We have been on the screening, screening, screening trip for a long time. Everyone is up on the controversy about mammograms at 40 or 50 and MRIs as a screening tool. We also are all up in arms every time the FDA changes a ruling on a cancer drug - is Avastin really helping breast cancer patients? But aren't we forgetting one teeny, tiny thing?
Prevention is important too. We all know the basics - eat your vegetables, don't get fat, be sure to exercise, don't smoke, don't drink, blah, blah, blah. But do we do that most of the time? Yesterday, being Thanksgiving doesn't count, in terms of taking care of ourselves. It was a holiday. We are not perfect people and we are allowed to overindulge once in a while in all the bad things - fatty foods, buttery sauces, gravy, ice cream, pie, cheese, wine, etc. But we can't do this every day. We need to be good most days. This means no fast food, nothing greasy, no big restaurant meals, etc.And we need to get our exercise.
There has been so much talk about research and screening and treatment but we also need to remember the bigger picture. Cancer has risk factors that you can reduce, even though we can't eliminate them, by taking care of ourselves. I think I have overlooked this as well until I was reminded by this article that I read this morning. As we live in a society with ever increasing waist lines, we need to remember that with increased weight comes increased risk of ailments - not just diabetes but also cancer and more.
So now that we have started to digest our big meals from yesterday, we need to get back on track and eat healthy, get moving, and think prevention.
Showing posts with label exercises. Show all posts
Showing posts with label exercises. Show all posts
Friday, November 25, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
The weighty question
We are a fat focused society. Do not deny this. We complain about the whole range of the issue - from the diabetes and obesity epidemics all the way to the poor body image rail thin models give us. Diet and weight have been linked to cancer. We are supposed to develop good habits to control our weight.
We weigh ourselves, compute our BMI (what ever it really signifies), diet, eat or vegetables, try to get more fiber, and exercise, exercise, exercise. We are focused on fat. We are trained to believe fat is EVIL and causes our demise. (On candy filled Halloween I choose to blog about fat.) Furthermore we need to eat 'right' as well. We are not supposed to eat the tasty things, only the 'good' things. I believe too much cardboard consumed leads to crabby people.
They tell us that we need to eat right to prevent cancer, diabetes, other ailments, and essentially delay our expiration dates. They tell us to exercise and get our heart rate up 3 hours a week - or what ever the latest recommendation is. They tell us to weigh ourselves regularly and keep a food journal. They tell us not to weigh ourselves daily and keep a food journal. (I tried keeping a food journal - it worked for about six hours.)
With all my medical misadventures in the past few years, it is not unthinkable that my scale has reached an epic level never seen before when related to my body. In all my appointments accompanied by my husband, I had one rule - he was not allowed to know what the scale said. I tried eating right (and what does that mean besides more vegetables and less chocolate?). I went to a nutritionist who told me that I needed to eat tiny bits of food and expect to lose weight very SLOWLY. I was not encouraged.
Last winter I took drastic measures and joined a gym which gave me a fitness plan. I had belonged to another gym for nearly ten years. I knew how to use the treadmill usually without pain. I read the little diagrams on the machines and tried to figure out how to use them but usually ended up with back pain. I decided I needed professional help.
I went to the new gym with optimism. It wasn't the best gym for me. The old gym was a five minute walk - past a bakery, Chinese restaurant, two pizza places and an ice cream shop - but it was very close to home so I never had the excuse that it was out of the way. The new gym is a good ten minute drive - more when its school bus time.
At my first visit to the new gym, they actually listened to my list of ailments without fainting with shock. I have just a few limitations - no treadmill because it bounces, no twisting my back, no lifting more than 15 lbs ever, and then bad back, bad ankle, bad knees, tennis elbow remnants and lymphedema arm. They actually gave me an exercise plan and showed me how to use the machines. They have the good machines - ellipiticals and bikes with back support, hydraulic machines where you fight resistance instead of gravity. I usually do get there three times a week.
I even get three month check ups to help tweak my exercises. I was overjoyed that the first one showed 11 lbs missing from my body - I hadn't missed them. My next check up showed another 3 lbs missing. I now watch the scale go down slowly. Every so often it the scale ticks down another pound. I anticipate another year of weight loss at this rate and think I might have joined the gym for life. But the scale is going in the right direction so I am happy. And I plan on having my own little candy bar stash after tonight's trick or treating and see nothing wrong with it.
I am not aiming for a perfect weight and couldn't care less what my BMI is (because I really don't understand what it means). I will eat what I want and exercise regularly. Its a good thing I prefer lots of vegetables and fruits along with my candy bar stash. And no one will ever know what I weigh other than the doctor's office and my scale.
We weigh ourselves, compute our BMI (what ever it really signifies), diet, eat or vegetables, try to get more fiber, and exercise, exercise, exercise. We are focused on fat. We are trained to believe fat is EVIL and causes our demise. (On candy filled Halloween I choose to blog about fat.) Furthermore we need to eat 'right' as well. We are not supposed to eat the tasty things, only the 'good' things. I believe too much cardboard consumed leads to crabby people.
They tell us that we need to eat right to prevent cancer, diabetes, other ailments, and essentially delay our expiration dates. They tell us to exercise and get our heart rate up 3 hours a week - or what ever the latest recommendation is. They tell us to weigh ourselves regularly and keep a food journal. They tell us not to weigh ourselves daily and keep a food journal. (I tried keeping a food journal - it worked for about six hours.)
