Exercise and Eating

I've put on 4 kilos since starting Letrozole (and I was already too weighty) and neither I nor my onc are happy about it.  I'm exercising and while I may not be eating as well as I could, I'm not eating very differently.  I'm also feeling that although I'm doing the resistance exercise regularly, strangely enough I don't seem to be getting any stronger.  Anyway, taking all ideas on board.  

One of the speakers at the BCNA conference in Adelaide recently was an exercise psychologist (Helen Donovan???? - can't quite remember her name and can't see my notes)  Again, maybe a good one for a webinar as she was a really good speaker - @Giovanna_BCNA?  So many of us seem to struggle with exercise and weight after bc.

@angelo

I think someone had said you were from WA.  Here's a link that should help you

https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/21179/ywca-encore-breast-cancer-exercise-program-perth-wa-2019

@Angelo Those that know me, know I am an exercise junkie & very conscious of what i eat but the best advice as already hinted above is to do something you enjoy. If you dont, then you wont continue it. Another tip is not to set your goals too high. Start slowly & progress gradually. You will not be running a marathon in a month!! So whether its walking, yoga, pilates, strength training at home or going to an exercise class or even buying an exercise DVD to do at home. I still do the Pilates DVD from the My Journey Kit every day. You could choose to do any of these alone or with a group & the good thing about going with someone else is that they make you continue & the company is good. You can also enjoy a coffee afterwards!! You will find that as you get fitter & start enjoying your exercise, the healthy eating will follow as your lifestyle/mindset will change & you will want to put better fuel inside your body. Nothing wrong with a treat now & then & dont pressure yourself if you're having a tough day & just cant do any exercise.
After I finished treatment, I rang the Cancer Council for some advice following my rad treatment & they randomly asked me whether I wanted to do a program called "Healthy Living After Cancer". I told them I was already a healthy eater & exercised a lot but they wanted participants for their free study so i did it. They send you info & a consultant rings you periodically to discuss all things relating to exercise, eating, weight management etc. Even though I was around 54kgs & exercise a lot, I still followed the program to the end & lost 7 cms around my waist & lost another few kgs & my cholesterol went down. You could ring them on 131120 & see if they are continuing the program as I know at one stage they were waiting for more funding. Ive just googled their website & the link is below
 https://www.cancer.org.au/news/news-articles/new-physical-activity-and-diet-program-for-cancer-survivors.html
Good luck. This is something I am really passionate about so i hope you find some helpful tips here & support. take care & let us know how you get on. xx

Thanks everyone. I’m going to call the cancer council tomorrow and check if they are still running the program. You have all been very inspirational, so much so that this morning I managed to do 30 minutes of exercise before work and I have signed up my darling husband and I for jive classes for beginners..... I’m on my way......and it’s thanks to all of you xxx

We are a sharing caring mob @Angelo . Any thoughts ,ideas or suggestion you have to improve our lots  gratefully accepted by all of us. xo

@Angelo   Please Don't ask me why - but I hate exercise with a passion - unless I have a fishing rod in hand - in which case, I will walk the whole length of the beach & back, looking for fish!   LOL  I DO get out in my kayak 2-3 times a week (a pedal one) so I pretend that I am walking!  ;)   I try to eat sensibly & luckily don't like 'sweet things' so no real temptation there - but I LOVE savoury stuff & have to stop myself going back for 2nds of the main meal!

I have gained a few kgs since diagnosed early last year .... maybe I DO need to get out for that walk!  LOL

Well done on signing up for the Jive classes - that sounds really fun!!  Enjoy!  You'll get lots of exercise there!!

All the best xx

Fantastic @Becsta! Jive classes, love it. K xox

@Angelo That's awesome!! Dance classes would be the BEST fun & great exercise. I love dancing but no classes in my small country town so I just dance around the house with the radio going!! A great idea to get your hubbie involved as well so you can laugh, meet new couples & get fit all in one.
let us know how you get on with the cancer Council "Healthy Living" program. I do hope they have more funding & you can get a spot. I learnt so much & the ladies who ring you are so helpful & encouraging.
So good to hear you have already kicked off with some exercise before work. I bet it put you in a good head space to face your day at work & made you feel even better. So proud of you!! Go get 'em. xx 

I think I'm going to have to get help like Healthy Living after Cancer program call 13 11 20 @Anne65 suggested.

Anyone on NSW Central Coast involved?

Four months since my diagnosis, active treatment done, begun five years(+) endocrine therapy - and it's all just ongoing "managing". I'm getting really, really tired of managing, coping, making the effort - winge, winge.
10 Tamoxifen tablets in - and the rest to go. Novaldex- D.  I sure wouldn't be taking this if it wasn't going to potentially save my life! Brain fog, sleep disturbance, fatigue, aching everywhere. Dragging myself out of bed is like raising myself out of a bog. Working full-time. Maybe I just had a bad few days. I'm going to the gym this morning to walk on the treadmill (weight bearing and cario) and do some gentle weight repetitions. I hope that gives me some energy and relieves the aching. Must also try harder re clean eating - I was doing well but started to slip. Uuuuuhhhhh!

It's so hard isn't it @Dory65? Keep plugging away. I'm forcing myself out for a long walk this morning when all I want to do is lie in bed! K xox