Done with chemo, rads - now about those 10 pounds...

magsandmattsmom - I started out with an advantage - when I was first diagnosed, I was so stressed out I lost 10 pounds.  The doctors were jerking me around and it took forever to get started with surgery and treatment.  In that time I was a mess and couldn't eat.  Now that was just not like me!  During chemo, I would gain a few then lose a few.  I couldn't eat much for about 5-6 days, but then had 2+ weeks to eat like a crazy woman. So it would be down 1, up 2 lbs. during chemo, for 6 cycles.  Then during rads (oh, how I hated rads!) I gained a few more.  I do feel fortunate that I'm only slightly above where I started out.  But I feel like part of my healing is to get back in shape and get healthy again.  Good for you for getting back to it, especially since you had a baby in the meantime.  You are doing great!  How much do you run?  I used to be a runner, but I feel better just walking these days (the knees, the feet...)

azsunn, glad to have you aboard!  When did you finish chemo, and did you have radiation?  If you just finished chemo, you do need to give yourself time to rest, and start slowly - especially if your counts are still low.

So my big accomplishment today was walking the stairs at the subway station.  For months I have been too tired and weak, and have been using the escalator.  Today I did the stairs, and it wasn't too hard.  I have a turkey sandwich and lots of fruit in my lunch box for today.  All I have to do is to stay out of the goodies that lurk everywhere in the office...

Have a healthy day, everyone!

CHJ

OK, ladies, I'll be glad to have company!  Noelle, I'm not sure I could keep up with your triathalons (well, I don't have a bike) but I know what exercise does for you, and it's all good.  I did run a marathon once, but that was a long time ago!  I would also like to hear about your eating plan.

Michelle, welcome!  Azsunn, are you still with us? 

I too have been successful in the past, and know I can do it once I get going.  I once joined a group called TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) and was successful, just because they kept me accountable - weekly weigh-ins.  I know what to eat, and I know how to lose weight.  If I keep a log of my intake, I know what I have to do to lose.  My problem is motivation!  And, it takes time to plan good meals (easier to grab a burger than to whip up a salad, etc.) and to exercise.  And all of our systems are screwed up from chemo & drugs & stress & radiation & a major change in our routine.

How do we stay accountable?  Weekly or twice-a-week weigh-ins?  An occasional report on good/bad food choices?  I would like to hear about how other people attack it.  I have tried to get going the past few days, but it's tough to start because my body is used to getting more food than I should be eating.  Plus the fact that we have done a lot of celebrating - done with chemo; done with radiation; thank you lunch to my friends who have helped; dh got a raise - we are always looking for reasons to go out to eat to celebrate!!

I did get a good long walk in last night.  I am fortunate in that we just moved to a community with lots of sidewalks, a health club, and an indoor + an outdoor pool.  I have no excuses!  For a while, I couldn't do a lot - first because of low energy levels with chemo, and then because of rads marks and tapes (had to be careful not to rinse or sweat them off) but that's all over, my burn marks are healing, and I'm starting to get more energy.  I have no excuses! (whoops, I already said that ).  I'm off to water aerobics in about an hour. 

Anyway, I'd appreciate any help from you all!

CHJ

Welcome Wintermoon!  You are right, rads are not totally compatible with exercise, when all you want to do is go around braless.    It will get better.  I'm 9 days past rads, and my boost area is still a bit sore, but definitely improving.  At least I don't mind putting on a bra now (though it's off the second I get in the house!)  Went to water aerobics this morning, it was my first time to do that.  It was fun, and a decent workout.  It will be better once I get my port out (on 8/6) and once I heal up a bit more.  The cool water feels good, but my swim suit is a little rough on the spot.

Corn on the cob for supper, yum!  How's everyone else doing? 

CHJ

Hi Karen - welcome!  Well, I started this thing, but have been negligent!  And, since I made the first post a week ago, I have gained 2 pounds.   I have the exercise thing down pat, but not the eating part.  I seriously did exercise 5 days in the past week.  But I can't seem to shake the bad eating habits.  The 2 pound gain as of this morning has a lot to do with a big meal out yesterday.  I imagine most of it will be gone tomorrow, if I eat reasonably today.

I'd like to do a weekly weigh in.  You don't have to say the number, just + or - from the week before.  What day should we weigh in?  I started last Monday but I'm ready to start again.  If Monday isn't a good day (because it follows the weekend) we could do Fridays.  Whatever, I just need help!!  I tend not to measure myself during weight loss, but rely on my clothes to tell me.  I know which pants fit and which don't...  If you want to report that as well, go for it!

Noelle, a belated thanks for your input.  I agree with the not eating before bed.  It's not good for you, and it keeps me from sleeping well.  I also get it about the refined flour.  I tend to eat whole grains.  Now about the soda thing - how on earth could I live without my diet soda????

If you're in, please reply with the day you'd like to use as weigh in.  Anybody?

CHJ

azsunn- good point!  I am taking Arimidex.  After my first encounter with bc in 1994-1995, I took tamox for 5 years.  I can't say whether or not it caused me any weight gain.  I wanted to blame it, but my mom said, "honey, it's not the drugs, it's the fact that you are now 40."  (Thanks, Mom!) When I went off the drug 5 years later, I waited for some change or weight loss, but alas, nothing.  I can't say that I notice any se's from the Arimidex.  Unless I can blame it for my voracious appetite!

So, OK, maybe a Friday weigh-in? 

We all know how to exercise & eat right, we just need some motivation.  So let's start today, eh? 

CHJ

Oooo, Kayree, good idea!  I'll work on that later (I'm at work now. )  We can start everyone at zero this Friday and then go from there, OK?

Yes, Drgnfly, that's awesome about your first week!  Keep it up!  (OK, we won't start you at zero this week!!)

Kayree, ditto on the tight clothes.  A year or so ago, I bought some really nice pants that fit me well.  I have them in about 4 colors, and they are great for work.  But I can't zip them now.  So those pants are my goal!  Today I'm wearing a denim jumper - it's cute and I like it, but I tend to wear it when I can't get into my better clothes (i.e., it is from my frumpy collection). 

Have a healthy day, everyone!

CHJ

Hooray, now we're getting some momentum going!  Barbara & Maura, I'll add you to the list. 

Noelle, you are pretty fresh off chemo, so make sure you cut yourself a break until you get some of your energy back.  I worked during chemo also (desk job) but only 3 days a week, and one of those is at home.  I needed the normalcy or something.  My boss & coworkers were so good to me throughout that time.

Maura, hang in there!  Chemo will be over before you know it, and radiation is not that bad. I just hated the going every day.  I was a bit fatigued, but it was not nearly as bad as chemo.  The hard part was having a sore boob, and not wanting to wear a bra. 

BMac - I hear you about the age thing.  I'm 53, and it's harder than it used to be to shake those pounds.  Congrats on surviving the ovarian cancer for 5+ years!  Sorry you had to try out bc also.  This is my second time with bc, the first was 13 years prior.  You do what you have to do and move on, I guess.

I think with me, to keep on track with eating and exercising, I need to have time to focus on it, and with treatments and doctors and no energy, I just couldn't even think about it.  And my routine was upside down, and my system was totally screwed up.  Now that I'm done with all that, I'm ready to concentrate on getting healthy! I won't even mention the fact that during the 6 months from almost the day of my dx until I was done with chemo, we were trying to sell our house.  We went to closing 12 days after my last chemo, and then moved.  That, my friends, is stress!!!

But now the stress has subsided, and I'm ready.  Thanks for joining me and helping me to get motivated.

CHJ