Motivation for losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle

This won't inspire . I have put on 5 kg in the time since diagnosis , 2 years next month. I can hardly believe it is that long. I eat too many carbs,do too little exercise and take medication that can cause increased appetite and weight gain. I always feel I can eat unless I am very busy . I am cutting down on the dosage that I take for neuropathy ,even if it means putting up with a bit more pain. I won't go too far though. Also I am probanly bored at times. Maybe this site and others ,e.g.Facebook, are filling this void.
I will try to be more inspiring next time.

Hi ,
Yes the weight gain is a problem for some of us. I lost 9 kilos due to surgery and a complete bowel shut down but then when I started chemo, the steroids meant that carbs were the poison of choice and the fatigue meant that just getting to the corner shop and back was huge. While others faded away(not that is ideal either) I'd rock up to the clinic each fortnight having successfully added a kilo.

That was 4 years ago and as I am a stress eater, I am still struggling to take off the weight. I am back at full time teaching but I retire in July 2012. I am convinced that when my life settles down to a lower level of stress and my son has completed his HSC (he's not stressed!) then healthy life here I come. Hope that it isn't too late!

I guess my message is not be too hard on yourselves. take it a step at a time. I truly believe that we all approach our diagnosis, treatment and recovery in a completely individual way. For some the completely health conscious diet with all of the appropriate exercise is right for them. For others it is merely managing from one day to the next and if a piece of toast allows you to manage the nausea, then so be it.

I have managed to lose about 5-6 of the kilos that I put on and have about 10 to go to reach a "healthy" weight which I know is critical for bowel cancer. But I have learned that it has to be slow and steady. Take deep breaths and don't beat yourself up about the carbs!

Take care, Samex

I am not going to cut down the Lyrica if it drives me crazy or upsets me . I cut the dosage a day ago and in a few days I'll assess it.

I live in Queensland, on the Gold Coast . I wish I lived close enough to you and 2 other Brisbane friends and I'd walk with all of you .I don't only want to lose weight to be healthier but to look better. I like being slim .I can't improve my face but should be able to improve my body.

Part of the problem is I have become lazy and don't cook most of the meals for my husband and me. He likes his kind of food and cooking better than what I need to lose weight. He actually asked me to choose a W.W. recipe and he'd cook it for me. I am perfectly capable but he is trying to make me happy. That offer did surprise me but I think we will go back to taking turns like we did in the old days.

I hope we all achieve our goal weight.

Hi Jules,
I also had the opposite problem; the combination of chemo, surgery & radiotherapy dropped me down to a very unhealthy weight. However, I have noticed a couple things that hopefully may help.

One, eating patterns are often a reflection of internal states. So, for me, when I am filled with drive, passion for life and purpose then my diet seems reflect this inner energy and I put on weight (good for me).
That loss of motivation (called an over balance of Kapha in Ayurvedic medicine); not just in food, but often reflected in every thing we do, be it filling up our time with useless things or the pilling up of clutter in our room, is also connected to something deeper. However, if we can force ourselves to start to make changes on the outside they often reflect inside. So for me when I'm going through a lazy mood then making myself wake up early, do a yoga routine and being active through the day eventually counters the mood and after a couple days I'm back on track.

Also another thing I've seen can be really helpful is slowing down eating and increasing your awareness. So only eat sitting down and aim to chew EVERY mouthful 10-20 times; you'll be surprised how much less you end up eating

Hope something here helps,
Love & light.
Astley

Hi Silly,

Did you get to water running class? I am a regular & I find it both enjoyable and good exercise.

I have been avoiding weighing myself but I finally did and found I've put on 4kg. My plan this week involves writing down everything I eat. Then I can see what I should cut back on. Also, the act of writing it down helps me not eat just because I'm bored.

Allicat,I forgot to answer your question about the water running class. .No, and have forgotten the details and lost the phone no. etc. but will get it next week I hope and then try. It is good to hear that you like it .I'll let you know if I do it and what I think.

I hope you are glad to be back at work and that you start sleeping better .

Hi Everyone...I'm new to this forum...nice to meet all of you...after 4 years of treatment I have gained weight, here's my opinion...just start small, maybe lift some weights for 10 minutes while watching tv or go for a walk. I put music on and dance around my apartment. If I try to do too much, I just end up feeling guilty and depressed

Well done Silly! Not gutsing is a good tip!

