Help!! I need some tips for losing weight

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livesstrong
livesstrong Member Posts: 1,799
edited June 2014 in Working on Your Fitness
Help!! I need some tips for losing weight
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  • livesstrong
    livesstrong Member Posts: 1,799
    edited May 2008

    I need you help ladies.  Its been close to 2 years since I was dx. and I have gained almost 30lbs!!!  I used to be really thin, now I feel like a blob. Most of my weight is in my belly, hips & thighs.

    I really don't eat that much.  A typical day for me is cereal in the morning w/fruit.  I usually have another a piece of fruit mid morning. Lunch is mostly  frozen - WW's,Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine.  Dinner is mostly vegetarian.  I drink water,green tea  and weekends I drink some wine.

    I think my biggest problem is I eat allot of pasta and the only exercise I get is walking.  I try and walk 5000 steps a night in addition to whatever I walk during the day.

    I would love to blame the med's I'm on but I know there are bc survivors out there that are not overweight due to their med's.

    Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I'm doing wrong and what I can do right?????

    HELP!!!

    Thanks,

    Valerie 

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  • yellowrose
    yellowrose Member Posts: 886
    edited April 2009

    Losing weight is difficult but not impossible.  I've lost 30 lbs and am struggling to lose 30 more.  For me, I've been working on getting my metabolism moving so I've been doing some form of exercise everyday.  Some weight bearing, like power walking.  Floor exercises at home and going to the gym once or twice a week. 

    I started by journaling my caloric intake to look for hidden calories, like gum, fruit juices, etc.  Found a few trouble spots. 

    On a thread somewhere in this section there is a link to a site that calculates caloric intake to lose weight.  Not sure where it is but I seem to remember that FitChik posted it???

    Losing and maintaining weight goals are more difficult now and for most women as they mature.  I'm just changing my tactics to meet the new challenges.  Hope this info helps you.

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  • livesstrong
    livesstrong Member Posts: 1,799
    edited May 2008

    Thanks yellowrose.  WOW!! 30lbs.  Thats excellent.

    I will try to find that thread.  

    Valerie 

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  • ICanDoThis
    ICanDoThis Member Posts: 1,473
    edited May 2008

    Hi - I think the site you're looking for is either FitDay.com or DailyPlate.com

    I use Fitday, and, since I was seriously overweight when I was diagnosed, I have taken advantage of this opportunity to lose weight as well.

    Sue

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  • my3girls
    my3girls Member Posts: 3,766
    edited June 2008

    Val,

    You can do this.  I agree with yellowrose. If you can incorporate some weight bearing excercises, that will help.  Get some 5lb weights and try and do some arm routines, and some leg routines 3 times a week.  They will only take you about 10-15 min. to do.  Also, a good crunch routine (situp) for the abs.

    Also, you are right about reducing the carbs.  The pasta's, potatoes have to be limited.  I love carbs too...but at our age..we have to cut them back.  Try and up your protein intake.  Instead of cereal and fruit for breakfast, try an egg or some form of protein, and include some whole grains and fruit.  If you start your day off with protein, you will give your metabolism the boost it needs. Even a high protein drink.

    If you can fit into your busy schedule a daily or at least 5 times a week...a good long brisk walk...for about 25-30 min..you should see a difference. 

    Your other habits, water, tea...fruit are all good.  You may need to eat smaller more frequent meals too.  Try incorporating more veggies and whole grains and proteins.  Watch the frozen meals...they can be full of carbs...and not much nutrition.

    Here is the link they were talking about that Fitchik posted. I copied and saved it with my favorites.

     http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/calorie-calculator/NU00598

    I will help you with anything you need, motivation, ideas...whatever.  It is so hard when we get older...more work, and less food!! Stinks!!

    Love ya,

    Lisa

     
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  • livesstrong
    livesstrong Member Posts: 1,799
    edited June 2008

    Hi Lisa,

    Thanks for the tips. I sure could use some motivation!!

    My biggest problem is since I don't eat allot of meat now and I LOVE pasta its hard for me to get protein in my diet.  Forget tofu - yuck!!  I do eat some chicken but I can't eat it everyday! Yell Any suggestions??

    I need to start cutting back on my portion sizes as well as getting back to using my weights.

    Question - if I switch to having eggs a few times a week can I have toast with them?  Eggs do not fill me up!  Would whole grain bread w/jelly be OK? 

