Weight Watchers...Start the recovery process with us!

marejo

Can I join too?  I lost 30 pounds 16 years ago being in a program called "TOPS" - which stands for ....Take Off Pounds Sensibly.  I kept off the 30 pounds until I got breast cancer.  I was dx in 2005 with er/pr negative...her2 positive breast cancer.  I had both breasts removed...went through 8 cycles of chemo and 1 year of herceptin - not to mention chemopause and now menopause.  The weight has come on - about 10 pounds - and for the life of me I can't seem to lose it.  I know I  must have to reduce my calorie intake much lower than years ago but it is so hard.  Maybe the encouragment of this group would help me.  I am an avid powerwalker and have always been so exericise isn't the problem....food is.  So, I'd love to be a part of this group.

 Thanks ladies.

 Mary Jo

Anonymous

Welcome, Mary Jo!  Everyone is welcome to this club, where LOSERS are winners!!!  (sorry, can't resist corny puns and sayings). 

Lisa, wow, you are certainly going to be busy for the next couple of months, but makes perfect sense to me too - get all of the surgeries done, recover well and then a brand new, better you will emerge and you'll be done with all of it!

Going outside to do some yard work and put in more Malibu lights in the backyard.  With the heat (high 90's) and humidity here in so Florida, I'll certainly sweat off pounds (I'd better!!).

marejo

Thank you everyone......it was a good day today.  Went to the Renascence Fair with our kids and grandkids - ate well and walked a lot.  Healthy veggie sub from Subway for supper.

Hope you all had a good day too.

Mary Jo

Cruise4life

Welcome to all the new ladies to our WW thread...

Sorry I have been MIA...last week we became Foster grandparents to my granddaughter who is 7 1/2.  Her father (my son) was killed in a car accident about 4 years ago.  We had guardianship of her after the accident for about two years at that time the "mother" who was incarcerated....the mother got better and became a saint and the "JUDGE" gave my granddaughter to her mother.  It has been two years since then and now the mother has now gone back to her old ways (drugs). 

So as for losing weight...this additional stress...may help.  So far I have lost 2 pounds.  Just hard with having all the cookies, ice cream and brownies around...LOL

Hope you ladies are having a healthy start to a great week....

Hugs...

Bold

Good Monday!!!!!

Well weigh in this morning went swimmingly! I lost 7 pounds. Can you believe it? I know its the first week and I do not expect to keep that pace up. I am going to work out more this week than last so that my metabolism will continue to increase.

So much going on. My Dh and I are planning two trips. One to Tahiti, Fiji, Roatonga. This one for March. I had better be thin. The next one to Europe with My in laws. Personally I would rather take that money and rent a beach house for a month in Malibu and let everyone come and visit. It would be like running a bed and breakfast for a month. toooo much fun huh?

On top of all this we are looking for a house to buy. So a lot of good stuff. I am getting stronger everyday. My hair is growing slowly as the herceptin slows it. But I am starting to feel pretty again and pray that I never have to go through cancer again!!!!!

I have bought The weight watcher packaged foods (lean cuisine too) to get the ball rolling. Its great not having to cook. Even though I love to. It gives me more time for other things. Is anyone else have so much energy that they feel like they could burst? I hardly know what to do with myself. I have to just breath and relax I feel hyper. Not completely comfortable. Like to much caffeine or something.

Anyway, I hope that this week is successful for all of us. I say every morning. I will never weigh again what I weigh today. I will be rocking my jeans come late fall. By the time that Christmas comes I will be able to wear a beautiful gowns for the formal parties and slinky cocktail clothes too. OH BOY I can not wait.

Bold

Sorry I am such a long poster. I was thinking maybe this thread would like to have a weigh in day. Those that would like to. What do you think?  Anyway just a thought, it could help motivate us and give us some accountability.

barbiedahl

Cruise Great news! You will give her so much stability and love. I will keep praying that you can retain custody. All that and you lost weight, wow.  All that counts is that the scale moves downward!

Bold That's terrific! What a great week for you and I think the beginning of a diet is really the hardest. It's so nice that your DH is doing this with you and making it sooo much easier.  Isn't it nice to plan to go away? I've enjoyed all the travel I've done even more since I felt so trapped during treatment. You'll be rocking the two piece in Tahiti I'm sure of it!

Lisa don't forget you had serious surgery. Walking is great, but listen to your body. You'll have tons of time to overdue when you are completely healed.

Marejo you should be applauded for only gaining 10 pounds. You've addressed it and now you will lose it!

Women have to be careful not to cut back on calories too much. Eating well and revving up on the exercise is more effective than just cutting out food. Also muscle burns more calories at rest so strength training is important toov.

