weightgainaftertreatment

Morning Ramona.

I beat you. I gained 30 lbs. UGH!!!!!!!!!!

The last few chemo appointments, the nurses said' " You gained 5 lbs. this week?!"

What did I do differently, nothing. Just all of the sudden, BAM!

I have to admit, I did martial arts 3-4 days a week ( I was 1 month away from testing for my black belt when they found my lovely tumor), I tried to eat right before my diagnosis. I wasn't skinny, but I was a good weight for me.

I lost weight initially. After surgery. Then on came the weight. Slowly at first. What I think it was, was the loss of hormones. The instant menopause. I am fighting the scale going up every day. And, it doesn't seem to want to come down. I am very active, but not "formally exercising" yet. I'm back at the gym 2 times a week. So far, nothing.

So, you are not alone. I wish I had some advice for you. If you find a solution, let me know.

Barb ( who hates bathing suits !!!!!!!)

tkd3g said:

Hi all.

I can tell you what you could do to get the weight off. It's just doing it that will actually get it off. I know exactly what to do, but can't seem to do it on any regular basis.

Cut out or at least down on sugar. I'm talking the added sugars.

Try to get rid of your whites ( sugar), white bread, white flour...

Drink at least 8 8oz. glasses of water.

Take Green Tea Extract

Take a multivitamin

Get some sort of exercise 4-5 times a week. Even in 15 minutes spurts a couple times a day.

Get some weight training going. This is a double whammy. You'll get stronger and lose weight at the same time. ( your body need calories to feed all those new muscles)

Breathe. Deep breathing. It oxygenates your blood, calms your nerves and soothes your soul.

Think positive. Always think positive.

Smile.

There you have it. We have no excuses. Speaking for myself, I'm lazy. I obviously know what to do.

With that said, I know how hard it is to get going. I've battled it for about 15 years now.

If you can make that first step and start eating better or moving on a regular basis, you'll see how good it makes you feel. Then, you'll want to keep it up. It's just getting over all the stuff in our way and staying the course that is difficult.

I've done silly things that have worked:

If I really want something to eat, I do 20 push ups or 50 sit ups or run in place for 5 minutes. If I still want the food after that, I have it ( usually don't want it)

I tell myself that sugar is poison ( which it really is ). That works too.

What ever thing you can do to get you on the right path, do it.

If you don't like spinning or kickboxing, then dance. Throw on some disco and boogy on down. Walk your dog. Walk your neighbors dog. Let your dog walk you. ( mine is 110lbs. now )

Best of luck ladies.

Oh by the way, I believe what Susane Somers says about hormones whacking out your whole body. ( including the inability to lose weight) But, until I can find a good bio-identical doctor, I'll keep on trying to get this weight off.

Barb (who is always light in spirit)

Barb,

Hello! What an awesome post!! It is funny because I left the site and then this discussion has beeing baffling me...
'cuz i just finished chemo and am thinkin' hey - don't want and can't afford another closet full of clothes.

I was really thinking that chemo may have really messed with hormones and metabolism.....Do you think that is part of it? Could it also be an emotional portion of survivorship that isn't brought or dealt with much?

Your ideas are wonderful. And the white sugar/white flour indications for cancer are really important as well. You know.....that dreaded Alkaline diet that we have been touting is really great - super healthy and probably so good at regulating blood sugar as well.

Getting out and moving is such good medicine. And the breathing exercises clear our lymph system. (Swimming seems to be the best for that......it forces deep lung-work, so do find your bathing suit!)

I like the dancing idea....all of the ideas (weight-training as well).

Aagin, thanks for such a positive post!

Cheers,
Maura

tkd3g said:

Hi Maura.

I went into instant menopause, so definately chemo messed up my hormones. Metabolic, could be.
Emotional, definately

I know I'm an emotional eater. They always tell you to reduce your stress, get rid of that which causes stress...ya right. I have my share of stressors, as does everyone, that aren't going anywhere. I get mad, I go to the kitchen.

I tell myself ( as do others), relax, you are too hard on yourself, don't worry about the weight.

I even convinced myself that it was ok to eat whatever I wanted to...because I deserved it. Well, look at me know. I deserved myself into 30 lbs. of fat!!

Now, I deserve to be HEALTHY, not overweight.

I believe in small changes. Try one thing at a time. If you can cut out white sugar that you add to your food ( coffee, iced tea), that is one positive thing you have done. If you can add a 15 minute walk 2 times a week, there, you are moving.

Before you know it, you'll have incorporated a bunch of life style changes into your everyday living.

( I guess I should listen to myself more often!)

Baby steps, thats what they say. Which is really hard for me because I'm an all or nothing kind of gal. That's what gets me in trouble. I need instant results. Even though I know it doesn't work that way.