    Thanks again!!

    Valerie 

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  • my3girls
    my3girls Member Posts: 3,766
    edited June 2008

    Val,

    You can get protein from many sorces.  Nuts, like almonds are good choices. Do you like peanut butter?  Try a low fat, low sugar one.  I don't like tofu either!!  Turkey breast for a sandwich at lunch.  I am not a turkey fan, but I buy the honey roasted turkey breast, and I don't even notice it's turkey! I always use BROWNBERRY  (red label) whole wheat bread.  It's full of fiber and I love the firm, grainy texture to it.  Yes...use this bread or another whole wheat bread as toast with your eggs!  Just stay away from any white breads!  A little jelly is fine.  Sugar free if you like it, or low sugar.  Try and cut back as much as possible on your sugars.  You will be surprised when you cut out the sugars and the large amounts of carbs, how much you will see your weight come off.  If you like pasta allot, use the whole grain pasta.  I have switched to that, and I really like it.

    Believe it or not...and I am sure you can google it....to see all of the foods that have proteins..but there may be some that you really like.  Even try the protein bars or drinks.  Make sure you read the labels...low carbs, low sugars.

    I am not an egg eater.  I buy the carnation instant breakfast (low sugar type) and that is high in nutrients and proteins..so I will drink that some mornings.  Sometimes...I need to follow my own advice...haha! I also eat oatmeal.  Quaker oats has a brand that is for those of us trying to lose..called weight control.  There is also a low sugar one.  It fills me up and lasts long (the full feeling).

    Portion control is key too.  I have cut back on my portions.  I was always getting bigger portions or going for seconds.  Have seconds on the steamed veggies.

    My daughter makes a great egg sandwich.  She used whole wheat english muffin, puts a cooked egg, either easy over or scrambled and a slice of cheese, if you want it, and salsa! It is really, really good!

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  • unlimited
    unlimited Member Posts: 327
    edited June 2008

    Im not too fond of eggs either -- only scrambled eggs I can eat - AND THEN each bite of egg must follow a bite of toast  LOL   ---

    I would like to suggest to you -- Egg Beaters -- they have diff flavors of them - the one I love the most is the SOUTHWESTERN .... measure out a 1/2 cup o fthat egg beater liquid and its equivalent to 2 eggs  BUT low in calories etc -  yet the protein is there =)

    The other egg beater - is  cheese and chives I believe -- its good --- but I prefer the SOUTHWESTERN flavor of egg beaters-----

    To give u a more filling ( fuller ) feeling -- also try the  FIBER 1    granola bars --- tasty  and 35% more fiber  then other bars ---

    they come in  choc chip    --  peanut butter -- and the newest  -- > Caramel  mmmmmm.......

    mgli

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  • livesstrong
    livesstrong Member Posts: 1,799
    edited June 2008

    Thanks for the tips everyone.

    I'm going food shopping tomorrow so I will stock up!!  I'll let you know how I did. lol.

    Valerie 

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  • my3girls
    my3girls Member Posts: 3,766
    edited June 2008

    Val,

    I forgot to mention other protein sources.  Low fat cottage cheese, beans...most beans are full of fiber and protein.

    Have fun shopping!

    Lisa

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  • Ulla
    Ulla Member Posts: 840
    edited June 2008

    dear AE,,i just read ur post here..

    lisa and other put it in the best words..

    i cant say so much more but i will tell u wat helped me

    i cleaned my refrig, and the whole kitchen of almost the BAD WHITES..SUGAR,WHITE FLOUR,,WHITE RICE,, WHITE EVERYTHING...LOL

    i switched completely to whole grain bread and pasta and everything

    i still eat meat but not much red..mostly chicken ,,in different ways of cooking,,vegs and fruits ...alooooot of them

    no sugars at all

    no fat in my kitchen at all and if i need i just have olive  oil,,nothing else,,

    it realy helps to have a CLEAN ENVIRONMENT IN UR HOME..no temptating bad food around u..

    i forget to tell u u can join us here on the bords we r few ladies who r trying to monitor our food intake daily so we write everything we eat here on a thread called(foods.lets get specific)u r more than welcome..it will help u to assess ur achievements...

    it helped me also that i stopped buying any ready made meals..no easy food..no processed food..no long life frozen food..my shooping became easier and filled with fresh fruits and vegs,,,

    come to the thread and have a look at wat we eat..

    sorry for the long post...

    love u val

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  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited June 2008

    Hiring a trainer has been the best thing for me. She even had me keep a food diary for a week so she could figure out where I needed help. (Most of us need more protein--try whey powder over your morning cereal.) In fact, she wants me to get protein and veggies at every meal. Ugh.