I obviously made way too many ribs, or too many sides the other night we have lots of left over ribs (very dangerous!) I will try and let my thin husband eat most of them. I'm drinking so much water that I think I may become a lake!

lisalisa

I need your VOTE/COMMENT.   This is for a $6,000 branding/website package.  I want to win this and launch HowToFightLikeAGirl.org   Person with the most votes wins!  and I want to build a website for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients....with all kinds of resources to help them!

go to http://www.ebsiwebsites.com/_blog/EBSI_Main_Blog/   you'll see my name (Lisa Mittleman) and a hawaiin sunset photo.  you don't even have to watch the montage.  just click on the "comments" section below my name.....and leave a quick comment about why I should win.   THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lisa

Anonymous

Bold, great work!!  You are really moving and shaking and it is definitely working.  Awesome job!! 

I just weighed myself on the scale here at work, and because it's not one I have used recently, I don't know how accurate it is, but according to it, and I'll get myself to the scale I've been using, but it appears I am down around 7 lbs too.  I'm noticing it in my face (not as puffy) and my pants are fitting a little better.  Mainly been preparing mostly vegetarian or very lean chicken or beef meals, and definitely staying away from the desserts - that was my downfall during tx - chemo and rads - ice cream and brownies!  Also have been getting in a workout almost every day during the week, once I get home, even if it's 15 - 30 minutes, it's something, and we've been getting out on our bikes more after dinner too.  Last night we took a ride around 7:30, and by 8:30 it was sprinkling rain, and for the first time ever, I didn't have to worry about my hair (because normally I would have blown dry and flat-ironed it and the humidity would have killed all of that work), so there is an upside to the almost-pixie.    And, Bold, you are visiting the ultimate place on my bucket list in March - you will have such a wonderful time there!!!

Bold

Thx for the encouragement chelev. I have been to Tahiti about 18 years ago and loved it. I have not been to Fiji. My DH wants to stay in the huts over the water. How cool is that. I am saving for a black pearl ring. I want to be skinny and tan. I have a beautiful collection of sarongs. I do not wear a top there while bathing. I have one breast kinda smaller than the other. OH WELL! When in Rome.

I did not get any feed back on the Monday morning weigh in. Could those that would like to participate please weight in on the subject. You do not have to say what you weight but only how much you lost or gained. What cha think???????

lisalisa

Bold,

My honeymoon was in Tahiti 12 years ago.  We went to Moorea, Bora Bora and Huahine.  We stayed in the most amazing overwater bungalows.  We simply moved our coffee table and we could see the water and the fish!  so fun!

I bougt black pearls there and brought them home to be mounted....i have a gorgeous black pearl/diamond ring and matching earrings!  still love them!

I was my skinniest ever (well, was just married) when I was there.  Food there is french...very rich....careful LOL!

Debonthelake

Thanks Lisa,

I'm not committing to being Vegan.  But, I'm leaning toward vegetarian.  At least I'm trying to eat more vegetarian meals.  If you come up with any good recipes please share them.

Anonymous

Deb, I've been preparing more vegetarian-based meals, with some lean protein every few days from organic chicken breast (love love love rotisserie chicken - had jamaican jerk flavor last night from whole foods, and I made isreali cous-cous and asparagus, which I steamed for a few minutes then cut up and sauteed with garlic and olive oil).  Been making a lot of dishes with beans - black bean and corn, red peppers chopped up with green onions, sauteed in a little olive oil, with cumin, and then layer large tortillas with mixture and a little low-fat cheddar.  Make 3 layers, sprinkle a little cheese on top and bake for 10 min. until cheese melts.  top with chopped cilantro.  slice like a pizza.  yummy!  If you like tuna, I get the italian tuna packed in olive oil.  Parboil some fresh green beans and a couple of potatoes.  cut up the potatoes, put on a platter and sprinkle with sea salt and ground pepper.  put beans next to them - I toss those with some roasted tomatoes in garlic & olive oil, for flavor.  then on the other side, pile the tuna, loosely drained, and sprinked with fresh pepper.  Next to that, european style salad bag (or whatever type salad bag floats your boat), with fresh cut tomatoes, kalamatta olives, some cukes and red peppers.  I make a fresh balsamic vinaigrette (balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, sea salt, pepper, dash of dijon mustard - mix well).  Have a little 5 grain italian bread and good to go!

Tonight, making a tortilla bean soup with red kidney beans, fresh jalapenos, cilantro.  If anyone wants any more receipies, let me know. I have a couple of very good cookbooks - and I come up with things on my own as well.  One is all vegetarian and the other is healthy, lowfat and both are delicious!

lisalisa

Chelev, that all sounds so yummy!  I'm on the vegetarian band wagon too!

