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

carolinachick

Welcome, Kathy!  It's a great group of women here.  Hopefully we can all motivate each other to eat right and exercise so that we can live long, healthy, energetic lives!  I keep visualizing myself thin as I eat my cottage cheese and plod along on the treadmill.

barbiedahl

kbram welcome to this happy bunch of losers (in a good way!)

Bold excellent! Two pounds is a lot.  How often do you have herceptin? I'm not sure I could do it girl. I was always fine with needles and stuff, but after chemo just the thought of giving blood makes cringe.You have a very busy year ahead, that's great. Your Dad sounds like he'd be fun to be on vaca with -if I could keep up!

I was playing golf with a friend this morning and she asked if my pants were new, no I said, and she added they looked nice. Hey I lost 17 pounds!!!! Okay I gain 7 during chemo but that's still 10 additional pounds! It's so funny that I didn't look thinner to her but my pants looked good. 

We are heading to Maine with a couple of good friends next week. I have a feeling that the trip will involve food and adult beverage. I've got to be good and not over do, but the will seems so weak sometimes!

Bold

You beutiful dahl. I think that your pants look good is the goal. (of sorts). It works. How much more do you want to lose. I think that if you are going with friends make good choices and save allot of your calories for the Adult beverages. But thats just me. I have a long road in front of me for the weight lose. I will hopefully be close to goal in December. I am thinking of supporting my diet and exercise with some metabolic booster. It just that I so not want to hinder my treatment at allllll!!!!. I just want to do all I can to be at the proper BMI by the time I am off herceptin.

I did not have a port. I have big juicy viens. I do not mind being poked. I guess it is because I have my degree in medicine. I was the one taking the blood. I am a Physician Assistant by degree. I do not practice anymore but rather have been in the arts for more years than medicine. Life takes many turns. I have had many different professions. I quess I like to many things and I only have 100 years to live so I switch. I love it all!!!

Bold

Listen to those crickets................................................................................................................

Well its a good thing that I am self motivated. I hope everyone is losing and getting better everyday.

carolinachick

I had lost a pound this morning, so I'm very excited about that.  So far I've lost 8 lbs. since I finished treatment in July.  Hopefully I'll be at my goal by Thanksgiving.

Two weeks until the Charlotte Race for the Cure.  I'll be running and thinking of all of us survivors during my 5K.  So far I have 10 people on my team and I've raised over $700 for breast cancer research.  Tomorrow night we are having "Bunco for the Cure" at my house, so there will be some adult beverages consumed during that.

Here's to living healthy, staying healthy and finding a cure - clink, clink!

Bold

THATS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!!

barbiedahl

Bold I will try to eat less this coming week, because the adult beverages are going to be very important! Most days I think I'm doing okay, I have not had chocolate in I can't remember when and I even have chocolate in the house! I have been trying to stay away from carbs and sugar and I have to say my appetite seems to be more stable. The only problem I have is if I'm out longer than I plan and lunch is delayed, it's like open the flood gates hungry rules! Oh, I have about 50 more pounds to lose. I read on some site that after breast cancer  you should try to be within 5 pounds of your weight at age 18. It may be tough but it's a goal, and as my friend says "something is better than nothing"

 Carolinachick Great about the pound. I think it's so great that you are running. A dear friend is participating in a fund raising walk and has my name on her vest. I am so honored.

This is about the same time last year that all the breast stupid cancer stuff started. I find myself sometimes a little teary and think wow what a year, a year I could never have imagined. 

I had a nice hair trim today and made an appointment for a little color. I don't know what happened, but it looks sort of gray, say it ain't so. Of course I had to have my passport picture taken and I need to get a new drivers license picture this year too. I'm happy to have hair, but I was never a short hair girl so this is a real change for me.

We just got invited to a birthday party for our neighbor who is going to be 100! She's amazing and very with it. I hope that's me in 50 years!

BooBee

Clink, Carolina.  Good job Bold.  Barbie....try vodka and diet 7up with lime.  I use a lot of diet 7 so I don't feel like I'm depriving myself or feeling left out. 

I'm down 8 LBS........65 LBS to go.  In some ways cancer has brought some good changes in my life and my eating habits are the biggest changes. 

Have I mentioned using spaghetti squash instead of noodles for spaghetti?  It's wonderful and easy.  You just pop it in the microwave for 12 to 14 minutes and cut it in half and scrape out the noodles.  I cooked and froze two of them for the winter.

BooBee

Has anyone tried this website?  MyFitnessPal.com

Bold

Hi you bunch of losers.  I only lost 1 pound again this week. UGGGGGG. It is so slow. I have to make my goal by January. I have 33 pounds to go. I am going to ask the doctor for suggestions. I am a bit nervous about taking anything. I am still on herceptin. Oh I hate this. Will I ever feel safe again. I think not. Oh well I am still here to complain. Maybe I will try having more green tea.

Renee having spaghetti squash tonight. It is so good.

lisalisa

Hi guys!

