Motivation

AllieM22

Ainm--you should feel SO PROUD of yourself!!! You sounded so unsure not so long ago about being able to lose any weight and look at you! That is quite an accomplishment and what's even better is that you are in a routine that's become part of your life. You've started changing your body and your life!

Ok--I wanted to share this with this group. Read an article today at the hair salon that I thought was great and simple--which so many of the good ideas are. It's in the Body & Soul magazine this month (Nov)--couldn't find it online...was a story by a woman who found out she had MS right after getting married. She was in the depths of despair when a friend suggested as a 'prescription' she give away 29 gifts in 29 days. The gifts could be anything from an actual gift to spare change to a kind word or thought. Another part was to think of things to be grateful for everyday and keep a journal. The idea was "Healing doesn't happen in a vacuum but in our interactions with other people. By giving, you are focusing on what you have to offer others, inviting more abundance into your life." There is a website which I haven't looked at yet but here it is with more info if anyone is interested... http://www.29gifts.org/page/page/show?id=2039308:Page:72218

In a way, all of us meeting here and supporting each other in this forum I think fits into that idea. The gift giving goes back to the idea that to make yourself feel better, help someone else.

On that note--I am off to bed! Night night ladies!! 

ktym

Deanna, I get it and would bet you are right on.  So happy for you things went so well

Ainm: me too, me too, same time frame, could just kick myself.  You're doing better on the weight loss then I am and I know that is part of my bad mood

Anyone else noticed this?  I get used to when out running/walking/exercising seeing people out doing the same thing, walking the dogs whatever, and nodding, saying hi, how you doing  etc, just a smile.  Like we all get used to the smile and enjoy working out club.  I've noticed now being out in public, walking around at work, that I've gotten so used to it I smile and say hi, how is your day going, and people look so startled, but often you can tell it nudges them into a smile or better mood themselves.  Kind of scary how either rudeness or kindness is so contagious.

dlb823

Ainm ~  I am so impressed with your weight loss!  Anyone who can lose 24+ lbs. can lose any amount they want to!  And it sounds like you're doing it at an absolutely perfect pace to keep it off!  I'm really proud of you! 

And we all know what a struggle it is to find our new normal -- to somehow recognize and honor what we've been through, yet not let it continue to haunt us and bring us down, or keep us feeling separate.  It's not easy.  In fact, I'd picked up a flyer recently at UCLA (hope I haven't mentioned this here before -- sorry if  I'm repeating myself) about a program they do called "Looking Ahead," After Cancer Support Groups.  I'm thinking of trying it.  One of the things the flyer asks is, "How do you return to "normal" when everything seems so different?"  I think we just have to accept this phase as one of our challenges, and rely on each other to find our way through it  Sometimes I wonder if it's a bit of "fake it 'til you make it."  Like tonight, the last thing in the world I wanted to do was go to two art gallery shows my DH wanted to catch.  But I got dressed up, put my make up and wig on, and went.  Maybe after I do that a few more times I won't have to try so hard -- sort of like when we were first getting back into exercise.  You don't feel particularly athletic, but put on warm up clothes and running shoes, and you act like you are.  And maybe its the same with getting out of our emotional ruts.  You act "normal" and maybe eventually you feel it???

Allie ~  Love the challenge of 29 gifts in 29 days.  I wonder if I can do that?  I really think I'd like to try.  Are you going to do it?     Deanna

Springtime

I think giving gifts makes us feel better. Even little things. 

If anybody tries this 29 days of gifts, let us know! When i walk in my neighborhood, I always wave and smile at cars going by. My husband noticed and asked me. i said, it is like giving a gift to people, for free! Who knows how it may effect their day...

You never know. Smile and wave!!! Free! good!

Yoga yesterday and a 2 mile walk in a State Park. The leaves are starting to change here!!! It is wonderful!  

kfinnigan

Ainm, So proud of you too!  You've come soooooo far!!  Maybe you are struggling with your 'new' normal, what that is or feels like.  But you've managed to do your workouts everyday and check in with us and you ARE doing it!!  24 lbs is such a wonderful accomplishment, and 2 lbs per week is ideal!  You can always share with us how you are feeling, up or down, heck we are all not always 'up', but this group can bring us up, just knowing each of you is out there is such an inspiration to me.  I find that when I'm going about my day and seeing something beautiful or silly, I think 'I need to tell the girls about this on bco'....it makes me happy. 

Spring, I wave to people too!  The UPS guys always wave and smile at me each day at work and in the neighborhood...and I always smile at cars and a lot of times they just turn away but some smile back. 

I like the 29 gifts in 29 days thing Allie.  I think I want to try that!!

