Can't lose weight

Drained6513

Hi, I am having a hard time losing the weight after all the treatments. I take a protein drink in the am with breakfast. Breakfast consists of either eggs or oatmeal with banana and berries. I do have a few cups of coffee as well. I still fatiqued at times and my legs are still stiff. My doctor said it has to do with my muscles regarding my leg stiffness. I was worried because my left side on my legs were aching and I was worried about bone cancer. But it is just muscle issues, probably from the chemo.

Also, the chemo does alleviate all muscle mass in the body. My face seems to have taken its toll. I had my avatar with my photo on here. But it was just a good photo. My cheeks are fat, saggy and jowley. I never had that before. And I think losing the weight is going to make it even worse. I don't think it's going to go away. It damages the tissue in your face. I look 10 years older than I did before all this started. That was just a year ago. I think I am going to need a face lift? Where do ya get the money for that... not that I even want to do it.

I try and workout on the elliptical and rowing machine along with some weights.... for 30 mins or more 5 days a week. Any suggestions on all of this. I don't want to even leave the house. I look in the mirror and I just get depressed.... and I can't leave the house.

Moderators

Hi Drained,

Don't be so hard on yourself!

We're so sorry you're dealing with this frustrating side effect of treatment. You're surely not alone here!

We know you'll get some great responses soon from others who have advice on this issue, but in the meantime, have you seen the main Breastcancer.org site's pages on Eating to Lose Weight After Treatment? There's also some good information on the Exercise During and After Treatment pages.

We hope this helps and that you start to feel better soon.

--The Mods

Georgia1

Hi there and sorry the difficulty of losing weight is getting you down. I'm full of advice lately, so if none of this is helpful you should feel free to tell me to shut up!

The first thing I would advise is to mentally give yourself a break, like the mods said. You've been through a lot and a few extra pounds isn't really a big deal. But if you want to take action, have you thought about a vegetarian diet? Leafy greens (spinach, kale, broccoli rabe, chard) are packed with calcium and some protein. A simple lunch of beans and rice has a lot of protein, and minestrone soup is both nutritious and filling. But if that's not your thing, making lunch and dinner about 3 ounces of chicken or fish, and filling the rest of your plate with veggies, will help your energy level and your weight. Just make a vow not to eat or drink anything after 9 pm.

On exercise,what you are doing sounds terrific! When the weather gets better, maybe try walking to the store instead of driving to add some extra steps and fresh air. And on the "why does my face look so old" I totally hear you. I usually don't recommend products here but Olay and Murad make some nice firming creams and anything with vitamin C in it will help. Personally, I concentrate on nice nail polish and a bright lipstick now, saggy face be damned, and a lot of department stores offer free makeup sessions that can give you ideas for how to accentuate your best features without spending a ton of money.

I so hope you feel better soon!

rebecca02

there are some foods like chicken breast, fish, clam soup... you can eat as best appetite suppressant that work for your body. They are mainly contained with fiber, protein and fat which take longer to pass through your digestive system, helping you stay fuller for longer.

vampeyes

Hello Drained,

I am also struggling with weight, eating and exercise. One day I may feel ok and not need a nap, the next I can barely get off the couch. It's frustrating, before BC I was quite active cleaned houses for a living, road 80+ km bike rides and step aerobics with weights. Now I can barley do 10 minutes without my lungs burning. For my weight loss I have been trying to log my calories daily on the MyFitnessPal app, it really puts into prospective how many calories we consume. Unfortunately the last few days I have been quite over my daily allowance. A tamoxifen side effect?? I miss having energy.

{HUGS}

Cheryl

Egads007

Hi Drained,

I’m sorry you’re going through this grind, recovering from treatment is tough! As everyone here has said please stop beating yourself up over this. Being under stress can actually make weight loss harder. Under stress we release a chemical called cortisol. Simply put it instructs cells to hang onto fat. Keep up your regimen of exercise, this will slowly start activating the slowed down metabolism and build strength. If you can add in some lightly weighted exercises, even better. Don’t go crazy with cardio as constantly hitting max BPM levels signal the cortisol release again. (This is why fat burning modes on exercise machines seem so slow, it burns more fat!). 30 minutes a day at a medium level is great if strength training is also part of your plan.

I know exactly how you feel...I was there too. I carried 60 extra pounds after treatment, went nuts on a rowing machine 6 days a week, tried vegetarianism, or starved myself half the time only to lose 20 pounds....after three years!!! It wasn’t until I started a Paleo/Primal lifestyle that I saw change. I cut wheat, grain, white sugar, and processed foods completely from my diet. I’m never hungry and eat like a queen! I slowed my cardio pace and started lifting weights (1-1.5 hour sessions, 3-4 days a week). 14 months later and I was down 66 lbs., had replaced 18 lbs of fat with muscle mass and can now beat up most of my neighbors (lol joking). If you cut just one of those things out of your diet or simply count carbs and not calories you’ll notice change. PM me if you want more details, I’m already writing too much here lol!

Slow and steady wins the race, keep up the good work, you’ll get there! Hugs

Suzy1965

Hi everyone, first time on this forum, I finished chemo Feb 14th this year n finishing up with radiation, yahoo!! I gained 35 lbs during chemo n I was told I'd lose it once chemo was over, of course slowly but, I have yet to lose a lb,, I want to try phentermine pills to get me started, I have no energy, has anyone taken phentermine to help with weight loss?? TIA!

Suzy1965

hi Drained, I know exactly how you feel, I too look older and never want to leave my home. I gained 35 lbs when I was doing chemo, my face is so round I don't even look like myself,, I'm so uncomfortable with everything I wear, have you talked to anyone about taking phentermine? I see my oncologist next week, I'm gonna ask her if it's ok to take phentermine to help lose some weight,, we need all the help we can get,, good luck to you,, HUGS!

Racy

Hi, can I suggest you work with a personal trainer or physiotherapist, and dietician to tweek a program to your specific circumstances.

I'm not familiar with the issue of losing elasticity in the face. Perhaps this will resolve when you sort out the fitness, diet and weight. You could talk to a beautician. Hair, makeup, clothing, posture and smile all contribute to appearance.

I think a facelift would be your last resort!

GreenEyes81

Please do NOT take phentermine. I was under doctor's care...took it two days and was in the ER with heart attack symtoms and heart issues that continue. Scary than cancer.....seriously. It is not worth your life to loose weight. Keep getting info and working to find an answer, but that is not one of them.

VegSexy

Possibly consider a low calorie paleo diet? I'm currently trying a 1,200 calorie diet limiting carbs, sugars, and alcohol. All of my doctors have suggested this, I'm finally listening to them They've also suggested 10,000 - 15,000 steps a day as a minimum.

I find that if I have too much of a bad thing, I wear it in my face. Lack of sleep, not enough water, too much salt, too much junk, and even stress can make my face look puffy and heavy. Even being overweight, too ;( It took a lot of figuring out on my end what was causing my facial puffiness through a process of elimination.

Lastly, at one time I prescribed Belviq, a weight loss drug. I had EVERY side effect associated with this drug and vowed I would never take it again. Please be careful with pharmaceuticals!