Sarge, that's because you haven't seen my figure lately. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE says I'm fat now. I gained 12 lbs. :( I could post my pix but why would I want to do that? :p

Tsk, tsk. What are you up to? Maybe 95 lbs? Girl that is the size of one of my thighs! Take the compliment. You know you are a beauty

^^^WHS^^^^

95 lbs. is where I want to be. Add 12lbs and that's where I am. :p

How tall are you, Lola?

4'9" ergo, my screen name on games :D

Very petite! I'm only 5' so I don't have much on you. :)

*bump*

I was going to start a new thread but this one is already here. I got cleared to work out again post-multiple-surgeries at the end of this week, and I worked out today for the first time. Hooray!!

Pretty pathetic, in that my cardio fitness has bitten the dust and my muscles are jelly after four months' idleness and I have to start with itty-bitty weights to avoid bringing on the dreaded lymphedema ... but. It felt so great!! Even though my cardio workout WAS pathetic, I have to start carefully because some of my chemo meds are cardiotoxic. So I'll start slow and go with what I can tolerate. Ditto for weights - I started with little weights today and will see how things go. I can't focus on what I used to do pre-surgery ... for one thing, one of my latissimus dorsi muscles is now wrapped around into totally the wrong place, lol! My surgeon sort of gasped when I showed her what happens when you do a lat flap reconstruction on someone who actually HAS a lat, and offered to cut the nerve ... which I declined. But I have to start with low weight, more reps.

I need to watch my diet carefully, too. The steroids are bad for weight; far from fading away to a shadow, I've gained a few pounds (less than ten, but still ...) since starting chemo. So I need to count the calories and fat grams etc.

Is anyone else actively working toward a goal right now? I don't need to compare weights and calorie counts, maybe just check in as an incentive to keep up with the plan and the healthy workouts. I don't have a specific goal like I did for last summer (my cowgirl weekend) but if I find something that'll change. Right now my goal is to get my fitness back. Then something concrete.

Anyone out there wanting to keep in touch, encourage each other?

good for you ortho!!! I laid on the couch for a year.

GOOD FOR YOU!

I'm trying to lose weight by eating 'better' which fluctuates from day to day. I'd love to eat fresh, local, organic healthy meals. The reality is a bit different. but I do try and I HAVE lost wt. since the chemo weight came on. My muscles/heart are damaged - my EF is down since the chemo and now I get a-fib AND I felt 90 years old during chemo but now I only feel 80 or so.

Keep working out. Don't quit and don't skip.

Hey thanks, Tril! Yes, the chemo can def damage your heart. I don't know if I even want to have a follow-up echo post-chemo ... and you had 'the red devil' which I don't, and I suspect that one is responsible for fatigue that's leagues worse than what I've had. I've talked to others who had it as well, and they all had your experience. I find that I'm out of commission for an entire week after each treatment but then I sort of clamber back onto the horse, or onto my feet, or whatever, and trudge on down the road. It doesn't sound like the red devil permits that. And I hear the recovery is equivalent - much longer, much harder after adriamycin. So I'm very fortunate to not have it in my particular cocktail and have a bit more energy in weeks 2 & 3.

I do plan to keep on keeping on - so excited to start working out again! Now I have to search around for a goal to work toward. My trainer back in smalltown was great at getting me ready for last summer, maybe he'll have some ideas ... or, does anyone else know of anything? I can walk, jog, ride horses :); I don't have a road bike but might be able to get a second-hand one; knees are okay but not the greatest (some arthritis on the left); I like hiking; would love to canoe or do a wilderness trip, although not experienced. Suggestions?

Ortho, you put me to shame. You're sick but here you are, you still pull your body out there to exercise.


Oh hell yeah! I need to lose 10 lbs by February but sooner is better. I'd exercise and eat right for a day or two, then I slack off. :neutral:

I've got no suggestions for you because I don't know anything about your condition to suggest. All I can say is that I've heard walking is good for you, no matter what age. *shrug* Anyways, thumbs up on exercising!

I'll be glad to check in every day re workouts and general diet, Lola. I especially tend to fall off my eating plan ... so having some accountability would be great! I won't bore you to tears with every little detail but if you want to lose weight and get more fit by Feb, so do I!

Let's do it! I like the canoe-ing idea but it's a bit cold for that now. rowing machine - or would that be too hard on the knees? you know what's great? water aerobics!

Water aerobics is (are?) awesome -- I love that it allows you to exert yourself without any high impact. Bicycling is really great low impact, too. I've seen a lot of bikes on sale for the holidays at the big box stores -- I just got a one-speed cruiser to replace the mountain bike I've had since I was 12.

Need to talk to Mum.
We both need water aerobics.
Money is no excuse. If'n I can find enough for booze or a takeaway (the former is verboten, the latter was a monthly treat) then I can find enough for aqua aerobics once a week.

And if I can get her onside we'll get a lift there & back!
YES. Walking would be betterer.
But it sure is a disincentive when it's dark...