With all my medical misadventures in the past few years, it is not unthinkable that my scale has reached an epic level never seen before when related to my body. In all my appointments accompanied by my husband, I had one rule - he was not allowed to know what the scale said. I tried eating right (and what does that mean besides more vegetables and less chocolate?). I went to a nutritionist who told me that I needed to eat tiny bits of food and expect to lose weight very SLOWLY. I was not encouraged.
Last winter I took drastic measures and joined a gym which gave me a fitness plan. I had belonged to another gym for nearly ten years. I knew how to use the treadmill usually without pain. I read the little diagrams on the machines and tried to figure out how to use them but usually ended up with back pain. I decided I needed professional help.
I went to the new gym with optimism. It wasn't the best gym for me. The old gym was a five minute walk - past a bakery, Chinese restaurant, two pizza places and an ice cream shop - but it was very close to home so I never had the excuse that it was out of the way. The new gym is a good ten minute drive - more when its school bus time.
At my first visit to the new gym, they actually listened to my list of ailments without fainting with shock. I have just a few limitations - no treadmill because it bounces, no twisting my back, no lifting more than 15 lbs ever, and then bad back, bad ankle, bad knees, tennis elbow remnants and lymphedema arm. They actually gave me an exercise plan and showed me how to use the machines. They have the good machines - ellipiticals and bikes with back support, hydraulic machines where you fight resistance instead of gravity. I usually do get there three times a week.
I even get three month check ups to help tweak my exercises. I was overjoyed that the first one showed 11 lbs missing from my body - I hadn't missed them. My next check up showed another 3 lbs missing. I now watch the scale go down slowly. Every so often it the scale ticks down another pound. I anticipate another year of weight loss at this rate and think I might have joined the gym for life. But the scale is going in the right direction so I am happy. And I plan on having my own little candy bar stash after tonight's trick or treating and see nothing wrong with it.
I am not aiming for a perfect weight and couldn't care less what my BMI is (because I really don't understand what it means). I will eat what I want and exercise regularly. Its a good thing I prefer lots of vegetables and fruits along with my candy bar stash. And no one will ever know what I weigh other than the doctor's office and my scale.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Reasons to enjoy flabbiness
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It turns out that being thin is only one factor that contributes to healthiness. And just because you are thin, doesn't mean you are healthy. No matter what you weigh, the important thing is that if you exercise regularly - 30 minutes/day - and eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
Today I am on the healthy bandwagon. I have a breakfast meeting and then I will go to the gym, go to two more meetings, and stop at the farmer's market on my way home. I did not exercise yesterday nor did I eat right. I had nachos and a glass of wine for dinner while I caught up with an old friend. But I had a salad for lunch so some how those should cancel the other out.
Yes I am trying to lose weight but aging, post chemo, post hysterectomy it gets harder and harder. But the scale is going in the right direction (but seems to have gotten stuck at one number for a while now which is why I had a salad for lunch yesterday). I do go to the gym three times a week and one day a week I try to go for a long walk with a friend.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Another reason to exercise
Perhaps I was actually doing something right. Before and during treatment, and even for a while after, I went for a daily walk. During treatment, I would drag my body outdoors to get some fresh air and exercise for a 30-45 minute walk. The only days I didn't go for a walk was when I was hospitalized. I may have been walking slower than before diagnosis, but I was moving.
I was always encouraged to do so by the doctors and nurses. Other people in treatment would look at me like I grew two heads - you mean you didn't stay home and take a nap? At the time I was doing it because it was part of my daily routine to go for a walk and cancer wasn't going to upset my routines - even if it screwed up the rest of my life. In addition, it helped with that lovely treatment side effect - constipation - that they never told you about.
Now, perhaps it looks like I was doing something right after all - they (the omnipresent) are recommending that exercise be part of cancer treatment. Patients should no longer be told to take it easy. Of course there is disagreement about how much benefit there is - whether it is a 40% risk reduction for a recurrence for breast cancer people or less - but they all agree exercise is good.
I admit I no longer go for a daily walk. The reason is a daily walk wasn't reducing my personal flabbiness level enough. Last winter I took a Pink Program exercise class offered at the local Y for the ginormous price of free for breast cancer people. Then I decided I needed more and joined a gym run by physical therapists where I get a personalized exercise program that takes into account all my personal health issues and limitations, is populated with an average age of 70, and oxygen tanks, walkers, and wheelchairs abound. When I go there three times a week, I do 40 minutes of cardio, followed by two sets of 15 of six exercises on machines, followed by more abuse with weights, etc and leave a sweating ball of exhausting after about 1.25 hours. My personal flabbiness level is being impacted by this so I am happy.
And now it looks like for once in my life I am doing something right. Today, we are back from a vacation where we managed to eat vast quantities of food with my husband's relatives and I am going to the gym after I face the loads of laundry that have piled up.
I was always encouraged to do so by the doctors and nurses. Other people in treatment would look at me like I grew two heads - you mean you didn't stay home and take a nap? At the time I was doing it because it was part of my daily routine to go for a walk and cancer wasn't going to upset my routines - even if it screwed up the rest of my life. In addition, it helped with that lovely treatment side effect - constipation - that they never told you about.
Now, perhaps it looks like I was doing something right after all - they (the omnipresent) are recommending that exercise be part of cancer treatment. Patients should no longer be told to take it easy. Of course there is disagreement about how much benefit there is - whether it is a 40% risk reduction for a recurrence for breast cancer people or less - but they all agree exercise is good.
