Weight Gain During Chemo

somuch2live4 · January 2011

I just want to start by saying, I have struggled with my weight after having 3 really great kids, so it is at no surprise that it has become even worst now, during chemo.

I am, 29, my physical appearance is discouraging (lack of hair, brows, lashes), but to top it off, I have gained 15 lbs, can't fit my pre-chemo clothes. I want to scream. I keep reading on line, that I have to get in shape, but it feels impossible while on chemo.

I won't have surgery until after chemo, so I shouldn't really have any excuses.

I could really use some motivation, does anyone have any suggestions? Even house work is a challenge.

lago · January 2011

I put on I think 10 on chemo. Not sure because I know some of it is water weight. I was in great shape when this all started but eventually chemo got me and I exercised less and less.

First of all take it slowly. It took me 3 months just to start to see the weight come off last time. Took me 6 months to lose 6lbs which at the time was all I needed to lose.

I highly recommend walking everyday as a start. Even if it's 15 minutes. Gradually work your way up to a fast pace and 30-60 minutes. You might not be able to do it on chemo but when you feel up to it try to get the 15-20 minutes in. Remember chemo isn't forever.

Cut down on your calorie intake. I don't mean diet. I mean figure out what you are eating and how big your portion size is. Make sure you are eating more vegatables and be careful not to over do on the fruit. Fruit had a lot so sugar. Eat leaner proteins. Remove the skin on chicken. Eat less or no red mean. Stick to chicken, turkey and fish. Limit "white foods" like white bread, rice etc. When you do want to eat grain stick to whole grain breads.

When cooking (not baking) replace butter with olive oil and use sparingly or use pam olive oil. When snacking don't eat crap. You are better off eating nuts or air popped popcorn but again watch your portions size.

Sugar is a tricky thing. It's in everything. Read the labels. Seriously try to eat like you are a diabetic… granted you don't have to have the artificial sweetener but you will find that a diabetic diet is lower in carbs and sugar and higher in vegetables and lean proteins.

NatsFan · January 2011

Somuch - it's not unusual to gain weight during chemo - I gained 20 pounds myself on chemo, which was especially frustrating because before dx I had successfully lost and kept off 55 pounds.

My advice would be to not worry about weight till after chemo. Do what exercise you can and be as healthy as you can eating, but I know during my chemo many times all I could tolerate eating were "white" bland foods like white rice and mashed potatoes - not exactly a healthy diet, but I just could not maintain my previous healthy eating patterns. As for working out, I started out chemo doing my normal hour plus a day workouts, but by the last 6 weeks of chemo it was all I could do to drag myself to work and back and I was pretty much unable to do any exercise at all.

Cut yourself some slack during chemo. As an onc once said to me, the point of chemo is to poison you just as much as they can just short of killing you. That's a lot for your body to deal with, and your body may just not be able to tolerate any exercise or radical changes in eating patterns right now. You don't want to weaken yourself during this time. Once chemo is over, as lago says, start slowly and eventually you'll be able to build back up to your previous exercise and healthy eating patterns.

Good luck!

dathr · February 2011

Hi Brand new to this stuff and aged 53 yrs. But was shocked during 4 rounds of chemo that about 4 kg (9lb) went on for no real reason except steroids. Now having a similiar problem with amirdex. Eating less exercising more now at 73 kgs and do not feel good.

Weight Gain During Chemo

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