drop 4 pds the first week. I took this week off from
the diet and cheated with some wine and a small desert.
but I was carefull with what I eat. Still had my veggies,
smaller portions more often. Even had a small portion of red meat. Lost 1.5 this week.
Walked and walked alot. Would leave the car a great distance from where I had to be and walked the rest of the way. Like Becky just can't run anymore.
But I do a power walk.

Just stuff yourself on veggies good size portions throughtout the day eat smaller meals more often.

It's just not easy....but oh, bathing suit weather is a coming......ugh...

Jean

MJo · 03-15-2010, 08:20 AM

Thanks everyone. Rich, I just tried Agave. Will look into Stevia. I also wondered if Arimidex/Femara is partly to blame for my weight gain. But I have only one more year on Femara. I'm worried about losing that comforting protection next year, and I want to be able to protect myself without Femara, using diet and exercise, I guess. We are all in this together.

caya · 03-15-2010, 08:35 AM

MJo, I use Stevia regularly - I make a jug of iced tea every couple of days with it. Boil up water, put about 8 tea bags into a pitcher, pour in the hot water. Let it steep and cool down for about 1/2 hour. Take out the tea bags, and then add Stevia. Try a couple of tablespoons at first, stir it up, taste. If you need more Stevia, add it in.

I use only decaffinated green tea/herbal flavoured teas. Makes a nice refreshing drink that's good for you. I stopped drinking caffeine free diet coke after I was diagnosed, and this is a great substitute. Virtually no calories. I rarely drink pure fruit juices now because of the calories, no more pop etc. It's basically water and iced tea with stevia now for me.

RhondaH · 03-15-2010, 09:10 AM

I raise my hand as well...AND ironically enough, my downfall initially was a foot injury and then with work hours changing, I REALLY got off track...maybe we can start a "Back on the Wagon Again" thread, NOT posting weight or specifics, but mainly how are we doing in going back to our healthy habits and offering each other support. I'm with ya girls

Take care and God bless.

Patb · 03-15-2010, 05:14 PM

Put me on the list. After almost 4 years on Arimidex
and trying to exercise to help that, I fell and had a concussion and the Dr. said hold off for awhile!!! Not
good, what a difference, now is time to get back at
it. I need encouragement and do not get much. Will
have to encourage myself. Ha
patb

MJo · 03-16-2010, 06:21 AM

I was at my survivors support group last night, and I asked the question "what's everyone doing, diet and exercise wise, to protect themselves from recurrence." Much to my surprise, most of us were doing nothing! I am not alone, I see.

Joan M · 03-18-2010, 08:58 AM

Yes, that's the bottom-line. Nobody's doing anything. So, when are we going to meet for brunch again? After the holidays? Becky?

Luv ya,

Joan

v-ness · 03-18-2010, 10:39 AM

hey MJo- my sister just bought me that book and i too am currently reading it with great interest. like you, i am not going to radically change my lifestyle because - hey - lots of "healthy" people have gotten BC too. i'm taking the parts i like and applying them to myself and also learning a great deal. i stopped using sugar in my coffee and got stevia and i am getting that agave nectar for my green tea to lessen my sugar intake. but i will certainly bite the head off a (dark) chocolate bunny for easter!

i have been walking to radiation several times a week. it is 3 miles round trip. it's nice to be able to work exercise into my treatment and i think it is helping ward off fatigue because i am finishing week 4 with no problem there.

and i lost 7 lbs! i even do a little meditation while i am in radiation itself. learning not to fly off the handle about stupid stuff and be more zen, that kind of stuff. eat more organic (i'd be bankrupt if i went all organic). i even cut my hotdog intake down to 2 hebrew nationals every 3 months. (a girl's gotta live)

i think too many people deprive themselves and make weight loss into a terrible ordeal when it could be OK if people would only cut themselves some slack and be human. yeah, so i ate rocky road ice cream last night. today's a new day. my favorite part of exercise is that they say that it decreases your chances of recurrence. all the more reason to tie on those nikes!

i haven't yet finished the book, but like you MJo, i trust him more because he's had/has cancer and he doesn't claim that what he imparts will CURE you or keep you from dying anyway. plus i like the scientist side of him and how perfectly it melds with the writer side that makes things completely comprehensible for those of us who need things simple.

i'd highly recommend the book too. i'm highlighting the hell out of it. valerie

Jackie07 · 03-18-2010, 05:46 PM

I think regular exercise is definitely the key! Dont' worry about weight; it will come off (or add up) at the right time.

Was quite underweight when I was diagnosed with BC both times. Actually, every time I was experiencing tumor growth (brain tumor and recurrence, breast cancer and recurrence), I was 5-10 lbs below my normal weight and about 15 lbs under my ideal weight.

Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. When you are feeling good, whatever that scale tells you will be your ideal weight.

v-ness · 03-18-2010, 06:52 PM

this thread reminds me of julia child's quote, "everything in moderation, including moderation." she had a mastectomy and went on to live another 36 years full of butter and cream. she even said she owed her survival to "steak & gin". she may not have had an enviable figure, but she sure did enjoy life, didn't she? -v

Hopeful · 03-25-2010, 06:39 AM

I thought everyone attempting weight loss through exercise would be interested to see this new study, which I also posted on a thread in the Diet and Nutrition Forum:

http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content...ct/303/12/1173

In short, the study found healthy women of normal weight who do not reduce their caloric intake during middle age have to do a lot of exercise just to keep from gaining weight.

Hopeful