Trying hard to lose the pounds!!!!!!!!!

beachcottage · May 2004

It has been so hard trying to loose the chemo weight!!

Last April when I found out that I had cancer I quit a

smoking !!! Hooray!!!!.............Between the time I

quit and had surgery at the end of June I managed to

pack on some pounds...And then chemo really pushed me

over the edge...Gained another twenty.......Being in

chemo-pause,permanent menoupause at 46 doesn't help

either...........I managed to shed 12 pounds so far

but I have a long ways to go yet!!

I have been walking a bit and I really need to step up

the pace...............I am trying and I guess 12 little

pounds is a start!!!! For all of my sisters who are

back in shape I say congratulations to you and to all

of my sisters who are trying we will do this!!!!!!!!!!!!

To be continued when I lose 10 more!!!!!xoxo,Patti

Janet2003-2003Jun26 · May 2004

Patti - Wow - sounds like you're on your way - I think changing

your thinking about your lifestyle is far better than dieting.

About 5 years ago I bought a book entitled "Walking and Running

for Women Over 40" - it really got me going - I was 43 at the

time and just decided my "hit-and-miss" fitness was not enough -

so I followed it and eventually started running for 30 minutes.

I'm 48 now - was diagnosed at 47 - finished chemo just after you

and I'm back at it - I ran 11 km the other day (6 miles) to prepare

for a Race/Run that my group is going into at the end of the month.

It has been my saving grace this year .....mentally and

physically - and I think helped me through the shock and

diagnosis stage. I gained about 5 pounds on chemo - and

have since lost it all - I hope you find something that works

out for you.

It may not be running - but I would highly reccommend it - I

found doing it by myself to start was OK at first - but later

joined a group.

Hugs

Jan

beachcottage · May 2004

Thanks Jan...I am trying...I just take it a day at a time..

And you are right lifestyle changes are the key to success....

Anyone else have any idea's or success stories to share with

us???????????????xoxo,Patti

Cagney55 · May 2004

Patti, Congratulations Patti, for losing 12 pounds! You should feel

good about your progress. It's not easy to lose weight under any

circumstance, but after what you've been through...wow, you've

inspired me. I've been losing and gaining the same five pounds

for months now...this time I'm goin' for more...(or less) I guess

you could say. Thanks for sharing!

Melly

floss · May 2004

I started my fitness program 2 weeks ago. Never got on the scales as

i dont want to know how much i gained.... I gained a lot around the

middle. I go 6 days a week to gym and use treadmill for 20 mins and

bike for 20.( 2 weeks ago i was a 5 mins for the treadmill and 2mins

for the bike). I am really pleased with those numbers.

My daughter swears by Curves but i like my gym. i have terrible arthritis

but my goal is to walk the run for the cure this october.

would be fun to keep track of everyones fitness stories. I have

my appt with trainer today so hopefully we can add something

new to my programme

hilde · May 2004

This is a great thread! I am just so disgusted at myself right now...

I've been working out at Curves for over 2 months and have lost a grand

total of 6 pounds and that was all in the first month.

Since then the scale has not budged except to go up a bit and then down.

How can you hit a plateau with 30 pounds to go?? I attribute it to the

Femara/instant menopause... my metabolism must have slowed to sloth

status.

I HATE that I am not the physically strong person I was before BC.

The aches and pains are terrible and I am so pissed that at 46 I feel

like I am 100 years old when I get out of bed in the morning. I've

added swimming laps to my Curves regimen in hopes of jump starting

the metabolism, but so far all it's done is cause pain in my

shoulders... a one mile swim and then a week off to get back to

normal.

I am taking a whole week off from working out to see if my body

bounces back a bit. And you can bet I will be asking my onc. about

all this at my appointment today!!

I think the worst part of all this is admitting that I CAN'T do it

all at once. 30 pounds to go and I'd be happy just to see the scale

go down 5...

Hilde

beachcottage · May 2004

If anyone has any low cal recipes please share them with us......Always

looking for a change.......I think that is a problem when we are looking

for a change...We bet bored with the same food...Hilde you are a riot!!

I love the thigh master!!! Good luck at the onc. office today and I have

about thirty more pounds of flab-fat-yuck to go myself and I am not on

Femara or anything else at this point as I am ER- so what is my

excuse?????????????? It is so very hard and it does suck..............

We will get through this ....At least we can talk about it here........

