Can't drop a pound

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Solly
Solly Member Posts: 14
edited June 2014 in Working on Your Fitness

I am on Tamoxifen and going to WW. I go to the gym 4 nights a week. I can't seem to lose a pound. The onc said Tamoxifen makes you not lose. Any one else having this problem and what do I do?

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  • NYJanet
    NYJanet Member Posts: 150
    edited February 2007

    Solly: I know exactly how you feel!! I'm really struggling. I've been a WW member for 5 years (diagnosed 3 years ago). Lost 30 lbs doing Flex then Core plans. Was at goal for nearly 2 years. The past 6 months the weight has been slowly returning. A little bit at a time. I've now gained back about 12 lbs. Everyone tells me I still look good but I don't like the way I feel. I too work out at the gym at least 4 days a week (2 spin classes a week, kick boxing, circuit training)plus I walk. I can't imagine where I'd be if I didn't do all this exercise. I'm becoming very frustrated. I haven't been great with my program but then again I haven't been that bad to explain the gain. I really beginning to think it's from the Tamoxifen. I started the CORE program and Tamoxifen at the same time 2 1/2 years ago and was able to lose great. I don't know if the Tamox finally caught up with me. I need something to work.

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  • PookieBear
    PookieBear Member Posts: 75
    edited February 2007
    Oh yeah. I've been in an exercise program for the last 12 weeks. I think I've lost maybe 2 pounds, but it just fluctuates within a few pounds. The program I'm on isn't necessarily geared for weight loss, more about strength training and endurance. Tonight is my last night for the program so I am hoping I can crank up the cardio and see if that makes a difference. I have also cut out a lot of junk and cut back on portions. Almost no change at all.
    Just disgusting!
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  • Solly
    Solly Member Posts: 14
    edited February 2007

    I was diagnosed 3 years ago too and had lost 105 lbs on Sugar Busters and had 10 pounds to go when I had surgery. I'm like you, I can't imagine how big I would be if I didn't watch what I ate and exercised. I gained about 30 thru chemo (couldn't be one of those who lost weight during chemo)and I still need to drop another 20 pounds. I seriously think the chemo killed my thyroid or something. The tests come back normal, but something has to give. I am supposed to change to an Arimidex in 6 months, maybe that will help. Good luck to you.

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  • marytim
    marytim Member Posts: 20
    edited March 2007
    Hello Solly:

    I recently posted "I Love Weight Watchers" telling my story with the fight of gaining weight and being on Tamoxifen. I'm sticking to the points program and although there are weeks when I may only lose .4 lbs...it's still a loss. And there have been weeks when I've "fluffed" a pound or so, but the support you get from the meetings and group is just great. I'm planning on losing another 7 lbs and then will be where I want to be. I'm down two pant sizes now and it really does work. I couldn't shed a single lb. before I joined. I still have 3 l/2 more years of Tamoxifen to go and plan to go to weekly WW meetings for the support until I've finished Tamoxifen.
    Best of luck to you.

    Mary
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  • acgw
    acgw Member Posts: 286
    edited April 2007
    Solly,

    I am sorry to read about your frustration and lack of weight loss. I would recommend learing more about how your heart rate works in cardiovascular conditioning.(http://www.heartzones.com/ is a wonderful source.)When I started training my heart in the proper zones the weight started to come off. It turned out that despite what I thought was hard work, it wasn't hard enough!

    The other thing you must consider is this: Although you may not be losing weight, you are still getting healthier. During my heartzones training they told us that skinny people who don't exercise have the shortest life span followed by heavy people who don't exercise. The interesting thing is that the thin fit and heavy fit have the same life expectancy. (Now I don't have any studies to back up this claim but I like to think that there is research supporting this.) I know that as BC survivors we have more reason to be at an ideal body weight and I know that Tamox. can be a stumbling block toward that goal.

    I admire you for doing the right things. That takes A LOT of focus and hard work.

    The best of luck to you.

    Casey
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  • surviver
    surviver Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2007

    Am so glad to know I'm not alone in the failure to lose an ounce. Lately have been very depressed and ready to completly give up to the cravings of junk food. Now I have been given a new out look on life and would like to thank everyone for sharing your knowledge. Am able to smile again, there is hope.

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  • Katief
    Katief Member Posts: 11
    edited June 2007

    oh my God...you are all talking about me!! I joined the gym about 2 months ago, I was running 30 minutes, then doing 30 minutes of weights, then swimming 1 mile. This was 4 to 5 times a week!! Still maybe lose 1/2 lb. Talk about frustrating!!! Busting my butt and still nothing. Then I read an article in Self magazine about doing weights first then cardio....what a difference! I have been dropping weight quickly 2 or 3 pounds a week. I still have a long way to go, but when you can see some results, it makes it easier! I put on a pair of pants and shirt today, that i have not been able to wear cause the didn't fit. 15 lbs down and still going! I put on a ton of weight after Chemo, then after my Herceptin was done....

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  • jasmine
    jasmine Member Posts: 1,286
    edited July 2008

    Katie...can you describe your weight routine you do before the cardio? How agressive is it?

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  • naomarp
    naomarp Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2007
    I know the feeling, before my therapy I used weighed 145, 5'6" tall, I was never a fat person. Now I'm up to 190 can't get the weight off and I just can't seem fit into my clothes. My doctor told me that during the chemo I took, induced me into early menopause (oh joy, something else to look forward to!). So now along with the hot flashes and weight gain I can experience another struggle on top of the one I just got over with.(never ending) After reading a lot of material on Menopause it does however cause weight gain, hot flashes, etc....
    So I just go with the flow and be thankful that I'm alive and going strong!!!!
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  • Katief
    Katief Member Posts: 11
    edited June 2007
    I am 5'10" and was up to 205!! I was always thin at 140. Then I got married (added some pounds) got BC and was thrown in Early menopause and it just shot up. I went from a size 6 to 16 (and the 16 was really really tight). It is coming down, but slowly. I found that the weight training is doing more for me than the running, but I am sure it is a combination. I just was getting so depressed because I couldn't fit into anything. I wore jeans and big shirts...now, I still have about 45 lbs to lose. I think that as long as I do it slowly. I am changing the way I eat (which I really needed to do anyways!) And am getting healthy. I don't think I will ever see a size 6 again, but I can live with that. I just want to be able to fit in some clothes and feel good about myself. I feel better, and I don't know if you are on Arimidex or not, but I don't have the penguin waddle (pain in the ankles and feet) anymore. I have been told that exercise will help some of the side effects from Arimidex and it seems to work for me.
    I too am just happy to be alive and going strong, but I am hoping with the exercise and weight loss, I will be able to stick around a long long time!!
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  • Stix
    Stix Member Posts: 723
    edited August 2012

    I would try myfitnesspal.com online. Its great.  Do it with friends. I lost 12 pounds after surgery. I still have about 6 more to go.  Its great and its free

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  • nowords
    nowords Member Posts: 423
    edited August 2012

    If I am very careful with carbs I can maintain fairly well....I was off Tamox six weeks for some surgery and dropped 10 pounds by changing nothing!

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