Anyone Else Obese?

Spookiesmom

I was soooo happy to loose 34# during chemo. Most of it has found me again darn it.

What are swim shirts, where do you find them, expensive? Just wear regular shorts for bottoms

justmaximom15

She's probably referring to what you would find listed as "rash guard" shirts. They're actual shirts, usually fit a bit more snug and have SPF and would be considered proper swimwear at a public pool

Spookiesmom

Ok, I'll google that. Thanks! I just have to do SOMEthing. My arthritis is getting worse, afraid I'll be in a chair if if don't. I've thought about yoga too, a lot of the ladies seem to do that too.

A lot of the Medicare plans have Silver Sneakers, and the gym stuff is free. I'm not a morning person most of the senior classes are in the am.

PatRN10

I was in the midst of bariatric work up when I was notified about that darned abnormal mammogram. My BMI is 36 so I don't qualify without a co morbidity. I am still having my sleep apnea worked up. My home study had several apnea events recorded and neurologist is recommended CPAP. I have been through all the evaluations and classes. I think since I am looking at radiation this summer I am going to try the medical approach for the next year or so. Just going through the process has given me many more tools. My PT eval helped me tweak my workouts. (My heart rate wasn't nearly high enough) and dietary consult really helped individualize an eating plan. The psychologist gave a series of 5 classes which I found really useful.

Spookiesmom

I'm pretty sure I've got enough "stuff" wrong to qualify. ? Is do I want to. Whatthat woman I used to work with went through is mind boggling. I know about 5-6 people who have failed. I like to eat too much. How do you convince your brain a 1/4 cup of something is enough dinner?

PatRN10

My husband had lap band and he was a big eater. Now when he is full he just physically can't eat anymore. The psychologist said that the people who have problems and fail are the grazers who eat little bits all day long. I am like this. So I have to fix this behavior before I can be successful either way.

 

Tempy

I'm a grazer also, grew up that way, been that way most of my life. People say to eat small meals throughout the day ... isn't that grazing? LOL I went through a period a few years ago and once again about 15 years ago now where I was dropping weight, not doing anything different and felt great. The tests they did 15 years ago all came back normal so when I had it happen again a few years ago I wasn't concerned. After that happened, it was like a switch was turned and I gained 60 pounds in less than a year and was exercising, watching what I ate and nothing seemed to matter, the weight just came on and stayed on. My BMI is 37 with weight at 217 and am 5'3+" (I'm not short I'm fun-sized!). I had been down to 165 and felt awesome. At 150 I'm in size 6 junior clothes, the thought of being back down to where I "should" be at 120, I would lose all my curves and be a string bean. I had my thyroid level checked because I had other signs/symptoms of hypothyroidism (cold intolerance, depression, muscle spasms, etc) and they said because it was within normal limits there was nothing they would do even though I was on the low side of things. I almost begged the doctor to try a low dose to get me on the higher side of normal but she said nope. I'm getting established with a new health system for the BS, MO and PS so figured I'd stick with the same system and get a new PCP who may have something to offer. I hate being cold, even at 70 degrees I'm shivering unless I'm under a blanket and my skin is cold to touch.

Spookiesmom

I'm 5'4, over 250. I'm not fat, I'm fluffy. No, Spookie is fluffy, and 8#. This woman I worked with, I posted way early in this thread. She'd eat all the wrong stuff and too much. Then barf it up.

Are there any success stories out there?

Ridley

PatRN -- I was in the midst of approval as well when I got diagnosed.  Now, four surgeries later (including DIEP recon), I don't think I can put my body through it.  I've been making some progress with myfitnesspal, my fitbit and a group of friends who are also trying to lose weight, but I'm still a few pounds on the wrong side of the overweight/obese line.  Hopefully in the next month or so, I'll get myself on the right side of that line and then re-evaluate.

I haven't been at a "normal" weight for probably 25 years, so I'm not sure that's a realistic goal.  At the same time, given my cancer is hormone receptive, I feel that's what I should be aiming for.

