I can't stand being fat

I have always been very thin
(recently my gyno said you put on some weight! i said YES I KNOW..he said oh you look so much better/ healthier) I have always been thin...but not junk food eater etc..but I DID put on 25 lbs.-combination of steriods for ulcertive colitis (which was terrible while going through radiation) I lost 10 lbs over about 2 1/2 yrs...

So KNOW exactly how you are feeling...I look at me and just not me...(I know I am not over weight but just NOT ME how I was used to and comfortable)

I know think to myself...I am healthy (colitis in remission since on taxmoxifen and feel great) and if added pounds to deal with ....I"LL have to !

I"ll be thinking of you..
so my self image of course weight and lopsided boobs! but cancer free to more then happy!

Denise W.

jphilpo said:

weight
I so can feel your pain!! After all the treatments, I have gained about 30 pounds!! I don't know what to think!! I am anemic also, which is hard because all I want to do is rest after work.. I force myself to take a walk and try to do some weights, but it's so hard. I cried all the way to work today. I don't recognize myself or know what to do.

Jean

@jean
Don't recognize yourself...I so get that...

I just try to look at all the good points of things when I can...and for me..my extra weight is ok cuz my colitis and cancer are both in remission...so weight is just (not over weight unhealthy) image and must get past it...but still not used to it when lookin in mirror..but I FEEL great..

jphilpo said:

Thanks
I know if I could just feel better, it would be be so much better! I have bone and joint pain and anemia, which causes so much fatigue. I know I have so much to be grateful for and I keep trying to re-direct my thoughts. Sometimes, I just feel bad!!!

sorry about fatigue
I have never had..(I DONT" THINK) so I have never dealt with it...when I 'd go for treatments they would say how is fatigue , do you have fatigue..I would say I DON" THINK so what is it?

I was told if I HAD IT would KNOW!


I HOPE You feel better....

VickiSam said:

Weight gain does more than ruin our self image
self esteem and self value. Having fought my weight for more than a decade, or longer than I care to remember, I empathize with you, and your current predicament. Do you think that may besides the weight gain, you may be facing a little depression?

Please really take a few days to search your soul, and reach out to your health care provider -- go in and speak with them. Then try try try .. to walk several houses each day, or if the weather does not cooperate with you .. slap in an exercise, yoga dvr, video ..and just move for 15 to 25 minutes, twice a day. I am not CRAZY, I've been where you stand today .. and moving along with Effexor has made a difference in my life, and how I am viewing my future.

I've been there .. and you MUST move. Use your kitchen chair .. hold on and start swing, moving, lifting your leg's and opposite arm. I hate exercise, always will .. but I know in my heart and soul .. it is a necessity for my well being, and a long life.

Fact: hip replacements can be reduced by 69% if people would get up, and walk for 20 minutes .. 3 times a week! Just 3 times a week, how scary, is this statistic?

Keep us posted, dear Sister in PINK.

Strength and Courage,

Vicki Sam

always watched what I ate..
I say to my hubby IF I was eating bad, unhealthy it is one thing..but just packed on from med...grrrrr

but this too shall pass...

I am 51 and honestly had been same weight as high school-so between steriods, menopause, age it was just a matter of time...

VickiSam said:

Weight gain does more than ruin our self image
self esteem and self value. Having fought my weight for more than a decade, or longer than I care to remember, I empathize with you, and your current predicament. Do you think that may besides the weight gain, you may be facing a little depression?

Please really take a few days to search your soul, and reach out to your health care provider -- go in and speak with them. Then try try try .. to walk several houses each day, or if the weather does not cooperate with you .. slap in an exercise, yoga dvr, video ..and just move for 15 to 25 minutes, twice a day. I am not CRAZY, I've been where you stand today .. and moving along with Effexor has made a difference in my life, and how I am viewing my future.

I've been there .. and you MUST move. Use your kitchen chair .. hold on and start swing, moving, lifting your leg's and opposite arm. I hate exercise, always will .. but I know in my heart and soul .. it is a necessity for my well being, and a long life.

Fact: hip replacements can be reduced by 69% if people would get up, and walk for 20 minutes .. 3 times a week! Just 3 times a week, how scary, is this statistic?

Keep us posted, dear Sister in PINK.

Strength and Courage,

Vicki Sam

weight
Thankk you, Vicki Sam,

You were were so kind! Just what I needed! I agree that I have and have had depression. I walk at least 20 minutes a day 5-6 times a week. I know it's the bone & joint pain. I take 1/2 a pain pill each night so I can sleep.

It so helps to know that others "feel your pain".

Jean

Find the exercise you LIKE!
My first thought is that you haven't found the right exercises yet for you - something that drives you and gives you peace and joy. Exercise does not have to be going to a class and the DI telling you what to do - there are so many options. There is no way that I will go and be treated (again) like someone in boot camp or high school PE. I won't use treadmills or jog but like using the bikes - just started using the recumbant (think that's the right word) and love it. Once spring finally gets here (and I get my bike ready), I'll be doing the 15 mile paved bike trail through town a couple of days a week (as out of shape as I am it'll be weeks before I do the entire route at a time) but I love doing it. If you are into doing the classes there is a good chance that your local YMCA/YWCA has free classes for cancer survivors. There is swimming, golf, bowling, tennis - so many things that most city parks departments have for all level people. They are all exercise. Try contacting your Equine Therapy group if you think you might like to ride.

