Exercise and well being during chemo and radiation

Jackbirdie

I can't take credit for the term, Hopeful, but I did learn it here! Can't wait.

Jackbirdie

reporting in from my mfkn WALK!

1 mph with frequent stops. Out of breath. About 15 minutes and now I'm turning around. It's a start. Didn't know you could get aerobic at this speed.

littleblueflowers

Congrats jackbirdie!!! I myself am taking a neulasta nap..you are a beast!

KBeee

25 minutes... Huge gains Katy!

I did a 4 mile walk at 4 am before work. In this heat, I'd say that's about it for the day

ksusan

Yay, Katy! Don't worry about aerobic right now--any use of the big leg muscles lowers blood sugar.

My exercise 7/18:

• 1.0 hr T @ 2.5 MPH avg = 2.5 m + stretches
• .5 hr T @ 2.5 MPH avg = 1.25 m + stretches Total: 3.75 m

I'm doing a diabetic-friendly diet weekend since radiation is giving me some swelling.

Jackbirdie

Little-Haha-thanks.

I tried to get out of the last of the Neulasta shots but my mo didn't like the idea. Because I'd had low baby whites and pneumonia, he said even though I had no more chemos coming I still would be vulnerable to infection.

I am duly exhausted but somewhat proud of my beastly accomplishment. Thanks for the support everyone!

Italychick

25 mile bike ride yesterday, rain today so no ride. . Oh well, I guess we really need it.

karabesque

Hi Ladies,

Now that I've started Taxol and I anticipate having more energy, I am going to step up my work outs. I had been walking a few times a week and short daily walks with the dog. But I was a professional belly dancer pre-BC and I NEED to get back to dancing. I guess losing my breasts and not having the replacements yet has made me feel unable to dance? Well, this is the week I am going to put in a few sessions with my teacher on-line. In addition, a pregnant friend and I have made yoga dates. We figure we are probably the same level and we will keep each other accountable. This thread is a great idea to do just that! And you are all so inspirational!

littleblueflowers

neulasta fog is lifting...yoga and physical therapy on deck now. Realized why I'm so tired...my cats doing cat scans of me every hour all night. I keep telling them if they keep it up, I'm gonna turn them into furry mittens!

Anyone want to go hiking in Jackson Hole WY the weekend of the first of August? I'm meeting my sister down there..we are going to take it easy, just start building up again. PM me if interested! We will be car camping at Gros Ventres campground..

Jackbirdie

Welcome arabesque! Great to have you here. I just saw an online article on time magazine online site about why women with bc tx gainweight. At the end there was a video about "survivors" (hate that word) training for a burlesque show! It was awesome to hear the ladies talking about their love of dance and learning to trust their bodies again. In that arena so to speak.

Jackbirdie

littleblue- I would LOVE TO!!! But moving and my extremely fragile situation means no this time. Sounds great

ksusan

Wish I could! But I think I'll get my radiation from a machine rather than the sun this summer.

I have a cat whose job, apparently, is to palpate my chest, both to find lumps and to release the scar tissue. Good kitty! Unfortuately, he performs this servive from 5:15-6:15 AM before he does rounds. By "rounds," I mean "falls asleep under the hammock."

molly1976

This is a good thread! I gained about 10 lbs during chemo and was already about 7 over where I wanted to be at that time. So I really need to lose at least 15 lbs to fit into all my clothes.

At the very least I go for a 45 minute walk every day, but I try to do more. I have a weekly yoga class on Sundays. I used to do Pure Barre classes a few times a week but got bored with it, so I joined a gym 5 minutes from my house last weekend. I like to zone out on the elliptical trainer for long periods of time. I also got my bike out today for the first time in ages and rode to the vet's office to pick up medication instead of driving.

For me the real challenge is the eating part. I love eating! It's the best!

karabesque

Thanks Jackbirdie! I'm going to try and find that article! I have performed in many burlesque shows, although I am not a burlesque dancer. I have joked about becoming one after I have my surgery and get my nipple tattoos because they will look like permanent pasties! Just a joke... maybe?

shaz101

hi julia, its great to see a name i haven't seen in a while. How have you been?

karabesque

Found it! If anyone is interested, it is pretty cool:

http://healthland.time.com/2012/01/26/pink-light-burlesque-breast-cancer-survivors-strip-down-and-celebrate/

pboi

Love this thread...you ladies are amazing with all the miles you log in walking, running, biking etc!

