Motivation

spring

Thank you everyone!  My weight and body fat are in normal range and clothes still fit me fine.  And yes, I have more muscles now!  My biceps are bigger and my legs last longer on elliptical.  I would love to downsize my legs but my boyfriend tells me that I have very strong legs and if they got any smaller, my bones would show and I don't want that.  I may have to accept my current weight range as my natural weight. 

Zumba and kick boxing classes seem to be very popular at gym but I have never took a class but maybe I will some time! 

 Spring2

mumito

Hi ladies just checking in.  Had company this week so did not get into the gym much but did alot of outdoor walking.The five hour hike at the zoo almost did me in. Is anyone else still feeling tired all the time?I still don't feel like myself inspite of the beautiful spring weather.

Springtime

Reporting in for last night: Didn't get to walk in the gorgeous sun (work! pooh) but did 45 minutes on the eliptical cross trainer last night, and did more miles than before! 3.6 so worked harder. Nice sweat. I really like it better when I do my exercise before the evening. I find it so hard to do it, but I made myself so I could report in here!!!!

Welcome Renee!!! Have you seen a dietician? I saw (for free) a dietician at the cancer center. She helped me figure a very low fat (20% or less of calories), plant based (less animals, way less meat) diet. Also, (I sound like a broken recod here) but I have found the "Anticancer - A New Way of Life" book a great guide for healthy "anti-cancer" foods (amazon.com). He suggests no sugar and use Agave nectar or Stevia instead, which I do now (I even bake with Agave! it works fine)) There are very specific recommendations on what to eat and what to avoid. Picture, tables. I just reviewed it again and took notes. It inspires me to eat the right things and exercise. And to seek serenity.

Mum, I am sleeping more than usual, I assume I am still recovering from the toxic chemo and toxic radiation. (9 hours a night). But I am not tired during the day. I just poop out sooner. I am letting my body rest. But I still exercise, and I think this is very important to feeling well. I remember even during chemo, I would hate the though of exercise, but always felt better after I did it.  Are you taking vitamins? I was told to take a multi during chemo and just did not stop. I wonder if it is also your Blood counts? Mine were low again after rads!!!! 

Spring2, Take one of those classes!!! And report back! That is your assignment!!!

SpringTIME. LOL.

Marian_Trehern

Welcome Renee S

You may certainly join us!  Congratulations on completing chemo, I know you are glad that is over.  Radiation will go by quickly but I would join a support group for people going through radiation with you because I can't tell you how comforting that was for me.  In fact this group was started by one of the ladies from the Jan rads group and several of us have come along for the ride! 

It can be overwhelming to think about trying to shed weight after all you have been through and are still going through.  I too have about 40 to 50 lbs that I need to lose.  I am just taking it one day at a time.  I am trying to eliminate sugar too. It is not easy let me tell you. It's almost like an addiction really.  I have eliminated almost all packaged foods, I haven't been able to kick my fiber bar habit yet!  I love chocolate,so that remains a challenge too. But I have to tell you that I have found that for me that if you don't buy it then you won't eat it.  I have a 12 year old and a husband that like their junk food so it is hard. I make them keep it in a special cabinet, one that I don't go in to, so if I don't see it, it is out of sight out of mind.  I am trying to eat fruit, which I have never liked before.  I also am trying to eat less red meat, which chemo kind of helped me do anyway. The biggest think that I have learned here from others is to eat 6 small meal a day as opposed to 3 big meals.  That should help your metabolism burn more calories.  And exercise is something you are already doing so that is great!  I can also tell you that the more slowly you take the weight off the more likely it is to stay off. Don't try to lose more than 2 lbs a week.  Right now I am having a problem with getting over a plateau. I have been holding my weight for 3 weeks now and nothing I have tried has gotten me going again. But I try not to let it bring me down or give up because I know eventually it will start going downward again.  It's just so frustrating though!  I try to find solace in the fact that even though the scale hasn't moved I can tell by my clothes that I have lost some inches. 