.........Glad to be posting on the same thread again...........Any one

else out there ???????????????????xoxo,Patti

MJB · May 2004

Hi ladies ;

Yes we are all out here reading and agreeing with everything you say .

I'm at a plateau too just waiting for a move of the needle on the

scale , I'll settle for 1/3 of a pound anything just move.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh we are survivors girls , we beat the big C , lets

not let a little weight defeat us . I have purchased a book it is

called "BODY FOR LIFE" by Bill Phillips , I find his progam easy

and workable. I started his program before I was dx and it worked

then so I've gone back on it . At the first you gain weight

because the fat is turning to muscle , once that is done (3 or

4 months)you notice first your slacks are looser because of the

loss of inches then the lbs .

You have a free day every week , of your own chosing , you may

eat what you want and no exercise (my favorite day), you are

required to eat 6 small meals every day except the free day .

This is a great new topic we can learn from one another .

Have a great Tuesday . Be safe , go well . MJB (Marilyn)

lilee · May 2004

I love your emoticon Hilde! -- Can someone explain what you do at

Curves and how it is different from going to a regular gym?

Gloria

raven81 · May 2004

I too am frustrated by how out of shape I've become since dx,

not to mention the weight gain. I needed to loose the 20 lbs.

I've been carrying around since my first pregnancy, chemo added

an extra 15 to that!!

I still have to get through rads, and I know they don't want you

to loose much because it could alter the settings, but from the

way things look right now--not a problem!!

I'm just so darn tired, can't seem to get up the energy to do

anything! I'm trying to take a short walk each day--start slow,

and just trying to make better food choices. But cooking healthy

meals takes energy, and I've got none.

Guess I just have to take baby steps, and be patient. I think

it's going to take much longer to regain my strength than it

took to loose it!

This is a good thread it's nice to know there are others

struggling with this too.

Hang in there ladies!!

hilde · May 2004

Gloria,

Curves is a circuit training place... women ONLY, so no buff guys

checking you out. You can wear your baggiest sweats and no one

cares!

It's basically a circle of stations, 10 different strength

machines

separated by aerobic stations

,

either steps or these springy squares you can jog on or do jumping

jacks on or whatever.

The minimum is 3 times around the circle and it takes about 30 minutes,

and you switch stations every 30 seconds, so it goes really fast!

About once each time around you check your heart rate. You get weighed

and measured once a month and it costs about $32 a month, at least it

does here for me. They advocate 30 minutes, 3 times a week, but I do

NOT believe it is possible to LOSE weight unless you cut WAY back on

calories or go more often. I've found that most of the women are

about my age, haven't seen any skinny young things wearing

Spandex, so I don't feel inhibited! The strength machines are

hydraulic, so I don't think you get quite the work out that

you would get at a real gym.

Hilde

hoping for this:

lilee · May 2004

You are a riot Hilde!!!! Thanks so much for that clear and very visual

explanation. There are a few Curves right by my house that I could

check out.

What's a hydraulic strength machine? Does the machine do the work

for you? Do you do anything differently in your routine to prevent

lymphedema?

Gloria

hilde · May 2004

The hydraulic machines just mean there are no weights that you

lift... the machines have these piston things that provide

the resistance.

So, no they don't do any work for you. Supposedly it will

only provide as much resistance as you yourself push against

it. Because of that I don't worry about lymphedema too much,

because I don't feel myself straining to push the machines.

There are just a couple that really work the arms, and I

check myself all the time to see if there is any swelling.

You should definitely check it out... only thing is I had

to commit to a year up front, and they debit the monthly

fees from my checking account... it costs about $10 more

a month (I think $39) if you want to do it by the month.

And there is a $50 early cancellation fee, but I think they

would waive that if you got full blown lymphedema or something

medical that forced you to quit.

I've been going 4 times around and have now added swimming

for 45 minutes, and yet the scale does not budge!!! Doc

today says it's a combo of the chemo, the Femara and the

menopause. So far the time off seems to have done me well...

except for devouring the yummy Mother's Day cake my hubby

made for me!

I'll be back at it by next week, trying to lose some more

before I do the oomph-arectomy this summer!

Hilde

applepie · May 2004

Hi all

I just want to share this...I have joined Curves for about

5 weeks now.I really enjoy it. It's fun execises and it

isn't difficult to do. I started Curves toward the end

of my radiation, I didn't get so tired at all. In fact,

I was more tired before I joined Curves. I had my weight

in last week. I didn't loose any ponds but I lost an inch

around my bust and my abdomen.. the most important that

my body fat index has gone down!!!