Doing what you're 'told' to do is not always going to work - find what you like to do - there is something that you will like. Remember even working in you garden/yard is exercise.

I'm very fortunatel that I have a great gym to woek out in that cost me nothing to use, i already know that once winter leaves, I'll be bikeing, I/We have horses so once I get back in better shape (and the weather allows), I'll be working them 6 out of 7 days - thus also working myself.

Find what you like to do - not what someone else says you should do.

(I didn't gain weight - I lost 45 lbs. [Drs weren't happy.] Hubby [of 35 yrs] would have been much happier if I had gained some than lost. He called me several times a day to find out what I had eaten and remind me to eat during chemo and rads. I still have to tell him what I've eaten daily. He does have a reason that 'bugs' him - the first 4 years we were married he learned what anorexia does to the person and family - Mom was anorexic.)

Susan

Rague said:

Find the exercise you LIKE!
My first thought is that you haven't found the right exercises yet for you - something that drives you and gives you peace and joy. Exercise does not have to be going to a class and the DI telling you what to do - there are so many options. There is no way that I will go and be treated (again) like someone in boot camp or high school PE. I won't use treadmills or jog but like using the bikes - just started using the recumbant (think that's the right word) and love it. Once spring finally gets here (and I get my bike ready), I'll be doing the 15 mile paved bike trail through town a couple of days a week (as out of shape as I am it'll be weeks before I do the entire route at a time) but I love doing it. If you are into doing the classes there is a good chance that your local YMCA/YWCA has free classes for cancer survivors. There is swimming, golf, bowling, tennis - so many things that most city parks departments have for all level people. They are all exercise. Try contacting your Equine Therapy group if you think you might like to ride.

Doing what you're 'told' to do is not always going to work - find what you like to do - there is something that you will like. Remember even working in you garden/yard is exercise.

I'm very fortunatel that I have a great gym to woek out in that cost me nothing to use, i already know that once winter leaves, I'll be bikeing, I/We have horses so once I get back in better shape (and the weather allows), I'll be working them 6 out of 7 days - thus also working myself.

Find what you like to do - not what someone else says you should do.

(I didn't gain weight - I lost 45 lbs. [Drs weren't happy.] Hubby [of 35 yrs] would have been much happier if I had gained some than lost. He called me several times a day to find out what I had eaten and remind me to eat during chemo and rads. I still have to tell him what I've eaten daily. He does have a reason that 'bugs' him - the first 4 years we were married he learned what anorexia does to the person and family - Mom was anorexic.)

Susan

Menopause was not kind to me
and piled about 45 extra pounds on me. I also contributed to it by overeating and not exercising and accepting that these things happen with menopause and I deserved that burger and fries. I'm 63.

Then I was hit with the double whammy of both breast cancer and endometrial cancer. The risk factors I had for developing both were being overweight, late menopause, and hypertension. I had a serious talk with myself and since my diagnosis I've lost around 25 lbs. Before my breast surgery I walked every day and ate healthy. Shed about 5 lbs. B4 that surgery. Since I had around 6 weeks between my breast surgery before I could have a hysterectomy, I walked every day and ate healthy then, too. I lost 8 more lbs. before my hysterectomy. Proved to me that I had a lot to do with my weight gain - I couldn't blame it all on menopause. I did not "diet". I lost about 12 lbs. during chemo and have kept it off. I want to lose the remaining 20 lbs and am walking and trying to keep my calories around 1500 per day - and eating primarily a low fat, plant-based diet. I haven't lost any more weight, but haven't gained any either. I find my stamina isn't quite back to normal yet after chemo but it will get there.

I learned that for me, my weight is definitely related to how much (and what) I eat and how much I move. It doesn't come off as quickly as it used to, that's for sure, but I'm not as active as I was 20 years ago, either.

I have to remind myself that it's important for cancer survivors to eat healthy and exercise; it's also important for my overall health and should I ever have to fight these ugly deamons again, I want to be as healthy as possible. That doesn't mean I won't have that cheeseburger and fries on occasion, but I just cooked a black bean burger for lunch (no fries or chips) instead and I'm perfectly happy. (and last night I went out for Mexican food!)

Choices . . .

Suzanne

jo jo said:

Im so glad im not the only
Im so glad im not the only one dealing with this...i have gained so much weight since chemo and still gaining...im like that pilsbury dough boy...just roll me in flour and call me done!!!
I to have always been thin and now im a house. It use to be if i was outside on a windy day i would get blown away if i didnt hang on to something but now if im outside and the wind blows i can fly using my layers of flab for wings.

I hear you!!
I too have gained weight, around 40 pounds in two years. My oncologist also told me to eat as much as I am able. I didn't get sick with chemo, so weight stayed. Lot's of steroids, which causes tissue to hold more moisture. I do not like it either, but, have learned to accept it as a "temporary" situation and will lose it. I also have another chronic illness to treat and prednisone is on and off as a med choice. I have been able to lessen it down to 5 mgs a day. I do walk and use a treadmill. I am hoping that with Springtime weather,(no ice), I will be able to walk like I did last year. I took a major fall today, walking my dogs, even tho I am banged up, I keep on going. Please do not beat yourself up over this, your body and "head" need time to heal and process what you have truly been through. Hope this helps!! Carlie