I can't believe how many times I've been here, sometimes for ages, sometimes for not so long, and then I let myself believe the excuses of not having enough time to get here, not having enough energy to worry about being healthy. So I'm back again. I decided to wait a little while longer than when I was first ready to come back, so I'd have a loss to report. And, I've lost 2 pounds, in this, my first week of being healthy again.

Ok, really quick intro to me, because some of you are probably getting bored of reading this intro so many times, you could probably write it for me. I'm 22, and I've just graduated from university, (see it has changed), I got a 2.i in Law, which I'm extremely proud of. I'm now job hunting, and am considering temping until I can find myself a long term job.

It will be 2 years at the end of September since I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had the treatment (chemo, then an operation, then radiotherapy), and have now been clear for over a year - I have a check-up at the hospital tomorrow actually. I was kind of hoping that one of the side effects of the treatment would be to lose some weight, but actually I put on quite a lot (although I forget right now just how much). So I tried to lose it as I got fitter. And I did lose some.

And then I went back to university, and half-heartedly tried to lose more weight, sometimes putting more effort into it than others, and, mostly, managed to stay about the same weight. Then came finals. And with that, no time to go and exercise (that's not an excuse, that's definitely a reason - I was in the library from 9 - 9 most days, with only short breaks for food and for air as the library was sweltering. And also, a good excuse (ok so not such a good excuse) to have sweets, and crisps, and general "revision food". And so my weight started creeping back up again. And then someone who I thought was my friend did some awful things to me and just expected me to get over it and act like nothing had happened, and so I left uni before I had to (but after finishing my exams) and went home and comfort ate.

Then I went back to uni for the last week of term and had one of the best weeks of my life, with a posh ball, and lots of nights out partying, seeing live bands, djs, staying out til 4.30, 5am, having breakfast, then going to bed. Lots of alcohol was involved, but so was hours and hours and hours of dancing and general excited jumping around.

Then I came back home, and weighed myself, and got a very nasty shock when I realised that this was the heighest weight I'd ever been. In fact, the weight I am at now, having lost 2 pounds, is the weight I was straight after my treatment. So in the last year, I've stayed the same weight, which, I suppose, is better than being a lot heavier, but still....

So I'm back, and I'm going back to the exercise, and the healthy eating, and the regular posting here, and I'm going to keep knocking away at it until it works.

Chuckles

255/253/155

You need to exercise bad - if only fifteen minutes everyday !

Take a brisk walk or swim or run in the morning . Evenings too if possible and see yourself lose pounds !!!!

Your eatin seems to be in control , but no exercise is bad news for sure !

Good luck.

Hey dec72. Cheers for the advice. I am exercising now. I just meant I didn't exercise while I was revising and having my exams.
Good luck to you too.
Chuckles

Hi Chuckles, ole buddy, ole pal!

It's great to see you back here and back in business. You know you can always count on us for some support if you need it.

It's fantastic to hear that you got a 2i in your exams. I'm so happy for you. You put a lot of hard work into that and you definitely deserve it! I hope you manage to find a great job soon(ish - depending how long a holiday you want!).

Sorry to hear that things didn't go too well during/after your exams, but I'm pleased to read that things got better at the end of term (although from a weight point of view, probably not the best way to get healthy).

I hope to read all about your journey, and don't forget, if you need any support, you know where to come!

Hey Chuckles, glad you're back!

I'm thrilled that you've dedicated yourself to getting healthy again. Now's the time.

I don't know what a 2.i is, but it sounds very impressive. Good for you! Where are you living now? Home is with the parents?

Good luck on the job hunting.

So, what's to report today Chuckles?

I hope you are not doing anything strenuous in this heat! We Brits do love to moan about the weather don't we!

Hi people

Have had an ok day today, considering the heat. Yeah mickey, we love to moan. I'm not really a hot weather person. When we got into the car today it said it was 39 degrees! I know it had been sitting in the sun for a few hours. But still. That's ridiculous.