Here is their website www.curvesinternational.com

Applepie

floss · May 2004

Hilde just love those emotions where did u get them from?

This is a lovely group. The 24 year old skinny as a rake

daughter who works for curves(but swears by it too.) Says

3 days a week at curves is enough but we need to add

a cardio work out too it. like running . treadmill .bike.

I went for the trainer appt(not curves) yesterday and she

was surprised at the progress i made. i dont think i

lost any weight but definately feeling a little more

spry. I have given myself 10 weeks at nubodys to see

a real differnce then i will have a little more plastic

surgery on the reconstructed breast and then want to up

my fitness program.

Going to have a Rest Day today... warm wishes ...Floss

beachcottage · May 2004

Twas The Month After Christmas
Twas the month after Christmas and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste.
All the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).

I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,

The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt---

I said to myself, as I only can
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"

So--away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie--not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.

I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore---
But isn't that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!

Author Unknown

raven81 · May 2004

Hilde--you are so funny--my daughter came over to

see what I was laughing about and loved your emoticons!

Patti--love that poem--it was printed last year after

the holidays in my church bulletin--we could rename it

"The Month After Chemo".

Anybody have tips on dealing with sugar withdrawal?

beachcottage · May 2004

Hey Raven I agree we need to change the title to the month

after chemo!! I eat diet jello with a dab of cool whip and

it really cures my sweet toothe!! xoxo,Patti

trixiegram · May 2004

Hi Ladies,

Thought I would waddle into the frey with my weight gain

and gym experience. Don't know if it will help any of you

but decided to add it to the mix, in hopes it might.

I gained over thirty pounds while on chemo and was already

somewhat overweight before that. I have been working out

at the gym since January. I have lost almost 20lbs. I have

actually lost a little more than that but you gain back

some in muscle, so it is hard to say exactly how much you

really lose.

Due to physical problems (arthritis made worse by chemo,

arm problems from the surgery, etc..., I had problems

doing some of the exercises my trainer first suggested.

( Yes, I got a trainer, as I probably would have severely

hurt myself on most of the machines, since I had never

joined a gym before and didn't know how to properly use

most of them.)

I can't do the running thing but do a lot of cardio stuff

like the treadmill, bicycle, stairmaster, etc... and I was

very lucky and got a trainer who has worked with a lot of

physically impaired clients(stroke,, car accident, etc...

victims) and he has devised different ways for me to do

exercises that get the same results, without hurting me.

I started out, only being able to do small weights on the

machines and in free weights. Now I amaze myself at how

much more weight I can do. ( Compared to the body builders

at the gym, I'll always be a piker - but the only one I am

in competion with, is myself - so I try not to compare

myself with them. I'd get too discouraged if I did.)

Like most things, you have to work up to it... it takes

time but the payoff is worth it. Twenty pounds doesn't

seem like a lot to lose in five months but I look at it

as twenty pounds I haven't gained! But more importantly,

I feel better, healthier, since working out.

To me, that is more important at this point, than total

weight loss. I have also been taking a steady regimen

of supplements to rebuild my immune system and I bought

a good book on nutrition. Probably the hardest change,

was in what I eat. I was queen of the junk food buffet!

Snicker bars were one of my favorites... heck, anything

chocolate was reason to cheer! But now I eat more veggies,

fruit and even drink protein drinks and eat protein bars.

(Yeah! The majority of them taste like cardboard or worse

but I have found a few that are pretty good.) It takes a

little getting used to but it is doable.

I figure if we can make it thru chemo... heck, we can do

this. I'm no saint... I still cheat, foodwise... but even

when I cheat, I make better choices than I used to make.

At my last onc checkup, all of my blood and enzyme levels

were better than they have been since all of this started.

I tried "curves"... I know a lot of women who swear by it...

but it didn't work for me. Again, we are all different...

just as we all react differently to the same meds, and type

of cancer... seems we can have different results doing same

kind of structured exercise. I think whatever you find that

works for you, stick with it.

So Patti, I think losing 12 pounds is fantastic! Hilde, 6

lbs. will turn into many more lost, just give yourself time.

I have gone into the gym and was so tired, thought that I

just really wanted to blow off doing anything that day.