Good luck to all.

Maybe we could come up with a tip a day or a tip a week to better ourselves.

Em could contribute a alternative medical tip.

I could toss out a weight loss tip ( believe it or not, I'm an ACE certified personal trainer. Or at least I was, before all this garbage it me.)

Sponge could pass us his words of wisdom on pretty much anything.

Kanga could hit us with some Australian health tips.

What do you think?

Or we could do it another way:

Make Monday weight loss tips - everyone contributes

Tuesday - Alternative Medical tips

Wed. - New advances in cancer treatments ( Bud? )

And go on like that.

I'd be happy to start it off tomorrow.

Input?

Barb ( who knows too much about weight loss to look the way I do

Great Idea! I'm all for it. You are the second person who has finally mention the "deserving it" portion. And you are right, we deserve and freakin' NEED to become and stay healthy.

I am going to email our divine miss Em right now!! Let's get this party started!

Cheers,
Maura

tkd3g said:

Hi Maura.

I went into instant menopause, so definately chemo messed up my hormones. Metabolic, could be.
Emotional, definately

I know I'm an emotional eater. They always tell you to reduce your stress, get rid of that which causes stress...ya right. I have my share of stressors, as does everyone, that aren't going anywhere. I get mad, I go to the kitchen.

I tell myself ( as do others), relax, you are too hard on yourself, don't worry about the weight.

I even convinced myself that it was ok to eat whatever I wanted to...because I deserved it. Well, look at me know. I deserved myself into 30 lbs. of fat!!

Now, I deserve to be HEALTHY, not overweight.

I believe in small changes. Try one thing at a time. If you can cut out white sugar that you add to your food ( coffee, iced tea), that is one positive thing you have done. If you can add a 15 minute walk 2 times a week, there, you are moving.

Before you know it, you'll have incorporated a bunch of life style changes into your everyday living.

( I guess I should listen to myself more often!)

Baby steps, thats what they say. Which is really hard for me because I'm an all or nothing kind of gal. That's what gets me in trouble. I need instant results. Even though I know it doesn't work that way.

Good luck to all.

Maybe we could come up with a tip a day or a tip a week to better ourselves.

Em could contribute a alternative medical tip.

I could toss out a weight loss tip ( believe it or not, I'm an ACE certified personal trainer. Or at least I was, before all this garbage it me.)

Sponge could pass us his words of wisdom on pretty much anything.

Kanga could hit us with some Australian health tips.

What do you think?

Or we could do it another way:

Make Monday weight loss tips - everyone contributes

Tuesday - Alternative Medical tips

Wed. - New advances in cancer treatments ( Bud? )

And go on like that.

I'd be happy to start it off tomorrow.

Input?

Barb ( who knows too much about weight loss to look the way I do

Hey there lay-deeez....

I subscribe to a Bally's list-server so I get these every day:

Nutrition Tip
Of The Day
Brought to you by Bally Total Fitness
http://www.ballynutrition.com

How much you eat is equally as important as how often you eat. Most people find a more realistic approach to portion control helpful. We call it the "eyeball method". Compare your food portion size to the size of something you're already familiar with. For example, an average bagel should be the size of a hockey puck and a medium potato should be the size of a computer mouse.

I'd be happy to pass them along.

- SB

ramona41 said:

thanks for all the ideas..I am 42 and after radiation I was thrown into early menopause also..didnt think about that adding to the weight gain..heck I sure dont miss it.. do any of you that had early meopause do you take any meds for it? my oncologist said he wanted to wait and see if my periods came back.. after 8 mos of not having any I doubt they will..hate the nite sweats and heat flashes.. and mabe the weight gain is from that as well.. thanks againf or you help here... peace ramona

Hi all!
I lost weight when I was in the hospital for colon surgery, then I gained it back as I recovered, but remained stable while getting chemo. After chemo however, I hammered down with a strict diet, and I've actually lost weight, even while I was on prednizone! I wasn't trying to loose either. I cut out red meat, excess refined sugars, fats, a lot of processed foods, and all the junk stuff, and it has just came off naturally. Just a little at a time.. My GYN said chemo would have threw me into menapause if I hadn't of gone through it already. (I'm 52) I'm over weight by about 20 lbs. and I have some really nice clothes I'd like to get back into in my closet. I think I've gained inches more than weight because I've not exercised on a reg bases. Now as I start to feel a bit better, I can start off with baby steps and walk and maybe do some light weight lifting to peel off the inches and weight. But here's something that surprised me... when I mentioned to my Radiologist that I want to loose weight and start exercising, he just about threw a fit! "NO!" your fine! ...and then tells me that I need all my energy ??? Well.. I eat pretty healthy so my energy is at it's max for now. Also, from what I understand, the cells after a few months of eating very healthy (like I have) reprogram with new information to adapt to the new diet and will drop the excess fat and weight rather than trying to hold on to it. So... even without exercising, I'll continue to drop the weight, but not as fast. I hate the ol swimsuit regime, but you know... I really just want to feel healthy and better, and I don't try to compete with the striking blond in the bikini. I'm grateful I'm here. That doesn't mean I give up trying. But I go to the pool to have a good time, and don't worry about everyinch of me. Let your spirit show through instead! I haven't heard a word from any men on the subject of weight loss???? Hmmm... Well, I'm all for tips of the week! ~ hogs and prayers! LOL! Wanda... aka Xena!