I admit I no longer go for a daily walk. The reason is a daily walk wasn't reducing my personal flabbiness level enough. Last winter I took a Pink Program exercise class offered at the local Y for the ginormous price of free for breast cancer people. Then I decided I needed more and joined a gym run by physical therapists where I get a personalized exercise program that takes into account all my personal health issues and limitations, is populated with an average age of 70, and oxygen tanks, walkers, and wheelchairs abound. When I go there three times a week, I do 40 minutes of cardio, followed by two sets of 15 of six exercises on machines, followed by more abuse with weights, etc and leave a sweating ball of exhausting after about 1.25 hours. My personal flabbiness level is being impacted by this so I am happy.
And now it looks like for once in my life I am doing something right. Today, we are back from a vacation where we managed to eat vast quantities of food with my husband's relatives and I am going to the gym after I face the loads of laundry that have piled up.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Life with pain... without the drugs
I take five prescriptions daily. One for thyroid, one for post breast cancer, one for back pain, one for inflammation related to back pain, and one for my sanity. I have other prescriptions in cases of extreme pain or loss of sanity. I still get a lot of pain.
Sometimes I wonder what if I stopped taking them all - well not the thyroid one or the breast cancer one or the sanity one... But the back pain and inflammation ones. I mean what if my pill supplies ran out and they didn't make them any more, where would I be? I would prefer not to go to the doctor or to take any medications. Before all this, I was an advil every few months kind of person.
I was interested to read this article about living with pain without drugs.
The article recomends five things instead of medicaitons:
1. Exercise - but I already exercise. I make it a point to keep moving.
2. Alternative therapies - like acupuncture.. I already do that too.
3. Sleep - one of my favorite past times. Believe me I make a point of getting my beauty rest (I need it!).
4. Supplements - I already take them - fish oil, vitamin B, etc
5. Heat and ice - ice is a wonderful thing after the gym. Heat is a wonderful thing for those other pains.
Okay, I need more suggestions. I already do these. So I guess I have to stick to the drugs for now.
Sometimes I wonder what if I stopped taking them all - well not the thyroid one or the breast cancer one or the sanity one... But the back pain and inflammation ones. I mean what if my pill supplies ran out and they didn't make them any more, where would I be? I would prefer not to go to the doctor or to take any medications. Before all this, I was an advil every few months kind of person.
I was interested to read this article about living with pain without drugs.
The article recomends five things instead of medicaitons:
1. Exercise - but I already exercise. I make it a point to keep moving.
2. Alternative therapies - like acupuncture.. I already do that too.
3. Sleep - one of my favorite past times. Believe me I make a point of getting my beauty rest (I need it!).
4. Supplements - I already take them - fish oil, vitamin B, etc
5. Heat and ice - ice is a wonderful thing after the gym. Heat is a wonderful thing for those other pains.
Okay, I need more suggestions. I already do these. So I guess I have to stick to the drugs for now.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
I am lacking inspiration this morning
I can't come up with anything to write about today. Its the third damp and cold rainy day in a row and I believe we have four more to come. Maybe I need some warm weather and sunshine? I don't know. I'm tired, I didn't sleep well (again). I am trying to motivate to go to the gym so maybe I'll get nice and warm and partially wake up. But that would require getting my butt out of bed, where I am comfy.
Today I will not spend a lot of time dealing with my health other than pretending I am coordinated enough to do the exercises from my physical therapist. I got some new ones yesterday and asked her which ones I should be doing of the dozens she has previously given me.
The new exercises I have are these three:
- Stand on my left leg, holding on to something with my left hand (so I don't fall on my face), and bend over and touch my left toe with my right hand and raise my right leg straight behind me. Do two sets of 12.
- Sit on a table and attach a weighted band with a 7.5 pound weight to my left ankle and pull my foot back as far as I can. Do two sets of 12.
- Single leg bridges. You know what a regular bridge is where you lie on your back with your feet flat, knees bent and raise your hips. Well try it on one leg, with the other leg out straight. Do two sets of 12.
And do this twice a day. I can't wait. I have to figure out how to do the one with the weighted band at home since I am not going to the gym twice a day.
Now I am unmotivated to go to the gym. I could opt for plan B and do some work from home and then go to the gym. I'll figure it out but maybe start with breakfast first.
Today I will not spend a lot of time dealing with my health other than pretending I am coordinated enough to do the exercises from my physical therapist. I got some new ones yesterday and asked her which ones I should be doing of the dozens she has previously given me.
The new exercises I have are these three:
- Stand on my left leg, holding on to something with my left hand (so I don't fall on my face), and bend over and touch my left toe with my right hand and raise my right leg straight behind me. Do two sets of 12.
- Sit on a table and attach a weighted band with a 7.5 pound weight to my left ankle and pull my foot back as far as I can. Do two sets of 12.
- Single leg bridges. You know what a regular bridge is where you lie on your back with your feet flat, knees bent and raise your hips. Well try it on one leg, with the other leg out straight. Do two sets of 12.
And do this twice a day. I can't wait. I have to figure out how to do the one with the weighted band at home since I am not going to the gym twice a day.
Now I am unmotivated to go to the gym. I could opt for plan B and do some work from home and then go to the gym. I'll figure it out but maybe start with breakfast first.
Monday, February 14, 2011
A coordination test
Some years back, I read some study (because there are billions of them and if you believe one, another will come along to refute it) on the benefits of walking and talking to improve health and destress. But you have to meet a few requirements:
- You have to have someone to go for a walk with you.
- You have to be able to talk
- You have to be able to talk and walk at the same time
- You have to have a place to go for a walk.