But went ahead and tried a few things and by the time I was

thru, I was still tired but felt better than when I first

got there.

Friends tell me I look so good.... I look in the mirror

and think I still look terrible. (They probably do too

but are trying to make me feel good.) Compared to what

I looked like during chemo and rads, I do look better....

but then a deranged, bloated, ancient Frankenstein, would

look better than I did during chemo/rads.... so not a lot

of consolation! A friend has told me I am my own worst

critic but I think I am just more objective and call them

as I see them. LOL

Anyway, just wanted to say, hang in there. We all hit a

plateau when trying to lose weight. Even if you don't lose

weight at first, the fat tends to redistribute, via muscle,

etc.... and soon you will probably notice a difference in

how your clothes fit, even if the scales don't appear to

show weight loss.

Hilde, love the emoticons... cracked me up! Where did you

find them? Share, please.

I just keep chugging along and will hopefully reach my goal.

I haven't completely figured out exactly what the final goal

is goiung to be but I figure it has to be a better place than

from where I started!

Good luck to you all!

Before:

Soon To Be:

trixiegram · May 2004

OOPS!

Meant - Soon to be:

Niki

hilde · May 2004

Okay guys,

I dowloaded this smilie program for my email... here's the

link: http://www.smileycentral.com/

I wasn't even sure I could use them here, but they worked. I start

a new email message, then put one of their smilies into it, right

click it, click Properties, and copy. Then I add the [img] and [/img]

to where I want it in my BC post and paste it inbetween and voila,

there it is! It also comes with a decent smilie search engine... I

found the ones above by putting "exercise" and "FAT" into it!! LOL!!

I for one, can't wait to do THIS to school in just over 2 weeks!!!

Hilde

raven81 · May 2004

Hi all! Patti, Hilde and Nikki--you should all feel so good

about yourselves for loosing weight! It is not an easy

accomplishment under normal circumstances, but having your

metabolism slowed by chemo makes it so much harder. Good

for all of you--I'm going to try and use you all as inspiration.

I went shopping for summer clothes today--so depressing!!

I'm up a whole size since before chemo. My husband is

telling me not to buy all new clothes because this is

temporary, and I'll take off the weight--he has more faith

in me than I do!

Marsha--when I met with a nutritionist from Sloan Kettering,

she said of all the diet programs out there, she thought

South Beach was the best (she didn't like the first 2 week

initiation part of it, but thought from there on out it was

pretty sensible).

I am so addicted to sugar--now more than ever. Can Tamoxifen

make you crave sugar? I've been on it for over 3 weeks now,

and feel like I have those PMS type choclate cravings! I

think being tired has a lot to do with it too, I just want

a quick energy boost and reach for the goodies I have around

for the kids. I really want to start eating better for so

many reasons--but it's hard to get started.

Are you allowed to exercise during rads? I have my dry run

tomorrow and then start on Monday (28 treatments).

beachcottage · May 2004

Hey Ladies!! What a bummer of a day...I started my day

off with a mammo and then went clothes shopping.....What

a drag................I have decided that I hate summer

clothes as of today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had zero

luck....I thought I was going to pop a few zippers in

the process!! LOL!! It was painful trying on some of

these clothes..Not to mention how painful it was on

the ego....................I guess I need to borrow

Hilde's thigh master and Nikki's gym gear !!!!!! Raven

and Marsha I am doing a version of South Beach.....

Floss, Cagney, Applepie(love that name) and Marilyn

keep up the good work...You will keep the rest of us

motivated!!!!??? And Gloria you look great my

friend!!!!!!!!!!And then I wonder why it is taking

me so long!!!!!..I need to get the book and really

follow it to the letter........I have to go out and

try again tomorrow...WE have a communion on Sunday

and I have nothing nice to wear that fits me right

now!!!!!!!!!!! Desperately seeking a miracle and a

full body girdle!!!! Wish me luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

xoxo,Patti

Marsha2003 · May 2004

Hilde,

You are so clever with the emoticons. I love reading your posts.

I can't wait to start exercising again. I have soooooo much weight

to lose, but I keep hitting setbacks. First, the low RBC that means

you can barely move without huffing and puffing. Now that's fixed,

but I have to wait until my radiation burns heal because sweating

is toxic to my skin.

