Weight

jenni0102

Since being diagnosed last year I have gained about 25 lbs. I think due to Tamoxifen, stopping vaping and just the stress and depression of all of this caused that. My question is - has anyone had any luck with anything other than diet and exercise for weight loss. Since the beginning of the year, I started sticking to a 1200 calorie a day diet, no sugar and I speed walk about 2.5 miles 4-5 times a week and the number on the scale is not moving and I am getting so frustrated. This cannot just be the way it is now! Anyone have any other ideas? I would hate to see where my weight would be if I had not started the diet and exercise routine! Ugh!

toria1212

Hi jenni0102,

Due to Covid19, I started on Anastrozole before my surgery, several weeks ago. I have already gained several pounds. I cried, in fact, this a.m., as I decided to try and purge my closet of things that don't fit. Most of my clothes do not, as I have a lingering hip issue from tennis that was going to be addressed in April but the virus and breast cancer surgery in May took precedence. So I can't even exercise....I read that these meds are not kind to the weight issue, but low, low carb certainly will not hurt. I am already feeling like I can't do five years of this-I'll weigh 300 lbs! And it simply affects the desire to move(even though I am limited). I just wanna curl up in a ball(and bawl).

I am sure seasoned members will have positive suggestions and input for you. I'm with you, girl! Hoping your weekend is blessed. xx

WC3

jennie0102:

I don't have any conclusive answers for you but maybe you will find something in my experiences.

When I was overweight years ago, I originally started on a 900 calorie per day diet but did not see any weight loss, so I calculated my BMR, found it was 1200 calories per day, and raised my caloric intake accordingly and the weight started to come off. I think the 900 calories per day pushed me in to a zone where my metabolic rate dropped to counter what my body perceived as starvation, though I imagine had I lowered my caloric intake even more, I eventually would have overcome it.

Years later, I started to see my weight creep back up despite lowering my caloric intake and regular exercise and I discovered it was due to hypothyroidism and was probably not fat but fluid retention and non fatty tissue. I lost the weight within a few months of starting treatment.

During chemotherapy I could not keep weight on despite stopping my thyroid medication entirely. I could not eat for the three days surrounding my infusion and could only eat very little in the few days after but tried to compensate on my good days. Convention says calories of fat and calories of carbs are both calories in the end but during chemotherapy I could eat plenty of bread but could not tolerate fatty foods, and even though my regular diet tends to be relatively low fat, I think my body hangs on to whatever fat it can and that I dropped so much weight during chemotherapy because of the fasting coupled with my inability to consume enough fat, regardless of how many calories in carbs I ate. It was enlightening because I had always thought that carbs were my enemy, when it turns out that my body was taking that teaspoon of margerine on my toast and saying "I'll just save this forever."

Sunshine99

This is an interesting topic. I've always been very aware of my weight. I have a spreadsheet to track it every day. (I know, weird...) I feel best when my weight is around 120. I'm 5'3". I have been as high as 145 which and I definitely felt "chunky" at that weight. I started carefully counting calories and lost 23 pounds that year (2010). Since then, I've never reached that weight again, but each year (I just turned 62) it seems a little harder to keep my weight down.

Last November I came down with pneumonia and had no appetite - amusing, since I used to roll my eyes when someone said, "I just don't have any appetite". Oh, please, I'd think - I've NEVER had that problem. I lost quite a bit of weight, for which I was glad, and got down to 115 - probably a bit low for me. What I found as I regained my appetite was that I craved rice with olive oil. I didn't gain weight, even with consuming all that fat. After I recovered, I started with intermittent fasting. I'd have a bullet-proof coffee in the morning, and then wouldn't eat until around 2:00 PM, and no, I really wasn't hungry. I'd eat my rice and olive oil and maybe some vegetables, and then something light for dinner. I usually had a glass of wine in the evening with some cheese. My weight has stayed stable at around 119-121.

Where am I going with this? Not sure, but I feel like when I consume more olive oil I seem to lose weight or at least stay stable. I started Arimidex last month and will soon begin Ibrance for the Stage IV mets to my bones. Will my weight stay stable? I hope so. I'll bookmark this to follow this topic.

I understand the angst that weight can cause us. I've never been judgmental when I see someone heavier that I am. It's a struggle for a lot of us. My husband who works to keep his weight up is always so sweet and thanks me for "taking care of myself", and even though he'll never fully understand my struggle to keep my weight under control, I'm blessed to have his support.

Hugs to you, my sisters. Love yourself first.

ChiSandy

Well, seeing as how my letrozole-induced weight gain got me to 211 in April 2019, the 146 I'm at now is fine by me. In fact, acc. to my doctor, about 15 lbs. of that is excess hanging skin. (I'm also 5'3").

