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

Actually, when I commented on the thread, I was contrasting this one w/ the Lymphedema Concerns one.

I just got the results back about the blood work from my physical last week. My LDL is up a bit from last year, taking it to borderline bad, at least according to reasonable standards (although, fortunately, my HDL is high - even higher than last year). So I think it's really time to buckle down and lose my last 8 pounds. The doctor tells me not to starve myself, but I should be able to manage weight loss without starvation. Although I've visited this thread a lot of times, I haven't posted much. But I think I could use some social support as I buckle down - including a 2 1/2 week vacation (gulp!). Current weight: 136. Goal (my weight before BC): 128.

Hi Stronglady...yeah, I know what you mean about not wanting to let the db team work while you slack off...are you on a bc team?

The doctor that is doing the lymphedema/exercise study is Dr. Kathryn Schmitz
http://www.publichealth.med.upenn.edu/KathrynSchmitz.shtml

This is another good article that I saw on it also:
http://www.lymphnotes.com/article.php/id/30/

There is also the book and video The Breast Cancer Survivor's Guide to Exercise that is wonderful. I agree with Rose, losing the pounds has to include exercise...I cannot starve myself enough to lose the weight and keep it off...and the exercise certainly helps mentally to stay with the diet at least for me.

BUT, exercise for bc survivors is different no question.

I just completed the longest kayak race since my diagnosis and I have to say I had all those little doubts in the back of my mind yesterday...was I really going to screw my arm up by going against what has been taught for so many years???? Was my energy level really back up or was I going to crater half way through the race???? I'm happy to say that I was fine, finished and along with the rest of the racers, we broke all previous time records...and the river was raging and we faced 30 knot headwinds so it was a very good test of the arm.

And you'd think I would have lost more than a measily 2 pounds!

Big food culprit for me: cheese

And Rose, what do you do when the food munchies hit? How do you handle it?

Cait

Cait-
Sounds like a great kayak race! Congratulations! I really think that breast cancer survivors experience a special sense of satisfaction and empowerment at times like that.

Yes, my dragon boat team is a BCS team. We're just starting up practices for the season. I'm really looking forward to them, even though I have to practice with my lymphedema arm all bandaged up. And we've chosen three races (at least) for the upcoming season.

And I, too, am a strong believer in exercise. Even when my weight was a bit lower, the only way I could keep it down was by moving. I refuse to starve. And I get REALLY CRANKY when my activities are restricted.

Rose-
I'm 5'2", usually (although it was somewhat worrisome to be closer to 5'1" at the checkup). So my BMI is borderline overweight. I'm borderline all over the place.

If my lipids don't improve, it's probably the @#$! Arimidex. They've never been problematic before.

Also, I have a new favorite food product. WishBone makes a "salad spritzer': salad dressing that you squirt/spray from a pump bottle. 10 calories & 1 gram of fat for 10 spritzes (I usually use around 5). The only problem for those of us who tend to prepare food while otherwise distracted: make sure the nozzle is pointed the right way! I accidentally sprayed my face and white sweater with balsamic vinegar dressing; fortunately, my glasses protected my eyes. A lesson to pay attention to what I'm doing!

Good lesson Stronglady. Also glad to hear that you are on a bc dragon boat team...you know they will understand when you have to "back off" a bit during the paddles...I know you won't want to...but we all have to!

I'm hooked on Maple Grove Farms Cranberry Balsamic Vinaigrette...and they have a plain Balsamic one too...2 T is only 5 cal...does have xanthan gum in it, but must be very little because you don't get that "gummy" funny after taste that so many have and it stays liquid in the refrig. Got to try to the spritzers though...I've looked at them...glad to hear that they are good!

Have to do monthly "measurement" tomorrow with my trainer...dread it...I always wish it was more inches off than it will be! Why did I have that extra yogurt today!?!?!

Cait

Rose and Cait,

Measurements! Too depressing for me. I just watch for looser fitting clothes--right now, I'm still waiting.

Can't wait for fresh tomatoes and cucumbers and we haven't even planted them around here yet!

I sat next to a real skinny person at a dinner the other night and listened to her order. She used vinegar and oil. Hey, I can do that. No mashed potatoes, extra fresh vegetables. I can do that too! She had her ahi tuna nearly sushi style, but I couldn't go that route--my well done tuna was wonderful. She skipped dessert--I had the creme' brule. Guess I know why she's skinny and I'm not!!