What types of foods are you currently eating?  I personally don't think eliminating food groups is something I can do forever.   I hear conflicting ideas on that subject. Some of the ladies here have had great success doing this and swear by it, and that has been motivation for me.  I am giving it a try to see what happens but I have to tell you it is very hard.  I miss bread!  If I see a change on the scale from it then I will know that those foods are a problem for me and were keeping me from losing weight. However, I did weigh in this morning and the scale still has not moved! Dang!!!!!!

Anyway, welcome to the group and let us all help you anyway we can!

Marian

vivre

I just found this really interesting doctors blog:

http://drsherri.wordpress.com/2007/08/

Scroll down her blog and you will see another perspective on the brac gene and studies that show it does not change the outcome. I also read (I think someone on the forums here posted it) a study that the brac testing is not as accurate as the company claims and that this test is a big profit making machine. I wish I could find the study. Anyone else remember where it was?

I never had the gene test. I was told it would only be covered by insurance if I was in the arimidex study, which I later found out was not true. It felt the hospital was using the test as a carrot to get me in the study. You know how hard it is to think at that point. I finally decided I did not want to know whether or not I had the gene. What was the point? I did not want to walk around the rest of my life with an anvil hanging over my head. My point is, maybe this would be a worry that your young daughters should not have to add to all the other pressures of growing up. Maybe it is better to just be vigilant and encourage them to keep up the healthy lifestyle. It gives you an excuse the nag them anyway! LOL

Glad to see some newbies joining in. I think I am going to get very confused with the all the Springy names!

Here is some great motivation from my walk yesterday along the river in my town. I was doing a homage to an old tree that became a symbol to me about survival, and got me through treatments. An elderly may stopped me to ask me why I was circling the tree, (he joked that maybe I was "marking" my territory). I told him no I was just paying my respects to mother nature for her beauty and for inspiring me to look ahead during cancer treatments. Well, the next thing I knew we were walking and talking and he was such a dear. He was 85 and nearly blind but out walking into town. He told me he lost his daughter to cancer and his wife a few years ago and was all alone because his other two daughters wanted to put him in a home and he resisted. This guy is a vet from WWII. He seems so upset because he said he put his daughters through school so they would have a good life and they do not even send him a card. When we parted, I just could not get him off of my mind. I feel terrible that I did not even ask his name because I felt like I was intruding. That was so stupid of me. I want to call his daughters and smack them! I know where he lives though, in a condo building so I think I am going to try to find him and see if I can help him out.

So that was my walk yesterday. God really does put the most interesting things in our paths.

Marian_Trehern

Forgot to report my exercise for last night. I did 40 minutes on the treadmill. Just didn't have the oomph to go very fast last night, so I went in intervals from 3.5mph to 5.5 mph ( but more on the lower end than the 5.5mph). It was my first day with no radiation. Felt very weird! I felt all alone for a little while until several hours had past from my usual appointment time.  Will be occupied today at that time so hopefully won't even notice it!  Think I will attempt the kettle bell workout tonight when I get home.  Just hope I don't hurt so much from it this time. 

Have a great day everyone!

Marian

PT63

Welcome to Renee

Vivre I think that is awesome that you are going to reach out to this gentleman.  My grandmother is 92 years old and lives in her own home in a small town in the midwest.  The nearest relative lives 2 hours away and I live two days away.  She has lived there all her life so she knows many people but most of her closest friends have passed on.  I think she gets very lonely sometimes.  I think that just talking to others and telling stories gives older people who live alone something to look forward to.

Springtime, you crack me up -giving our new Spring2 her assignment!  Are you a teacher? You sound like you have practiced those words. lol

Marian, excellent job!  Interval training is supposed be good for you!  And it mixes things up a bit.

Spring2 I am surprised at how much I like the kickboxing.  I am not very good kicking the bag very hard.  I do better with the gloves/hands.  The core strengthening is incredible.  I started out with barely making it through girl pushups.  Now I do half and half.  My club also offers a Clubbin Cardio class which is alot of moves to dance music.  I keep thinking I will try it but it always is incredibly crowded with much younger people than myself.