Dancing sounds a fun way to get some exercise.

I have been keeping my food diary for a couple of weeks now. I think it helps me to eat when I get hungry rather than when I get bored. I have lost about 0.5kg so far.

You know how your weight fluctuates throughout the monthly cycle, does that still happen if you are on drugs that stop your periods?

In W. W you are supposed to track your food,but I haven't bothered much . It is the best thing to do really. I am still getting to know the new programme. I am 61 years old so don't have those monthly fluctuations you referred to .In fact the times I put on weight have been due to mindless eating,which is usually when I eat the wrong things . It takes effort and planning to eat properly. If you have to cook for others that is a great motivator ,especially if you have children . My husband does a lot of cooking as he likes to eat a little differently to me and I am too fussy when I want to lose weight. I'm trying to get back into cooking more It's never been a love of mine,just a chore. I'm glad you are having success too.

It's sad about lettuce but can you use other greens instead? Cabbage,asparagus ,beans,peas? It won't look as good but it can be healthy.
Two cancers is a bit unfair.

I did lose a little weight but it's back on. My motivation fluctuates .I've become an emotional eater. I become disappointed with myself and can't get into exercising except 2 line dance classes a week. I am usually happy but am going through a down time too. Let's hope we can both be happier next time we say something on this site .Thanks for your sharing.

My wanting to lose weight is not exactly cancer related but if I ate more healthily and exercised more I would lose a couple of kilos . Then I'd feel better about myself. I seem to have lost self discipline and motivation to be as healthy as can be. Sometimes I think it doesn't matter now. I could work hard at it and it wouldn't add more years to my life . At other times I think that the years I have left would be happier ones. Anyway, I'm half trying .

I can't imagine what it's like to have to keep weight on or put more on but I know many with cancer have this battle ,kj. I wish that those of us with some kilos to lose could just donate some to those like you who'd like or need some. Good idea? LOL.

Hi
i also have to lose 10 kg, which i put on about 5 years ago when i was diagnosed with depression. since then breast cancer, chemo and radiotherapy - (finished treatment 6 months ago ) and the doctor put the hard word on me to lose weight. I have sought help from a hypnotherapist/counsellor, who will place a virtual balloon in my stomach but also gives me lots of support to lose weight. Like my very own supporter in my corner! I do go to the gym but have a problem with serving sizes and comfort eating. I have already lost 2 kg in the last two weeks- but the truth will tell when i go past the 6 kg mark. REally looking forward to fitting into clothes off the rack!
keeping on the weight can be an emotional tie. i have done lots of counselling in the last 12 months to try and deal with any angst i have been holding-and now i finally feel positive. this idea may not suit everyone, but i do feel like i need some one to hold my hand personally and help me through this. it is like kicking an addiction.
And don't be too hard on yourselves - when you are ready, you will take control and lose the weight. until then it is important to exercise and try and eat healthily

I hope you are enjoying the new house and new area . I hope we do catch up with each other when you are down my way . I am happy to give you my phone number if you want ,in a private message .

I am only a few kg over my ideal weight but I am an emotional eater too . I am also lazy about cooking proper meals at times and tend to eat whatever's easy . I need a chef ! My husband likes cooking but if I eat too much of his cooking I put on weight . He's not into a variety of veges and likes a bit more fried food .

My only exercise is 2 ,sometimes 3 line dance classes a week ,not enough . Some days are better than others . Still,I'm not giving up .

jules68
I have always been trim as pre cancer I was active I noticed that when I was in hospital my wife and daughter visited daily and had there meals at the hospital they started eating emotionally as what was happening to me was uncertain when i got home it was hard to get back to eating normally for them both I had my eyes opened as I always thought you just pushed the plate away and exercised but I found that emotional and overeating is very complicated the brain is incredible capable of causing huge eating problems and if you are suffering depression say no more my daughter has joined a gym and walks she is eating healthier and has more energy I am called the food nazi as I remind everyone of the need to eat healthy including my wife I get a bit of flack and we banter about it the kilos is slowly coming off my daughter which I remind her thats the right way,my poor wife has had 2 knee replacements one of which was done three times so exercising is hard for her but we all try and support each other so I have an Idea whatJules68 and Silly are going through so ladies keep plugging away and do not be to hard on yourselves if at first you don't succeed try and try again they have reduced the size of the plates which has helped so good luck in your quest to lose kilos
kj