Losing Chemo Weight

j916
j916 Member Posts: 141
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Does anyone have info/suggestions on when it's ok to start working on losing weight after your last chemo treatment? I'm not doing radiation, and am anxious to get the weight loss started, not only for my self image, but to get rid of a risk factor.

Comments

  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #2
    weight loss
    J916, good for you. A healthy weight will help with a myriad of illnesses down the road, not to mention reducing recurrence risk. As for when to get started, I would take it slow. It all depends on your current level of fitness, ongoing side effects from chemo, energy level, other health issues, and age. I'm 34 with no health issues, and my doc. said I could start right away if I took it slow at first and built up to it. Conventional wisdom is that one should set a goal of 5 hours of vigorous exercise a week to help with recurrence. But anything you can start with is good. I started walking on the threadmill. Now I'm doing "Group Power" classes at my gym. I also have a personal trainer who knows about my condition and has experience with rehabilitation. If you've had a mastectomy or axilliary lymph node dissection, it's important to beware of developing lymphodema. Your oncologist will be able to recommend a specialist who can give you more instruction on the exercise issue so you won't injure your arm.

    You might want to look into getting a trainer/therapist who has experience working with breast cancer survivors. They could take you through exercises and help you chart a plan that will work for you. I also know that there are books on this subject. Just go to Amazon and enter "breast cancer and fitness" or similar to get results. Good luck!

    Mimi
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #3
    Good luck J. I've been
    Good luck J. I've been trying for over a year with no success. Seems that between the thyroid and the arimidex I'm fighting a tough battle. At least, I haven't gained any more but I do want to lose the 40 lbs I gained. Try eating light meals, don't eat processed flour, eat whole wheat bread, pasta, etc. Lots of fruits and vegetables and limit your red meat to 1x a week. I lost 3 pounds this way. I also went back to the gym but if you can't, now that the weather is getting nicer try walking at a brisk pace at least 4x a week. Hugs, Lili
  • redbeauty
    redbeauty Member Posts: 1
    #4
    Losing Chemo Weight
    That was the hardest thing I have been thru. It comes off real slooowly!Lots of walking, drinking lots of plain water and several mini meals a day has helped. It is slow but it does come off
  • TrishyG
    TrishyG Member Posts: 40
    #5
    The weight gain has been the
    The weight gain has been the hardest thing for me. I have lost about 5lbs so far. I walk about 4 miles a day. I haven't been able to do hills and my usual weights yet. I also bought a weighted hula hoop. It is so much fun. It really is shrinking my middle because all the fat went to my waist. I am about 5 weeks out from having a bilateral mastectomy.

Discussion Boards