The study I saw was on patients or caregivers of a bunch of sick people. There was one group who walked regularly, another who talked to their friends about their issues, and the third group who talked to their friends while they walked together. The third group was by far the healthiest. The idea was that while getting some exercise while they verbalized their stresses provided both a physical relaxation and a mental stress relief. (As far as I know, they did not test a group of people on their skills in walking and talking and chewing gum because that might have biased the sample to include only coordinated people.)
I prove my point in that there was just a NEW study on 'Healing through storytelling' where people with high blood pressure managed to reduce their blood pressure numbers just through story telling. So my question is what if they did storytelling and walking?
I don't do storytelling, I blog and then go for a walk or the gym. I am hoping for the same result - destress, reduced flab, lower blood pressure. I won't add chewing gum because I am not that coordinated.
- You have to have someone to go for a walk with you.
- You have to be able to talk
- You have to be able to talk and walk at the same time
- You have to have a place to go for a walk.
The study I saw was on patients or caregivers of a bunch of sick people. There was one group who walked regularly, another who talked to their friends about their issues, and the third group who talked to their friends while they walked together. The third group was by far the healthiest. The idea was that while getting some exercise while they verbalized their stresses provided both a physical relaxation and a mental stress relief. (As far as I know, they did not test a group of people on their skills in walking and talking and chewing gum because that might have biased the sample to include only coordinated people.)
I prove my point in that there was just a NEW study on 'Healing through storytelling' where people with high blood pressure managed to reduce their blood pressure numbers just through story telling. So my question is what if they did storytelling and walking?
I don't do storytelling, I blog and then go for a walk or the gym. I am hoping for the same result - destress, reduced flab, lower blood pressure. I won't add chewing gum because I am not that coordinated.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Healthy weight loss
As once again, the battle of the bulge sets in to our house hold, I am attempting to engage my husband in a bet - to see which of us can lose the same percentage of body weight first. He has declined. Wimp. I am determined to lose weight once again.
This time I am going to do it. Not only am I focusing on a watching what I eat but have joined a gym where a physical therapist is going to work with an exercise person (I believe the term the gym uses is 'exercisologist') to come up with a plan for me which will then be updated every three months. I believe this strategy is going to be a tad more effective than me going to the gym and looking at the little pictures on the sides of the machines and figuring out how I think I should use them.
Yesterday I met with the physical therapist. She wanted to see how fit I was or wasn't. First we talked about all my minor issues - recovering from left ankle sprain, right tennis elbow, stiff left shoulder from breast cancer surgeries, lymphedema issues in my left arm, and my partially torn right ACL from 10 years ago. She said they weren't really minor.
Then I said well there is my little back issue which is my real problem. She had me balance on one foot, touch my toes, check my reflexes, test my flexibility, and discuss my back. The back pain doctor said permanent 20 lb weight limit, no treadmill, and no twisting of my back, ever.
Thanks to my three month exercise class I feel much better than in the past and can actually touch my toes, etc. But then she had me lie on my back and pulled on my toes. That was a VERY bad thing. When the pain subsided, we decided I wouldn't do that ever again. We did come up with a list of exercises she thinks I can do - which would be nice. I think I did freak her out a little as she told me that if I ever feel pain while I am there I should tell them immediately.
The gym is actually very nice with wood lockers that come with keys. It is very quiet and nice with big flat screen televisions hanging from the ceiling. I am probably the youngest person there - the approaching 80 set was well represented. I plan on going three times a week and eat like a rabbit for a while. No actually I want to alter my eating habits and work out regularly and get back into my former wardrobe for my inner size 8 self that is screaming to get out.
I am aiming for a healthy weight loss through proper eating and coached workouts. I am not aiming for a program like Biggest Loser where you are screamed at on the show. I don't think that show promotes healthy weight loss. It promotes a crash diet which is rewarded publicly. I think my weight will be in private that will be rewarded with something I will appreciate for years to come. But will highlight the skinnier me. Now I just have to figure out how to get my husband to diet without him knowing it so we both lose weight.
This time I am going to do it. Not only am I focusing on a watching what I eat but have joined a gym where a physical therapist is going to work with an exercise person (I believe the term the gym uses is 'exercisologist') to come up with a plan for me which will then be updated every three months. I believe this strategy is going to be a tad more effective than me going to the gym and looking at the little pictures on the sides of the machines and figuring out how I think I should use them.
Yesterday I met with the physical therapist. She wanted to see how fit I was or wasn't. First we talked about all my minor issues - recovering from left ankle sprain, right tennis elbow, stiff left shoulder from breast cancer surgeries, lymphedema issues in my left arm, and my partially torn right ACL from 10 years ago. She said they weren't really minor.
Then I said well there is my little back issue which is my real problem. She had me balance on one foot, touch my toes, check my reflexes, test my flexibility, and discuss my back. The back pain doctor said permanent 20 lb weight limit, no treadmill, and no twisting of my back, ever.
Thanks to my three month exercise class I feel much better than in the past and can actually touch my toes, etc. But then she had me lie on my back and pulled on my toes. That was a VERY bad thing. When the pain subsided, we decided I wouldn't do that ever again. We did come up with a list of exercises she thinks I can do - which would be nice. I think I did freak her out a little as she told me that if I ever feel pain while I am there I should tell them immediately.
The gym is actually very nice with wood lockers that come with keys. It is very quiet and nice with big flat screen televisions hanging from the ceiling. I am probably the youngest person there - the approaching 80 set was well represented. I plan on going three times a week and eat like a rabbit for a while. No actually I want to alter my eating habits and work out regularly and get back into my former wardrobe for my inner size 8 self that is screaming to get out.