tkd3g said:

Hi Ramona,

I had my ovaries and tubes taken out at the time of my cancer surgery.

I have the night sweats, hot flashes, and other non-fun things to talk about.

I don't take any medication. I am looking into these "bio-identical" hormones that are made from soy and yam extracts. ( no, eating those 2 items does not produce the same effect)

I need to find a docor specializing in this field. As of today, I haven't found one. But, I am still trying. Try reading the Susanne Somers book,THE SEXY YEARS. IT's about her struggle with cancer, menopause and finding bio-identical hormones. I fit the profile to a tee!

Wear layers, drink water. That's the best I can give ya.

Barb

Jeez, Barb, you mean you DON'T want your whole diet to be complrised of YAMsssss??

Sent a good email to the gurus. I think this will be a great discussion.

Happy cookin' for your guy.

I have a great book about diet and nutrition written by an endocrinologist. I think I'll reread it and post from it.

Happy Day and hope all of the fathers - present and future - are treated well!

Maura

Shandle said:

Hi all!
I lost weight when I was in the hospital for colon surgery, then I gained it back as I recovered, but remained stable while getting chemo. After chemo however, I hammered down with a strict diet, and I've actually lost weight, even while I was on prednizone! I wasn't trying to loose either. I cut out red meat, excess refined sugars, fats, a lot of processed foods, and all the junk stuff, and it has just came off naturally. Just a little at a time.. My GYN said chemo would have threw me into menapause if I hadn't of gone through it already. (I'm 52) I'm over weight by about 20 lbs. and I have some really nice clothes I'd like to get back into in my closet. I think I've gained inches more than weight because I've not exercised on a reg bases. Now as I start to feel a bit better, I can start off with baby steps and walk and maybe do some light weight lifting to peel off the inches and weight. But here's something that surprised me... when I mentioned to my Radiologist that I want to loose weight and start exercising, he just about threw a fit! "NO!" your fine! ...and then tells me that I need all my energy ??? Well.. I eat pretty healthy so my energy is at it's max for now. Also, from what I understand, the cells after a few months of eating very healthy (like I have) reprogram with new information to adapt to the new diet and will drop the excess fat and weight rather than trying to hold on to it. So... even without exercising, I'll continue to drop the weight, but not as fast. I hate the ol swimsuit regime, but you know... I really just want to feel healthy and better, and I don't try to compete with the striking blond in the bikini. I'm grateful I'm here. That doesn't mean I give up trying. But I go to the pool to have a good time, and don't worry about everyinch of me. Let your spirit show through instead! I haven't heard a word from any men on the subject of weight loss???? Hmmm... Well, I'm all for tips of the week! ~ hogs and prayers! LOL! Wanda... aka Xena!

Ok semi-colon chicks,

I'm here to weigh in on the issue. (sorry, couldn't pass that up).

THIS PISSES ME OFF!!!

Ok now you'll hear my vent too.....Maura has already heard me ranting about it.....

So I do NOT eat whites, red meat, sugar, drink alcohol yada yada yada.

I EXERCISE -- I walk/run my dogs during the spring/summer/fall at least 10 miles a week, plus I bike at least 10-30 miles a week, plus I do yoga, plus I do pilates, (not all on the same day).

And I have gained 17 pounds in the last year. Does that make sense?? NOPE!

My son the athlete, bless his heart, reminded me that I am making muscle and that could explain some of it. Ok, I'll take that, but I have also had to buy bigger clothes. That SUCKS!

I know how it happened.....7 pounds crept on last year when we were moving and it was harder to exercise and eat consistently. And the STRESS of moving was a doozie. Art had already moved up here and we were apart for 5 months seeing him only on the weekends.

Then this past winter I added coconut oil to my diet b/c I learned that it can help regulate your thyroid (I was dx'ed with sluggish thyroid) and boost your metabolism. Well it did just the opposite for me. And because at the time Iw as not weighing myself (not giving power to the scale) I did not know the weight was adding up as fast as it was.....in 2 months I had gained 10 pounds. Now I am working like a mad woman AND I MEAN >MAD< to get it off. Being paramenopausal I am sure does not help.