As far as my workout, I did back to back kickboxing classes.  One last night and one this AM since I was off work.  Tomorrow will be a trip to the gym because tomorrow night is bunco night and there will be many carbohydrate offerings that will be tooooooo tempting to pass up.

vivre

Marian and Renee- I just wanted to mention that I had the exact amount of weight to lose as you do, and I did it, slowly and surely. But it does take a committment to totally change the way you eat, forever. Sugar was my major culprit. I was totally addicted. Sugar wrecks havoc with metabolism, caused insulin spikes all day that make you feel lousy, and feeds cancer more than any other thing you can ingest. Keep in mind too, that alcohol and starchy foods break down into glucose, the same as sugar. Best to avoid these too. Once you start to feel and look better, you will be motivated to continue. I went from a size 12 to a size 6 in a year. I got rid of all the belly fat for the first time since I had kids. It is mostly due to the fact that I went glucose free. While stevia and agave are great natural sweeteners, use them sparingly because you are trying to retrain my mind against the craving for sugar. I know it sounds impossible, but I am proof that it is not. It is simply mind over matter. Keep telling yourself sugar is endangering your life, and you will soon stop wanting it.

kfinnigan

Hi ladies, I'm joining in too.  Been reading up on this thread and some others as well.  I'm on the Feb '09 Rads thread too.  I feel like I know all of you...this is such a great site!

Finished chemo 1/15/09 and will finish rads on Monday.  I am in a clinical trial (Avastin) that started with my first chemo 8/28/08.  I will still go in for the Avastin infusion once every 3 wks til the end of July.  Started Tamoxifen right before rads, my onc wanted me to start sooner than later.  I'm a young 46!! ha

I've started walking again and am up to 30 minutes a day before I poop out. I had to quit walking while on chemo about a month into it.  It just took its toll on me.  It feels good to be back out there.  I have exercised my whole life and it was a big deal to me to not be able to exercise during chemo.  I did keep stretching though.  I am still fatigued but I am determined and I am hanging in there.  

I took advantage of the registered onc dietician at my rads building and met with her 2 wks ago.  She was very informative.  I need to avoid soy (ER+) and eat a well balanced low fat diet, which I always have anyhow.  I can totally relate to what many of you said above because I also looked around me and thought how could I get bc when I take care of myself??  There is an overweight gal in our sister office who was dx with bc 12 yrs ago who had a masectomy + tamox...she still smokes, eats junk all the time, etc. and had the nerve to tell me that she wishes she had to have chemo/rads cause I was getting so much attention from our coworkers and nobody seems to care that she went through bc.  OMG!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, have a wonderful day! 

Springtime

Sugar causes insulin peeks which apparently lead to cancer according to that Anti-Cancer book. He wasys it "feeds on" sugar. Creeps me out!!!

Spring 2, I was kidding about the assignment, but really, if you don't feel up to taking a class, hang out and at least watch one!! All these ladies are making me want to find a place to try Kickboxing or Zumba. or both! I wish I had a place, like you do!

Marian, I LOVE your smile!!!

Vivre, the story of the old gent touched me. Maybe you can be like a "local" daughter to him in a way, or at least a friend... I hope you cross paths with him again! And Congrats to YOU!!! Size 12 to 6!!! Wooot woman!!! 

PT, bunco, I think that will be a fun evening! Report back on how you do with all those "carb offerings"!!! LOL.

Reporting in!: Today I got OUTSIDE to walk. and it is a gorgeous day here. sunny, light breeze, not hot or cold, so "springy" looking with birds and blooms everywhere. We walked 3.85 miles and that was a bit over an hour. I forgot my 3lb hand weight though!!!! 

Springtime.

lisasayers

Hey Ladies

 Just a quick note...I'm home from surgery with my new girls!  I feel softer already!  My PS said her couldn't ask for a better outcome!  I'm bandaged up, so can't tell yet, but I look great in clothing and feel "softer".  Was at the hospital at 6:30, got into surgery around 8...was about an hour and a half..and the discharged me at noon.  Stopped and had lunch and now I'm going to go take a nap!

He said no vigorous exercise for a week! 

Hugs to all!

