Tell me about diet and exercise

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376

OK, after this Zometa let down, I need to up the ante on what I can do for myself to beat this beast.  I have not read too much about the effects of diet, drinking and exercise so would like to hear what others have read or been told.  Do I really have to give up my brownies and wine (not neccessarily together?). What is the recommendation related to exercise?

So good to see so many familar names after a long absence.....

Jacqui

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  • JanetinVirginia
    JanetinVirginia Member Posts: 1,516
    edited December 2010

    Pick up a copy of Anticancer: A New Way of LIfe, by David Servan-Schreiber.  That will answer all those questions.  The author is an MD and a cancer survivor.  I bought copies to give all my family members for Christmas.   In short - lots of fruits, veggies (esp. cruciferous like broccoli, brussel sprouts, kale, etc), whole grains (no refined flour/limited sugars).  Buy organic so that you eliminate or limit the foods you eat that have added hormones, pesticides, and antibiotics.  Low fat, low fat low fat.  Aerobic exercise at least 1/2 hour day.  Much more in the book.

  • Mamita49
    Mamita49 Member Posts: 538
    edited December 2010

    The thing about the exercise is not an option, its a MUST. When you exercise you burn not only fat ( calories) you burn at the same time estrogenes. Those hormone suckers are everywhere in your body, specially in your belly fat. Thats why women who even had their ovaries out can get BC, cause you need to 1. eliminate growth of estrogenes.

    2. Like Janetin said, you should eat mostly veggies. If you can buy organic. ( Funny, we get most organic in super markets here in Montreal)

    Be careful what you choose, cause some stuff could trigger growth of estrogenes like flax, soy, some spices.

    Anyhow, get the book, also Dr. Beliveau Food against cancer.....

    Good luck 

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited December 2010

    Hi Jacqui

    Good to see you online again after so long. What city are you in? I agree with the other posters about diet and exercise. It's hard to do though. I haven't yet mastered it.

  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited December 2010

    Jacqui.....

    About nine months ago when I was figuring out my "go forward" strategy, there were three things I realized I needed to do:

    1. Maintain a BMI ~25.  I am ~26 so still need to work on that.
    2. Exercise every single day.  This is associated with a 50% reduced risk of recurrence.  (Look up Michelle Holmes and Melinda Irwin studies.)  I did 11 miles of x-country skiing today.
    3. Take an aspirin tablet daily. (Holmes) Need that becasue of #2 - hurting everywhere.

    They were not able to demonstrate any diet benefit apart from exercise (Holmes)/  But the key is to eat what you should be eating anyway.  (Ate lots of veggies tonight.)

    I did not give up wine.  Trade-off with heart disease risk.  And one of life's great pleasures.

    Speaking of those: chocolate, nice candles, beautiful scenery, tasty food, sex, wonderfully scented baths, music etc.  Laughter.  No particular order here.

  • Jenna1961
    Jenna1961 Member Posts: 71
    edited August 2013
    For me, it's the weight bearing exercises. More weight means stronger bones. For example: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/722939

    Also, my oncologist says that exercise eliminates free hormones. I manage to spend 45 mins at the gym three times a week (okay, sometimes two times a week). It makes a great difference physically. I also run wherever I go (if it is appropriate) and drag all the grocery myself, usually on foot.

    Food - not much difference than before. Less fat and meat in general, vit D and Omega 3. Less processed food (don't eat it if it has more than five ingredients), beer or wine with dinner.
    Alas, with less estrogen, one of the things Claire mentioned does not happen as frequently now ..sic!..
  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited December 2010

    Jacqui - great to hear from you! Hope all is going well for you and your family.

    I agree with the others on the Anti-cancer book, it is the best I have seen (and we bought a ton!) I think the most important thing is to work out a "lifestyle" that suits you and you can stick to - no point throwing yourself into juicing 10 times a day if it only lasts a week! But if you make small changes, that fit in with your life, you are more likely to stick to them.

    Here is what I do -  Eat as much fruit and vege as you can, at least 10 servings a day, and a wide range of types. I still eat meat but maybe only once a week, I am meat free about 4 or 5 days. Aim for whole grains (brown rice, whole wheat pasta etc) and high fibre as well, tinned beans and lentils are great and quick.

