OK, taking a plunge...

 Holy crap, your honesty always bowls me over.This is impressive and very gutsy.You will have a group of profoundly supportive sisters behind you.

debi

you are doing great. this stuff really changes our idea of what we can do what we want to do.

if you can just do one day....and keep working at it...the days will pass you and you will be making decisions that are good and healthy for you.

the walking is really important .  i think as you get out and move your body...on a regular basis...and enjoy the solitude and beauty of the moment...it will kinda turn you on.

mini goals is what it is all about. you are a survivor. you are strong...even in the hardest times. don't give up and "live on"

diana

Awesome!  Baby steps is the way to go.  I quit smoking on my birthday 4 years ago.  Hardest thing I have ever done.  My son made me pinky swear with him that I would never smoke again and I haven't.    Like you, I'm overweight....probably MORE than 50 lb.  I have lost 8 lb since Jan started but it comes off slow (I'm on tamox).  I'm not doing Atkins..I've been tracking my food on sparkpeople.com  to keep track of the calories/fat grams/carb count.  PM me if you feel like having a weight loss partner.

You can do it!  I quit smoking for good almost 6 years ago (third serious attempt over the years) - one of the hardest and best things I've ever done I've ever done for myself and my family (dragged my husband along kicking and screaming - lol!)  Something that helped me was gradually eliminating places/activities where I allowed myself to smoke - like first I quit while driving, then while on the phone, then while having my coffee in the morning....by the time I went cold turkey, the only place I was "allowed" to smoke was my patio.  I couldn't go out there for months without craving one - lol!  Adding the exercise and water is so smart - we'll all be cheering you on!

Deb, thats more than enough if you ask me, its better than setting goals that you cant achieve. I see so many people start out big and fail big, you will do it. I am like you, eat bad, smoke and don't exercise enough. We will get their

Awesome Deb, we'll be with you every mini step of the way!

Who better to take care of you than You!

Good for you, setting goals a little at a time is a great way to achieve things. I need to join you on the losing weight one for sure!

Chern ~  You're my BC Hero.  I LOVE you!!  I've been feeling like I have to be taking eensi weensi baby steps.  I used to be a runner size 4,  ate real healthy, worked out and kept busy riding and training on my horse.  That was up until 2004.  Then I had a sudden brain hemorrhagic event that occured out of nowhere, and went into a coma for a week, came out of it with no deficits whatsoever.  My docs told me I would not be able to ride again for at least a year. They had me on steroids for weeks to keep my brain from swelling.  Well I wish the rest of me didn't swell.  I was in the hospital for 7 weeks and came out a size 12.  I was riding my horse within a couple of weeks after leaving the hospital, and tried to get back to running again, but couldn't because of knee problems and a slight weakness on my left side.  This also caused me to stop riding and sell both my horses.  I went into an emotional slump after that, didn't workout much, got lazy about eating right and juicing like I used to and just felt like a blob in a fog for a few years.  Then last year in 2008 the BC bitch showed up, and it's been a struggle since then to get back into a good routine.  So the last few weeks after seeing how good all the stage 3ers are about working out, and eating so good, I got a little more motivated.  I've been brisk walking every day for a mile and really trying to watch what I eat, and drink a lot of water.  So I'm taking the plunge with you and letting you know it.  I wanted to make sure I really stuck with it before I said anything on the stage III fitness thread, but It's a beginning.  I'm right there with ya.

Shana (Barb)

Mini goals is the only way for me to go.  I've got about 20 pounds that I would like to lose, but everytime I get going I've had to stop.  Was really making progress and then was diagnosed.  Did some cardio and yoga during chemo and herceptin.  Celebrated the end of Herceptin with a month long trip where we went hiking in Newfoundland on many trails.  Continued to add cardio and more Yoga but started reconstruction at the beginning of Dec. 09.  Now I'm getting back to it again.  I did Yoga this morning and I've been walking.  I plan to get back to playing Pickleball on Thursday.  Can't do it before cuz I go to the PS for a fill tomorrow and I will hurt.  I'm with Nancy D though; generally eat properly, not too much wine, off of caffene and exercising (b4 reconstruction 14 hours a week or so) and still no weight loss. 

My goal now is to develop my cardio....still watching my heart rate like a hawk due to damage from Herceptin.  Small steps every day! Keep the stories coming because I need encouragement.  I ache every day and need the encouragement to push forward.  The recliner looks so so comfortable.

That's awesome, Deb!  Eating breakfast is huge...glad you are working toward it (and almost there!).

Deb ~  Breakfast is a good goal to start also.  I've noticed that if I have protien in the morning with a complex carb am not hungry thru the rest of the day.  Some mornings I'll have egg either scrambled or boiled and some steel cut oatmeal.  Other mornings I make one or 2 slices of french toast with whole wheat oatnut bread.  They say your body burns it off better when you add protein to complex carbs.  Some mornings I juice some spinach and sweet potato with apple and have a hard boiled egg.  I've been really good about drinking a ton of water infused with an orange slice.  I am really trying to get some of this chemo weight off as well as eating well to keep the cancer bitch at bay.  Thanks Chern, you motivated me to post my little bit of progress.  I did a 30 minute brisk walk on the boardwalk today also.

Deb - Congratulations on taking the first steps.  You have been smart to set realistic goals so you shouldn't get discouraged.  I have never been a smoker but realize it is probably the toughest thing to quit.  If you can get professional help in any way do it.  Think of all of these things that you are doing as part of your treatment plan just as tamoxifen is.  Might help with the willpower. (Everyminute's philosophy)

Also, suggest you reward yourself when you reach a goal.  ie 5 or 10 pound weight loss could mean some new clothes.... Keep rewarding yourself along the way.

You go girlfriend.  Just do it.

Bev

Hi Deb - I am on tamoxifen too.  It seems like some days are better than others.  Not exactlly sure why.  I didn't seem to have hot flashes when I was in Cuba.  Now I am back and they seem stronger than ever. ???  You do have a lot of things on your list.  Remember if you fall off the wagon; you can get back on.  I am a big fan of journalling too.  Also, writing down what you eat, when and the quantities.  Many of us are emotional eaters.  That is a lot of water.  I think you could substitute some of the water for green tea or another beverage.

Bev

Mini steps and it's okay to stumble as long as you get back up.............