Never thought I would get here
This time last year I was probably at the lowest I have ever been. I had finished chemo, got through a stack of nasty side effects and complications, I had scars, was bald, was about to start radiation, still had another 8 months of Herceptin to get through, I was battle weary, incredibly tired, my self esteem was shot, and I was worried about my future. To top everything off I had put on weight.
I was already obese before I started chemo, but the steroids and treatment helped me to stack on another 7 kilos so that at my heaviest I reached a staggering 119 kgs!!!! I don't know how I ever got that big ... oh wait, yes I do, it was chocolate and hot chips twice a week, not really thinking about what I ate, and no exercise thanks to my arthritis - a real no brainer. I never really saw myself as big, or if I did, it really didn't bother me, after all hubby was big too and that man loves me to the ends of the earth and back no matter what - bless him!. Now I look at old photos and wow, even though I am 175 cm, who am I kidding, I was huge!!
Back 12 months ago I would read posts from some of you about the marathons you ran after breast cancer. I was so happy for your achievements. I could see how proud you were, and to be honest I felt a little sad that with my arthritis I thought I would never be able to achieve something like that and have that sense of accomplishment.
But here I am a year later, life is good and I am happy to say that I have achieved a different kind of marathon. Today I was ecstatic to learn that after losing 28 kilos I am no longer in the obese range of the BMI calculator!!!!! For some of you that won't mean anything, or it may even not sound that great, but for me I can't tell you how good that feels. Well yes I can, that's the reason I am posting - to tell you just how good that feels! It's awesome!
It has only taken me 6 months and I have done it without exercise. I did it by only eating foods from the anti inflammatory diet which really isn't anything special at all. The pain I was experiencing from arthritis was the reason I radically changed what I ate. Now it all seems so simple. I am never hungry. I love my food which is all fresh and natural, no bread or rice, just fresh fruit, fresh veggies and meat, fish or chicken, eggs and a little milk all in small portions. I have a small piece of dark mint chocolate every day (there's no way I could totally give up my chocolate), I still have a few wines a week and I eat out on special occasions, so I don't feel deprived of anything.
I feel great, but what's also great is that I had to throw out ALL of my clothes and buy a whole new wardrobe! I am also getting compliments from at least one person everyday which really gives my self esteem a boost. My sons, hubby, doctors and chemo nurses are all very supportive. Best of all with all of the effort going into eating well I am no longer dwelling on breast cancer and I'm not worrying about recurrence. Who has time to worry about BC when you're enjoying life?
I am still overweight and have another 7 to 8 kilos to go before I get closer to my recommended BMI for my height but having come this far I know I can get there. I am still dealing with the horrible hot flushes - which have come back with a vengeance after a two-month reprieve (grrrrrrrr). I still have to take meds for high blood pressure, which I thought would have improved with the weight loss, but hasn't. And I am still dealing with debilitating post chemo fatigue which threatens to rob me of my driver's licence, but at least I am looking and feeling a lot better as I tackle these things.
For all of those who are struggling to get through treatment or have finished and are maybe worrying about whether it gets better, I can tell you that it does. There are times when I had my doubts, but it does get better. And, as in my case, some things can be even better than they were before breast cancer.
The support I have received from this network since I joined in October 2015 has been amazing. It stuns me thinking about the wonderful advice, care and encouragement that I have received. So thank you. And if anyone needs encouragement or extra support with weight loss or healthy eating, I would be happy to share what has worked for me if you send me a private message.
Off to do my little happy dance ...... in my new clothes! yippee
Nadine
I was already obese before I started chemo, but the steroids and treatment helped me to stack on another 7 kilos so that at my heaviest I reached a staggering 119 kgs!!!! I don't know how I ever got that big ... oh wait, yes I do, it was chocolate and hot chips twice a week, not really thinking about what I ate, and no exercise thanks to my arthritis - a real no brainer. I never really saw myself as big, or if I did, it really didn't bother me, after all hubby was big too and that man loves me to the ends of the earth and back no matter what - bless him!. Now I look at old photos and wow, even though I am 175 cm, who am I kidding, I was huge!!
Back 12 months ago I would read posts from some of you about the marathons you ran after breast cancer. I was so happy for your achievements. I could see how proud you were, and to be honest I felt a little sad that with my arthritis I thought I would never be able to achieve something like that and have that sense of accomplishment.
But here I am a year later, life is good and I am happy to say that I have achieved a different kind of marathon. Today I was ecstatic to learn that after losing 28 kilos I am no longer in the obese range of the BMI calculator!!!!! For some of you that won't mean anything, or it may even not sound that great, but for me I can't tell you how good that feels. Well yes I can, that's the reason I am posting - to tell you just how good that feels! It's awesome!
It has only taken me 6 months and I have done it without exercise. I did it by only eating foods from the anti inflammatory diet which really isn't anything special at all. The pain I was experiencing from arthritis was the reason I radically changed what I ate. Now it all seems so simple. I am never hungry. I love my food which is all fresh and natural, no bread or rice, just fresh fruit, fresh veggies and meat, fish or chicken, eggs and a little milk all in small portions. I have a small piece of dark mint chocolate every day (there's no way I could totally give up my chocolate), I still have a few wines a week and I eat out on special occasions, so I don't feel deprived of anything.
I feel great, but what's also great is that I had to throw out ALL of my clothes and buy a whole new wardrobe! I am also getting compliments from at least one person everyday which really gives my self esteem a boost. My sons, hubby, doctors and chemo nurses are all very supportive. Best of all with all of the effort going into eating well I am no longer dwelling on breast cancer and I'm not worrying about recurrence. Who has time to worry about BC when you're enjoying life?
I am still overweight and have another 7 to 8 kilos to go before I get closer to my recommended BMI for my height but having come this far I know I can get there. I am still dealing with the horrible hot flushes - which have come back with a vengeance after a two-month reprieve (grrrrrrrr). I still have to take meds for high blood pressure, which I thought would have improved with the weight loss, but hasn't. And I am still dealing with debilitating post chemo fatigue which threatens to rob me of my driver's licence, but at least I am looking and feeling a lot better as I tackle these things.
For all of those who are struggling to get through treatment or have finished and are maybe worrying about whether it gets better, I can tell you that it does. There are times when I had my doubts, but it does get better. And, as in my case, some things can be even better than they were before breast cancer.
The support I have received from this network since I joined in October 2015 has been amazing. It stuns me thinking about the wonderful advice, care and encouragement that I have received. So thank you. And if anyone needs encouragement or extra support with weight loss or healthy eating, I would be happy to share what has worked for me if you send me a private message.
Off to do my little happy dance ...... in my new clothes! yippee
Nadine