Just checking in.  I'm a few days post phase II of my DIEP (reconsruction) so I'm homebound.  I'm starting to plan my weight loss/diet/exercise program once I get cleared by my plastic surgeon.

I've given up all alchohol, all beef.  I'm trying to go almost vegetarian and get away from so much chicken,turkey, etc.   The food part of this is hard for me.  I love fish but then have to watch for too much mercury, etc.

I wish someone would tell me exactly what to eat LOL!  I'm reading "the Anti-Cancer" right now. Any other books, websites, etc. that you can send me to to help plan meals?

thanks!  Will join you as soon as I can!

Lisa

Debonthelake

Hi Lisa,

I've looked at a couple of different books.  My favorite is "The Strange CAncer Prevention Center Cookbook.  It is written by several registered dieticians.  The information is all research based.  There are lots of good recipes in the book.  They promote a low fat diet which is mostly vegetable based and also based on the Mediterranian diet.  It is not exclusively vegetarian.  Meat is just very restricted in amounts.  But, it seemed like a plan that I could live with.  Good luck.

lisalisa

Hi Deb,

Thanks so much for the tip!  I'm going to check it out right now on Amazon.   It sounds perfect!

Lisa

Bold

Do not forget that most doctors believe that exercise is more important than what we eat. Weird but true. The combo should be a slam dunk.

It is crazy that I have gotten to the point that I need to lose 32 pounds. How the hell did that happen. I am glad that I have started and have already lost 18 pounds. I know that it is easier in the beginning. I wish that I could get to my goal by January. This is going pretty slow most weeks only one pound. I am going to amp up the exercise. What else can I do. It takes time to put it on and it take time to blah blah blah...... Patience is one of the gift of cancer. NOT! It seems that I have been waiting for something since this journey began. But I do know that time does pass and treatment ends hair grows back and strength comes back. I am lucky to be challenged just by weight and herceptin. Thanks for the rant.

lisalisa

hi Bold!

yes, exercise for sure!  BUT....I just had surgery last Thursday on my breasts and my abdomen....no exersing for me for now.  I see my plastic surgeon next Friday and hopefully I'll be able to start walking again at least!  My stitches are across my abdomen from one side all the way to the other.  They opened during chemo and I don't want to go thru that again!!!

So, for now, I'm sedentary while I heal!!

Bold

Well yeah!!! Lisa it is so good to hear from you. You look incredible. You have 3 times as much hair as I do. Just take it easy. You have to heal first and foremost. There will be plenty of time to exercise. The fall is my favorite anyway, (for working out). When the weather cools. Taking care of your kids is hard right now I am sure. I am just sure that all that you have done will insure you a long and wonderful life. Thats what it is all about. Right?  I am a bit fanatical about the weight loss because as of the end of December, I will be without herceptin and its spooky. I want to be with in my proper BMI. No where near it now. But I will get there. Again you look great!

lisalisa

Hi Bold,

So great to be back in touch with my friends from the board!  It has been hard to get on the board between surgeries and the kids being home for summer and then the delouge of activity as school starts up again!

You are doing AMAZING with your weight loss!  I LOVE it!  I'm only working on my diet (to be healthy and cancer fighting) at this point.  I can not wait to exercise again.  My body craves activity but I really, really don't want to have issues with my stitches and healing!

 It's been a long year of surgeries (5 total) and I need to heal for good!  I'll still check in here and get tips for when I can be active again.  I really can't wait to swim....I know you swim alot, don't you?

Take care!
Lisa

Bold

I have not been very good about exercising. I go in spurts not in a routine that insures success. I am not swimming as much as I would like or walking or anything consistent. That has got to change!!!!! It will change. I will start tomorrow (lol).

Does anyone else have problems sleeping? I take Advil pm, but then I am sooo tired the next day. What to do, what to do.........

lisalisa

I have issues with sleeping.  I wake up every night at 2 or 3am.  I tend to go downstairs and watch tv a bit and fall back asleep.  At least i don't get on the internet anymore LOL!

I am afraid to take anything to sleep.  I hope that once I get physical/exercise, I will sleep better!

Bold

I think that it is all the fear that I can deal with during the day with logic. At night my defenses are down and the what if take over. I have to admit that I am a little tightly wound now days. I do'nt let on to anyone but inside I am a bit frantic. I hate that and I am doing meditations and staying positive. Fear is sneaky. You would think that exercise would help. I will try harder......

lisalisa

Bold, if you are like me, it's scarier being OUT of treatment.   During treatment, I felt like I was DOING something kwim?

Anyway....I'm with you.  I think exercise will help BOTH of us!

Hugs!

carolinachick

I agree - I find myself wondering if there is more that I can do now that I'm done with treatment.  A healthy diet and consistent exercise at least help me feel like I have a teeny bit of control over this thing. 

I've been sleeping well, but find that I am very tired during the day.  A nap right now sounds wonderful, but no such luck...  