PatRN10

ridley. Sounds like you are doing all the right things. Don't set huge goals. Way too overwhelming . One day at a time.

KJSUN

I am ashamed. I went to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch. My entree was from their Skinny menu, but I did have the bread and a piece of cheesecake. I was sorry afterwards. I then come home to find out my oncologist had to move my appt. three weeks later so I don't know when I will find out what I am doing about chemo. It was just too much. I cried and cried. I can barely make it up the stairs to my house (5) and sometimes just standing up from a table is not easy. I don't know what is wrong with me. Is it something that being more active will help? Does anyone have a similar problem? I just don't know what to do anymore. I am having a bad day I guess. I thought things were going to start happening, getting the chemo going and some weight loss, but I feel totally frustrated now. I know I will feel better tomorrow, but I feel like crap right now. Well, thanks for listening. I just needed to get it all out.

PatRN10

Aw. KJSUN. So sorry you are down. Been there. I have always avoided exercise like the plague. During my Bariatric. workup i had a pt consult and she showed me how I needed to up my exercise and heart rate to get more benefit. I have forced myself to be more consistent for past month and to my surprise I was down a few pounds on weight today at hospital before my Lx. Ask for a consult when u feel up to it. My overall outlook has changed with the endorphins and I listen to a good audio book when on treadmill . Nice quiet time I look forward forward to deCompress . Hardest part was getting going..hugs to you!!!!!

SweetHope

So true. Hardest part IS to get going. Since we are confessing our weaknesses, I'll let you know I went to Big Mama'a Cajun Kitchen for dinner. I'll kick myself tomorrow when I can't make a fist from all the salt in my meal.

Spookiesmom

Cafe Dumont? would do it for me. I'd never bend over again!!!! Did I spell that wrong?

Jackbirdie

Cafe Dumond?, the very thought......ecstasy.

I'm so glad I found you girls, I even recognize some names from other threads. I have struggled with my weight all my life. I have conquered it a time or two, but not for many years.

I'd already had a bad health year last year when bc hit. I started behind the 8 ball. I did lose some weight from dx and surgery (I wonder how much those puppies weighed) but I am clinically obese. 5' 6" and about 240. It was down to 231. My weight is fluctuating a lot right now I think because of chemo so I'm trying not to beat myself up. I am not only FAT. worse, I am terribly unfit.

I am ER+ and know estrogen can hide in giant fat deposits like my abdomen. Need to do something.,

Was thinking about a Fitbit. It's always money though, isn't it.

So very happyI found you all. In my favorites now.,

PatRN10

Hi Katy, don't beat yourself up! I think during chemo just eat as nutritious as you can tolerate and start moving in baby steps. Now is not the time to stress your self even more. I am trying to drink more water which I have,to literally gag down.

SweetHope

Katy, Welcome. I recognize you from the chemo threads. Your kind soul will be greatly appreciated here.

KJSUN

Thank you so much PatRN10, SweetHope, Spookiesmom, and Jackbirdie. I do feel better, and hearing from you all really does help. I think when I go to see my oncologist I will ask about a PT. I met with the dietitian and will continue every two weeks. I hope that having someone to monitor me will make me more aware and more careful about my eating habits. I have a surgery sister that will help me with exercise if I need it, I was lucky enough to notice she lived close by and we were only one week apart with our surgery dates, so I was able to meet her and we are going through things at a similar pace, although she has reconstruction going on now. I see that most of us are struggling with the getting started part. I am just going to focus on that, not worrying about further down the road. I will keep posting my daily routine and maybe that will help push me too. First part is getting back to normal everyday activities! I'm also going to go looking for a bra so that I am less self-conscious when I go out. Yea!

gypsyjo

Hoping to join you ladies. Hard to admit I am obese. I am trying to get on top of it since I am ER+100%. My prognosis is very good with my MO saying the most important thing for me to focus on is 30min of exercise a day, 5 days a week. I am struggling with that but also just starting anastrazole and feeling fatigued. I lost 50 lbs about 15 years ago but have since put it all back on plus. I even worked for weight watchers for 5 years and maintained for that time. Surprisingly once my top priority was no longer my weight, all those bad habits that had been hiding in the back of my mind came right back with a vengeance. Sounds a lot like cancer doesn't it? I'm hoping I can find some support here and comraderie in my struggle. Jackbirdie, where do you live in Oregon?