Rose, I'm almost sure that Whole Foods carries Maple Grove...if not you can order from them online. I LOVE the measuring underpants!!!! I actually lucked out this morning...trainer "forgot" and by the time he got there I had already started warming up!!!

Congrats Stay Strong...yup, you're off to a great start!!! I'm up 1/2 pound...probably all the sodium in the Chinese food last night. Hope you and Rose have a great time tomorrow.

I'll have to behave this weekend...going kayaking with trainer, his wife, and my spouse...hard to reach for brownies when you're getting that "look" from your trainer. Hey, maybe I can loan him to Celia...then you wouldn't dare eat the creme brulee...but oh, I LOVE creme brulee!!! And I bet it was worth every calorie!

Cait

The same thing happens to me at Whole Foods - but I figure it's healthier than most temptation-ridden places! I expect to enjoy the lunch.

The best thing my dietician said to me is that food is not a treat. It shouldn't be used as a treat. Massages, vacations, trips to the theater are treats. I remember that day and I looked at her and said, "touche" (French).

I have been retraining my thinking for 5 months now, have lost 28 pounds: I am 5'8" and weigh 154 and am within the BMI finally. I walk daily and that is so good as well. But losing pounds only happens when fewer calories go in. Since I am sick and undergoing treatment, then those calories need to be good for me.

I didn't start losing weight when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My dad died in November, and that started me off. I am post menopausal and I had gained 25 pounds in the past 5 years going through the hot flashes and gaining what I call my menopot. I thought the weight gain was part of the natural process. The extra fat was storing estrogen that my body needed to help me go through the change. Little did I think of breast cancer and estrogen. But as I got closer to 60, I figured it was time to get rid of the fat that I thought had helped me. Well, I am not so sure now.

Oh Celia...sorry...I didn't look back at the post closer!!!! And yes, I was jealous also! Do you find that once you have gotten away from the chocolate, etc. that you don't crave it as much anymore? It's really hard for me with kayak races...I have to "carb" up before a race, eating lots of whole grains, pasta, bagels...then after the race I really really want those carbs again. This has been a bad week for that...I haven't gained, but I haven't lost because my body just flat needed more fuel I guess to repair. Your weight loss is amazing!!!! I've lost 50 and am within 9 pounds of goal!

Cait

Don't you think that learning to manage the transitions between eating things you should only eat a bit of and eating in a normal "healthful" way is part of learning to manage your weight?

If you had an alcohol problem you could just quit 100%, so that would almost be easier. But you can't quit eating.

You'll always have things that come up -holidays, celebrations, times when you get little choice about what to eat. So they'll always be the requirement that you be able to regain your healthy pattern again.

It's important to have clothes that fit!

All you ladies who've lost 50-65 pounds, it's a big accomplishment. Don't you feel better?

well I tried the Maple Farms dressing. Gum is the last ingredient on the list. With the Wishbone gum was about halfway down the list.

It's not bad, perhaps a little vinegary. No lumps - that was an improvement. We'll see by the time I finish the bottle.

Any ideas on how to "gently" get your DH to lose weight?

Hubby is probably 50 lbs over with a history of diabetes on his side. He has atrocious eating habits. Skips breakfast, usually skips lunch or grabs fast food on the way back to the office. Supper is ok when we cook - on days I'm tired and he doesn't want to cook, we go out - bad. Drinks nothing that doesn't have calories - coffee with French Vanilla creamer in the am, Mountain Dew constantly all day. And then he finishes the day with chocolate chip cookies (he buys the refrigerated dough) and ice cream.

Now, what can I do. I don't buy the junk, he does. I don't buy pop for the house, he does (plus he's at work 8-9 hours, can't control that.) I've tried asking nicely. Have reminded him that he's the healthy one and he needs to take care of himself for the kids (he smokes too...*sigh*)

Sorry to hijack the thread, just wanted to see if there are any ideas out there.

Thanks,
Kari (165 this am)

Kari, That is a difficult one. I don't think weight management is possible except by the one managing their own weight. It probably makes it worse to say or do anything....except for your own management. I have watched my sister with her husband. He goes up and down on his own steam. She buys organic, is a careful eater and carries on her exercise program. She keeps her mouth closed. I am sure her own habits are good for him to see and they can rub off. But she is never mean-spirited about it.