Nutrition & Exercise

Cecile Louise

"Exercise has gained recognition as an effective supportive care intervention for cancer survivors, yet participation rates are low." – National Institutes of Health

Another bit of info from the course I attended that I found interesting is that studies show that, compared to Survivors of other cancers, Survivors of endometrial & other uterine cancers are the least likely group to modify or alter their nutritional & exercise habits after diagnosis. And no one knows why. There's plenty of data that suggests that eating right and exercising improves our quality of life and possibly even survival rates, but for some reason, we as a group are not availing ourselves of the potential benefits of better nutrition and exercise. Food for thought (pun intended, haha).
I know that I have jumped on the nutrition/exercise bandwagon as of late, but for the first full year, I did not exercise - and my diet was most definitely worse than it was before my dx. I've thought about it a lot, and remember feeling like I "deserved" to indulge my every whim when it came to food - yummy, greasy fast food, sweets, bacon, bacon & more bacon was the order of the day. I wonder if I was trying to "comfort" myself..? I also remember saying -only half jokingly - when trying to justify a particularly bad food choice, "just think of the people on the Titanic who passed on dessert." I also felt that pushing myself to exercise (heck, to even take one flight of stairs instead of the elevator at work) was a punishment. Well, I'm just rambling now, but I wonder what made me feel that way? What made me change my mind & habits after a year?

Love,
Cecile

upsofloating

Cecile
When you were first
Cecile
When you were first diagnosed it probably came, as we with me, like a slap in the face. And you definitely felt like you 'deserved' to enjoy all your 'desserts'. You were also only peripherally aware of lifestyle choices and cancer risks and survival rates. A year later you have been 'forced' to try to seek out answers -- you now have a real need to find ways to prolong survival. It sure is a tough learning experience, but the changes sure can make for a healthier body ;-) -- Annie

Always Hopeful

upsofloating said:

Cecile
When you were first
Cecile
When you were first diagnosed it probably came, as we with me, like a slap in the face. And you definitely felt like you 'deserved' to enjoy all your 'desserts'. You were also only peripherally aware of lifestyle choices and cancer risks and survival rates. A year later you have been 'forced' to try to seek out answers -- you now have a real need to find ways to prolong survival. It sure is a tough learning experience, but the changes sure can make for a healthier body ;-) -- Annie

Makes sense
I think what you have said, Annie, makes a lot of sense. After the shock wears off, there is almost a feeling of entitlement when it comes to foods etc. I, for the most part, never really ate unhealthfully but am now so much more aware of the foods that are really not the best for me. The exercise is something that has always been an on and off thing with me, unfortunately. I am forcing myself now, though, to get into a routine that I know I must continue with.

Peace and hope,

JJ

Always Hopeful

not a good computer day
sorry again

Always Hopeful

Please ignore...don't really
Please ignore...don't really know what happened to cause all of these extra postings...I couldnt erase them so I just put in these apology messages

Always Hopeful

Thanks, Cecile, for sharing
Thanks, Cecile, for sharing this. You would think that lifestyle changes (nutrition & exercise) would equalize over all of the various cancer survivors. Why are we the least likely to adjust or modify? It doesn't seem that any of us have a defeatist attitude about our dx. In spite of what we know, fighting seems to be the given choice. Maybe we are just late bloomers when it comes to accepting a more proactive mode of life.

Or might it be because many cases (the overwhelming majority) of "normal" uterine cancers are somewhat cured after surgery? Maybe it's an "I'm OK now so let's get back to my life before all this happened." Those of us who do not have "normal" uterine cancer search for ways to lengthen our survival and, perhaps altough not immediately, adjust our lifestyles.

Much to think about...

Peace and hope, JJ

Always Hopeful

I think I'd better sign off
I think I'd better sign off now...enough of these extra postings.

Always Hopeful

Sorry
Seem to be having computer connection issues

jazzy1

Always Hopeful said:

I think I'd better sign off
I think I'd better sign off now...enough of these extra postings.

Great Informatrion!!
I truly can't say why UC survivors would not jump in and exercise...vs. others with different cancers. Are we that different? I'm not sure.

When I was diagnosed I got scared and realized I needed to eat better...that was it!!! My exercising was excellent as I was an avid runner and gym junkie, so that part was still working.

Only thing I can think of, going thru hysterectomy could change us. I've heard some docs mention if we didn't have a tummie before a hysterectomy, after we may due to changes in our body chemistry. Any thoughts on changes in our bodies? Affect our minds too?

Interesting......

Thanks for posting.
Jan

hopeful girl 1

jazzy1 said:

Great Informatrion!!
I truly can't say why UC survivors would not jump in and exercise...vs. others with different cancers. Are we that different? I'm not sure.

When I was diagnosed I got scared and realized I needed to eat better...that was it!!! My exercising was excellent as I was an avid runner and gym junkie, so that part was still working.

Only thing I can think of, going thru hysterectomy could change us. I've heard some docs mention if we didn't have a tummie before a hysterectomy, after we may due to changes in our body chemistry. Any thoughts on changes in our bodies? Affect our minds too?

Interesting......

Thanks for posting.
Jan

Great Information
This is good information to be aware of.
If eating right and good exercise can make such a big difference I am all for it.
Perhaps the delay with our group could be the long recovery from surgery and treatment.

Let's all get to it and inspire one and other to stay on track with this!

Cindy