I am aiming for a healthy weight loss through proper eating and coached workouts. I am not aiming for a program like Biggest Loser where you are screamed at on the show. I don't think that show promotes healthy weight loss. It promotes a crash diet which is rewarded publicly. I think my weight will be in private that will be rewarded with something I will appreciate for years to come. But will highlight the skinnier me. Now I just have to figure out how to get my husband to diet without him knowing it so we both lose weight.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Getting in shape
This year I wanted to get in shape. I think I wanted to do this each year for the past several years. As we approach the end of January, I am still working on getting in shape. (Yes I know you don't wake up one day 'in shape' but you have to keep working at it.) And I am not happy to report that the 25 lbs that I have been working on getting rid of are still staying attached to me.
Well apparently there are several things I need to take into account.
1. I have to change what I eat - I am trying to do this. More fruit, more vegetables, and lean protein. I think I eat pretty well actually.
2. My workout isn't fun. Well actually it is. I used to try to walk every day. Now with my schedule and the snow on the ground, I have been going to my exercise class twice a week where I am the only student and the instructor and I chat through the entire class. I also walk more with other people instead of being out on my own.
3. I am only doing cardio - not true. See note about class above.
4. My goal is unrealistic - to lose 25 lbs, be able to bend without pain, and to have Michelle Obama's toned arms? Well I also want to be taller, thinner and younger...
So, maybe that article isn't what's wrong with my workout plan. Then I found this list of the 51 fastest fat burners. This isn't going to work for me either. I don't have the coordination or the ability for a lot of these. My physical limitations go into play here.
Because I can't get the flab to leave my body with my current efforts, I have so many limitations, and I have learned from my exercise class that some one on one with a professional might help me. I am taking the drastic results of joining an expensive gym.
I have belonged to the local Gold's Gym for the past ten years and used it off and on depending on my work schedule, health, etc. I haven't been there since last March when a session of treadmill for ten minutes and trials on three different bicycles and two ellipticals resulted in back pain and nothing else. I will cancel that membership today and stop by the new gym and join it on Monday.
This new gym is my last resort in getting in shape. If this doesn't work, I will resign myself to flabbiness for life. The secret to this gym is it is owned by three physical therapists. When you join the gym you get a one hour session for full evaluation and then you sit down with a physical therapist and they set up a custom exercise plan for you. Then every three months they update your plan.
I stopped by once just after I sprained my ankle and was rejected by them and told to come back when my ankle was healed. Its almost finally done. I think one more cortisone injection in March and I am finally done. A few weeks ago, I got some weights from a woman who has MS and recommended the gym for me. Then I stopped by the gym this week and two of the members recommended the gym to me as well.
Maybe I'll be able to post again in a few weeks that I am finally losing more weight and Michelle Obama's toned arms are in my future.
Well apparently there are several things I need to take into account.
1. I have to change what I eat - I am trying to do this. More fruit, more vegetables, and lean protein. I think I eat pretty well actually.
2. My workout isn't fun. Well actually it is. I used to try to walk every day. Now with my schedule and the snow on the ground, I have been going to my exercise class twice a week where I am the only student and the instructor and I chat through the entire class. I also walk more with other people instead of being out on my own.
3. I am only doing cardio - not true. See note about class above.
4. My goal is unrealistic - to lose 25 lbs, be able to bend without pain, and to have Michelle Obama's toned arms? Well I also want to be taller, thinner and younger...
So, maybe that article isn't what's wrong with my workout plan. Then I found this list of the 51 fastest fat burners. This isn't going to work for me either. I don't have the coordination or the ability for a lot of these. My physical limitations go into play here.
Because I can't get the flab to leave my body with my current efforts, I have so many limitations, and I have learned from my exercise class that some one on one with a professional might help me. I am taking the drastic results of joining an expensive gym.
I have belonged to the local Gold's Gym for the past ten years and used it off and on depending on my work schedule, health, etc. I haven't been there since last March when a session of treadmill for ten minutes and trials on three different bicycles and two ellipticals resulted in back pain and nothing else. I will cancel that membership today and stop by the new gym and join it on Monday.
This new gym is my last resort in getting in shape. If this doesn't work, I will resign myself to flabbiness for life. The secret to this gym is it is owned by three physical therapists. When you join the gym you get a one hour session for full evaluation and then you sit down with a physical therapist and they set up a custom exercise plan for you. Then every three months they update your plan.
I stopped by once just after I sprained my ankle and was rejected by them and told to come back when my ankle was healed. Its almost finally done. I think one more cortisone injection in March and I am finally done. A few weeks ago, I got some weights from a woman who has MS and recommended the gym for me. Then I stopped by the gym this week and two of the members recommended the gym to me as well.
Maybe I'll be able to post again in a few weeks that I am finally losing more weight and Michelle Obama's toned arms are in my future.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Trying something new
I am trying something new in the unending fight to lose weight, feel (and look) younger, hurt less, and just be darn better. I joined my exercise program, a/k/a the Pink Program. I whined about it a few weeks ago when I had homework that I didn't do.
Now that I am a few weeks into it I feel better. I am hesitant to say much about how much better I feel so as not to jinx myself. I am definitely more flexible. I feel less stiff. This is good. Now if only the scale would go in the right direction a little faster I would be even happier.
One of the biggest advances I have felt is my back is having few flare ups of pain, until yesterday where it was VERY bad. I was in my pajamas and pink fuzzy slipper socks by 530 pm. That felt good. But every fifteen minutes or so I needed a mini massage by my husband. But I have drugs for that.