    Them it's all a matter of calories in vs calories out. If you are serious about losing the weight, then you've got to move (get that heart rate up!) and eat fewer calories. Simple as that. (But why is that so hard?)

    Don't look at it as dieting--it's healthy choices. And don't get into the mind-frame of "cheating" on your diet. If you want something, eat a smaller portion and then move on. Calling it cheating seems to set you up for failure.

    Drink water. If you want a snack, ask yourself if you're really hungry, or just bored, or is it a habit-time (for me, after work salty snack and an alcoholic drink of some sort!) Now, it's 90 cal packs of rice crackers and a cup of herbal tea, or club soda with a twist. Most nights.

    Some publications can be very motivating. And their websites have good logs for tracking your activities.

    I asked my hubby to take a picture of my fat butt and paste it on the fridge, but mercifully, he wouldn't do that!

    Good luck. We're rooting for you, and are right with you!

    Anne

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  • unlimited
    unlimited Member Posts: 327
    edited June 2008

    ANother trick vs  taking a picture of the BUTT   etc  lol  This was shared at a conference I was at many yrs ago - but its stuck in my mind - and NO  I have never done this b4 -- but its said to be POWERFUL ...  (just seeing myself sideview passing by a store window glare is enough for me lol )

    but what u do is this :  get a paper brown bag  cut out eyes for you in the bag-- place the bag over ur head -- and stand in front of a mirror NAKED  and move / shake / jiggle  around ---------   Its been said - we as ourselves don't most times believe we have that huge amt of extra weight to get rid of -  BUT with the bag over ur head -- you are no longer looking at YOU  -- but  just the body   and then you decide if seeing that naked body if weight loss is necessary   lol  

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  • livesstrong
    livesstrong Member Posts: 1,799
    edited June 2008

    hahahahaha unlimited - that is great!!!  I just might try it!!

    Well I am definitely eating more protein, also drinking more water- which helps.

    I have to start exercising more, thats for sure.  

    Baby steps, right? lol.

    Anne - I would hire a personal trainer in a heartbeat if I coud afford one.

    Great tips ladies, keep them coming. 

    Thanks,

    Valerie 

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  • celia088
    celia088 Member Posts: 2,570
    edited June 2008

    hey unlim, you are the funniest person ever!!!!!!

    from your veggie loving friend,

    celia 

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  • unlimited
    unlimited Member Posts: 327
    edited June 2008

    hey hey celia  - I  have been missing u and think of u often  -- Guess what ?????????????  I am now eating SOME veges ---

    Spinich salads

    Aspargus

    some carrots if its a mixed vege bag with CORN  lol and those asparagus spears.

    Joined weight watchers last week in March  -- so  veges  more fruit -- Water Water  etc  - and PROTEIN eating .................

    That Tamoxifen pill put weight on me -- also losing weight to help with my mild LE  -   wisconsin humidity will soon arrive  grrrrrrrrrr

    Hope to see u in chat soon Celia  =)  HUGS

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  • my3girls
    my3girls Member Posts: 3,766
    edited June 2008

    I love that idea Unlimited.

    AE....Anne...gave you some great advice.  That is how I look at it..not a diet.  If I feel like a forbidden snack..I allow myself..just a very small portion. And sometimes..the next day...I will move (walk more at work) a little more than normal.

    You are off to a great start!! Upping the protein, and water. Keep fresh veggies on hand, and fruit as a snack.  Also..nothing wrong with frozen veggies..nutrients are there...and they are quick and easy to prepare.

    Do you like cottage cheese?  I buy the low fat kind..it is high in protein.

    xoxo

    Lisa

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  • kriserts
    kriserts Member Posts: 224
    edited September 2008

    You need to do interval training. Put some intensity into your workout. I was panicked that I wasn't losing weight, because I love to cycle and am on a racing team. I'm 47, went through chemo, am on Femara, and put on about 10 lbs, which was just not going away for about a year and a half. Finally my energy picked up and I was able to start racing again--the hard efforts really helped the pounds finally drop off. I'm not saying you have to race, of course, but you need some workout where you go at a steady pace, then go really hard for a bit, back off for a bit, go really hard again, etc. Like 3 mintues on, 3 mintues off; or 10 mintues on, 3 mintues off, 10 mintues on, etc. I'm sure a good trainer could explain that better than I.

