Am I the only one who hasn't changed my lifestyle?

That's so funny I was thinking the exact same thing!!  Just finished chemo and about to start radiation.  People always ask me if I have changed my diet.  Was thinking I should by an anti-cancer diet book

I didn't change my eating habits.  I still like the chocolate and wine on ocassion.

I would have to say the one thing I do think about is "moderation".  I feel that it is ok for me to do what I want as long as I do it in moderation.  In other words a candy bar daily won't hurt me but eating 5 of them would be too much. 

A glass of wine - no problem but am not going to drink myself drunk.  Again....to me it is all about moderation.

The only food item that I won't ingest is soy and grapefruit as it contradicts the Tamoxifen.

I've actually slipped a little. Instead of alcohol 3-4x/year, now 3-4x/month. My diet is a little worse. I still exercise everyday & haven't gained weight. Since we don't know what causes BC, I haven't a clue how to prevent a reoccurence. I feel the healthy lifestyle let me down

JMW

I haven't exactly changed anything, I have added more fruits and veggies. But personally I still want to enjoy my pizza, chocolate and occasional margarita.  

What a great post and yes, I've changed my lifestyle. I walk less because my legs have been getting worn out with the Arimidex, I have a drink at least once a week now, and I've upped my M&M intake.  I was much more diligent before the diagnosis and that didn't pan out, so I've ditched the guilt.  It's helped me feel better than I have in a long time.

i was a major exerciser and ate a ton of fruits and veggies prior to diagnosis.  I still do.  I do avoid soy which is the major one.  Otherwise, my diet is little different.  I eat relatively little processed food as am a major cook.  That said, I did have a burger at the 2/3 point of my 33 mile training ride yesterday.

I am more diligent about upper body work now.  So my weights/crunches routine on week days.  This is about vanity and weight management as much as anything else.  I also want to be able to eat.

I also exercise because my brain works better when I do, and my mood is sunnier.  I do major cycling events every summer.....at least 4 of them.  I have been noticing that I am power walking a lot faster now that I have been doing cycling training rides.  That, and my ankle has healed from my wipe out 2 months ago.  OUCH!!!!  And ouch.

I have not given up wine, one of the supreme pleasures in my life.  Just got to taste the new WA state boutique winery releases, and it was so much fun.  Always exciting.

I agree with ditching the guilt.   As long as you aren't living on a diet of cheez doodles and orange soda.  I am more concerned with the "rest of me" than my BC returning.  Fortunately, it's mostly the same list.

Plus a lot of laughter.  Really. - Claire

I haven't had vodka since - well mostly because the day I was diagnosed I drank 6 and I think it will always be associated with that day. I drink mostly red wine now. But will drink beer, rum or whatever occasionaly. I drink green tea sometimes instead of coffee. I take vitamins. I exercise less, but hope to get back into my routine after chemo (this week - yay!) and surgery next month.

I haven't changed much either.  My attitude is pretty much that the odds are greatly in my favor that it won't come back anyway ... and I'm going to enjoy my life now. 

I've been reading the board long enough to know that there is no rhyme nor reason to who gets breast cancer.  We've got fat people, skinny people, athletes and couch potatoes, people who did HRT and those who didn't (I never did), drinkers and non-drinkers, health food fanatics and junk food junkies, etc.   I agree that moderation in all things is the best idea.  Going overboard in any direction and letting it consume your life is not a good idea IMO.

Since we don't know what causes breast cancer we are only kidding ourselves if we think that giving up this, that, and the other will guarantee anything.  Some of what I see on here I find kind of sad ... but if it helps people cope with the worry I guess it's OK for them ... just not for me.  The only 'change' I've had would be in my attitude about some things.  I no longer feel obligated to stress about and twist myself into knots tending to 'stuff' I don't care about just because somebody else thinks I should.  I've gotten better at saying 'no' to things I don't want to do. 

Lots of good comments on here ... would like to have an 'agree' button for this thread!    

jmw - thank you so much for this post!!!  Often people post who did make major changes, so it always made me feel like I was the only one who didn't give up everything.  I made some changes but still eat dessert and have no plans to give it up. 

I haven't changed much at all......except  I am much much better about taking my vitamins now.  I have pretty much given up drinking anything "diet" now.   Yes, I was addicted to diet coke before.   I had one just about every day for over 20 years!   Can't be anything good about that!   I've switched to drinking iced tea....both green and  black, and not the diet kind!!   I've cut back on my sweets too, just a bit.   I've always maintained an ideal weight and exercised, and that hasn't changed either. 

Before diagnosis I was a runner and faithful yogi; I drank wine occasionally (never red, really don't like reds) and tried to eat well but sugared sweets are my downfall.  Became a pescatarian a couple of years ago.  And still got BC.  I haven't been able to run or do yoga for about 2 months now (chemo is completely draining me, and I was terrified of the germs at the gym) but starting again, slowly, this week (only two more txs to go!)  I am trying to cut out refined sugar because it's better for me overall - but yes, in the back of my mind there's the notion I keep hearing that it fuels tumor growth.  I also gave up alcohol altogether - trying to keep my liver healthy.  I do worry about recurrence, but realize that so much of that is beyond my control.  I can only do what I can do - if I try to make a change  that doesn't feel right or comfortable I am unlikely to maintain it, and I refuse to feel any guilt about that.  Life is too short not to enjoy some things.

I didn't change much diet and exercise wise because I ate pretty healthy and was an exercise nut and I had none of the risk factors and I still got it. So, I will keep on enjoying occasional wine, chocolate (dark is supposed to be better, but I love milk choc ) I will keep on having fun bike riding, running, playing hockey etc. because they make me feel good. If a food is healthy and it tastes good, I will eat it. If it tastes icky, no way!! I do have to say that eating mainly healthy foods makes me feel good, but I will not deny myself occasional special treats.

Last night I was reading a rag mag about Victoria Beckam and she was at a  fancy hollywood restaurant and all she ordered was arugala with no salad dressing. Since it was rag mag, maybe it was exaggeration, but I thought it was funny and that is Major denial and restraint. I could never do that!

The one thing that I have changed is I have stopped stressing. For the last couple of years I was stressing about work and life etc.  but since diagnosis I have decided that didn't get me anywhere and that was definitely hurting my health! I am trying to roll with the punches, enjoy the little things more, get enough sleep. I say no more to outside demands of my time and have been really enjoying my family.... 

I don't think you are going far enough.  My choice is a Tarte Belle Helene whenever Le Panier makes them.  Tarts with frangipain, pear, and chocolate filling.  Oh, my!!!  I have a lovely latte with this.

I have some other faves, but suspect you get the idea.  I also want to state that my choices would be different if I had something like diabetes or heart disease but I don't.

Just make sure that you are eating the best of chocolate.  Here in Seattle, we have a hot chocolate so sinful that if I had to choose between it and the ultimate mind-blowing sex, I would have to think.

That is what is important. - Claire

Heck no!



I've been vegetarian for two years, am active and a healthy weight. Apart from the BC, I'm in the best shape of my life!



I should probably cut back a bit on alcohol, but I'm not giving it up. I also refuse to give up soy, and any suggestions that I do so will be ignored. (Planning on having a nice curry with tofu & veggies at my favorite Thai restaurant this weekend!)



What will I change? I was intending on spending this summer learning to hula hoop around my chest, but since the infusion nurses are insisting that I get a port next week, that's probably out. (I will ask the surgeon if I can get it on the right side which will minimize the chances of me smacking it with my hoop.). That just means I'll be focusing on hooping around my thighs/knees instead, and chest hooping will have to wait until next Spring.