It’s been months since I’ve been here, and it’s the same old reason — too busy. I mean well, but time is flying by and, quite frankly, I’ve been spending much of it on myself and not on things relating to others. This year — since Samhain ’13 — has been an introspective one. Not by conscious choice, but it seems to be working out that way.
It has been an incredible 10 days. I am already experiencing dramatic — POSITIVE — changes; likely due to no longer taking Tamoxifen.
No weight loss, but that wasn’t the primary issue.
This weekend we took my measurements, because losing the fat all over is far more important to me than just losing weight. I’ll check my weight weekly, but only as a data point. What will be very exciting for me is a belly reduction of several inches.
I am a big believer in HAES (Health at Every Size) and my goals are focused of overall fitness and improvement. And stopping the Big T might just be the thing I’ve needed for several years now.
Some interesting facts about Tamoxifen and breast cancer recurrence:
In 2009
211,731 women were diagnosed w/ BC
40,676 died
In 2011 (approx)
230,480 diagnosed
39,520 died
In 2012 (approx)
232,340 diagnosed
39,620 died
Y’all know I’ve been struggling with my health ever since cancer came into my life in late 2009. Surgery, chemo, and then Tamoxifen have all played a role in making me feel awful in a number of different ways.
The other night my Muay Thai instructor (John Staab) made a joke about the end of the world coming. I replied that if it did, I’d at least be in the best health of my life. And that got me thinking.
This week . . .
Sunday: Walked a mile in the morning (also: does housecleaning count?)
Monday: Walked a mile in the morning
Tuesday: Muay Thai — 45 mins
Wednesday: Pilates (reformer) — 60 mins
Thursday: nothing 🙁
Friday: Walked a mile in the morning
Saturday: Walked a mile in the morning; Muay Thai, 45 mins
My good friend Jeremy is participating in the Morning Mile Challenge. For a variety of reasons, I am not (notably, I need every bit of sleep, and I’m on the road at 5:30am to get to work). But I like the idea, and J. is on board with it as well. So on the days I am not already working out, we walk a mile with Sasha in the morning.
I’m also going to try posting it here, in the public eye, to see if that will help keep me on track with my plans.
This week . . .
Sunday: climbed a ramp and lots of stairs for an estimated 30 mins of cardio; also walked a mile in the morning
Monday: Walked a mile in the morning
Tuesday: Muay Thai — 30 mns (I was very tired, and we were both distracted so although I spent an hour there, I was not going at it the whole time.)
Wednesday: Pilates (reformer) — 60 mins
Thursday: nothing 🙁
Friday: Walked a mile in the morning
Satuday: Walked 1/2 a mile in the morning (took a spill and potetnially pulled a muscle in my leg — took it easy the rest of the day)
You hear it all the time, from everyone you know: “I’m so stressed.” “I feel overwhelmed.” “I can’t get caught up.” Stress is the defining characteristic of the 21st century, and sometimes it seems impossible to manage, which creates more stress — I call it the negative feedback loop of DOOM. When we are stressed we usually feel helpless and out of control of our life.
Do not despair! There are simple things we can do to break the feedback loop of doom and reduce the stress — even dissipate it completely.
I just finished my first Muay Thai class in six weeks. I did great — apparently I didn’t lose any conditioning nor forgot the moves I’d already learned.
I will now celebrate with an ice cream sundae. (NOT!!!)
Seriously: I am damn proud of myself. (Not a statement said lightly.)
A few years back I was a subscriber to O Magazine, Oprah’s monthly feel-good product. There was usually one item each month I was glad I found, an article, recipe, or piece of advice I could use. After a couple of years I realized that one item a month wasn’t worth the subscription, so I cancelled it.