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  • Farrah
    Farrah Member Posts: 566
    edited September 2008

    My personal trainer helped me to lose 20#. It was basically a low carb diet with lots of protein, green veg and water for a few days followed by a 'carb up' day to refuel the muscles.

    Now that I'm on a 'maintenance' program, he says for every meal, have protein + carbs OR protein + fats but avoid, avoid, avoid carbs + fats in any one meal. That's been a big breakthrough for me. I realize now that that's where my weight problems started. I now follow that basic principle, do weight training and cardio 4-5 times a week and never feel hungry. I also have a lot more protein than I used to and i drink a lot more water than I did and never have soda.

    Farrah

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  • kerry_lamb
    kerry_lamb Member Posts: 778
    edited September 2008

    Thanks girls! I'm loving the advice. I finished chemo last Friday (Y-a-a-ay-y-y!), so now it's game on for 20 lbs.

    I've experimented with breakfast and I alternate week about with rolled rye from the health food shop, and poached eggs with silverbeet  (do you call it kale? I'll have to check) with one piece of really grainy toast.

    We have actually just ordered a breadmaker so we can control what goes in our bread. I soak a 3/4 cup of rolled rye in water overnight and then microwave it for about 2 minutes in some soy milk. 2 tbs of ground linseed/safflower seeds on top and ONE level tsp of sugar. A bit more soy. This lasts me well from 7am to 12.40 when I break for lunch ( I am a teacher). I used to enjoy packet cereal, but it doesn't last as long and the sugar content is ridiculous.

    The egg & silverbeet thing is a different experience..seems to be an iron craving or something!

    Red meat is almost completely out. Pasta is OUT for me, as is alcohol..sigh...Cry

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  • loopyloulee
    loopyloulee Member Posts: 80
    edited October 2008

    Hey Ladies!  Join Weight Watchers!  I am a WW leader.  I did gain 25 lbs!  It has been a struggle to get it off.  But it is moving.  I have lost 15, and have 10 to go.  I have found that I have to exercise regularly or it does not move.  I also gained it differently this time, all around the middle.  I don't like this post menopausal thing!  My daughter's best friend is a personal trainer, so I have started regular sessions with her.  I hate it when I am doing it, but feel terrific afterwards!

    Anyway, Weight Watchers works, you also will find a whole new support group of people for you.  Do try out differentn meetings and leaders to get the right fit for you.  It makes a world of difference. 

    Lou

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  • lynn4
    lynn4 Member Posts: 22
    edited October 2008

    I had chemo 2 years ago and was on tamoxfin for 1 year and boy oh boy - 30lbs boom!  Just like that!  I have never weighed this much even when I was pregnant 3 times.  It's awful!  I certainly don't eat that much - just had a hysterectomy 5 weeks ago and have been walking for 2 weeks and nothing is going away!  my stomach is terrible!  I did adkins before breast cancer and lost a lot of weight by my husband is totally against me doing that again.  It was so easy to loose on adkins though.  Weight watchers is to hard when you have kids and kid activities going on.  It brought tears to my eyes when I tried on clothes since I started back to work this week and I couldn't even button most of my pants! Cry  I am at wits end.

    Lynn

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  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited October 2008

    Lynn, it is so difficult to see these changes and feel so helpless. I'm not a good "dieter"--but one thing that helped me identify eating patterns that were destructive was to hire a personal trianer who had nutrition experience and keep a food journal for a week. Then, I added in more veggies and lean protein, and try to be more careful about snacks and emotional eating. Or waiting till I'm starved and really pigging out.

    And, moving my butt. It's calories in vs calories out.

    You can do it. Find someone to help you.

