Motivation

Spring you posted while I was typing!!  HI!  Good job on the eliptical even though you're tired (as I sit here yawning...)  CONGRATS on the "thin" remark!  I bet that felt SOOOOO good!  Good for you!  I'm proud of you girl!

Oh and Deanna, I forwarded that video to 2 of my other bc sisters in this area and one replied that it was a big help to her. She's overweight and she's been exercising!  We will have lunch next Monday (I met her in a support group meeting last Nov.) Thanks for sharing!

Well it is so great to see so many new gals getting committed to exercise and the regulars keeping up. Exercise is the single most important thing we can do to stay healthy. When I look back at where I was physically, and emotionally, before bc, I can hardly believe that was me. It was the exercise I did through treatments, that got me through it all, and encouraged me to keep going because I felt so great. Now I love it. I forgot my camera for the July 4th fireworks and had to run up and down a hill to go back and get it . I did it really fast so I would not miss anything, and I did not even get out of breath! I could have never done that when I was heavier and out of shape. And yesterday I walked at least 6 miles around the lake with my friend and it did not even phase me. I just want to encourage all of you who have been working out to keep going, and the newcomers to not get discouraged at the beginning. It takes at least 3 weeks of daily exercise to notice any difference so just keep at it.

And don't forget to try rebounding. It is so much fun and moving the lymph is really important.

So nice to see some newcomers!  Welcome, Lynne, Mary, and CarolinaChick!  Motivation is something we can't ever get too much of!  CarolinaChick ~  Since you're barely out of rads, just a little warning to be especially careful re. any arm exercises on the side you had RT. I was probably overly aggressive with my upper arm movements right out of rads, and at times think I did some permanent damage. 

Well, I missed my morning walk today because my 26 year old son awakened me @ 5:15 a.m. in excruciating pain.  Since he has an extremely high pain threshold, I knew something was very wrong.  Half an hour later, we were in the ER, where a great doc and CatScan quickly dx'd a kidney stone.  I thought that was something only older folks got, but evidently, getting dehydrated (which happens easily here in the desert) is a major risk factor, and lots of young people show up with them.  I've always heard they were painful, but I've never seen someone go through that.   It was pretty scary.  Anyhow, we're back home, and I think things are under control.   

In the meantime, while we were waiting to fill a couple of RX's, we stopped by the office of a new naturopath my son had heard about.  From our brief chat with her, I think she's going to be a real find for our entire family. 

I hope everyone gets in plenty of health-building exercise & sweating today!   Deanna

Spring, you think little thing you....would love to see that powerpoint sometime

Kari: yep midwest.  Poor Dad had a little set back, dry heaving today, we all know how awful that feels with fresh incisions.  

IvoryMom: hope zometa happens and works for you

Carolinachick: you are so welcome happy to see you here

Vivre: love the encouragement and I'm with you exercise kept me sane through treatment and know keeps up my hope for the future.  

Allie: I'm a yogaholic too.  Be kind to yourself, just consider that your base and work in a few minutes of something else each day and then add in a few more minutes to the day each week.  It will come, and it all will count

Deanna: ouch made my arm hurt just hearing about it.  Sympathy to DS, stones are supposed to be one of the most painful things to deal with.  I just came across something recently about increasing numbers of younger people with stones, can't remember where or reason why.  

Diet and Exercise Intervention Produces Results in Long-term Survivors

Long-term survivors of breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer who participated in a year-long home-based diet and exercise intervention reported a smaller decline in physical function compared with their counterparts who did not participate in the program, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.[1]

Research has consistently indicated that proper nutrition, physical activity, and healthy body weight are critical for maintaining optimal health and preventing cancer. Cancer survivors are at an increased risk of developing subsequent cancers. Furthermore, cancer and its treatment have been associated with accelerated functional decline. As cancer treatments continue to improve, more cancer survivors are surviving beyond the five-year mark, making it imperative that these survivors maintain healthy lifestyle habits in order to maintain optimal health.

The Reach Out to Enhance Wellness (RENEW) Trial included 641 overweight, long-term survivors of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer between the ages of 65 and 91 who were randomly assigned to the intervention group (319) or the control group (322). The subjects were recruited from Canada, the United Kingdom and 21 U.S. states between 2005 and 2007. The intervention group received a 12-month, home-based program of telephone counseling and mailed materials that promoted exercise, improved nutrition, and modest weight loss. The control group was wait-listed for 12 months before undergoing the program.

All subjects in the study responded to several questionnaires at baseline and at 12 months in order to measure physical function, lower extremity function, and general health and quality of life. These questionnaires assessed the impact of health on the performance of various activities ranging from basic self-care to more vigorous activity.

The results indicated that the control group experienced more than twice the decline of the intervention group in overall physical function. Furthermore, the lower extremity function in the control group declined significantly more than that of the intervention group. The intervention group reported an increase in targeted behaviors such as strength exercise, endurance exercise, and intake of fruits and vegetables. In addition, the intervention group reported a better overall quality of life.

The researchers concluded that a diet and exercise intervention among older, long-term survivors of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer reduced the rate of functional decline in this population.