Jackbirdie

Welcome GypsyJo! Unfortunately it all sounds so familiar. We wil all get through it together.

I'm in the southern coast. You are in O too?

gypsyjo

I'm in the Beaverton area but you will frequently find me at the coast from Cannon Beach to Newport. I absolutely love it there.

PatRN10

Hi gypsy jo. I also had lost large amount of weight in past and gained back. Lots of stress.ate well but stopped exercising and grazed. My mom who is 87 moved in and teen daughter had baby. I am great full mom doing well. Baby is a doll but lots going on!

JGuillory1

I had bilateral mastectomy Dec 11,2014 started chemo 6 weeks later and have gained 20 pounds from the steroids!!!! I feel your pain!!!

J Guillory

PatRN10

Hi J. I hear those steroids are a beast for wt gain. I should find out Thursday if chemo is part of my plan. Will def. Complicate the weight situation . Love all this camaraderie!

Spookiesmom

I was sooooo sick from the chemo I lost 34. The roids never bothered me. Found most of that 34 again darn it.

SS check comes this week so can get the rash guard shirt, then check into pool excercise.

KJSUN

Welcome gypsyjo! If you can get even part of that exercise started that's great! Those bad habits are so easy to fall back into. I ate a bowl of cereal about 2:00 am, which was so not needed! I'm going to write down my triggers or times that I might slip up and work on that too. I'm from the west coast also. Born and raised in Seattle. My nephew works for Nike in Beaverton, it sounds like a nice place. Are you able to take walks outside? You are in the perfect part of the country for it. Sorry to hear about the fatigue but you can work on that. We are all starting with baby steps.

Spookiesmom, I found my rash guard shirt at Lands End, if you want to check those out there. You order them online or catalog but can return them at any Sears store.

I am tapering off the Prednisone! I hope some of the bloating is being caused by that and it will go down. I am still considering food sensitivity testing, I'm going to give the Prednisone time to leave my system and then see. I am going to walk for 15 minutes today!

Katherine

gypsyjo

KJSUN - I do love the Pacific Northwest and lived here 10 years. I lived in Silicon Valley for thirty and the Chicagoland area for 20+ years. The Portland area seems like a nice middle ground between the progressive Silicon Valley and the hominess of the Midwest. I live about a mile from Nike and worked there for 3 years. It's very dynamic, but also very stressful.

I was walking 30 minutes a day prior to my surgery, cut back to about 15 min after my surgery. Since I started on anastrozole, my arthritis has really flared up and I am rarely walking. I spend some evenings with a heating pad on my legs and feet. I do have an exercise bike due to my knees and am looking into yoga. I did lots of yardwork cleanup this weekend which I did count as exercise and am paying the price this am. I will be discussing the AI with my MO at my next appt. I also will shoot for 15 minutes minimum to day. Once I get going I seem to be able to go for a while. The pain and stiffness follows in the evening. I've had the problem for years, but it has gotten worse with the meds.

Pat - So glad your mom is doing well. My mom is 92 with advanced Parkinsons which adds considerable stress. Babies are wonderful. I just spent a weekend with my grandkids 1&3 in San Diego. They kept me busy.

Here's hoping we all make progress at our own speeds!

gypsyjo

So convinced myself to do the exercise bike today for 15 min. It wasn't bad but I am out of shape. The hardest part is convincing myself to get started again.

sandcastle

Gyps....Once you get started in doing this ..... each day does get better......took me a LONG time but now I go to the gym 6 days a week....it is more important to me to just get up and do........the strange thing is people say I lost a lot of weight.....NOT TRUE....only 5lbs!!  But the fact is I did gain muscle.....Liz

gypsyjo

Thanks, Liz! After reading your "just get up and do it" along with your progress got me back on the bike for another 15 min to hit my 30 min a day target.