I ain't 30 anymore

Hey Vicki,  I am only stage zero but I will be 51 in Feb and know what you mean about not being 30 anymore!!!!   I think you need to give it time though. Of course our bodies are older but still resilient. It just takes longer to get back in shape.  Before my surgery I was doing aerobic/weight-lifting with my DVDs (the firm series) and also walking my dog about 4 miles a day.  I am just now back to the dog walking routine, but I still haven't gotten the weight training going.  I just don't seem to have the energy yet.  I do chalk that up to being older, but I have hope it will come in time!!  Attitude is EVERYTHING!!!!  Try to take baby steps and be patient.  I am confident you will be back at top form but take it easy and don't beat yourself up over it!  Good luck to you, Anne.

Vickie, I think the speed with which normal activities and exercise routines can be resumed varies with each individual. Be patient with yourself, but keep at it!



I will be 56 next week. At 5 week post bi-lat mastecomy (no reconstruction), I have been able to begin working out (aerobic exercise such as eliptical glider and stationary bike), However, I am can't lift weights or climb yet because my shoulder range of motion is not what it should be. I am going to physical therapy and stretching. I find it very frustrating. I don't know what effect my age is having on my recovery; however I think the fact that I have had three surgeries in the past six months (total hip replacement, lumpectomy & snb, & mastectomy) has made the recovery from the mastectomy more difficult. I am tired but when I make myself go the gym and work out, I feel much better.

Tell me about it - At first, I was so ashamed when I got on the elliptical and was covered in sweat in like 5 minutes.

Well, I'm up to 10, followed by 30 minutes on the bike, followed by light weights.

Of course, I was fat and out of shape and with significant asthma, but I have lost a bunch of inches and pounds, and I am not going to stop.

Woww,,, so glad I had somewhere to post that (out loud?)

Oh gawd, ladies!  I can totally relate.  I'm 54 and a physical therapist, which has its good & bad points with this whole issue!!  We all just have to stop comparing our present selves with our younger selves, I guess!  On the other hand, just because it may take us longer to get back in shape doesn't mean we won't look just as great with a toned up body once we do.

Here's some glimmer of hope to pass on.  From week two of rads, I've been exhausted & haven't really recoved yet even tho' I'm done with rads now.  Because once rads were done, I had to go back to work full time, so I'm exhausted from that.  Also started tamoxifen & had to change antidepressants, so EEEEEK!   Anyway, I have managed to eat a little better & I've made myself do a little toning & walk the dog for like 2-3 miles at least a couple of times a week.  So, I had my fasting lipids done again this week, because I was put on Zocor for high cholesterol in May (another wonderful side effect of post-menopause!!).  But tamoxifen is supposed to lower cholesterol, too, so I wanted to see if my doc would let me stop the Zocor.  Well, guess what?  All my bad numbers were down hugely & my HDL's (the good cholesterol) were up, which means that it wasn't all Zocor that did it, that my exercise has had a real effect on my system in a very short period of time -  really only 3-4 weeks.  So, I get to drop the Zocor!

Meanwhile, hang in there, everyone!