Deanna, good for you getting all dolled up and going out, I do believe that when you dress the part, you feel better....fake it til you make it!  YES!!

Walked last night with DH. and this a.m. did 30 min Pilate dvd and arm weights, light weights, but felt good!   75 degrees today!  Should be gorgeous!

Lots of love and hugs girls!  Enjoy your weekends and be safe.  Smile, wave and make someone's day today!! 

Springtime

I tried a regular Yoga program at home yesterday. I was not able to do the down dogs right! They take a lot more AB than you realize! I did some modified version. All the rest of the stuff I did fine, but down dogs take arms and abs! I may just do a little bit each day to test out how it is. 

I had plans to walk yesterday, a 2.4 mile loop in the state park, but our older daughter was up in Philly visiting a friend (fall break) and called and said she was sick. We quizzed her and it sounded like flu! So we started driving up the east coast, she driving down east coast, and met in middle. Her Dad then drover her car so she could sleep in back seat!!!

No walking! Lots of driving! Life, it happens.  

kfinnigan

Spring, good for you on the yoga and drat those down dogs!!  I hope your DD is going to feel better soon.  What awesome parents she has!! 

Did Pilates again this a.m., that's 3 days in a row and I noticed overnight that my hip wasn't bothering me!  Maybe I'm finally on the right track.  My low back is sore but not killing me.  I even rode my bike to the store last night and put the 'goods' in my basket.  That was my gift to the environment!  no car! haha

Springtime

Wow Kari!!! I did pilates a few times and hurt in places I didn't know I had! I am glad this is working for you, be careful though not to push too hard! 

AllieM22

Spring--take it easy. You can really pull something with yoga if you push it. Just do what feels comfortable. I am getting the house ready for a family visit so have not been exercising other than taking the dog to the park. Maybe later today if I get a lot done...it's turned into a "spring cleaning" in that I've put bags together for Goodwill and cleaned out and reorganized some closets, etc. Feels good, just takes time. The last one is the office closet--I am leaving that for later as it's boxes of old work stuff that for some reason I felt compelled to keep...ugh.

Have a good Sunday all!  

kfinnigan

Was going good til I got the broom, mop and vacuum out...now my low back is killing me!! LOL!!  I even have a blister on my hand from all this Cinderella work!  went out shopping for a bit but came home and put comfy stuff on.  TV veg out time for the rest of the day, I'm tired!  DH was up at 4am to leave and I couldn't go back to sleep.  Spring, I think I will give the Pilates a rest for a couple days and let my back rest!!!!

Allie, feels good to spring clean!!  hope you have a great family visit!!

Brendatrue

Hi to ALL my fellow motivators--MEG, I hope you can give us more info on the facial workout! I feel like my face and neck show most of my 53 years, but maybe that's because I notice those areas when I look in the mirror (yep, I'm still checking for hair growth...). SPRING, Thanks for the congrats on working out for 8 weeks solid. I just made day 58 with a glorious early morning walk. I'm aiming for some serious stretching or another walk this afternoon. You asked about differences I have noticed--well, physically, I am stronger and my overall tone and definition are returning. I have not seen a boost in my energy level, but I am still hopeful. The emotional boost has been great--my spirits are higher and I feel calmer. I typically don't feel tempted to skip my workout because I have seen such benefits.

AINM--Don't worry about "griping"! You can show up in your "real self" and know that you will be accepted here. Please remember we all have our "ups and downs." How wonderful that you have maintainted a slow and steady weight loss--you will be more likely to keep it off, right? DEANNA--I bet your PS did respect how well you have worked to make your body well and strong, then responded with expertise to live up to your level of motivation and efforts. I hope you and all the others still recovering from surgery will continue to heal well and become stronger.

KARI--I hope you have found some exercise that is a good match for your body! What pilates DVD do you use? And, yeah, I wave and smile at folks all the time, even if they look at me like I am nuts. I have noticed that doing so makes me feel better and often jolts others into a smile or wave back, which I hope will translate into better feelings toward humanity all around.

pk0199

Hi All,

I hope everyone is doing well.

I just dropped in to say good bye too all. I think my time to leave the boards has come. I have had an unpleasant experience on another thread where I tried to pass on some information and was pretty much told since I am only stage 0, what did I know. Maybe I took it wrong, I don't know, but I am done.

I just spent the weekend in a Mammogram conference and we had one lecture on alternate and adjavunt modalities for screening. If anyone is interested in the information, PM me, I will check for the next couple of days, I have no desire to post anything about it asI just don't need to be demeaned for trying to pass on the info I was given, although I know you ladies wouldn't do that.