I'm leaving for vacation tomorrow but once I'm back, let's compare notes!

We're headed to Las Vegas, Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Sedona, and lots of other places on our "Wild West" tour!  so fun!

Lisa

Debonthelake

Yum,

Your first recipe sounds like a vegetarian Mexican lasagna I've been making this summer it's very filling and satisfying.

Thanks

barbiedahl

Hey Bold i'm willing to weigh in on Mondays, although my weekends tend to be my "less good" days. Oh well, I'm up for it.

 I thought I hadn't lost any weight this week and I've been soooo good but after a very grumpy day yesterday lo and behold I have my period. Hopefully the lack of weight loss has to do with that.

I'm trying to be more plant based in my diet as well, but also lower carb and low sugar. It all seems to be working for us so keep up the good work everyone and have a great weekend!

cheranthia

I don't know why I'm just now finding this thread. I could use a group like this. I had gained about 20 pounds by the time I finished treatment in January 2008. And I wasn't thin to begin with. The chemo weight is really tough to get rid of. Who knew the back of your neck could get fat!? Anyway, I started taking ballroom dancing lessons (which is a blast) in April of 2008 and joined Weight Watchers Online last July. I'm not the meeting type. In the past year, I have lost 35 pounds, but I still need to lose a good bit more. I've been in a holding pattern for months now. I really am thrilled with the progress I have made so far, but it's so hard to stay motivated when the scale won't move!! Any good ideas for jump starting weight loss after a stall?

Writeangel

Thank you sooo much for bringing up this topic. I'm a three-year survivor and celebrated my 3rd anniversary of ending chemo on August 1st. Afterwards, no matter what I did, I could not lose weight! It was frustrating, especially when I went to docs -- including an endocronologist and therapist -- and they all told me to just "get used to the new normal." It made me feel like I was crazy! I finally found out that three of the meds I was on after chemo cause weight gain! Duh! I was able to cut out one of them and switch to another med for the other, and lost 10 pounds in the first seven weeks! Then I found a wonderful doc who treats the ENTIRE person -- not just the symptoms. She was able to help me sleep better (sleep through those pesky hot flashes at night) and I proceeded to lose another 20 pounds. I'm so happy to report that I am now down to my pre-BC weight -- MY normal! -- and I feel wonderful!

kathiemandrews

I finally joined weight watchers not quite 3 weeks ago.  I can't believe how it has helped.  I know my points and use them as I wish.  I was heavy before surgery, chemo and radiation but was encouraged not to loose any weight while I was in active treatment.  At my first meeting, I found out I was not the only breast cancer survivor there, the meeting leader is also a survivor.  I committed to a 3mo program and will faithfully follow it until October.  Any one who is struggling out there with post BC weight gain, there is hope. 

Marian_Trehern

Writeangel-

What meds were you on that was keeping the weight from coming off? Your post sounds like exactly what I have experienced. I lost 90 lbs on weight watchers before being diagnosed with breast cancer. I actually didn't gain weight during chemo but lost about 20 lbs.  Now that treatment is completed and I am on several meds I have been at a stand still for almost 6 months now. Talk about discouragement.  I just don't understand it. I have done nothing but focus on taking off this last 40 lbs and it just won't budge.  I am so frustrated and not quite sure where to go from here.  I have tried eating more, thinking I was in starvation mode. That didn't work. I tried cutting points and that didn't work. I tried exercising longer, harder and doing interval training. nothing has worked. I tried cutting sugar, lowering fat, eating more fiber. I am just at my whits end. I can tell I have lost inches, because my clothes have been getting looser, but the weight does not change.  It is really frustrating when by medical terms you are still classified as obese by your bmi, and you are really trying almost too hard for results and nothing changes.  Anyone with any ideas or suggestions, please help!

Spitfire

Writeangel - I am almost two years post chemo and I am having the same problem you describe.  I talked with my Oncologist and he said my complaint, about not being able to lose the weight, was a common one.  I walk for about 30 minutes at least 4 days a week and I've started working out with light weights 2 or 3 times a week as well.  I think in the last 6 months I've lost about 7 pounds.  It is agonizingly slow.  I had a lumpectomy and had to go back a second surgery because they discovered a second tumor.  I am considering reconstruction surgery but don't know if I will get the best results when I am carrying so much extra weight.  I am 61 uears old and I am curious to know what type of drug(s) you have been prescribed.

marejo

Well, since I started writing down what I eat and keeping my calories at 1500 - 1600 per day, I am down 5 pounds.  Ahhh, it feels good.  Fifteen more to go and feeling Iike it will happen.

