Motivation

Spring, you are absolutely amazing!!!!

I have the 4 dvd for zumba fitness. it has the basic steps, beginners and advance along with a toning tape.

Wow!  I just want to say, what a fabulous group of intelligent, thinking, strong, determined, self-sufficient, pro-active women we have here, and I am so grateful for each and everyone of you!  I think we're all very much on the same page re. wanting the understanding and positive support we get here, yet at the same time needing to be sure we aren't dwelling on or letting anything negative about our shared experience keep us from living in the present, including being in the present with non-bc family & friends -- something I need to work on, because my mind is sometimes on women and situations here -- especially if I've been on here a lot.  And often it's not something I feel I can share with my DH, for example, especially when it involves a recurrence or someone who isn't doing well.

Well, I'm headed into UCLA really early tomorrow to see both my wonderful PS (to talk about Stage 2 Diep, which I've waited several months for after rads), and also my absolutely wonderful BS for a followup.   (((Hugs))) to all ~   Deanna

ainm ~  We all have challenges, and what I love about this thread is that we don't need to put into words what we're going through.  We all get it.  We know how hard it is at times to get ourselves up off the sofa after a mast or chemo or recon or whatever we've been through and to focus on what we can do, instead of what we can't.  And the very fact that you and everyone else chooses to be here says so much.  We all need to keep making time for ourselves, and to keep nuturing ourselves and each other.  I truly believe that your fabulous 16 lb. weight loss is just the beginning, and that when you reach your goal, you will look back and be so grateful that you kept the commitment to yourself.   Deanna

Brenda--I did take yesterday "off" as I had a class in the morning then two separate social visits after that that took us to bedtime. But I walked today with my dog to the beach--am mad I forgot the pedometer to see how far I went but it was a good walk with some uphill in sand so I am counting it as a exercise day. 

Enjoying all the beautiful warm sunny weather here--80's--lovely! Know the rest of you in CA are cooking! Have a great rest of the weekend, all!  

Way to go Spring! You are an inspiration!

Brenda-the mini tramp is great for you if you have bad knees because it is low impact. As I said, if you just bounce instead of jump, you still get the benefits of moving the lymph. You can work you way up to jumping. I still love walking more than anything, especially in the fall. I was dx, 2 years ago in Oct. so the beautiful fall weather helped motivate me to get out and walk, and I walked away all the angst. I listened to Sting a lot. Do you know his song-"I'm an Alien, I'm a legal alien, I'm an Englishman in New York". I loved the walking cadence to this song. But I changed the words to: "I'm American, a midwestern American, and I've never been to New York." It always made me smile!

Ainm(does that have a meaning?) don't worry that you are not "giving" Your time will come. Just keep knocking off those pounds, one at a time. Sixteen is no easy feat! I still cannot believe I was able to lose 40. It took me almost a year, but I never went on a diet or anything. I just made a committment to eating whole, heatlthy foods, no sugar or dairy, and exercised everyday, even when the weather was freezing and snow was knee deep. Keep it up. We will be here, even if it takes a year to cheer you. NEVER give up. Just think of all of us waiting at the finish line to check you out in some fantastic outfit!

I can't believe how hot it is in CA. It has been so cold  here all summer. I don't think I broke a sweat once. But then, rads zapped my thryroid, so that is probably the main reason.

Ivory-You are so right about how important it is to change your attitude. I am so much calmer now too. Though I think a lot of it is also because my better diet, has kept me chemically balanced. I cannot believe how much happier I am now than before bc. Every cloud really does have a silver lining.

Sobx-when is Dr. Oz on? He is the only reason I ever watched Oprah. Now that he has his own show, I don't have to waste my time with her. I just think she needs to start to practice what she preaches! She is the epitome of overindulgence. My thermography doc is near her studio. I went for my last therm with a couple of dear friends (also anti-O's). We ate lunch across the street at a really nice resturant, and we made sure we sat with our back to the window so we did not have her empire in our face.

Welcome Jess! You have come to the right place! This is the best group of motivating beauties anywhere!  :P

We have tried it all & are hard working sisters~ask anything, someone here is doing it or has done it!

We will motivate you & you in turn will motivate us.

Wishing you the best!

{{hug}}

Valerie

Ainm: congratulations. 16 I think is a lot with everything we're going through.  I'm trying hard to lose a few and not gaining, and getting healthier, but sure not losing.  Good for you

Jess, welcome, you will love it here 

vivre- dr oz comes on in the morning here (ABC) but also it comes on fox later. If nothing else go to www.doctoroz.com and it will highlight the shows. Today was about BC. Guess there is an advantage to working nights. Off Mon and Tues then working mornings Wed and Thurs and the kicker is nights Fri-Thurs. 9 working days straight. Then off to VA for a few days.

Jess - welcome. Jump in any time.

Ainm - great!! And you thought you couldn't do it.

I am holding on one weight at this time. I just hope it stays at this point and doesn't go up. I lost ten pounds when I came down with staph last year.

It is a beautiful day here and hopefully I will get something done. I still don't have much energy.

Spring you are doing great. Hopefully you are getting some of this beautiful weather. It rained most of the weekend. And expecting a cool down after today. Might head for the beach later.