When I did a liver cleanse this spring I lost about 8 pounds but as soon as I started back eating regularly it came back for the most part. I have lost 2 pounds recently I think cuz I have upped my biking routine and am juicing more than I was before..... breakfast and most lunches. I am trying to make the juice my main meal and then augment with fish and veggies.

Also this winter I stopped the pilates and started x-country skiing in the morning instead. In the afternoon I mushed my sled dogs. So I figure the pilates was doing much more than I knew in keeping me in shape.

Anyway......ALL this to say that I didn't even DO the chemo and I am dealing with weight gain which is SOOOOO disheartening because as you know I live on veggies and grains mostly.

I am thinking tho that the grains may be giving me some trouble. Eventhough they are WHOLE. When I did the liver cleanse I only ate veggies, fish (some poultry), and blueberry smoothies with protein powder and flax oil.

So my plan is to combine that liver cleanse diet with my carrot juicing and cut out grains to a minimum and we'll see how that goes. I also like legumes alot and beans! Ok I love carbs. Give me a bean burrito with soy cheese any time any place! yum. And hummus! Don't even get me started on my hummus, walnut, pita, spinach sandwiches. :-)

I would like to realistically lose 30 pounds.

That sounds like a lot but I still have baby weight to lose after #5 that I was working on when the cancer dx struck. I did lose 20 pounds after my dx when I was only juicing and eating macro, tons of veggies and getting weekly massages and walking every single day at least 3 miles and built up to 5.

Ok, I know this is long but I wanted to lay it all out with y'all so we can keep eachother going and spur each other on. ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER!

So if anyone wants to share their goal and their plan I would LOVE to hear it.

peace, emily who wants to fit into all her cute clothes from last summer!! ARGH!

spongebob said:

Uh... is it safe to enter here? I mean the string seems to be domintade by pissed-off, moody, para-menopausal women; definitely dangerous territory for a (man) to tread...

Em, have you considered picking up a weight routine 3 days a week? I'm not suggesting an Ah-Nahld tooodal bodeee verrrk out, but relatively light weights to build some lean muscle mass. It sounds like you're doing a lot of aerobic exercise which is wonderful, but studies have shown the aerobic exercise only ups the metabolic rate and burns body fat for two or so hours after exertion whereas a weight routine that build lean muscle mass will raise your metabolic set point and can continue to burn body fat for up to 48 hours after exertion.

Women don't typically get the bulky muscles we guys do, you tend to firm and tone.

Just a thought...

By the way, I don't think those ski pants make your butt look big at all...

;-)

- SB

Right you are Sponge. Weights are the way to go. My 74 yr.old mom does light weights ( bone mass)

As for bulking up...forget about it. I am, what you would call "big boned" Love that word, not.

Anyway, when I was lean and mean and a trim fighting weight of 125, I was lifting like no tomorrow. I was curling 40 lbs. dumbbells no sweat. Leg presses, squats, presses, kickbacks, whatever. Never "bulked up". My girlfriend who is a size 2 ( UGH), couldn't believe how strong I was. (Now get those Amazon Woman pictures out of your head).

My Point: Don't be afraid of weights. You'd have to do steroids ( oops, I guess some of us have done them), to bulk up.

Go for the weights. I'm inspired. I'm going to the gym tomorrow.

Barb ( George, you are always safe here with us)

tkd3g said:

Right you are Sponge. Weights are the way to go. My 74 yr.old mom does light weights ( bone mass)

As for bulking up...forget about it. I am, what you would call "big boned" Love that word, not.

Anyway, when I was lean and mean and a trim fighting weight of 125, I was lifting like no tomorrow. I was curling 40 lbs. dumbbells no sweat. Leg presses, squats, presses, kickbacks, whatever. Never "bulked up". My girlfriend who is a size 2 ( UGH), couldn't believe how strong I was. (Now get those Amazon Woman pictures out of your head).

My Point: Don't be afraid of weights. You'd have to do steroids ( oops, I guess some of us have done them), to bulk up.

Go for the weights. I'm inspired. I'm going to the gym tomorrow.

Barb ( George, you are always safe here with us)

OK.... I'm getting out my light weight bells (if I can find them.. and if they didn't get sold at my last garage sell.) As fatigued as I feel...I'm going to give this some effort. But don't tell my Radiologist. Sorry bout yur frustrations Em... and Sponge... You are one brave dude! ... well lets keep working on our goals and share them! Time to look for the 3 pounders..LOL ~ Xena ...who needs to fight the scale a little harder!