Weight Watchers...Start the recovery process with us!

Good afternoon ladies,

Well, I walked two miles today in the rain.  Decided my husband wouldn't let the rain stop him so off I went.  After my walk I drove into town to the grocery store.  I was hanging on the cart exhausted.  But, I'm home now and not feeling too bad.  Everyday I'll get a bit stronger.

Princess, I work at home and it's just as challenging. My refrigerator is only a short walk from my office, all too often I hear it calling my name. I am trying to eat every few hours so I'm never hungry when I do get to the kitchen. Unless you work somewhere that your co-workers will be supportive my advice is to take the cake, and poke it with your fork looking like your eating it. My friends have had little support at the office, maybe they just work in the wrong places, but the co-workers have been pretty harsh. I think it might make them feel guilty that they are not dieting, and we all know there are very few people who couldn't lose a few. Salsa, schalmsa, at least you weren't all slamming back Margarita's! Just think if the calories you saved. I've got to a cocktail party and dinner for work this week, combined with an overnight and missing my aerobic class so it's a double whammy. I think I'll sip my chemo party concoctions which was seltzer and a dash of cranberry juice in a martini glass. It looks like a cosmo and has very few calories. Now if I can just pass on the appetizers, I'll be golden.

Princess, believe it or not, rads will be in the past before you know it.  I spent over 6 weeks of last summer going into the local hospital for radiation treatment on my way to work every day -- and now I can barely remember it happening (except for the fact that I still have a square "tan" that hasn't faded).

I got into a funk this afternoon and only wanted chocolate. I had a big, yummy biscotti and I really do feel better! I'll try to eat mostly veggies for dinner tonight....

Well, I wish I could report that I exercised pre-work today.  But, I had trouble sleeping last night and ended up sleeping in.  I will get into a routine, I will.  This is my survival I'm talking about.

I have been going up and down since I said I would do this. Some days I have great will power and other days I don't at all.  I did find some 100 calorie dark chocolate treats at Trader Joes to have when I need a treat, rather than the candy all over my office.  

 I am counting points on my own from old ww materials. I like the flex plan, because portion size is my problem so core doesn't work for me.

As far as exercise, I admire everyone's determination!  I did take the bus to work this week rather than driving, so that is about a 1/2 mile walk per day.  

I really want to get back into swimming lengths like I did pre bc.  But I need to find a speedo that doesn't show the scars from the lymph nodes. Suggestions would be great. I don't want to wear my foobs to swim lengths because I don't want to worry about them.  I will wear them at the beach but don't feel like I need them at the Y.

Barbie, thanks for the positive message, you are right on!

Startrecovery -- Before my recon surgery, I was taking an aerobics class one day and I noticed that the (very fit) woman next to me had a scar under her arm that looked like mine.  I realized that she was probably a bc "sister"-- I didn't say anything to her but it was good to see someone who had (apparently) moved ahead with her life. Who knows, if you let people see your scar maybe you will be encouraging others without even realizing it!

I am coming to terms with the fact that I have to take this diet stuff more seriously. If I just kind of watch what I eat and cheat a bit with my points (or calories), I feel healthy but I don't lose any weight! I don't know if it's due to the tamoxifen or age (I'm 42) but my metabolism is such that weight loss doesn't happen easily. I really, really want my bottom half to match my top half (post-recon body with a flat tummy and medium-sized breasts) and I want to fit into my wardrobe of size 10 pants. So it's time to make a concerted effort and stop doing it halfway. Monday will be six weeks post-DIEP so officially, I'll be able to start exercising (now I'm walking every day) and I'm really looking forward to it.  I'm going to have to start slowly, though, since my abdomen is still tight and I know I am still healing inside.

For those of you who have just finished chemo -- yesterday was my one-year anniversary of my last chemo tx. I was remembering how lousy I felt back then -- my family came up to celebrate with me, they popped open a bottle of champagne and I couldn't even manage a sip.  It took many, many baby steps to get my energy and health back (and I was one of the lucky ones who only had 4 tx of A/C). But here I am, feeling good and with a full head of thick, curly hair that I get compliments for all the time ("did you change your hair?"  "um, yes, but not on purpose.").  I think they key is to strike that balance between pushing your body to do a teeny bit more every day, and being nice to yourself when you need it. Not always an easy task, balance....

So I'm going to stop by the gym today for a weigh-in reality check (I don't have a scale at home -- I don't want to obsess about weight so I prefer it this way) and maybe see if I can do 15 minutes on an elliptical without irritating my scars. Next week I'm going to try for my favorite step aerobics.... My son is with his father this weekend so I have lots of time to myself (one of the perks of being a single mom with an ex who is a responsible dad). 

Enough rambling!  More Happy Mother's Day wishes to all!!!!!

Lauren

Don't feel too bad -- I slipped off the train last night too when I was baking cookies for my son's field trip. I cannot bake without tasting the cookie dough, it's just out of my hands, LOL!  But I am going to pack my vegetable soup, yogurt and blueberries again for lunch today, so it's back on the wagon for me.

I am officially allowed to exercise now (6-weeks post surgery) but my abdomen still gets sore and a bit swollen after a long day, so I'm not sure if I'm ready.  I was all excited about taking my favorite step aerobics class on Saturday but I may need to wait another week.

Tomorrow I'm going to a baby shower for a coworker -- hosted by someone who is an amazing cook.  She once told me that she keeps two pounds of butter in her fridge at all times in case she wants to whip up some cookies.  (Of course she is naturally slim and can eat whatever she wants, grrrr.)  Please send me some willpower! I need to take small tastes of the good stuff, eat lots of fruit and then STOP!

How's everyone else doing?

I made a healthy curry chicken tonight, just with some olive oil, with broccoli.  Ice cream was still desert for the family today (it's almost gone then won't buy anymore...) Starting Rads tomorrow so want to really up my green leafy veggies and healthy foods.