Lisa

dlb823

Happy Friday, ladies, and welcome to Renee (I think you were just starting to post on the TC board as I was leaving), and Kari!  Renee, I also use Agave Nectar.  I like the Madahava brand, the light version.  But I've been wondering if the 60 calories per Tb. is sneaking "hidden" calories into my tea.  I'm going to measure what I actually use in a day, as well as try Stevia again, which I didn't like the one time I tried it.

This morning, I did my walk to two parts.  I started out with my two little 2 lbs. weights today, and I did great exercising my arms and upper body with them for awhile.  But I didn't want to overdo it the first time, and I was surprised at how much harder it was to climb hills just carrying 4 extra pounds, so I stopped back by the house after 4200 steps to drop them off.  Then I went in the other direction and completed a total of 6850 steps, or about 3.4 miles.  But as I was doing that second part of my walk, I started thinking about those weights I'd just left at home and realized that in a way they were a metaphor for the stresses in our lives, and it became so clear to me how even little stresses (the "2 pounders") can add up and drag you down.  It made me realize that it's not just the big stresses (a death, divorce, loss of job, problems with children, etc.) that are a concern to our health, but how even the minor day-to-day ones (traffic, annoying co-workers, etc.) may be having a much greater cumulative impact on us than we are aware.  Just something I started thinking about today and wanted to share....  

Have a great weekend everyone!     Deanna

Springtime

Lisa! Congratulations!!!! Let us know if you feel any "jigglyness"!!!!!!! I noticed my implants settled and  softened over time. I had mine in Dec 2. So 3 months ago.

lisasayers

Exercise and Breast Cancer Risk: It's Not Too Late By Suzanne Dixon, MPH, MS, RD

Healthnotes Newswire (March 19, 2009)-Regular exercise is important for good health, staving off everything from osteoporosis to heart disease. When it comes to breast cancer, however, health experts haven't yet agreed on whether exercise truly reduces risk. Studies on this topic are mixed, but new research helps explain why. By considering all types of breast cancer as one single disease and by lumping together physical activity at all points during a woman's life, researchers have missed important connections between these two factors.

What, when, how

Health experts know that not all breast cancers are the same. For example, some breast cancers will grow more quickly in response to the presence of naturally-occurring hormones in the body, such as estrogen and progesterone, and are referred to as estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and/or progesterone receptor positive (PR+) breast cancers. Breast cancers that do not respond to these hormones are referred to as estrogen receptor negative (ER-) and/or progesterone receptor negative (PR-) cancers. These differences are important because they help researchers understand why a woman might develop breast cancer and they help doctors best treat each unique breast cancer when it does occur.

German researchers studied 3,414 postmenopausal women with breast cancer (cases) and 6,569 women without breast cancer (controls) to determine how physical activity at different times in a woman's life affects her risk of different breast cancer types. The women were asked about recreational and nonrecreational (job and household activities) physical activity between ages 30 and 49 and after age 50.

The researchers found that women who reported the highest levels of recreational physical activity (exercise) after age 50 reduced their risk of developing post-menopausal, ER+/PR+ breast cancer, which is the most common type, by 29% compared with women performing the least physical activity after 50. Any type of physical activity, recreational or not, between ages 30 and 49 did not seem to have an effect on postmenopausal breast cancer risk. For breast cancer types other than ER+/PR+, regular physical activity did not lower risk either.

About 75% of all breast cancers are ER+ and two-thirds of those are also PR+. This means that regular physical activity after age 50, even if a woman has never exercised much in the past, can reduce her risk of developing the most common type of breast cancer by nearly one-third.

How much is enough?

In this study, the highest physical activity group performed the equivalent of about 2.5 hours of moderate-pace walking daily. This may seem like a lot of exercise, but fortunately, how the women undertook the activity didn't seem to matter. The 2.5 hours of walking is simply for comparison purposes. The researchers simply summed up all recreational activity, which supports the notion that you don't need to get all of your daily physical activity at once. Small, regular bouts of physical activity, such as walking, gardening, or playing with your kids or grandkids all count. As well, the researchers noted a trend of decreasing incidence of breast cancer with increasing amount of exercise, which tells us that any exercise is better than none. For best benefit, however, aim for as much exercise as you can fit in each day.

What are the most important take home messages from this research?

