Forum Discussion
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
22 Replies
- Thanks Nadi, I'll give it all ago see if I can start to shift! It is hard right now recovering so can't exercise but I can control what I eat
- I don't snack a lot, but when I do my go to's are kiwifruits, plums, apricots, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, grapes, mangos, watermelon, asparagus, cooked baby spinach with tomatoes and mushrooms and garlic, and fresh cooked corn on the cob (I know, corn is a weird snack right? but it is so incredibly sweet!) along with a cup of tea. I usually have a punnet (125 g) of some type of berry every day. The reason being they do wonders as a natural anti inflammatory for my arthritis. They also have very few calories and yet with a cup of tea they fill me up. I find the fresh berries rather expensive but they cost the same amount as a coffee I used to buy from work so since I gave up buying coffee it's not an extra expense. If I am really hungry, which doesn't happen very often, I will have a scrambled egg with fresh herbs from my garden cooked in the microwave, but no toast. I always take an egg to work with me in case I get peckish!! I also always have a glass of mineral or soda water or some beverage with my snack which stops me from getting hungry. I have definitely increased my fluids in the last 6 months. I find the trick is to always have fresh food available at home or at work. I never go to work without food.
- Nadi, that is such a sensational effort!!! I actually weighed myself and laughin Ive lost 1kg BUT HANG ON I had a mastectomy/diep flap recon haha!!! so I actually lost some of me. Anyway, I wanted to ask you, what sorts of things do you do for snacks?? I like to graze I find, so I like fruit, but after some ideas? Thanks! Melinda xo
- Nadi, thank you your post is inspirational. An incredible achievement. Very best wishes, do happy for you.
- I couldn't agree more about moderation, Mel. I think the hardest thing for me to get my head around was that I just have to be 'mindful' of what I eat. I just packed my lunch for work today - a nice homemade chicken schnitzel with veggies. i know if I have this for lunch then my dinner has to be light - probably fish,so there is that kind of thinking going on with a lot of planning ahead. Also thrilled at my morning weigh in this morning which shows I have now lost 29 Kilos!! Determined to reach 30 kgs by 6 April which is my next portacath flush appointment! Theonly downside to this weight loss is that my portacath is a lot more noticeable to others, but I don't care. Good luck with your weight loss!
- @Nadi what a fantastic and honest post. THANK YOU! I think we can all identify with everything you talk about. Im blown away by your weightloss!! honestly what a massive achievement! I put on 7kg from Chemo 15months ago and cannot shift it :( I hardly drink alcohol anymore exercise has been difficult due to side effects so its still work in progress with an Exercise Physiologist. Getting over a mastectomy/reconstruction has set me back BUT like you cannot wait to start to get the weight off and reclaim my life. I am nearly 2 years clear and you are so right it does get better. After my recurrence in 2015 my world was rocked to the core...how does that happen inspite of aggressive treatment uuugh BUT again we dont know how the hell we get through it all but we do and we do come out the other side with a renewed determination to just BE, BE the best we can be and be happy! So wonderful to hear of your journey and how far you have come. Beautiful!!! Ohhh chocolate is my nemesis too uuugh not something I can give up either, plus its about moderation in all things, not about what we eat or dont eat..no rhyme or reason just whats best for ourselves. :) Hugs Melinda xo
- Thanks All for your comments
@primek - I have received heaps of support from you too so thanks!
@"Soldier Crab" - good luck with your weight loss. I know you can do it! - Well done you! Reading your post was so uplifting. You have done so extremely well. I like you joined Oct 2015 and only this week met up with a good friend who has had BC and we both agree how good life is for us now. Sure some days we may not feel great but The good days out number that not so good!
take care Nadi and keep smiling and dancing.
Anne-Marie - Hi Nadi
Congrats! What a great inspiration. Well Done! - Nadine, you are a fabulous inspiration. Well done. Thank you for sharing your journey. Congratulations xxxx & big hugs