Before you get discouraged, step off the scale and haul out your tape measure. Because you exercise, you are likely burning fat but putting on muscle. An equal volume of muscle weighs more than the same volume of fat. But muscle tends to be denser and more compact: so though you may not have lost weight, you have lost fat--and inches. Maybe also a dress size or two. Your clothes probably fit more comfortably too.

Sunshine99

Excellent point, Sandy. I get so obsessed with the number on the scale and forget about the tape measure. I know that I like how my clothes fit when I'm at a certain weight. And quite honestly, NO ONE has ever rushed up to me and said, "Oh my gosh! You look like you've lost/gained 2 pounds!!!" I have skinny friends and not so skinny friends. They're still my friends. No one cares.

Funny story, though. When I had my first round of cancer I once gained about 5 pounds literally overnight! I think it was around my first chemo session. I freaked out and called the Nurse Practitioner who was following me. She said, "It's probably the warm weather and water retention". She told me that her toes looked liked little sausages because they were swollen. I got a "water pill" from the natural foods market and by the next day I was back to normal. Whew! I know it's not physically possible to gain 5 pounds of fat in one day, but it still was a little scary at the time.

Witsendxyz

I can relate. I’ve been on Anastrozole for two years and have gained 40 pounds.(5’6”, 165 lbs) I am 68, I walk 9.3 miles on average every single day (range: 7.5-13) My Apple Watch...and eat a strict 1200 calorie daily diet. No lie 100 of those calories is bourbon for my sanity and walking for up to four hours a day hurts. My legs and feet hurt. I just got tested for thyroid....maybe the radiation messed it up? I don’t walk more than 6 miles at a time because it wipes me out. I feel broken.

SpecialK

witsend - I suspect your metabolism is injured by the level of your exercise and lack of calories. It sounds counterintuitive, but to lose weight I think you need to eat more. Your body feels as if it is in starvation mode due to the low level of calories, and your metabolism has slowed down to match what you are taking in. It is also important to note what your caloric intake is comprised of and that you are eating enough protein. You might want to add weight lifting to your exercise regimen, as higher muscle mass in women our age helps burn calories more effectively, because it helps boost metabolic rate.

I followed an elimination diet when I gained weight during and after chemo and anti-hormonal therapy. I was walking 5 miles a day and eating a very sensible 1500 calories, comprised of lean protein and fruits and vegetables. I could not lose until I eliminated certain foods from my diet. These foods are the ones most commonly associated with food sensitivity and allergy, and the most likely to cause inflammation - which can make losing weight very difficult. I did not eat soy, corn, peanuts, dairy, eggs, sugar or gluten. I did eat vegan protein shakes with frozen strawberries and almond milk, non-starchy vegetables, lean clean protein, sweet potatoes and brown rice, and low-glycemic index fruits like berries and cherries, and a little melon. I could not exercise at all due to an open wound from surgery but still lost 22 lbs. over 6 months and was just below my pre-surgery weight of 122 lbs on a 5'3" petite frame. I have found that if I eat everything in moderation, but still sensibly, I will regain weight, which tells me that I am sensitive to a number of foods. This diet may tell you which things cause you issues, eliminate 100 percent of them for 30 days, then add a food back in for a week - with multiple servings during that week - and see what happens. I did find that eggs don't seem to bother me, but dairy, sugar, and gluten definitely do. After losing the weight I also did a 23 and Me test that shows I have the genetic varient for celiac, so the gluten piece makes sense now.

Jinx27

Hello, just came to chime in. I also gained a significant amount of weight since being on Lupron and Anastrozole for 5 years. Im now a insulin resistent and have increased cholesterol (from the Anastrozole). My highest is 220lbs and where I'd like to be is 150lbs. So 70lbs.

Special K mentioned the eliminating foods and then re-entering them back into your diet to see what work and I cant agree more. This has helped me alot.

As of now my diet consists of fruits, vegetables and plant based and animal protein. I measure my food for portion control. I don't eat alot of carbs and starchy foods and when I do I notice that I get very sluggish and tired. So those are cut out. No processed sugar and very low and minimal amounts of dairy (think a teaspoon of grated cheese on a salad) if any at all.

The other thing I would mention is to have a balanced approach to exercise, cardio and resistance training (weight bearing ) can really make a difference, the muscle you gain can help burn fat. If you like walking, why not add ankle weights or a weighted vest, you can also walk with light dumbbells for resistance. Any exercise using your own body weight for resistance can build muscle.

Best wishes to you on your health journey.