Hugs...

Mary Jo

Bold

Good Morning. I just wanted to stop by and give my weigh in. I am down 3 pounds for last week. I almost completely blew it on the weekend. We were entertaining both nights. I made food that complied with weight watchers. One night we had a Greek salad that was great. I had to much wine, and a some pita bread too. But still lost, whew! I am off to another great week I will include more and more exercises hopefully that will expedite things. I have herceptin tomorrow.(ugg) I am still getting better and better everyday.

Anonymous

Bold, great results!  You are really kicking butt!

I worked out a couple of times last week, but after having a lot of breast pain from doing one of the workouts with light weights, and we were coming down with a bit of a cold this weekend, didn't do too much.  Was very good about eating . . . until yesterday.  Must not have had enough to do or something, plus a little worried about the storms (looks like we'll dodge all of those bullets).  Was healthy - meaning nothing processed, but made a really delicious mushroom risotto for dinner that had butter and cream in it, and made my hubby home made chocolate chip cookies for dessert that I didn't eat any of, but had a couple of swipes of the cookie dough.  Back on the workout wagon tonight.  Just weighed myself - at least nothing has changed in the upwards direction! 

Debonthelake

Hi, everyone,  I gained a little bit while on vacation but I think I'm getting back into the swing of things again.  I was able to walk and or walk/jog 6 out of seven days last week.  So far so good.  I may need a bit of help with motivation as the days get shorter and shorter.  I tend to have a bit of Seasonal Affective Disorder. 

Bold it sounds like you are doing Great.  It is so good to hear our rads people waking up and coming to life.  Good luck all.

Bold

Geez ivory thats fear not motivation. I  know what you mean though. I am running as fast I can. I love food soo much and cooking that I am trying to be a dietitian for my wonderful husband and myself. I have been grilling a lot of veggies. Tonight roasted red peppers, zucchini corn on the cob,(with lime juice, jalapeno, garlic, Mexican paprika) organic skinless chicken breast with garlic and rosemary. Anyway I gotta go cook. Frozen yogurt and fruit for desert.

PrincessKauai59

Man Bold can we come over for dinner?!

My wt. is up so I'm going to start at this in earnest again.  I brought my lunch to work today which helps.  

bonnid

Hello, I'd like to join in but not sure when.  I'm a WW lifetimer but have now put on close to 20 lbs. 

I had lost (again) about 12 lbs from March '08 to prior to Feb '09.  I last weighed in the beginning of Feb.  Then my mom passed away (at 96) on Valentine's Day and 2 days after her funeral I received a call from my gyn with the diagnosis.  Needless to say, I wasn't paying attention to my weight.  I have had a lumpectomy followed by a mastectomy and 4 tx of chemo.  My last chemo was almost 2 weeks ago - I'm on day 12.  My exchange is scheduled for the end of Sept.

So the question I have for everyone is how soon after the final chemo treatment should I think about going back to/on WW?  Of course thats provided that mentally I'm ready.

Brahna

koshka1

Hi,,, I think I am going to join u ladies in this....

But, I have not done chemo.  Just lumpectomy, radiation and tamoxifin and I would like to lose 20lbs...

Have any of you managed to lose weight on Tamoxfin?????

ps...I am signing up for  WW sometime this week.

Hugs...Kosh 

JanMarch

I've been off this thread for a while (I wasn't really working very hard to lose when I first joined), but I'm back now!   I wanted to share with everyone that it is possible to lose weight on tamoxifen.  For the last month I've been following the Eat Clean philosophy by Tosca Reno, recommended to me by my hair stylist...I went for a cut about a month ago and she looked fantastic!  The basic premise is pretty straightforward....eat 5-6 times a day (every 2-3 hours), eat a bit of lean protein with each meal/snack and keep to lean protein, fruits vegetables and whole grains and lots of water.  It's pretty common-sense stuff.  I've cut out all diet soft drinks, processed foods, beef and anything containing alot of salt or fat.  I've been plugging all of this into my points tracker at Weight Watchers.com and meet my daily points allowance and 8 healthy guidelines, no problem. The biggest difference is eating 5-6 small meals which include protein.  I am NEVER hungry!  Ever!  This is a first for me, really.  So, in a month I've lost 13 pounds.  Trust me, I am not one of those people who can drop weight easily...I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis and I thought that tamoxifen would be the end of any hope of losing weight.  But this has been very doable.  I'm recommending it because it's a very nutritious way to eat and it works!!