I would like to thank you ladies for everything, you have been wonderful to me. I will miss you all and wish you all the best in your future.

Penny 

sobx

Did you miss me?  I have been back but has taken me forever to catch up with everyone on this thread. You girls have been busy. I had a great trip to VA. I was only up there three days but saw people I hadn't planned on seeing and some I haven't seen since I moved 5 years ago. And it was chilly and rainy. Came home last Monday night and my Dd was happy to see me. My dog sitters' husband is back from Iraq and he loved playing with Shadow. I even bought back good 'VA apples. I've eaten them just about everyway you can think for a week. It was 82 when I got home and Dd and I spent the day getting shots (me - flu shot), and played. My work schedule this week sucks. I worked two day shifts, 3 night shifts and have to work 2 more day shifts with out a break. So I leave here at 11 PM and return at 7 AM. Don't speak to me after noon on Monday and I won't be back on line till Wednesday. After I get some sleep. I think I have found what Ainm lost. I have gone way off the good eating habit. I'll get back on track later this week. I'm off on Wed/Thurs. Hope to go to yoga on Wednesday.

Glad to see everyone is doing so well. Spring, thought of you when I went around Raleigh. You guys need to take care of yourselves and slow down with the exercising. You have to work yourself back up to it again.

My spots from the basil cell on my arm has red spots around it like a rash. don't have time to go to the dr with this crazy shiftwork.

Turned my heat on last night but it is suppose to warm up again by the end of the week. Did a lot of walking in VA and have been walking the Dd since I've been back home. Need to get back into some other type of exercise other than eating! Since reading the last several pages I feel guilty for not doing what I should have been doing. time to get back on track! First work and then rest and then back to ya'll. I really missed ya'll. Joy

AllieM22

Joy--we did miss you! And pk0199 and pattoo--where are you???

Have been getting exercise cleaning but need desperately to go to yoga so am making time in the morning--yay! Sore back. hips and knees from too much time in the car....

and I want info on the facial exercises too!!!  

AllieM22

Thanks meg!! So you have it and you like it? Looks great and I have been wanting to do something like this for a while...

dlb823

Meg ~ We will absolutely have to get together in LV!  I wouldn't miss it!  Not sure of our dates or hotel yet, but should be working on that by the end of the month.  I am so pleased to find out that we'll be crossing paths there! 

On the face & neck thing, I think the muscles in both are affected by chemo (just like our legs), so don't despair if you're seeing more sagging and lines than pre-bc.  My neck was so bad during chemo, even my DH had to point it out.  Lucky for him, it was his only slip in an otherwise stellar performance as a caregiver.  But it was very obvious, and it's since gone away as my muscle strength came back. 

Allie ~  That 29 day challenge is harder than it sounds.  I did something on Saturday, but yesterday escaped me, in spite of all my good intentions.

Kari ~ So sorry you're dealing with such persistent back problems.  Take good care of yourself, and don't worry about keeping up here.  You've got to get that back stronger.

Well, today's my intended day to resume exercising.  Hopefully, I'll find the motivation, which so far hasn't shown up...

Welcome back, Joy!

Deanna

juanita63

haven't worked out since last spring when i quit my job, but then i was walking on the track at the school i was working at. i walked for 30 minutes today so i hope i can keep this up. i've gained way too much weight!

kfinnigan

Welcome Juanita63!!  The walk today sounds great!!

Brenda, I bought a couple of dvd's - both by Gaiam for Yoga and Pilates, they each have 5 different workouts so it adds variety.

 I did end up doing the easy pilates one this a.m., slow and half the strength of the other routines.  I have a few other pilates dvds, that are pretty intense, but not ready to go there yet! LOL!   My back hasn't bothered me much today.  My PT says I am making good progress.  He is really trying to strengthen my tummy again.  I'm not trying to be vain or anything here, but I used to do ab exercises everyday for my whole adult life and had a flat hard stomach, then this last year during treatment when I was weak and emotionally a wreck, I let that pretty much go and now I have some belly cellulite!  ACK!!!  say it ain't so!  The muscles have gotten so weak.  My PT says it takes over a year to get those muscles back on track.  But, I do have a disc problem in one area and that doesn't help matters.  Just have to be careful!

Meg and Deanna, that's great that you too can possibly meet!!  YAY  Allie and I will get to meet up in a few weeks with a couple of other gals from the Tamoxifen thread and I'm so excited about that!!  I've always remembered what you said Deanna about meeting others from this site if possible!!

Well, gotta get back to work!  hugs and love 

Springtime

Walked several miles in the state park to day with DH. 2.7 miles I think. Yoga not yet. Hopefully now!!!

