Diet matters
The following is a post I shared with my GCT sisters in our private group:
Good morning, Ladies!
The last month has been kind of crazy, and there were days it was hard to eat fresh because of travel or family visiting or parties, etc. Though I attempted to stick to my plan, there were days I convinced myself that a bite of dessert wouldn't hurt, a few Doritos were no big deal, that eating a few grapes was as good as a big, leafy green salad, that having a beer with a friend "just this once" would be okay.
Also over the last month I noticed my joints were hurting more than usual. I even contacted my doctor to ask, "What's going on? Why am I having these side effects after a fairly easy year with Letrozole?" It got to the place I was having trouble walking because my feet hurt so much.
It never occurred to me that the "little cheats" were having big consequences for me.
But this week life slowed down. I went to the market and got fresh produce day-by-day. There have been no parties, no excuses, no "one bites."
And guess what? I realized last night I feel so much better. My joints, though still painful, are the "normal" Letrozole painful, not the "I can't deal with this" painful.
Just thought I'd share. I guess this confirms that, at least for me, dietary choices (even small ones) seem to have a huge impact.
Nutrition and Lifestyle
You’ll find me at the beach every morning I’m here in Wimington.
A number of you have reached out recently to check in since I haven’t posted anything new since the January appointment. I haven’t posted anything because there’s nothing new to share. And that’s a really good thing!
Surgery went so well last year, so it’s likely I’ll be in this period of waiting between 3-month appointments for some time. GCT tends to be a marathon, not a sprint.
And, ironically, I’m running the Wilmington Half Marathon tomorrow because, truly, I feel great!
It has now been over a year since my recurrence was diagnosed, and consistently I hear from people things like, “You look great” or “You seem to be doing so well.”
And it’s true. I am doing so well.
The conversation then often turns to questions related to what I am eating and what lifestyle changes I’ve made in the last 12 months.
It is my opinion that the subject of nutrition and lifestyle is a complicated one, and I believe what is best for one person’s body is not necessarily what’s best for another person. However, this is where I am currently. I’m all about consistency, so it’s easy for me to share with you my typical routine.
I still have one cup of regular coffee every morning. The one change I have made is that I now put just the tiniest splash of half and half in it - no creamers, not even all-natural creamer.
I have a heaping tablespoon of almond butter (no added sugar or salt) every morning as my first food. Always. I even found some great individual packets that I can slip into my computer bag while traveling.
I do 30 minutes of weights, stretches, and yoga.
Then I go for a walk/run for 60 minutes or more depending on what my training schedule has for the day.
I come home and eat a banana, a couple of teaspoons of plain yogurt with a tablespoon of Seven Sundays Rise and Shine Mix. I also drink a ginger shot from Trader Joe’s most mornings.
The rest of the food I consume regularly can be characterized by these “rules”:
No pork, beef or poultry
Lots of fruits and vegetables
Minimal gluten, dairy, sugar or processed foods
Though not food, supplements are a big part of my nutrition routine.
I have chosen to eat the way I eat and exercise the way I exercise because it’s a healthy lifestyle - whether or not one has cancer. I can tell you, though, it’s a lot easier to stick to the program knowing what I now know. A brownie isn’t really a temptation, and I don’t look for excuses for not exercising.
I go back to Duke April 22. Hopefully there really won’t be much to say after that appointment, either.
Until then I’ll continue to enjoy fresh produce that’s available year-round while eagerly anticipating fresh-picked strawberries and blueberries that are coming soon!