Kilo - ok, in england, if you get 70% or over in your degree you get a First, and that's the highest you can get (except at Oxford and Cambridge where I think you can get something above that, not sure though). Then, if you get 60-70%, you get a 2.i
50-60 2.ii
40-50 3rd
Then less than that you can get a pass without honours, and less than that a fail. I'm very chuffed with my 2.i, is what I was hoping for, and kind of expecting. I'm living with my parents at the moment, because I don't mind, and it's so much cheaper than anywhere else. Especially since I don't know where I'll be living (am planning on following the jobs, since I don't really have many ties). Although they will be charging me rent when I get some income.

Ok, today. Did pretty much nothing at all all morning. Then went to the hospital this afternoon. Which wasn't totally fun. Had to wait for ages for the appointment because the consultant was late getting out of surgery. Everything was fine when he saw me. Then had to have a blood test. And the woman didn't listen to me. Because they don't like taking blood from the arm where you've had any of your lymph nodes removed, incase of problems. But on the other arm I have a scar on the vein from where my line was during chemo, so I asked her to do it in the other arm. And she wouldn't. And so she missed the vein in the first arm. And it hurt lots. It was fine in the other arm though, and now am short of an armful of blood. And since I got back have still done not much. I really don't do hot weather. So, haven't eaten much, but also haven't exercised much. Have drunk gallons. Don't really have much else to say, my life is pretty boring at the moment. Have read the new Harry Potter book, it was ok. Am going to the cinema soon to see Charlie's Angels. And am still looking for a job.

That's about all I have to say today. Hopefully will have more exciting stuff tomorrow.

Chuckles

255/254/155

hello,

I am so glad your back it shows your not giving up. and after a yr being the same wt is better than gaining it.
i am so busy and some days i simply cannot exercise but i do alot of running around doing chores and so on. but most days i force myself to do it in the morning.

i have gained and am now losing again as i changed everything i now eat. i am now eating veggies, fruits, soups, and brown rice, less meats and junk and drinking alot of water and hot tea.

hang in there, as i know you can do it.

take care.

Hi
Congrats on school. After my Mom had breast cancer she gained weight. She didn't have to do chemo but the medicine she is taking now caused her to gain. She also had problems with salt and that a caused a gain. Now she has been cancer free for 4 years and has found a way to keep her weight uncontrol. She found that exercise helped alot. Good luck finding a job and take care.
Renee:D

Welcome back Chuck! Congratulations on finally graduating and for the 2i!!!! Hooray! I am so proud of you for getting back to a healthy lifestyle. I am just delighted that you have returned to us. Should there also be a big hooray for celebrating a year cancer-free (or do we have to wait for the evil armful of blood test results?)??? An early Hooray! for that anyway.

:hug:

Hi people

I don't have much to say really. I haven't been doing much. Didn't even go to the cinema in the end because my friend got offered some baby-sitting and needed the money. So we're going sometime next week. It's my best friend's birthday on Sunday, and I have no idea to get him. The only things he really likes are reptiles and creepy crawlies (except spiders) and cacti. And everyone buys him cacti so now he's got a houseful. So I've racked my brain for ages and ages, and have decided to do some origami for him. Now I just have to choose what to fold and we'll be there.

I've had to stay in all morning today waiting for a delivery. They were nice enough to say it would be any time between 7am and 6pm. Which narrowed it down nicely. Anyway, they just came. And now I have the biggest box in the world in the middle of the living room. And a few smaller boxes - widescreen tv, stand, video, dvd player. Can't even unpack it and get excited as there's no way I can take any of them out on my own. Think it will be a 3 person job myself.

Food. Well. I'm eating pretty healthily. But probably still a little bit too much. I'm drinking gallons and gallons of water. And have started exercising again (except for this morning because I didn't want the men to come and deliver while i was in the middle of a workout). And I can't do it now either because of the aforementioned humngous box invasion. So I'll go for a walk later.