Reference:

[1] Morey MC, Snyder DC, Sloane R, et al. Effects of home-based diet and exercise on functional outcomes among older, overweight long-term cancer survivors. JAMA. 2009; 301: 1883-1891.

Lisa, before I jet outta here you gave me goosebumps!  Lady, you ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisa - WOW!  Proud of you.

Well, got a new "excuse" to not exercise this week.  I seem to remember swatting something just above my outer left ankle on Saturday.  Sunday it was painful; Monday painful, swollen, red and warm.  Went to doc yesterday who put me on anti-inflammatory and pain meds (yeah, that's how much it hurt).  Doing the anti-inflam for 7 days but only did one pain pill yesterday which made it better but for days my energy was totally zapped.  Still a little swollen unless I keep it elevated; still red and warm so no significant movement for me.  Will give it another day for the meds and then try to get walking again - Promise!

Dunno.  Was at a wedding - maybe I'm allergic to them!  Doc didn't seem to think it was a bite so she took blood.  She says could be cellulitis(?) or gout.  Only allergy I have is to breast cancer!

Allie, you made me laugh about the carrot cake vs walk...sounds yummy!!

Patoo, I wonder what the heck got ya??  It does sound like a bite, doesn't it, but then the doc looked at it.  Do you have the blood test results yet??  keep us posted...that really is good excuse!!

kmmd & Deanna - how are your dad & son doing today??  I like what Deanna said kmmd - to tell your dad we'll rooting for him!  and for Lisa's Zumba to be taped!  That would be awesome!

I have an Avastin infusion on my lunch hour today so no power walking.  I went to the acupuncture class yesterday and hoping it will help the low back/hip and stiff neck.  Waiting for them to call with my first appt!  I can't wait to get back to all the exercising I was doing before chemo!!

Let's all make it a great day! 

Meg, don't make me come over there!!!!!  patoo - LOL!!!!

Sorry Patoo, hope that heals up quick. Its always something isnt it? 

Got my walk on two days in a row! Rad irritation is still present and I dont want to aggrivate it so I try not to sweat.  I am feeling so much better and my skin is healing really fast.  Amazing how much my mood has improved now that I am  feeling better.  Co-worker said she could tell I was feeling better from the sound of my voice over the phone.  Gym Monday!

Well holy cow, lots going on!! Where to start!

Lisa, great to see you again, it has been awhile but I guess when you are a celebrity you don't have as much time for us little people lol. I really am just kidding, congrats, you have worked long and hard at Zumba and you do really deserve this. Hopefully someone can take some video so we can see it too.We are all really proud of you.

Kmmd-hope things are going well with your dad. Best wishes to him.

Deanna-kidney stones do hurt. Tell your boy he now has a glimpse of childbirth ( although having my son was easier  than my kidney stone)

Big hi to all our new comers!

Lynn- keep airing that little breast out especially after exercising, it will help with the irritation

Patoo- my sweet little Patoo, that was me biting your ankle to get you moving, sorry was to sore to actually kick your butt! Sorry I gave you cellulitis, didn't mean to bite so hard. Hope you heal up soon!

Meg- I am very willing to come and kick your butt too if you need it, just let me know where you are! Take it slow, but once you get moving, you will be amazed how much better you feel. I used to roll my eyes at those that said they just don't feel good if they don't exercise, I see it now.  Hubby and I motivate each other especially when one of us doesn't want to go on a walk. The boy helps too as he has lost about 12 lbs and now weighs less than me, not happy about that so I am really trying to be good so I can weigh less than him. That in itself is a good motivator!

Well I think I have rambled on long enough.

Have a great day everyone.

Ps Kari- 5 more sleeps!!!

Lisa, yeah

Adrienne boo hiss on your bosses

Everyone else, hope I didn't miss anyone who needed a shout out, running on empty today.  Dad doing a little better, bless you all for asking. 

Geez Lisa, I can't stand Oprah, but I guess if You are on I will have to watch. Heck, I might even go down to the studio and try to get in. One thing for certain, there is a great resturant across the street, and lunch is on me if you do get the gig. Congrats and good luck! You deserve it!

Meg, and anyone else who needs a little kick. Just spend a moment reminding yourself how great it feels after a workout, and then Just do it!

Sorry I have been missing in action! I have had a hard time going from second shift back to first and have no energy and can't sleep. Went two nights with little sleep and finally took Tylenol PM to help. And then my energy level bottomed out. I still walked my dog but that was all. I am aching so much. Don;t know if it is SE's or just me. Today I mowed half the yard and then washed my car. Didn't know it was so nasty. I ended up using a special cleaner on it to get the bugs and bird stuff off and then had to rewash my car. Very muggy and I sweated worse than exercising. I go back on 2nd on Sunday.

Congrats to everyone on all of the news. Let us know about Zumba. Hope all family members are doing okay.

My son is now a captain at the volunteer fire dept. So he is a Captain-Captain.  He is also a captain of a boat.

Patoo where are you located in NJ? How is your bite? My relatives are from South Jersey. My parents moved to VA and had me.I was the first rebel in the family!

Everyone have a great day and I will get back into the swing of things. This humidty is bound to decrease soon. Welcome all new ones.  Joy