1. It's never too late to improve your health with regular exercise.

2. Be active in all possible ways for good health.

(Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17:3402-10)

Suzanne Dixon, MPH, MS, RD, an author, speaker, and internationally recognized expert in chronic disease prevention, epidemiology, and nutrition, has taught medical, nursing, public health, and alternative medicine coursework. She has delivered over 150 invited lectures to health professionals and consumers and is the creator of a nutrition website acclaimed by the New York Times and Time magazine. Suzanne received her training in epidemiology and nutrition at the University of Michigan, School of Public Health at Ann Arbor.

dlb823

Lisa  ~  We were posting at the same time, so just had to stop back and say, WOOHOO!!!  That's great!  I'm so glad things went so well, and that that step is behind you!   No doubt you'll be back teaching Zumba classes in no time!    Deanna  

dani42

Hey Lisa, I will be 45 April 2 and my daughter is almost 18!  So many similarities....

You do look fantastic, by the way.

I see your posting and am wondering why you aren't getting some sleep...

Springtime

That's our Lisa!!!

The more exercise the better!!!!

I am older (50) but have a 19 and 16 year old daughter!   (Lots of teen daughters here...)

Springtime

Be Wary of Sugar - article.

dlb823

Interesting article, Lisa.  It sounds like that study was done retroactively, looking at the reported habits of women who had or had not already developed bc.  But what I can't get my head around is, since many women on this site and this thread were relatively active and took good or even great care of themselves before bc, yet still developed it, how do these particular statistics apply to us now?   Do you think that 29% or nearly one-third reduction in risk applies now that our bodies have already shown us that they have figured out how to make bc cells?    Deanna

kfinnigan

When I met with the dietician a couple weeks ago I had asked her about the sugar thing among other things - I brought up sugar and she went into a whole chemistry analysis of sugar, the food pyramid and how the body breaks things down into simple sugars, whether it be from carbs, which are sugars or honey or white sugar, etc.  She said my body has no problem breaking down sugar, so I shouldn’t freak out (my words) about it.  She said if I were to put sugar or honey in my tea that the honey would give me extra nutrients but the body would still see both the same.  Same for bread, etc.  She said go ahead and eat your birthday cake.

Anyway, she went over the soy, organic and low fat info with me too.  Just thought I'd share and share what I learned.

Lisa, How exciting!!!!!!!  I was told last summer before my mastectomy by my bs that I would be a good candidate for recon after all my treatments and he tried to save as much skin as he could (I'm thin and with nearly A cups, not much skin there!) and then my onc told me the same thing in the beginning.  Then near the end of chemo and with rads, both the onc and rad onc said "well...its not going to be that easy now...rads changes the chest area, etc. and you would have to find a really experienced ps who would be comfortable doing that surgery"...what the heck?  I've been so down lately at the thought they won't be able to do anything with me...I have to wait until my clinical trial is over for a month before any kind of surgery anyhow, so I guess I should be patient until I can talk to a ps to see if anything can be done.

All I can do now is take care of myself and regain my strength and I really need to gain muscle!!!! 

 

pk0199

Hi All,

Haven't posted for awhile but have been following so, Happy Bday to those who had one, congrats to those who finished rads and have had their surgeries, but most of all Great Job ladies for continuing the exercising in whatever capacity  you are doing.

Still having trouble with that sugar thing, why can't sugar taste like liver, then I would stay away from it!

I have been a bit down lately but a wise woman told me that maybe it is due to the cold weather climate I live in. Since today is a beautiful sunny day, I am going to sign off now and do as this wise lady suggested and go for a walk in the fresh air.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Penny

ps Mumayan where are you?

mumito

Hi Penny I am still here just not feeling like my old self.  Dragged myself to the gym this morning but i still feel like crap.   Monday i see my rad onc for a checkup.  Maybe some bloodwork should be in order.  Have a good weekend everyone.

Springtime

Kari, Have you looked into DIEP or GAP for breast reconstruction? I think you would be an ideal candidate. PM me if you want more info.

