Time is an illusion, I know this. But it’s a powerful illusion, especially when I look up from ‘messing around’ on my desk and it’s after 2pm.
For many people this weekend is a holiday. Not for me. I’ll be in the office on Monday, working on a project that has a hard deadline and a lot of production yet to be done. Mostly because its a big, long report, and several things need a close attention to detail. To give you an idea: I worked 60+ hours last week and nearly 50 the week prior.This week will be 40 hours, easily.
So I’ll be taking my holiday on Friday, not Monday. At least, I hope I will. (It depends on the hours I work.) So, I’m still not posting much, but things are doing well.
Briefly: I saw my surgeon on Friday morning and he gave me the A-ok! to start exercising. So I’m planning to go to yoga classes on M & W nights. I’d like to jump right in to aqua aerobic classes on T, Th, & S nights, but I’m a little afraid. I mean, I’ve done nothing but walk for months now. I just want to MOVE.
Scary news, but not unexpected: I took a cholesterol test last week and my #s are climbing. I was *just* over the border a 1+ ago, now I’m definitely over the border on all levels. It’s still fixable, and totally understandable given the STRESS my life has had for the last few months. But its another warning sign.
My (short term) goal is to lose 10% of my current weight by the end of the summer. That should have the added benefit of reducing my #s to near-acceptable or acceptable levels. Longer term, I plan to lose a total of 20% of my current weight in 2010. Eating a bit better and adding exercise will take care of most of this. I don’t have a lot of crap in my diet, I just have a lot of cheese, eggs, and meat coupled with a lack of exercise.
Quitting smoking did NOT help my weight. I haven’t gained any, but I haven’t lost as much as I might have expected from the walking . . .what with sudden cravings for brownies. The sugar cravings will subside and I’ll be back to my usual lack of desire for sweets.
Of course, ALL plans are entirely subject to change after March 3rd.
I’ve never known anyone to not lose weight while on chemo. I think it’s inevitable. I suspect you’ll just have to focus on choosing the right foods, and then getting exercise when you can.
For me, my lipid levels are beautiful when I eat plenty of meat, cheese, and eggs but keep the simple carbs and processed foods to a minimum. I probably wouldn’t have discovered that if I hadn’t been terrified about losing too much weight while on chemo. I spent a lot of time eating the most calorie-dense foods I could, and I was shocked to see how well my body reacted to the higher-fat diet (not what doctors were recommending for diabetics at high risk of heart disease). Your body may react completely differently though. Best of luck to you in finding whatever works for you.
I’m really glad you share your experiences with me, even if we’ll be doing different therapies.
I’ve been such an outlier throughout this experience, I’m more than half convinced I’ll *gain* weight through chemo. In general, diet-wise, my downfall is a lack of fruit and veg in my daily regimen. So, I work on that, and am starting with gentle exercise . . . the idea being to be able to say “but didn’t the breathing/ stretching part feel good? let’s try that.” Even when I’m not feeling well.
I’m getting much better at self-care.
The weight issue will take time, but you are better off for it and your body is going to continue to benefit from not smoking. I know this having quit about 12 years ago. Keep your resolve and get through the current medical matters.
The walking is part of this for me too. Now slowly start saying no to stuff with refined sugars. Go ahead and enjoy more salads and fruits. I have a few fruits I really like (I love to buy blueberries, freeze them and eat them frozen, long story), and I make sure they are a big part of what I snack on.
All I can say is that I’ve dropped a couple of inches off the waist. It could go back on easily so I need to stick to me healthy habits.