My tennis elbow is a bit better but I can tell you about repetitive strain in my life - chopping vegetables. This could tamper with my husband's eating habits. He might even have to help cook more often. But it should go away. I have too many other things that won't go away.
If I have to do the exercises from the Pink Program every day for the rest of my life to feel better I will. I was already doing lymphedema and back pain exercises but the PP exercises seem to be taking care of those areas in terms of resolving pain. But I still need to take all my (damn) pills. And go for walks.
Now that I am a few weeks into it I feel better. I am hesitant to say much about how much better I feel so as not to jinx myself. I am definitely more flexible. I feel less stiff. This is good. Now if only the scale would go in the right direction a little faster I would be even happier.
One of the biggest advances I have felt is my back is having few flare ups of pain, until yesterday where it was VERY bad. I was in my pajamas and pink fuzzy slipper socks by 530 pm. That felt good. But every fifteen minutes or so I needed a mini massage by my husband. But I have drugs for that.
My tennis elbow is a bit better but I can tell you about repetitive strain in my life - chopping vegetables. This could tamper with my husband's eating habits. He might even have to help cook more often. But it should go away. I have too many other things that won't go away.
If I have to do the exercises from the Pink Program every day for the rest of my life to feel better I will. I was already doing lymphedema and back pain exercises but the PP exercises seem to be taking care of those areas in terms of resolving pain. But I still need to take all my (damn) pills. And go for walks.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
I joined a workout class
I am really determined to lose weight and get in shape. I feel flabby. I don't feel flexible. And my size 8 wardrobe is calling me. I miss those clothes.
I joined a workout class. A local gym is offering a class, the Pink Program (but I don't have to wear pink), to those of us luck enough to have had breast cancer. So its not really free, but if you survived surgery/chemo/radiation and a complete loss of modesty as a result, you can take this class and regain your flexibility and fitness. According to the book that comes with the class, The Breast Cancer Survivor's Fitness Plan, you will 'reclaim health, regain strength, and live longer'. I don't know about all that but I will try it. Its a 12 week program.
I do admit I took the book out of the library once, racked up a lot of overdue fees and never read it. I am also supposed to be reading a chapter a week so it even comes with homework. And a medical release that I have to get signed by my doctor when I finally get the damn form.
The class started Monday and is on Mondays and Wednesdays. I went on Monday, missed yesterday and will miss next Monday because of previously scheduled business commitments but will go next Wednesday. The instructor said that is okay because the first two weeks are stretching only so if I just do the exercises regularly and I am the only participant so far. Yes, its a class of one. Which is kind of cool but have you ever done exercises while watching in a mirror with the instructor, who is probably a size 4...
I did the exercises in class on Monday. The instructor told me that I might be sore the day after. I thought, hah, I do my other exercises so I won't be sore. Hah is on me. Ow to my hips. Ow to my back. Ow, ow, ow. But I have been doing them every day and will continue to do so.
I have also been reading ahead at some of the exercises in the book. I won't be able to do any that involve twisting my back at all. But that wont be for weeks so I'll talk to the instructor before then.
But since the price of free to breast cancer people is really kind of high I do hope I get my money's worth and regain my inner size 8.
I joined a workout class. A local gym is offering a class, the Pink Program (but I don't have to wear pink), to those of us luck enough to have had breast cancer. So its not really free, but if you survived surgery/chemo/radiation and a complete loss of modesty as a result, you can take this class and regain your flexibility and fitness. According to the book that comes with the class, The Breast Cancer Survivor's Fitness Plan, you will 'reclaim health, regain strength, and live longer'. I don't know about all that but I will try it. Its a 12 week program.
I do admit I took the book out of the library once, racked up a lot of overdue fees and never read it. I am also supposed to be reading a chapter a week so it even comes with homework. And a medical release that I have to get signed by my doctor when I finally get the damn form.
The class started Monday and is on Mondays and Wednesdays. I went on Monday, missed yesterday and will miss next Monday because of previously scheduled business commitments but will go next Wednesday. The instructor said that is okay because the first two weeks are stretching only so if I just do the exercises regularly and I am the only participant so far. Yes, its a class of one. Which is kind of cool but have you ever done exercises while watching in a mirror with the instructor, who is probably a size 4...
I did the exercises in class on Monday. The instructor told me that I might be sore the day after. I thought, hah, I do my other exercises so I won't be sore. Hah is on me. Ow to my hips. Ow to my back. Ow, ow, ow. But I have been doing them every day and will continue to do so.
I have also been reading ahead at some of the exercises in the book. I won't be able to do any that involve twisting my back at all. But that wont be for weeks so I'll talk to the instructor before then.
But since the price of free to breast cancer people is really kind of high I do hope I get my money's worth and regain my inner size 8.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Exercise during treatment - its a yes.
I take a daily walk, I think I might have mentioned it a time or two. I started more than ten years ago and I didn't stop during treatment. I went for a walk daily. I didn't skip a day just because it was treatment day or I felt crappy. Maybe my walks got shorter and slower some days but I did get out there. Everyone encouraged me to do this. I walk on the treadmill at the gym if the weather is really bad. To skip a walk, I had to be hospitalized and then I would get up and walk around the halls (which is kind of depressing to walk in hospitals and see all the sick people).
Anyway, its nice to see some thing in the mainstream media about the importance of exercise during cancer treatment. I am currently walking 6 days a week.
