Weight loss success stories

natstar

I'm 34 y/o newly dx with DCIS and am scheduled for a BMX with DIEP reconstruction at end of October. For the past few weeks I have been more consistent with exercise and I am working on my diet. My goal even before my recent dx was to lose 50 lbs. With everything that I read or hear -its disheartening and I feel like I'll never lose weight.

I would like to know if there are any successful weight loss stories after breast cancer you have or you know of. If so, please share. I need hope right now.

morelandks

Hi there - I am 45 pounds lighter than the day I was diagnosed (about 18 months ago). I managed through chemo by walking whenever I could, focusing on veg and lean protein and staying away from sugar. Post treatment I just kept going (I've lost 15 of the 45 since finishing rads in March). I have another 15 to go and I'm not giving up!

You can do this.

Kim

Lvbugs

I have lost 34lb since diagnosis. I lost 10 from the time of diagnosis until I finished chemo. Started Tamoxifen and have lost another 24. I even had a hysterectomy within that time frame. I exercise everyday and am more conscious of what I eat, but not really dieting. Good luck to you!

Wendiwithani

I began my weight loss/get healthy journey on 9/12/16. I have lost 12 pounds so far. I need to lose 57 pounds. I have to lose 20 pounds before my PS will schedule my DIEP reconstruction. So, I am MOTIVATED!! I am eating healthy whole foods, no sugar and exercising a minimum of 45 minutes daily. I am also on Tamoxifen. For me, it has made no difference in weight gain/loss.

One foot in front of the other...you can do it!!

123JustMe

Hi Nastar,

I lost 47 pounds since Sept 2015. You can do this! I switched from the "see food" diet to a mostly plant based diet. I also joined a gym for $10.00/month. (Best $10.00 I've ever spent). ....and I switched from cookies to fruits for my sweet tooth. For the past six months I've been able to stop my cholesterol meds!

Sue

natstar

Thanks ladies for sharing your stories. This is definitely inspiring me to stay on track.

grammakathy

When my oncologist explained that I had estrogen in the extra pounds I carried, I found the determination I needed to lose weight for the first time in my life. I read a book titled Mindful Eating that explained how cutting something in my diet would allow me to gradually lose weight. Things I did include: wearing a pedometer and walking 7500 steps a day, avoiding sugar and stop eating sweets like desserts, diet soda, & candy and reading sugar content on labels, brushing my teeth after dinner so I wouldn't eat again until breakfast, wearing clothes that fit me as my size went down. It took a full year and I lost 50 pounds. The next year I was able to lose 10 pounds more but couldn't keep it off. I plan to get serious once again and lose that 10 pounds and stay at that weight. These are the things that worked for me. You can do this!

Kay_G

I lost 28 pounds my first year post diagnosis. And they are still off. My story is similar to the other ladies here. I read the book Anti Cancer A New Way of Life and try my best to follow the principles there. No more diet soda, and I was an addict. I avoid sugar as much as possible always reading labels carefully. Try to stay with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It's amazing how much sugar is in some foods, even something like pasta sauce. But others are much better, so read labels and make smart choices. I am very happy where I am with my weight. You can definitely do it!

Wendiwithani

Officially down 14 pounds today! Woo hoo!!

Kay_G

Good for you! Congrats

cowgal

grandmakathy, which of the mindful eating books did you use?

grammakathy

I looked up the book and it's called Mindless Eating by Brian Wansink. There was a special on 60 Minutes on television and it caught my interest. It helped me think about food in a new way.

cowgal

Thanks for looking that up for me. grammaKathy. I ordered it and now I need to take the time to read it.

LoriBee

I'm reviving this thread in the hope some will update and others will chime in. This thread is the first bright thing I've read all week.

I was never obese until I kicked a 27-year smoking habit 10 years ago. My BMI shot up to 39 and I now need to lose at least 50 lbs to get it back down into a safer range to avoid BC recurrence down the line. I will start chemo in a few weeks then radiation then hormones after that, and from everything I've read, those things can make it nearly impossible to lose weight. Your posts have left me feeling like it can be done and there is a glimmer of hope.

Like most people overweight, I'm not fat for a lack of information. I know how to diet and exercise. I was a runner for years, ruined my feet, and now for almost 5 years, I've been a swimmer. I swim 1,000 meters a day 5 days a week. Then 2-3 days a week I follow that up with a 1/2 hour morning walk with my husband. It's been great for my cardio, but hasn't helped me lose an ounce. For me, it's all about diet discipline. I've been losing and gaining the same 5 lbs for years now. I need to stop celebrating/consoling/punishing/rewarding myself with food. Too many glasses of wine at the end of the day doesn't help either.

So I've got a month before chemo, and I'm coming off a rest period after my lumpectomy. My plan is to start getting in shape now before "the bad stuff derails me". Get back to the pool, start mixing in some elliptical, bicycling, and walking. With feet and knee problems, things like jogs and marathons are not an option. But with chemo, radiation and hormone therapy in my future, I really need someone to tell me it IS possible to lose weight through all this. It would literally be the only silver lining to this shitty diagnosis, a gift to myself, my husband and son, who would like to see their pre-fat wife/mom back.

grammakathy

LoriBee - you are amazing with all of your dedication to exercise. I had to find something that I can commit to doing on an ongoing basis because I knew I wouldn't stick with a gym. Walking and using a pedometer has worked for me.

Have you read the studies that say a twelve to fourteen hour fast is helpful in losing weight? I stop eating at 6pm and don't eat again until at least 7am. I brush my teeth after eating dinner and that is it for the night. I need routine items that reinforce what I want to do.

I eliminate sugar and artificial sweeteners as much as possible by reading labels and making choices when purchasing things at the store. I switched from things like flavored yogurt to plain Greek yogurt and add a bit of fruit jam because I can consciously see what I am adding. It helps me feel That I am in control.

You have the right mind set and tools to do this. Be easy on yourself during active treatment though. You need to heal. Tamoxifen and anti hormonals don't have to add pounds. I was on Arimidex for a year and now on Tamoxifen for two and a half (only one and a half to go) and was able to lose weight. I've put some back on but I can't blame it on anyone but myself. I'm back working on it again. Take care!