    Anne

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  • lisasayers
    lisasayers Member Posts: 850
    edited October 2008

    Hello

    I'm newly diagnosed and not on any meds, so not sure if this will help, but I started eating clean almost two years ago.  After a couple weeks, the weight/fat melted off.  I lost about 18 pounds that way and then added Zumba to my life. (Now I teach it)  I lost a total of 25 pounds.  I highly recommend reading The Eat Clean Diet by Tosca Reno.  It isn't a diet, just a way of living.  I eat clean about 85% of the time now.  Got rid of all the white crap...flour, sugar, pasta, rice.  I eat 6 times per day...and usually start the morning off with my crock pot oatmeal.  I LOVE it!  You have to use the steel cut oats...not the processed stuff.  But if you would like the recipe, let me know.  I also drink a protein/fiber shake every morning.  It is made from a vegetable protein, not whey.  I know a lot of people have trouble digesting whey.  I also eat a lot of nuts, beans, chicken, fish as well as fresh fruits and veggies.  I drink a lot of water, as well as green tea. 

    Since I'm ER+/PR+, I'm re-thinking my soy intake! 

    Hope something here was helpful!

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  • azsunn
    azsunn Member Posts: 201
    edited October 2008

    I appreciated all the tips you ladies posted.  I am struggling with extra weight gained during chemo and particularly since tamoxifen!  I know that a certain amount of it is due to poor eating habits, but wow!

     I got sloppy with my eating habits, I still eat the stuff that is good for you, I have just not denied myself the junk too.  The emotional eating hasn't helped either. Not a pretty picture.

     I've been trying to get a handle on this for a month or more with little success.  I am walking now, and decided to try South Beach Diet hoping I can break the carb/sugar cycle I'm in now. I am also asking myself if I am really hungry or am I thirsty/emotional eating.

    Hopefully this will turn the tide.  Thanks for all of your suggestions. 

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  • lynn4
    lynn4 Member Posts: 22
    edited October 2008

    Lisa, Thanks for all the great advise!  I will look up that book, for sure!  I already eat steel cut oats but cook on stove top, yummy.  Would love your recipe for the crock pot!!!  Thanks again for the great support to all!

    Lynn Smile

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  • enjoylife
    enjoylife Member Posts: 578
    edited October 2008

    Can anyone help me it doesnt seem that I get enought info from my ong. office I have been out of chemo almost 6 weeks I had alot of fluid taking diruitc for that and its seem to be helping, my son told me to walk its probaly I have no muscle from chemo I have been walking with the dog she loves it and my muscles are still sore when I get on the floor I have to have something to pull my self up please tell me this will go away. I have never been over wieght so I am watching what I eat to get my before cancer wieght back. Is there any foods that are good for building muscle back or any vitiams I take calicuim with vit. d in it any suggestions

    Please help I feel 80 and I am only 56.11 months ha

    Maura....Oh yes I am in RAD and its going very well so far so much easier than CHEMO>.

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  • bluewillow
    bluewillow Member Posts: 779
    edited November 2008

    Hi everyone,
    I found this great thread while looking for some weight loss and fitness inspiration and thought I would bump it up for everyone. 

    I feel like a marshmallow and am desperately trying to motivate myself into action.  My body has definitely changed-- I used to be able to lose 5 pounds fast by just cutting back on my food intake and moving more-- that ain't working now!!! Frown  My year of Herceptin ends next Monday-- Yay!  I have been dealing with lots of fatigue recently, as well as menopause symptoms, and I feel and look like a slug.  Yuk. 

    Thanks to everyone for some great information!

    Mary Jo

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  • geebung
    geebung Member Posts: 1,851
    edited November 2008

    Hi Valerie and everyone,

    When I saw the plastic surgeon on Tuesday he told me my tummy was bigger than my breast! I was a bit hurt but it has made me more determined to lose weight. Even though it's early days yet, I am finding that, as far as diet is concerned, a green smoothie really fills me up at lunchtime. I blend a whole cos (Romaine) lettuce with a couple of bananas, 2 oranges and some water. This makes me feel energised which then helps me to do more exercise. Use organic if possible and preferably locally grown as it's fresher.

    I want to start doing ab exercises and increase the number of hills in my daily walking. I hope it works! The weight used to come off so easily. Now it's much harder. 

    Good luck to everyone! 

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  • Eileeng
    Eileeng Member Posts: 28
    edited November 2008

    Hi!  I have used an unconventional way to lose weight,,got braces...but now that I can eat again, I really don't want to. I am viewing food as a friend who betrays me routinely, not as the great source of comfort I once craved. So I eat small portions and stay away from that sneaky so-and-so!

    EileenG

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