Its Monday morning. I am eating oatmeal. We decided that one day a week we should have oatmeal so Monday mornings=oatmeal here. Its week 2 of this plan and its still working. I also need to work from home today and go for a walk (now there's a surprise). I also need to do some weeding. My back really does not appreciate weeding. I am attempting to weed in short stints of 20 minutes a day to stay ahead
of them but so far the weeds are winning. I know I have other things to do today but I can't remember what they are. Perhaps its time to start a list.
Anyway, its nice to see some thing in the mainstream media about the importance of exercise during cancer treatment. I am currently walking 6 days a week.
Its Monday morning. I am eating oatmeal. We decided that one day a week we should have oatmeal so Monday mornings=oatmeal here. Its week 2 of this plan and its still working. I also need to work from home today and go for a walk (now there's a surprise). I also need to do some weeding. My back really does not appreciate weeding. I am attempting to weed in short stints of 20 minutes a day to stay ahead
of them but so far the weeds are winning. I know I have other things to do today but I can't remember what they are. Perhaps its time to start a list.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Who is this twit? Part II
A friend of mine posted this yesterday and I can't believe there are more twits in this world (and I use the term twit loosely).
I don't mind the article. I think it does have a point. I think its a badly written article. Maybe badly is the wrong word but my inner marketing writer thinks it could have been phrased with a bit more socially correctness. Here is the conclusion:
'“This study suggests that being physically active may also help reduce the risk and that something as simple and cheap as doing the housework can help.”
He recommend that men and women take regular exercise and maintain a healthy body weight to help prevent cancer.'
Their point should really be regular exercise, where you get up and get moving regularly, as opposed to just short bursts of exercise when you go to the gym, is what is more important. The only time men are mentioned in the article is in this last sentence when it talks about regular exercise and healthy body weight. I don't consider an article on women doing more housework to be enlightening.
By the way, I do exercise and also do housework and I still got cancer. Explain that one. Maybe my dust bunnies will remain cancer free.
I don't mind the article. I think it does have a point. I think its a badly written article. Maybe badly is the wrong word but my inner marketing writer thinks it could have been phrased with a bit more socially correctness. Here is the conclusion:
'“This study suggests that being physically active may also help reduce the risk and that something as simple and cheap as doing the housework can help.”
He recommend that men and women take regular exercise and maintain a healthy body weight to help prevent cancer.'
Their point should really be regular exercise, where you get up and get moving regularly, as opposed to just short bursts of exercise when you go to the gym, is what is more important. The only time men are mentioned in the article is in this last sentence when it talks about regular exercise and healthy body weight. I don't consider an article on women doing more housework to be enlightening.
By the way, I do exercise and also do housework and I still got cancer. Explain that one. Maybe my dust bunnies will remain cancer free.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Am I redundant?
Do I repeat myself? I think I do. I hope I don't but probably think I don't have enough different things to write about. I mean today I was going to write about an article in the New York Times about patients who want and receive unnecessary medical tests and are driving up costs. Then I realized I think I wrote about it a few months ago.
I can't write about my health because I did that yesterday. I can't whine about doctor appointments because I don't have any for two more days. I can whine about the weather. Because we have a flood watch (with National Guard mobilized) and I have to go drive in it. I can whine about idiot drivers (who drive on the interstate with their turn indicator on for miles and then decide to switch lanes without looking). I can whine about back pain, but then I always whine about it because basically it always hurts.
So for a change, I'll tell you about the cat. He is much better. The fur that was shaved off for his ultrasound has basically grown back. But he has turned into the pickiest eater on the planet. If he liked something yesterday, he will not like it today. He no longer likes treats, of course because I stocked up on all kinds. He no longer will eat his dry food, of course we have two open bags. But he will eat freshly cooked (only) chicken and canned tuna (for people, not cats). He won't eat food that is put on his tray where it belongs but eats only when his dish is in the middle of the kitchen floor. So I cheat and mix tuna with his cat food and he usually eats it. But since he ate it yesterday I assume he won't eat it today. Its a daily challenge but preferable to dealing with my medical issues.
I can't write about my health because I did that yesterday. I can't whine about doctor appointments because I don't have any for two more days. I can whine about the weather. Because we have a flood watch (with National Guard mobilized) and I have to go drive in it. I can whine about idiot drivers (who drive on the interstate with their turn indicator on for miles and then decide to switch lanes without looking). I can whine about back pain, but then I always whine about it because basically it always hurts.
So for a change, I'll tell you about the cat. He is much better. The fur that was shaved off for his ultrasound has basically grown back. But he has turned into the pickiest eater on the planet. If he liked something yesterday, he will not like it today. He no longer likes treats, of course because I stocked up on all kinds. He no longer will eat his dry food, of course we have two open bags. But he will eat freshly cooked (only) chicken and canned tuna (for people, not cats). He won't eat food that is put on his tray where it belongs but eats only when his dish is in the middle of the kitchen floor. So I cheat and mix tuna with his cat food and he usually eats it. But since he ate it yesterday I assume he won't eat it today. Its a daily challenge but preferable to dealing with my medical issues.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Exercises can be dangerous
Every day I get down on the floor and do my back exercises twice a day with a big exercise ball, then I do my arm exercises standing up, and then I stand on the balance board and balance disk and do my ankle exercises. Well, yesterday I seem to have been lacking that key trait that can be very helpful in life - coordination. As I was getting down on the floor to start my back exercises, I twisted and jolted my back simultaneously in a distinct lack of adeptness and my back gave a nasty jolt which continues to this moment. No I wasn't doing my exercises I was getting ready to do my exercises.