Meanwhile, do I eat less to compensate for no exercise? No! I'm

so weak-minded when it comes to food. BUT, I have promised myself

that I will start a diet on Monday, May 17. I think I will go buy

the South Beach diet book this weekend. If this past year was

about BC, maybe this next year can be about weight loss and fitness.

raven81 · May 2004

Patti--I have my niece's communion tomorrow--hence my

shopping yesterday--and also have nothing nice to

wear that fits!!

I have to run back to the mall this morning--before

my rads dry run at 2:00 p.m.--and try to find something!

Here's the comment my Mother made to me recently--

"don't feel bad about how you'll look at the communion

because Margaret (my sister-in-law) has gained so much

weight, she looks worse than you!" Gee thanks Mom,

that really gave my ego a boost! LOL.

Have a great weekend everybody.

beachcottage · May 2004

Raven I wish we lived near each other..We could go

shopping together!! I am on my way out..I have my

nieces communion on Sunday..OMG I am laughing about

the comment your mom made because my mother said don't

worry dear no one will be looking at you!! LOL!!!

Good luck, let me know how you make out!!! Good

luck with rads sim today!! xoxo,Patti

Ginger815 · May 2004

Well, I'm with all of you. 2 years of next to nothing

in exercise and the 25 pounds is just a staying, imagine

that. I hate it, and what really stinks is it is just

so hard to get started up again. The motivation thing

is kicking my butt, I guess I could just call it what

it is being lazy, I can't believe this has happened to

me. I just feel so darned tired from the day by the

time I have time to work out, I don't wanna but I really

don't wanna keep growing at this rate. Well, I'm done

whining.

ginger

LJC · May 2004

Well, I'm another one trying to lose weight. Of course,

I've needed to lose weight all my life I think. I was

one of the fortunate ones that didn't gain weight with

chemo (I had enough already).

During my chemo reign (10 1/2 mos), I managed to lose

15 lbs. (you couldn't tell though). Since finishing

chemo in Feb., I've tried to watch what I ate (that just

means no fast food), but didn't seriously diet (I wanted

to eat and taste food that I wasn't able to for the

last 11 months) so I gained about 5 lbs.

April 1st, I "sorta" dieted and bought a treadmill and

started walking (mind you it was only 15 mins) a couple

times a week. To my surprise, I lost a few pounds. So

that got me motivated to start a "real" diet that goes

along with the fitness program for working out on my

treadmill. I'm in my 4th week. I did real well the

1st 2 weeks, I lost 3 lbs. each week. Then overnight

I gained 3 lbs!!!!!

I told myself - I must be retaining water!!!! A week

and half later, I finally lost that 3 plus 1 more. I've

only been on the diet 4 weeks and I'm already tired of

doing it. It combines some cooking with convenience

foods (which I like) but what I don't like is I have to

go grocery shopping every week for fresh veggies and

fruit.

I have to get my lunch for the next day ready the night

before. It's a lot of work to be thin (which I am far

from right now). I just have to keep telling myself,

"this is what I have to do". "I want to be healthy, I

want to be thin, I need to do this, I have to walk 60

miles in October!!!"

It helps to know that I'm not alone. I wish everyone

success in their diet and exercise endeavors!!

Hugs,

Lois

P.S. Thanks, Hilde for your input on Curves.

I had considered that avenue also.

Marsha2003 · May 2004

Raven,

There is no medical reason not to exercise during

radiation. If your skin starts to break down, you

might have to stop because sweat can make things

worse. Otherwise, go for the exercise! Some ladies

even say that exercise kept them from experiencing

radiation fatigue.

beachcottage · May 2004

Back to the mall for more torture!! I did not find a

thing to wear..I am off again day three searching for

something to wear.....Wish me luck!! Raven did you

have any luck???? xoxo,Patti

sallyhilfiger · May 2004

Hi all, so much good discussion! I have several questions. First, I am in the middle of reconstruction, had 1st mast. June of 03, chemo, then a second mast. and bilat expanders, I am now through with the expanders and decides to wait until after summer to have implants put in. I joined weight watchers on line last week, so far I have done terrible with my points, I need to lose about 25lb. I did lose with chemo but after I started eating everything in sight. It was so nice to enjoy and be able to taste food! so... my questions are: with weight lifting, resistance training, how do you protect yourself from lymphedema? I don't have it so far, but don't even want to go there! I am scared to up my upper body weights because of this. Do you up reps or what do you do? Thanks, Sally

Trying hard to lose the pounds!!!!!!!!!

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