    3 cups of green tea a day - seep for 10 minutes

    Limit alcohol. This has been one or the harder things for me, I do love my glass of wine. But I still have 2-3 glasses of wine a week, I just limit it to weekends.

    Exercise every day. Anyone can go for a 30 minute walk, that is all you need to make a significant reduction in your risk of recurrence. And it helps you to maintain a healthy weight, which is important too. 

    Personally, I credit exercise for making a huge difference in my recovery. I feel stronger physically and mentally, I have felt like I have taken some control back, it is a stress reliever, I could go on....  :)  I know it can be hard to get out the door sometimes, but always, always once you go, you feel better. Really, it is something you should make a priority in your life.

  • Christine2000
    Christine2000 Member Posts: 176
    edited December 2010

    Hey all-- I second what kerry says! The big things for me are: a diet that excludes any wheat or dairy or refined sugar (LOTS of veg and legumes) a number of supplements including green tea, Immunotix, Indolplex (DIM) D, Iodine etc.  I don't juice everyday but I do drink a powdered greens drink. I also exercise at least a half hour a day, and aim for an hour when I can. I don't drink spirits anymore (I sure loved my martinis!) but I do drink a little wine almost every day. I agree that you have to find a balance that works for you.

  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited December 2010

    :::everyone has made great suggestions:::: what a bunch of awesome women.

     so, i am 8 and half years out; i exercise every day; cycling and walking.  the weight bearing exercise is really important and helps your bones**** very important.  the exercise keeps your mind and soul free.

    i don't have any special diet; i eat veggies/fruit every day....i do eat meat...(i am from south dakota and we eat meat there) i eat a lot of fiber...nuts....things that are good for me. i do eat things like McDonalds...FF...BUT only do that once and awhile. i take a multi vitamin...calcium..fish oil and multi vit B

    i drink wine. 

    i am happy with the balance i have developed....but i really do agree; the exercise...a good work out...is most important** 

     *** have a great day*Cool

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2010

    OK, you have all inspired me.  My diet is pretty good, if only a bit too much of it and the frequent brownies!  And my sister in law has got me hooked on Baileys......

    I will now add 30 min of walking most days.  Now that I am in Vancouver I can do that without the Toronto snow- just the Vancouver rain!

    I need to update my picture and city. Good to see "see" you Kerry and Helen. 

  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited December 2010

    Here's a weird question,

    I understand the abdominal fat is especially dangerous as it stores estrogen.  I do exercise and have improved my diet, yet the belly remains and won't disappear quickly unless I'm on a plane that crashes in the Andes.  I wonder if liposuction would ever be recommended for bc patients. 

  • gutsy
    gutsy Member Posts: 391
    edited December 2010

    Hello thisisme

    I am also living in Vancouver and early after my diagnosis I went to Inspire Health, a non-profit organization which offers integrative complimentary care for people with cancer. You can find them on http://www.inspirehealth.ca/. The services they offer are comprehensive, well-researched, and very helpful. Some of the services are completely free of charge, others have a fee associated with them. The organization is located in Vancouver itself on 8th and Hemlock. Part of the service is seeing an MD specializing in integrative cancer care, who will guide you interms of diet, supplements, exercise etc. Feel free to pm me if you have more questions. It has been great for me, there is sense of wellness that you feel when going there as opposed to the cancer agency.

    Right now I am following a pretty good diet of lots of vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, green tea, salmon. I also take a number of supplements like tumeric, fish oil, D3, Q10, Multi-vitamin, flax seeds, etc. I do try to walk at least 5 times a week.

  • MaiTai
    MaiTai Member Posts: 491
    edited December 2010

    Hi All,

    I have been trying to loose around 10 pounds, forever.

    I finished with Herceptin in November and am on TAMOX. since January 2010. I take Lukrin (paralyse the ovaries) and I am 42yo.

    I workout 3-4 times a week and eat a low carbs diet. I eat meat and trying to reduce but I'm from South America so I kinda like itTongue out.

    The weight doesn't move an inch!! What am I doing wrong?

    Any advise? I'm not fat, but would like to go back to my pre-chemo weight.

    Thanks ladies

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