Everyone have a great day and keep moving.  Joy

kmmd--So in spite of working hard, you have still managed to work out? Amazing! Overall I have been better with work, because I at times make myself stop and ask the question: "Is this meeting or task or activity or you-name-it more important than my taking care of myself right now?" Notice I said at times--I still go into default mode and summon the energy to do whatever it is I think I need to do many other times. And there are things I need to do because of the nature of my work that I can't just say, "Well I will put myself first and do that tomorrow." I wish I worked and lived in that world! (Well, at least some times....)  I also try to notice when I am really wiped out after a long day and to make mental note of what specifically I will do next time to avoid being wiped out. As I said before, this will be a lesson I have to relearn for quite some time before greater balance and attention to my needs becomes my 'new default mode"! 

Thanks for the suggestions on the DVDs to all; now I have to check out this zumba dvd. Deanna--I hope your appointments are going well today. And I agree with you: we all have our challenges. Goodness knows, I have mine! Kari--Glad you could get away and walkwalkwalk in kinder temps! Allie--It sounds like your "off day" found you doing other potentially fun things; I hope you had fun! I often talk about finding balance in my life, and I think sometimes that will just mean no workout. So far, I am at 23 1/2 out of 24 (days). I am a bit "under the weather" today and I managed just a 20 minute slow walk earlier; I am aiming for stretching and maybe a little Tai Chi later today. I am hoping that moving around some chi will help me to feel better.

And welcome Jess! I hope you will find inspiration here as I have! I think Vivre may be right about the 3 weeks and it's a habit approach. I'd like to think that I am now in the habit of strengthening my body/mind. And Vivre--Thanks for the info on the minitramp. I don't know the song by Sting, but it sounds like it really got you moving. Lately the improved quiet in my brain has helped me to get moving. Interesting, huh?

Brenda: can't believe the timing of your post. I just did the same thing today.  Getting behind, overwhelmed (I worked non stop this weekend) and really wanted to finish off a couple of projects and was supposed to go to a meeting, and thought, do they REALLY need me there.  No, I finished what I needed and managed to leave for a very important doctors appt--another story. Can't tell you how good it makes me feel to have someone reinforce that it is ok to do that.

Anyone else still hitting a wall from chemo that wasn't there before? I still dont' have my old endurance back.  SOOOOO FRUSTRATING.  

OK, this is the positive thread, tonight I am so out of patience for my old life back, please everyone remind me how far we've all come in the last several months and concentrating on that is what is important.  

OK, I'll start. Short yoga session today would have been hard before and was easy enough tonight I could concentrate on breathing and meditation.  It is better then it was post chemo.  

Deanna, thank you.  I love it, suddenly hit you that you were mutli-tasking, only this group coule understand how HUGE that is.  So made me smile.  Only ever visited CA, but from what I've heard that Beverly Hills comment is a huge compliment.  Doesn't get better then that.  Congratulations on your surgery date.  I know you're not looking forward to it, but you will be so happy when its done.  We'll be right here encouraging you every step

Penny, 25 yr reunion!!!  What fun!  I never made it to any of mine, I hope you have a fantastic time and they all look at you and say..."wow check out how GREAT she looks" !!  

Deanna, WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!  Better than Beverly Hills chickies with private trainers!!  CHECK YOU OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I LOVE it!!  Now that's motivation!!  We'll be with you and so will our prayers for your upcoming surgery next month.  

kmmd, geez, you have a strenuous nonstop job it sounds like.  You NEVER stop!!!  I hope your workload slows some so you can work in some mental health time.  There was a news story on this a.m. about getting 'me' time during your work day.  It said never eat at your desk, you need 30 minutes of time away from the office for good mental health.  They said some other stuff but that one stuck with me as I always preach that to my coworker who NEVER leaves her desk.  Hugs to you!

Meg, you made me laugh with your BRISK comment!  We've cooled down 30 degrees in 2 days!  I was freezing on my way in...59 degrees!  High of 75, come out west!!  Back in the 80's tomorrow.  Kudos to you for the 15 lb weight on your back, you rock!!

Joy, enjoy your trip to the mountains and yes, pack your long johns! haha  When we were at Lake Tahoe over the weekend, it dipped into the 30's!  You know I was freezing, but it did warm to the 80's which I love!  Nice quote!!

After working through my lunch yesterday (we were short staffed), I went home, hopped on my bike, rode to the gym and got on the eliptical.  It KICKED my butt!!  I stuck with it, thought of you girls...rode home, made a healthy dinner and I was exhausted.  I did sneak into some cookies though...ok ok they were healthy peanut butter!!   haha!!  Fell asleep at 8:30!  

Let's make it a GREAT day...keep moving!! 

A good goal is like a strenuous exercise - it makes you stretch.
  ~Mary Kay Ash

That is shocking, Meg, about the McDonalds!  What were they thinking???!!!  Several years ago, when my son was in high school and I was President of the Parents Assn., I asked about replacing the soda machines with juice machines, and I know some people, including the Principal, thought I was a nutrition nut.  Thankfully, the tide is turning and some schools are now doing just that.  But sadly, many of them also enjoy the profit from those machines.  It can be a complex issue. 

Thanks for telling me about Annie Chun sauces.  I've seen them, but never tried any, and I've been wanting to find some alternatives to terikayi anyway, which everyone likes but I'm really tired of.  I'll check out your suggestion today.     

Oh, of course, this wbc report is 5 months after chemo and two months after rads.