Survey (well kinda) Were you a health nut or not b4 dx?

[Nik Colon]

Just curious to see how people lived, ate, etc b4 they were dx. Just from reading many stories here I have seen a lot of people on both sides and was just kind of curious and wanted to see what people's lives were like before they were diagnosed.

I was not a health nut and still am not. I drink beer and I smoke cigarettes and my diet is not all that healthy, not horrible I would say, I kind of just eat whatever I feel like, and not big on exercise.

[NZJay]

I've always been a healthy eater, keen weight lifter, and heavy drinker. Nothing has really changed

[Rstarrg]

I was a heavy beer drinker and best smoker and no exercise. Have quit the drinking and smoking because this shit is painful...not big on pain. Trying to beat it as I want to raise my 3 boys.

If I didn't drink, smoke and was big on exercising and got this, I'd be so much more angry.

[cathy123]

Social drinker (more in my younger days, now once or twice a week), never smoked except a few when out drinking, as far as exercise I did exercise usually, but had periods when I did better than others. As far as eating, I like my cookies and chocolate more than I should, but eat a pretty balanced diet. Since kids I have had an extra 20 or so lbs that would be nice to lose

So I am not a health nut, but definitely not the worst out there either! Trying to do a little better on diet and exercise now. My take is that 90+% of this is out of our control, but maybe by doing the right things we can influence how fast it grows, or maybe help our immune system get that one bad cell. Who knows. I'm going to try to do better, but not going to totally change the way I live, go vegan, etc.

[BrownBagger]

Health nut. 30-year vegetarian.

[lpas]

I've never been a health nut but I've always been a non-smoker and I don't really drink (unless you count my Diet Coke addiction). Used to be into hiking and biking when I was younger but I haven't had the time to exercise much since having kids. Have been forcing myself to try and make the time now. I've always maintained a normal weight but in the pre-cancer years I probably ate too many carbs, too much processed stuff, and not enough veggies. Avoided red meat and fried food but I definitely have a sweet tooth. So I guess it's a mixed bag. Am trying to do better, but it's hard. I do believe a healthier lifestyle can result in slower growth.

[JJ2212]

Fat but fit is what my GP called me pre-diagnosis. I enjoyed food way too much but also exercised regularly. Occasional drinker.

I personally blame my cancer on my biggest vice other than food: diet Coke/diet Pepsi. Like lpas, I was addicted to the stuff. 2 litres/day for at least 15 years, then a more 'reasonable' 2-3 cans a day. Ironically, I stopped cold turkey about a month before my first cancer symptoms appeared. I haven't had a sip since Sept 2012, but still miss it on occasion.

[Valorie]

Non-smoker, no alcohol or soda, diet fairly decent with lots of home grown fruits, nuts and vegetables, a lot of physical activity, and was very rarely sick. My only risk factors were I had a lot of beef in my diet and not at optimal weight.

[jillbugs4110]

Exercised 4 or 5 days a week no drinking or smoking no fast food healthy I thought

[drebay]

Didn't exercise a lot. but have mild Cerebral Palsy and that made it difficult. No Smoking. Very little alcohol.

[Nik Colon]

Thanks for all the replies so far, I find it interesting and informative. Who knows, the only one common thing I can think everyone in the world has is water, but then again I was never a big water drinker, but we all use in some way, to cook with, kool-aid, etc, but then we also have to look at location. There has to be a common link somewhere. I hope others answer as well, thanks again

[Joannerogers]

I posted once but it went away! Does that happen to anyone else...very irritating. I'm not a health nut, I smoke, did drink but pretty much cut that out because of my liver...a glass of wine every two weeks for me now on the tail end of chemo.

Onc said I was thin, but I eat just about anything, milk is my drink of choice, and I love all kinds of sweets. Before dx I worked 60 hours a week which is what I considered my exercise. Now that they have me on steroids, I'm slowly expanding which I don't appreciate .

But in general not a healthy diet, lots of take out also.

[Jachut]

Reasonably so eating wise and extremely fit. Not so much anymore. I feel I never really recovered from chemo even though it wasn't terrible when I was going through it. Cant exercise vigorously without flu like symptoms a day or two later, have bad fatigue (which has improved but still has me less active and less effective at work than I would like to be) and now have the palate of a 5 year old - yep, I'm the adult asking for the kids chicken nuggets in a restaurant because everything on the menu sounds repulsive.

[Nik Colon]

Reasonably so eating wise and extremely fit. Not so much anymore. I feel I never really recovered from chemo even though it wasn't terrible when I was going through it. Cant exercise vigorously without flu like symptoms a day or two later, have bad fatigue (which has improved but still has me less active and less effective at work than I would like to be) and now have the palate of a 5 year old - yep, I'm the adult asking for the kids chicken nuggets in a restaurant because everything on the menu sounds repulsive.

Lol, chicken nuggets. I can't do much cuz every time I do I get nauseous. Especially in heat. I tried to do dishes and wanted to puke. Out in hot weather made me sick and tired. So I'm mainly stuck inside, but it's cooling down here now.

[sadysue]

I was never a bad eater (well, maybe at times) and ate just about anything I wanted. Always took daily vitamins and enjoyed alcohol but quit smoking 15 or so yrs before my dx. I got lots of exercise on my job, rarely went to a gym, hiked with my dogs, rode my horses and my Harley. Basically a happy life And then I got rectal cancer. Still eating whatever I want, drinking what I want, riding my horses and having fun with my dogs. We are all getting older, so it's slowed us down some. No more Harley - too much neuropathy in my feet. Life has changed but I think I've adjusted ok. Hope so