Will I ever lose this weight?

Question

I'm over 45 and recovering from Breast cancer. 2 years ago was diagnosed, had to have a modified radical mastectomy on left breast....now I'm on Texmoxifen for 5 years. I think I've gained about 25 lbs since. Do you think it's the menopause and Temoxifen combined? I'm 5'4 & weight about 180...I should be at 135! Am I ever going to be that weight again?

Answer 1

I do understand what you are going through. You may not ever get back to that 135 pounds, but you can get closer to it. The drugs make it harder, and menopause may have some effect. But there are things you can do.

If you make a few life style changes you should be able to lose some weight. You may know that you need to have a deficit of 3500 calories to lose a pound, so don't try to do it too fast. This is a system that has worked well for me and several friends have also been successful with it.

1. Eat three nutritious meals and three snacks everyday. Cut out junk food. You probably need at least 1500 to 1800 calories a day. Many people make the mistake of not eating enough when they try to lose weight and then become discouraged. Be very conscious of your nutrition.

2. Drink lots of water - at least 8 big glasses as day. Lots of water is essential. Stop drinking soda and other drinks with useless calories. Eat fresh fruit instead of fruit juices - the juices are very high in calories.

3. Begin a simple weight lifting program at home or at a gym. I'd go the gym route at least to start, if you have never done weight training before. Ordinary household items (tins of soup, for example) can actually serve as weights for beginners. Buy yourself a good weight lifting book for women. Actually the "dummies" series of books has done a rather good one.

4. Walk, walk, walk. Buy yourself a pedometer and aim for 10,000 steps a day.

5. Record everything you eat and all your exercise to make sure you have a "calorie deficit". Two of the sites I've included will help you do that. Basically burning more calories than you take in leads to weight loss.

6. If you drive, do less of it and park at the back of the parking lot instead of close to the door. Always use stairs - never the elevator or escalator.

7. A mini stepper is an easy piece to equipment to have at home and gives great results. I bought mine at a second hand store for $4. even if you use it for a minute or two several times a day it can make a big difference.

8. Did your oncology team ever refer you to a dietician? That may help you. Also talk to them about your weight concerns and get their opinions.

I hope these thoughts help. You can do this. Good luck with it.

Answer 2

Oh you poor lady. What a lot you are having to deal with just now. I have a very dear friend in a similar situation who I got to know through my work as a weight loss professional. I will say to you what I said to her. Recovering from cancer is your top priority. Your drugs may make weight loss more difficult but not impossible.

a well balanced diet, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, plenty of water, exercise if you are feeling up to, will all help. Focus on your overall health and wellbeing, mental and physical. Don't go on a "diet" it will only depress you and probably won't work. If you are eating well and trying to stay active your weight should being to come down. In any case, I'm sure your family and friends are grateful that you are alive and recovering and probably don't care what size you are.

Answer 3

make sure you exercise sweety..i lost alot of weight and then gained it all back cause i didnt exercise and not im ok again and exercising... if people would exercise more they would not have to worry so darn much about food...Are you really serious about doing this? We are talking about hard work. Putting down your little debbies, getting off your butt and not only going on a diet but EXERCISING!!! Even if you lose the weight it will come right back if you do not have the desire and motivation to not only look cute but to be healthy. it is going to take alot of inner strength I can assure you of that. 1.) eat 4-5 small meals a day 2.) drink lots of water 3.)exercise every day 4.) do not eat 4-6 hours before you sleep.

Answer 4

First, take my advice, and everyone else's advice who isn't a doctor, accordingly. I am not a professional in that field, so I don't really know if Texmoxifen and menopause combined will delay your return to your natural weight, and I would suggest asking the opinion of your own doctor.
I can offer you personal experience, however, since my mother contracted breast cancer when she was in her 50's and had to have a modified radical mastectomy on left breast as well, although I don't know what medication she was put on. Going through chemotherapy really inspired her to get healthy, however, since she was about 20 lbs overweight. She started walking with my dad on the weekends, and changed her diet according to her doctor's suggestion ( lots of fiber and vegetables). She also started going to water aerobics classes at her gym, which is a great way to remain active and not do any damage on your joints. She weighed close to 155 when she started, and now, 3 years later she is down to 138! This was all accomplished with low impact, easy to do workouts, and a major change in diet and thinking. I know you can do it, don't lose hope!

Answer 5

NEVER, EVER GIVE UP HOPE! Also, give yourself a break. You've just been through something very difficult. Take it one day at a time, mouthful by mouthful, situp by situp. You made it through cancer, you can get the weight off. I don't have the menopause factor, but I'm now down 36 pounds. I'm 34. I did it. You can too.

Answer 6

Hi,
I've tried all different diets, and the weight loss is only temporary. I finally tried diet pills on the market are made from Hoodia. I saw this stuff on ABC News. It's all natural and safe, and it works! My wife took it for a month and dropped 20 pounds. I took it for a month and lost about 13 (but I didn't exercise).

I bought the natural hoodia from this website: http://www.alllsite.info/free-diet-pills.php . I checked the web site address so I can post it here and I saw they're running a promotion now to get a free 2 week sample for only $4.97! I'm going to order this supply for my wife and give it to her for Christmas =)

Answer 7

Start a montignac diet. It`s a french dude that invented it. It will work for you, and you dont even have to feel a hunger.

Idea in it is to avoid food that contains colhydrate over 35. that is, you avoid potatoes, rice, corn, wheat, bread, sugar..

you can eat as much as you like: meat, cheeses, yoghurt, vedgetables, and even ice-cream (with no extra sugar).
buy the book, and find out. I lost 8 kilos in 2 months

the diet fits especially for people who hate exersise (like me), because it is not needed for it to work.

I know that mc donalds fans and sportfans hate me for this, but the montignac is a doctor and this is a tested thing that needs no medicines or wondertricks. just "the right kind of food"
search google for a montignac diet

Answer 8

Stop counting you re not going to be lose weight overnight Just concentrate on diet and exercise

Answer 9

what i would recommend is the zone diet.
It is a great way to lose weight and feel great.
It is about keeping you hormones balanced which makes you
lose excess body fat, build muscle and feel energized and healthy. The Zone Diet is just eating simple balanced meals with good carbs and low fat protein.
To learn more about the Zone Diet go to ZoneDiet.com.

Answer 10

Yes .. weight loss is not a BIG issue ...
start eating the diet which has less or no carbo hydrates ... you can get the list if you search ''food with no carbo hydrates'' than browse through the search results and you'll find the answer.