I must confess...I come here kicking and screaming with a million excuses about not exercising...I'm out of shape and chemo has left me tired and with rads now even more tired.

So...gonna start from the bottom, and hoping this will help keep me accountable. So today, started moving slowly...and walked 1.5 miles. 😊

PB

Italychick

Pboi good for you, it is an awesome starting point!

My stepdaughter has done no physical activity for six months, and we got her out on an electric bike while we rode our street bikes. The goal was for her to pedal when she could, and use the electric part when she needed. She went the whole 25 miles with us and was very proud of herself, using the electric part when she could. Plus, being out on the coast looking at the ocean was very cathartic.

Do whatever it takes to get physical, and be kind to yourself.

pboi

Thx Theresa! I've seen you post so many times in the March threads about all those miles you bike...so awesome. You inspire me! I've gotten started now....and am committed to keep moving!

PB

Italychick

My bike has saved my sanity through diagnosis and chemo. It has been my confessor, my friend, my enemy, the thing I have poured all my troubles on to. I argue with it, plead with it, and get pissed off at it. I try to make deals with it like please, just let me get up this hill and I promise never to complain, etc.

saved me from taking drugs and having therapy lol!

SueH58

Congratulations, Katy! Proud of you!!!

ksusan

My exercise 7/19:

• 1.0 hr T @ 2.5 MPH avg = 2.5 m + stretches
• .75 hr T @ 2.5 MPH avg = 1.87 m + stretches TOTAL = 4.37 m

My weight is up 2# despite a good food day yesterday; heat + radiation, I guess. ↑ diuretic fruits and low-cal Gatorade today.

pboi

Ksusan - love the idea of your treadmill desk! I watch videos while walking. Did it take getting used to multi-tasking while walking? With my chemo brain fog, I would trip!

Very slow walking continues today...but progress

45 min T @ 2.1 mph = 1.6 mi

Edited to add...walk another 1 mi this afternoon...total 2.6 mi today

In rads now...all the talk about protein the last few days...anyone have favorite easy high protein foods to share?

PB

ksusan

Premier Protein shake (36 11-oz vanilla drinks for $49.99 with free shipping at http://www.costco.com/Premier-Protein%C2%AE-Vanill...) easily fits in a purse and has

• 160 cal
• 3 fat
• 3 net carb
• 30 protein

It's the most efficient option I've found. It is whey-based, so it won't work for people with lactose issues.

Power Crunch protein energy bars vary slightly by flavor. They're at Amazon (here's Wild Berry flavor: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PC4FW2?&psc=1...) and have approximately

• 205 cal
• 13 fat
• 8 net carb
• 14 protein

Trader Joe's sometimes has them as well--my store has them not with the other "energy" bars, but on the shelf above the open freezer section.

3 oz. of 85% lean ground beef has 22 grams of protein, making beef efficient as well.

Jackbirdie

PB- I also rely on whey protein powder to sneak in extra protein. When i juice, I often put a big scoop of that in to make it kind of a juice smoothie. But I don't bother with the blender. I just whisk it in.

ksusan

There's also a rice-based protein powder that I put in my morning smoothie--NutriBiotic Rice Protein. I like plain but there are flavors:

• 60 cal
• 0 fat
• 2 carb
• 12 protein

rainnyc

Great, great thread. I have a very sedentary job but have been trying to do some walking every day. It isn't easy when either diarrhea or constipation are bedeviling me at any moment, at least in the first three days after weekly chemo. Right now it is 91 degrees outside and I am hiding in the air-conditioned library. Tomorrow the same or hotter. The heck with exercise. Once the heat wave is over, I'll go back to daily walking; it really does seem to make a difference. Congratulations to all you ladies who are getting back in shape.

pboi

Great ideas, thx Ksusan and Katy!

Italychick

24.5 miles on the outside bike today, 1,000 feet of climbing and got rained on! But we need it.

KBeee

6 mile walk today, a little slower than usual; still fighting respiratory crud.

My favorite source of protein is cottage cheese, it is packed with protein and I love it with fruit.