Brendatrue

A quickie: Meg--Thanks for the link! And for being so open about what you have experienced emotionally. I don't think a one of us could say that we are just sailing through breast cancer afterlife without one or more moments of anxiety, fear, discouragement, sadness, or grief. Joy--Yes, we did miss you. I always enjoy hearing from anyone in NC because that's the state where I plan to retire--in the western part--the mountains--where I lived for about 10 years. I also went to grad school at UNC-Chapel Hill. Anyway, your schedule is a rough one, but I hope you get enough rest to keep you going! Kari--Thanks for the dvd suggestions. Sorry to hear that your cleaning stretch put you in a kink; hope you feel better. Juanita--good luck with the return to more activity--hope it gets your motivation stoked. And Deanna--I hope you are healing well and that return to exercise will help you to feel even better about your recovery. And Spring--So did you make it with the yoga?

dharmamama

DLB823- Did your Onc ever recommend stopping chemo because of Myopathy? I too am having the EXACT same difficulties that you mentioned. I actually have contractures every morning and it takes quite a bit of (painful) stretching to get my legs to work again. I have also lost all of my reflexes due to myopathy/neuropathy. I only received 3 rounds of chemo and now have been told that it is too risky for me to continue. I am stage IIIC and this worries me.

dlb823

dharmamama ~ I'm so sorry about the problems you're having with chemo.  Which regimen are you on?  I, too, would be very concerned about just stopping after 3, although you obviously can't risk continuing with whatever you're on if you are having such severe SEs.  Has your onc suggested possibly changing your regimen?  If I was in your situation, I would absolutely get a second opinion.  Have you been to UCSF?  Stanford isn't too far from you either.  I just feel those NCI-designated facilities are the places to at least get a second opinion when you run into non-routine situations like yours. 

As far as the neuropathy, are you taking B6?  It should help some with that. 

Feel free to PM me if you'd like to tell me more about your situation. 

And, welcome, juanita!  30 minutes is a great start!      Deanna   

kfinnigan

Dharmamama - I third the motion!!

dlb823

I walked a little over 2 miles this a.m.  It was harder than I thought, but I'm relieved to have surmounted the mental challenge of getting back out there.  

Sending strong positive vibes to anyone else who is feeling challenged today on any level --physical, mental or emotional -- or stuck at any step in the journey.  We have come so far, ladies, and we will all conquer this!    Deanna 

kfinnigan

Deanna, what wonderful words!!!  I'm taking a little break at work, I'm actually having trouble keeping my eyes open!!  

I went to my older DD's last night after work, waited for her to get home from one of her jobs to help with her wedding invites.  Ended up bringing most of it with me and finally managed on my lunch hour to finish!!  I think that's why I'm tired.  Got home late last night, tossed and turned a lot and up early again...that'll do it!!  But I did get on the treadmill for a whole 10 min this a.m.! haha!!

Better wake up...boss just walked in!  Bye bye cuties!! 

sobx

Understand the tired part. Left work the other night at 11 and back to work at 7. That means wind down, sleep, eat, walk the dog and drive to and from work in 8 hours. I'm dead on my feet now. I am off on Wednesday and plan to sleep and relax and go to yoga. Thursday if it is pretty I hope to go kayaking before it turns cold again. Have the heat on for the last 2 days and by weekend suppose to be back up to 80. Not ready for it to turn cold yet.Apples and more apples ..... Love them   Joy

Springtime

Not sure how many miles, but about 35 minutes of walking, and Yoga, most of it, was called away. 

KEEP MOVING!!!!! It metabolizes estrogen and glucose!!!!  

dharmamama

Thank you for the great advice ! I am going to see an Oncologist who specializes in  breast cancer at UCSF next week. I had an EMG yesterday. Not Fun! The Neurologist actually said that I should continue with Chemo. His exact words were, " It's better to be alive and in a wheelchair with a pacemaker than dead!" Such tact :-p

kfinnigan

Joy, I can't imagine a back to work shift after finishing at 11pm!! OMG!!  I just get so wiped out earlier than I used to.  I ended up working thru lunch and another hour after my normal shift.  My coworker had to leave half day and our supervisor couldn't make it from our Sac office to close, so I volunteered, but was way tired.  Didn't do exercise last night!!  Did 20 minutes of floor work this a.m.!

Spring, you be da bomb!  DD just called and asked if I could go play/feed the pups after work.  ok...ok 

Dharmamama, best of luck!! 

kfinnigan

Meg, best of luck tomorrow, I believe that's your ooph??  Big hugs sista!