Hi ladies, I’ve seen mention of nutribullet and dietary changes, cutting down on alcohol, getting more exercise etc, was just wondering what - if any - lifestyle changes people were making, prompted by cancer diagnosis?
So far I’m thinking of making more effort to exercise in future - for example more walking and cycling, but the main driver for that really is that I’ll be eventually taking Tamoxifen, so I want to keep any weight gain in check. I guess hand in hand with that will be watching what I eat. I’m not planning any strict diet, but just perhaps making healthier choices where I can, and not eating out so often!
Hi Blondie,
I’ve always been pretty healthy and always walked miles due to having a dog, we don’t drink much or smoke but I still got cancer so I’m not a huge believer in changing my habits for fear of keeping it at bay, after weeks of not wanting to eat when first diagnosed and losing 1 1/2 stone I’m enjoying having an appetite again, I’m on Tamoxifen and was told it can make you gain weight but I think it’s more down to feeling better after treatment and just eating again! I’ve put on about 6lb but needed too, I won’t be drinking any green goo anytime soon that’s for sure, give me a G&T any day!! Xx
I’ve lost a stone since surgery only by walking and eating smaller portions
wanted to lose weight ahead of the game as I will be taking tamoxifen soon and have read that it is likely to cause weight gain. As for giving up the wine…nope lol
Exercise! This has been shown both to reduce the risk of getting breast cancer in the first place but also to reduce the risk of a recurrence. So not only is it good to try to prevent weight gain, it’s also something everyone of us should be doing for its own sake.
I dropped more than 20 pounds between diagnosis and surgery which was almost a year - having done a naturopathic regimen to begin with, then work issues, etc. I’ve been on Tamoxifen for almost a year now and gained same 20 (ok, 23) lbs but I was quite thin from the stress of everything so I’m back to a good/healthy weight. Last year I did Dr. approved fasting (5-7days), cut out nearly all sugar (everything white) and lost my taste for meat so was eating mostly veges. After surgery I needed to gain weight so the ‘diet’ went out the window for awhile but I’m back to a more moderate version — keep sugar to a minimum – but not sweating a splurge now and then. I’m not big on carbs so I don’t mind giving up pasta, rice, potatoes, etc. Lots of cruciferous veges (broccoli, kale, brussel sprouts, spinach) and meat in moderation. Dark chocolate and red wine have anti-cancer properties too so it’s not all bad! There is a great, easy read book called “Food to Fight Cancer” by Richard Beliveau, Ph.D and Dr. Denis Gingras, Ph.D. Also, “Healing Spices” by Bharat B. Aggarwal, Ph.D. Ultimately, for me, the most important thing I do with respect to diet is eat real food – it’s the chemicals in the processed stuff that can really wonk up your system right down to cells and DNA. Of course I’m not perfect – but I always think about the consequences of my choice which helps me limit the bad and keep up with the good.
btw… I’m all in for a gin and tonic occassionally (and I know the tonic has gobs of sugar!!) Be happy with your choices whatever they are.