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

Lorena - that's awesome that you're down 7 lbs!  In addition to being on tamox I'm also hypothyroid and on Armour thyroid, so I've got that problem working against me too.  Along with my love for Mexican food!   I'll keep eating my fruit and veggies and exercising everyday.  Not sure what else I can do, but if anyone has any suggestions please feel free to let me know.

Went to see the PCP today.  I am struggling with weight too - most of my life actually.  I have problems with sugar and portion control.  I just want to eat as much as I like of what I life anytime I like.

I have got to get my sugar under control for my diabetes.  I have an open wound on my foot (which means I can't exercise) and until it heals I feel like I have cabin fever.  In order to walk, and help it heal, I am supposed to wear a special shoe that takes pressure off the top portion of my foot.  I can't tell you what this does to my hip and back!

Contrary to popular belief, I do not feel better being deprived of my drug of choice - food!

Please help - post all the wonderful things that healthy food and exercise have done for you.  I am not sure if checking in every day and weighing weekly (AND POSTING IT) will help or not.

Yikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yay Deb - so great that you walked five miles!!   I'm also doing weight watchers, but online.  I am also going to look into the cancer prevention diet books.  My question is this...what is the definition of "vigorous" with respect to exercise?  I walk an hour a day at a good pace, but I can't run.  Is walking enough?  I've been considering joining a gym, but I've done that in the past and it's always been a waste of money.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Hi all!

I'm 11 hours post-chemo (4 DD AC and 12 weekly Taxols)! I think I'm ready to join this conversation--it's the first that popped up on the fitness thread. I'm still on my steroid munchy high, so I won't promise to start right in, but I gained back all the weight I lost on AC plus some.

I was on ww 4 times, and might join again, although I don't like the current point system. I like when I joined first 16 years ago and you made choices in the different food categories. With the point system I cheated more and also saved points for less healthy choices. But I'm motivated now more by health than looks so maybe I won't cheat.

I was able to walk all through chemo, and wonder how much I would have gained if I hadn't. But I did overdo it yesterday with a 1 1/2 hr walk in the local redwoods. So beautiful, was with a friend, and talking and enjoying the sights just kept me going. Feet were numb by return. So for now I need to watch neuropathy. I really want to swim again, but am worried about chlorine during rads, which I'll start end of May, early June.

Thanks for starting this thread. I hope I can stick with it. I'm thinking maybe I'll even post my weight as a reinforcer. Is that weird?

kim

Good Morning Ladies!  I felt so great in step class yesterday, it's the hardest I've worked in a long time. I think my energy level is finally coming back!

BKim- 11 hours post chemo, you go girl! This is a great time to plan your future diet, but remember you still have all that chemo ick going on inside. I agree about WW. When I first did it 22 years ago there were very few ways to eat poorly and they really focused on portion control and eating a balanced diet. I'm trying to eat well, but low carb. I think for me the carbs cause me to overeat and snack. 

Deb- 5 miles very impressive!  My friend wanted me to join her on a 5 mile walk, but I was afraid she might have to carry me home! I'm sticking to the gym at the moment so I can pace myself.

I woke up thinking about eating cookies for breakfast! Probably not that healthy ha ha.I think I might have cereal and fruit, maybe the fruit will satisfy my cookie craving.

For exercise I'm cleaning the house today. My friends laugh at me, but it can be a good workout with all the bending and moving. It takes me about 5 hours to clean so at least my body will be in motion for that amount of time. I'm hoping to have energy tomorrow to get out in the garden and work. The yard needs some attention! 

I noticed yesterday that my gym is offering metabolism checks. They have some sort of neat little devise you blow into and it calculates your resting metabolism and how effectively your body is working. It's $40.00 but I think I may do it. I'll let you know what it's all about.

Down another pound, which when you consider my diet the past week is good. I'm aiming for 2 pounds a week, but I might not be cutting calories enough for that or maybe I should step up the exercise.

I start radiation on Monday, so this is the end of my "vacation". I'm driving 1 1/2 hours each way to the hospital. I'm someone who really like to munch in the car, so I better stock up on carrots and stuff.

Have a great weekend all. 

Morning all,

My understanding is that vigorous breaks you into a sweat within a few minutes and you keep it up for 30 minutes.  I'm also under the understanding that 60 minutes of moderate activity does about the same good for your body.  So JanMarch, I'm thinking walking 60 minutes a day is very, very good.  Keep up the good work.

One lb.  Way to go Barbie.  Sometimes I think that loosing it slowly helps it to stay off longer.

KMC.  Hoping that foot heals real soon.  Aquasize is great for arthritis.  Just wear really good aqua shoes when your foot is well enough. Hang in there.