Springtime.

dani42

Springtime

I have a 17 year old son too.   Having my kids 18 months apart seemed like a good idea when they were conceived.  Didn't consider them having hormone explosions at the same time!   

vivre

Deanne, the great thing about walking outside is how great it is for the mind. The fresh air really helps to clear the cancer fog and make you come alive again, something I never feel on a treadmill or in a gym. As to your point about the fact  that many of us exercised and still got cancer, I look at it like this; the fact that I was active probably saved my life. It kept my tumor from spreading. I have since learned that nutrition, supplementing, de-stressing, and a better mindset are also important. It is not one thing, that causes cancer, or one thing that keeps it at bay. It is about keeping your body and soul as healthy as possible so that it has the power to fight off free radicals so they cannot morph into cancer. It is like going into battle with a full arsenal instead of a bow and a few arrows.

To all of you still in treatments or just finishing: It is great that you are joining us here, on a path to a healthier life. Just keep in mind, that your body has been through a lot. Push yourself as far as you can but do not overdo it. You need to allow yourself time to heal. If an exercise makes you sore, you are overdoing it. I worry about using those kettel balls. They can be unwieldy and cause you to do things out of alignment, which could be harmful.

One more thing to remember-never work out with cold muscles. Before any exercise session, it is important to get the blood moving first to warm up the muslces. Even just jogging in place for a few minutes to get the heart rate up will really help to prevent injury. Never stretch or lift weights when your muscles are cold.

Springtime

Vivre, I am of the same mind as you about how worse it may have been if our bodies were less strong and healthy. In any case. I have no doubt in my mind that this is what I want to do now. BE HEALTHY, BE STRONG!!!

OK Dani, a slew of us have teens!!!!! This could turn into a "Motivation" + "Survive teens" board! LOL.

Every time I walk/exercise and drink green tea, etc., I think of it as "healthy" chemotherapy! The non-toxic version!!! LOL

SpringTIME....  

lisasayers

Dani...sounds like we do have a LOT of similarities!  I have a 19 year old son in addition to my 18 year old daughter...15 months apart! LOL  Yes, the hormone thing has been interesting! 

You are right Spring...this could turn into an entirely different thread! LOL

I slept in the recliner last night...and I'm feeling pretty good this morning.  Getting ready for the unveiling!  I'm nervous...but since my PS said he couldn't have asked for a better outcome...I'm sure it will be all good!  Will keep you posted!

Hugs

Lisa

vivre

TEENAGERS! Yikes, been there done that, would not want to go through that again for all the green tea in china! All I can say to you all is, "This to shall pass". Remember that right now, you are considered to be incredibly stupid by your teenagers. In a few more years, they will being to think that you are starting to get a little wiser, and by the time they hit 30 they will be amazed at how brilliant you are. Hang in there!

SpringTIME, great analogy that walking and a better lifestyle is non-toxic chemotherapy. Let's call it cancer-freemotherapy. It is really empowering, don't you think?

Muma-next time you get a blood check, have your Vit D levels checked. If they are low, you may need to start to supplement, and get more sun. Low D levels can zap your energy.

Springtime

Lisa, I am thinking Jiggly for you!! Wooo!

Vivre, I am taking lots of Vit D also, and am finally up there in mid ranges. I was taking 5K per day, now down to 4K given more sun. I LOVE Cancer-freemotherapy!!!!  About to go get a shot of it right now!! It's a gorgeous day here! 

SpringTIME (LOL). 

vivre

Okay, I just have one request for all of you living in warmer climes-stop bragging! I know you mean well by going on about how wonderful spring is and all, but have a little mercy please. Spring is coming very slowly here in Chicago and it has been a long cold winter. So can you just tone it down a bit, until those of us up north finally catch up?? I did finally see a robin this week, so there is hope around here, but be nice for a little while longer. I am spring green with envy!

Springtime, it took me a whole year to get my D level up. I was taking 6000 iu for almost a year. My last blood test showed it was over 100 so now I am lowering my supplement to 4000, and maybe a little less when I finally start getting some sun again. The only thing that has not been covered all winter during my walks has been my eyeballs! I got zero D from the sun for the past 6 months even though I was out walking all winter. Hopefully, I can dust off my bike soon.