I have no idea what I did. I have pain meds. It is bearable with drugs. My thought is if it still continues Monday, I will call the doctor. No this is nothing to do with the injection I received on Thursday - that actually feels fine. This is a new, never before experienced pain, that is just nasty. This may lead to crankiness as well. In the meantime, I'm just going to take drugs and attempt to go about my day. I have already been informed that I am being whiney but that will just have to do for now.
Yesterday I also went to work, got my nails done, met a friend for a walk, and was supposed to go out to dinner with my parents. My father is recovering from his broken leg and is wheelchair bound. To go out for dinner, we need an able bodied person to put the wheelchair in and out of the car. This was going to be my husband but he ended up working until 10 pm. Grrr! Today I hope we can get out for a walk before it starts raining. I'm just going to take my drugs and ignore my back.
I have no idea what I did. I have pain meds. It is bearable with drugs. My thought is if it still continues Monday, I will call the doctor. No this is nothing to do with the injection I received on Thursday - that actually feels fine. This is a new, never before experienced pain, that is just nasty. This may lead to crankiness as well. In the meantime, I'm just going to take drugs and attempt to go about my day. I have already been informed that I am being whiney but that will just have to do for now.
Yesterday I also went to work, got my nails done, met a friend for a walk, and was supposed to go out to dinner with my parents. My father is recovering from his broken leg and is wheelchair bound. To go out for dinner, we need an able bodied person to put the wheelchair in and out of the car. This was going to be my husband but he ended up working until 10 pm. Grrr! Today I hope we can get out for a walk before it starts raining. I'm just going to take my drugs and ignore my back.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
An attempt to be less whiney
I was thinking (sorry I know I shouldn't) and reread my recent posts and decided that I have been rather whiney recently, possibly even more than normal, if that is possible. Today my goal (and my husband will cheer when he hears this) is to be less whiney.
Admittedly my life has had its ups and downs recently and I am attempting to deal in a sane manner. I am glad to say that my husband is clearly on the road to improvement, which is important because one of us needs to be healthy. But my health is still struggling. Again. My ankle is not happier. The physical therapist nurse I saw on Monday about my arm suggested I step up my exercises of my ankle to see about rehabbing it or just have the surgery and not wait because I really should be concerned about falling. Feel the cheery rays of sunshine bouncing off me at the idea of more surgery. And all these exercises are taking up too much of my time each day. (And I rebelled and didn't do any of my exercises last night - hah! Because I didn't feel like it! Hah!)
I spoke to the back doctor's office Thursday and yesterday. They refilled my meds for break through pain and then said they would be back in touch about scheduling another injection in my right SI joint. This will probably take a couple of weeks to schedule but that's okay. However the nurse told me that the doctor is running out of things he can do for me. Great. Thanks.
I am still waiting to hear from the physical therapist nurse about a lymphedema sleeve which means I'll have to go back on Thursday to get fitted. A fashion accessory I can live without.
Wait, I'm sorry I'm supposed to be less whiney. Here's an attempt. The cat got more good medical news yesterday. The vet called and said she spoke to some other vets and nutritionists about him. Basically they don't know what is wrong with him. There is one last thing to be ruled out (Addison's disease which is very rare in cats but possible) so we go for a last fasting blood test on Monday morning. In the meantime he can have regular dry food again, including higher fat kitten food, and treats, in an attempt to reverse his weight loss (but I'll be happy to give him a few pounds if that would help).
Okay, so I'm not too cheery today. But this morning we (yes Walter has agreed to go with me) are going for a walk. Then I am getting a manicure and pedicure. I think screaming bright pink would be good. That's cheery. Then I get to do laundry. That's not. I give up. I'll go drink more coffee.
Admittedly my life has had its ups and downs recently and I am attempting to deal in a sane manner. I am glad to say that my husband is clearly on the road to improvement, which is important because one of us needs to be healthy. But my health is still struggling. Again. My ankle is not happier. The physical therapist nurse I saw on Monday about my arm suggested I step up my exercises of my ankle to see about rehabbing it or just have the surgery and not wait because I really should be concerned about falling. Feel the cheery rays of sunshine bouncing off me at the idea of more surgery. And all these exercises are taking up too much of my time each day. (And I rebelled and didn't do any of my exercises last night - hah! Because I didn't feel like it! Hah!)
I spoke to the back doctor's office Thursday and yesterday. They refilled my meds for break through pain and then said they would be back in touch about scheduling another injection in my right SI joint. This will probably take a couple of weeks to schedule but that's okay. However the nurse told me that the doctor is running out of things he can do for me. Great. Thanks.
I am still waiting to hear from the physical therapist nurse about a lymphedema sleeve which means I'll have to go back on Thursday to get fitted. A fashion accessory I can live without.
Wait, I'm sorry I'm supposed to be less whiney. Here's an attempt. The cat got more good medical news yesterday. The vet called and said she spoke to some other vets and nutritionists about him. Basically they don't know what is wrong with him. There is one last thing to be ruled out (Addison's disease which is very rare in cats but possible) so we go for a last fasting blood test on Monday morning. In the meantime he can have regular dry food again, including higher fat kitten food, and treats, in an attempt to reverse his weight loss (but I'll be happy to give him a few pounds if that would help).
Okay, so I'm not too cheery today. But this morning we (yes Walter has agreed to go with me) are going for a walk. Then I am getting a manicure and pedicure. I think screaming bright pink would be good. That's cheery. Then I get to do laundry. That's not. I give up. I'll go drink more coffee.
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