Hi All,

I know I need this group. I have to loose way too mush weight. I was thinking of starting WW on Monday. I am still doing Chemo. So I want to make sure I have a balanced diet.  I need to start exercising. 

kathy 

Cruise - it has been like this for months - too long.  Of course, I have been acting like I don't have diabetes.  I had started to get it under control when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Went straight to comfort food and stayed there until the last 2 week.  When the doctor said it could lead to a bone infection I hopped back on the band wagon.  It does look like it is finally getting better.  Thanks.

LORENAB:  I'll post my weight if you do.  Tell you what, I will post my real weight not the weight on my driver's license!

When I had my mastectomy in Oct. I weighed 135.  During the course of chemo my weight shot up and my highest was 160.  I'm 2 months post chemo and I'm down to 148.  So I do want to lose about 10 more lbs.  I don't do WW but I do watch what I eat.  I also bought a weighted hula hoop.  I spend about 1/2 hour a day hooping.  I'm not quite ready to do tricks yet, but getting close.  It's been fun and really good for my core.  I'm finding that my "chemo baby" is getting smaller all the time. My legs are getting stronger too.   I'm actually back into some of my pre-bc clothes.  Lymphedema in my feet is keeping me from doing other types of exercise right now.  I did read today that using a rebounder is very good for the lymph system as the up and down movement opens and closes the lymph valves and stimulates drainage.   Who knew?  Of course rebounding is another great way to get exercise and it's low impact.   

I got the weighted hula hoop at Sports Authority.  It has water or some kind of liquid in the hoop.  It really isn't heavy.  Just a little extra.  And it's bigger than the kid size.  You can also get exercise hoops on line.  Just google hula hoop.  Those can go up to 3 lbs and are a little pricey for me.  Mine was only 7.00.  

A rebounder is a mini trampoline.  Wal-mart has them for under $40.00.  You can also find those online and in sports stores but at a higher price.

Good luck with your weight, Princess.  The walk and salad thing sounds fantastic. 

Amateurs!  My weight started at 185.  Right before the breast cancer diagnosis I had gone to 174.  After my diagnosis I hit the refrigerator like a mad women and it was back up to 186.  Since I have been trying to watch what I eat it is now 176.  I would like to be at 130 (which I have not hit since I was a young woman!).

If I am successful at losing all the weight, who wants to volunteer to walk around with me carrying all the hanging flesh I will be left with?

I am going to post a picture of a slim woman on the refrigerator to remind me what I want to look like.

Here's to being losers - dieting is the only time in the world where you want to be a loser.

Hi, The best diet thing I did today was that when I didn't want to walk to the other building and buy a salad for lunch.  I took a breath and did it anyway!  Good salad and a scoop of tuna.  Me and my little guy at some NewmanO's after dinner, but not too many, just three.  Haven't been to the gym in about a week and a half; will log gym visits here if OK.  Love the rebounder idea.

Cathlene

I just want to report that it is possible to lose weight on tamoxifen.  For 3 yrs I have been trying to lose by exercise, to no avail.  And I don't always have a lot of energy anyways.  I blame this on the drug and I am convinced that it is true especially after reading so many posts here by women who suffer from fatigue and weight gain during bc recovery.  So I decided to finally commit to a weight loss program (ww) in addition to excercise and to my surprise I was able to lose.  So far 4lbs over 2 weeks.  That was amazing to me because my weight wouldn't budge even with regular exercise.  For those of you who are struggling, it can be done!  I wish everyone success who tries and my encouraging thoughts are with you.

Jane - your post has me making up my mind to re-commit to weight watchers online.  I was losing on the program pre-bc dx, so hopefully it will continue to work for me.  My problem is that I'm tired when I get home from work and don't want to make dinner.  My DH can easily talk me into going out to eat.  It's so hard to count points on WW while eating out!

I have 2 main motivations to lose weight:  1) help prevent a recurrence and 2) I want a new body to go with my new boobs!    I have 3 months before my exchange surgery, so I'd better get crackin'!  Oh yeah, going to the beach in July is another motivating factor....

Hi, all,

I joined weight watchers a year ago.  Almost to the day.  I was not a lot over weight but definitely out of range.  I logged in at 150 lbs.  I lost 20 lbs., very very slowly.  In December I was just starting maintenance when chemo started.  Last night I rejoined.  I'm happy to report that I only gained 2 and 1/2 pounds.  Yeah!  The more I look at the Strange Cancer prevention diet and the Momentum plan the more they look a like.  I really believe that this diet and exercise are my best shot at keeping this monster at bay.  Tonight I'm going to try Yoga after I do a bit of aerobics.

God Bless you All