Postby NWgirl » Fri Jul 09, 2010 2:58 pm
I've always believed that a sensible diet and exercise are the only real way to lose weight and keep it off. I exercised my entire adult life until I got cancer. Going through chemo, I was waaaaaay to sick. I could barely perform the basic tasks of taking care of me and my 2 young kiddos. Then after ileo reversal (and since), my bowels have been so problematic, it's been futile. BUT - I do what I can when I can. Whether that's a short walk, working in the yard/garden (I do a lot of that as I can run to the bathroom quickly - and just stop if/when I need to), whatever. But I have put on the pounds. In my never ending attempt to "fix" my problems, one of the changes I have made recently (under a doctors supervision) was to give up dairy and to not eat fruit/sugar within 4 hours of each other. The fruit/sugar thing is really hard logistically - so I've pretty much decided to just not eat sugar if I can possibly avoid it. I find when I don't eat sugar, I feel a lot better.
At first giving up dairy was hard. But its been a couple of months now and I can honestly say I don't miss it all that much. I still can eat eggs, bacon (I know - bad, bad, bad), mayo (more bad, bad, bad), avocado, honey and real maple syrup. These things make me feel like I'm not having to sacrifice. On a burger, instead of cheese I just use mayo/ketchup. On cold cuts, mayo and/or avocado - yummmm. Oatmeal with honey. Pancakes made w/soy milk, blueberries and real maple syrup. My point being - I've had to switch things around a bit - but I don't feel like I'm being deprived. And crazy as this sounds, food tastes better. Not a night and day difference, but my taste buds are much more sensitive. Processed foods taste worse - fresh foods taste better.
But the surprising change is that I've lost weight - almost 10 lbs. And that's JUST from diet - my exercise hasn't changed at all. I also find that I'm not as hungry as I used to be.
My doctor did a blood test on me that determined I was "intolerant" to dairy (not allergic - but intolerant) and evidently my body just doesn't process it well. I don't eat ANY dairy now - not even as an ingredient in something else. It requires a little more work and planning on my part, but it does seem to be helping my body and yeah, I've lost weight. Amazing.
Just a thought - you might want to discuss any possible food intolerances and/or allergies with your doctor. Maybe something similar might help you. It does sound like you have made tremendous progress though - kudos to you!!!!!! Keep up the good work - don't be frustrated just because it's not visible on the scale. Keep what works - let go of the rest. It sounds like you're headed in the right direction. I'm really happy for you - you go girl!!!!
Belle - "Don't Retreat - Reload"DX 10/07 Stage III Rectal
Surgery 11/07; 27 of 38 nodes
Perm Colostomy 8/11
12/10 recurrence lungs & LN's
VATS Jan 2011
Radiation Oct 2013
Chemo for Life
2012 Colondar Model