Bold

I just talked to my sister. She works for the owner of public storage. He lost his son to lukemia about 8 years ago. He is a billionaire and is hell bent on finding a cure. He flew in the top top researchers to conference together all there findings. My sister was privy to the meetings. One hugely important thing that I wanted to pass on to everyone is....... Eat celery, apples, parsley, romaine lettuce, basil. She said that there is a nutrient ( I will get more involved info soon) that strengthens cells to thwart specifically breast cancer. Sorry hard to type with my mouth full of apple. This may seem banal info but it is not!!!!! I will keep you up with the info as it trickles in to me.

Also I am still on herceptin but I will be finished in December. That is why I am trying to get within my proper BMI before I am finished....

lisalisa

apples and romaine lettuce are already in my daily life.

i'm going with this and adding celery, parsley and basil asap!

thanks for sharing!!!!

Bold

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090217125742.htm

here is a link of interest.

ajlive

Hi everyone.  Just came across a website this morning that I thought of interest.  Thought you may be interested in it also.  Recipes, Shopping List, Cancer Recovery Wellness Contract. Etc.

http://www.cancerrecovery.org/site/PageServer?pagename=homepage

Losing weight.  Still trying to find the new me.  Having ovaries removed Oct. 13th...

Bold

Very cool website thank you uber much. I loved it as soon as I saw the pyramid and the proportions. Thanks.... Eat your apples. Tomorrow I have some new sites too on preventative strategies. We do not or will not have a recurrence. Diet and exercise play as big of a role as chemo and radiation. I do not think that it has to be radical just smart. Oh to live by my own beliefs. I am and I will!!! It takes time to change.

Anonymous

Hello, everyone!  Back from NYC and have to say, I was a very good girl, food wise, while I was there!  Maybe it was the hectic schedule or something, but I didn't really eat tons of food - but I did eat, and made sure I included some fruits and veggies every day.  I walked and walked on Friday and Saturday, which is great because that is the extent of the exercising for the last week and a half, but I'm back on it this week.  Nothing fried, and . . . no desserts - which for me, in NY, is almost impossible, but I was determined not to pile it on.  Now, wine . . . well, that was another story. 

I'll post more as I have time - gotta catch up on a lot of work today.  Have a losing day!

carolinachick

Thanks so much for the websites - very good information.  I seem to gain weight over the weekend while traveling, then have to work all week to get it off.  I guess I need to make better choices on the weekends...

Chelev - I'd love to hear more about your trip.  It sounds like you were very good over the weekend.  And NYC is so full of great places to eat!

Anonymous

It's definitely more of a challenge when traveling, I'll say that!  I did weigh myself on the scale I consistently use and am happy that there is no change up or down (well, down would be great), but doesn't appear I've done any damage or undid the hard work!

The trip was so much fun, and I don't have to explain to anyone on these boards, how much it is needed after all we've been through!!  Though, i didn't take into account the fatigue we can still get.  After I got all of the Look Good Feel Better interviews and required attendance events out of the way, I was able to hop a cab and go downtown to my sister's apt.  Spent the rest of the weekend there, in her studio apt. (I always forget how crowded two people can become in a studio!!).  I've visited usually twice a year for almost 15 years, so I have my favorite places and things to go do and see, so we spent both days walking tons - with some breaks every now and then to use the bus or subway if we were changing location drastically or were just too darn tired at the end of the afternoon.  I like to browse the art galleries and of course, the clothing shops, but this trip we were on a mission to find her some boots and I ended up with boots and flats.  I never usually find shoes when I'm up there, because I'm doing other shopping, but this time, shoes it was.  I love to eat around the city, especially in the Village, where she is, because there are so many little places to go to - we ate in Chinatown on Saturday for lunch, where you sit family style with anyone else in the tiny restaurant - it is one of the best in the city, and only cost us $9 for both lunches - I had spicy eggplant over rice and tea.  For dinner on Friday, we went to a new Italian place near her apt. and we split the goat cheese medallions and then each had linguine (homemade) with baby clams, mussels and shrimp in a red pepper sauce.  Incredible!!  Saturday night we ate at a Thai place that is also new, and they prepared everything so light and fresh it was wonderful - had spicy noodles with chicken and mushrooms, and we had an appetizer sampler with steamed chive patties, steamed dumplings and calamari.  Organic was the rule of the day for breakfasts - first at the farmers market at Union Square - had a delicious organic muffin with oranges, nuts and cranberries, coffee, and sampled all kinds of fruit.  Next morning, we went to a place that did organic eggs scrambled with chives, herbs, and gouda cheese, and health bread toast.  So good, I'm going to try the eggs this weekend.  I also tried to get some fruit in during the day as I could, we really didn't stop for big lunches or anything, so you can grab a banana or basket of berries on any corner and have fresh.  It was a definitely different eating experience than I normally would have done - usually we'd get lots of pizza, desserts, all kinds of crap.  It was great to eat lighter and healthier, but definitely tastier!