I've got a job interview!!! I was pretty chuffed. It's a kind of glorified admin role, in London. In fact, its just down the road from where my mum works, so may pop in to see her before or after. It's on Wednesday, and theres a test and an interview. It's not my ideal job, although it definitely sounds interesting. But the fact that it's not my ideal should help me get over my nerves. I'm getting better now that I've had a few. And I've found some really interesting jobs to apply for. So I'm spending most of the day filling in the odd application form.

Hi Minnie, you're being inspirational. Hanging in there, not giving up, making the changes that need to be made. Well done (and thanks too)

Renee - glad to hear your mum is doing well and is coping with her weight better. Unfortunately, I don't have any medication to blame my weight gain on. Laziness, the odd bout of depression, but not medication. My cancer wasn't hormone related, so the standard medications won't make a difference. I can even go on the pill if I want without it being a problem. Thanks for the encouragements

Chum - HI!!!!! I think a big hooray for a year cancer-free is in order. In fact, I finished my treatment a year and a month and a half ago. So lots of hoorays round this way. :D

Hope everyone is well
Chuckles

Hello,

great job on eating healthy. its hard sometimes to judge portion sizes when were so used to big portions so the average ones seem too small and like were not eating but in time you get used to it and as stomach shrinks your full on less food. my stomach is getting used to less but my mind wants more. alot is in the mind so i ignore it,.

i stopped eating at nite too and drink hot tea instead which is relaxing,yummy and i pee it out any ways and its filling. it has made a difference in my losing by cutting out the nighttime eating which is the hardest for me cuz thats when i love to eat most but i always end up pigging out so i quit doing it altogether.

have a great weekend and take care.

OK, Chuck. I'm always up for a HOORAY!!!!! Especially for something as lovely as having my Chuck around to send me treatises on terrorism and to tell me I'm wonderful all the time.

:jn :jn

I, too, am chuffed for your job interview! Damn. I think I have to come to work in London. Who knew jobs were easy to find there? Ack. Be sure to let us know how it goes.

Congratulations also on all the fun electronic equipment. Graduation present??? We watch gobs of movies and love having a nice TV set. Just make sure you get an exercise DVD for your collection! hahaha

Have a great weekend, my friend.

Hi Chuckles,
good luck for your job interview cant wait to hear how it all went!
Happy one year anniversary ofbeing cancer free- you are such a strong and determined gal i know that whatever you set your mind to you will achieve.
If you are looking for an exercise DVD how about the Winsor Pilates ones. i just got them last week and i looooooove them!
Have a great weekend.
hugs bell :)

Good luck on the interview, and may it turn out to be a better job once you get it. I am chuffed for you, too.

so what did the kickboxing guy teach you???? lol


:hug:



dream jobs are tough to find...a good job is really nice too though !!!!!!



I hope it goes as you want it to !!


isnt minnie just the best??



I wonder what richard simmons would be like on the wide screen hahahhah



I do like his quirkiness tho


I hope you fit some fun into your weekend




catch ya later buddy




:hug:



Peng

Hi people

Can't stay long because it's my friend's birthday today and am quite busy. But am feeling strong and motivated. And so much of that has to do with all you guys, supporting me and each other and giving me so much inspiration and so many ideas.

New tv system is great. And was real father-daughter bonding time putting together the tv stand and wiring everything up. Although I think I would have found it easier if dad wasn't so confusing. He forgets sometimes that I am not electronics whizz kid and starts waffling on about all these words I don't understand. And the good news is, they've donated the old tv and video to me, and I can even take it with me when I move out. Which is obviously A Good Thing.

Eating is getting much better, exercising is improving a little at a time, and water is same as always (pretty good).

Minnie - pengii is right, you are just the best. I've always had a problem with eating at night too, and I'm working hard to stop it. It always gets harder when I'm at home too, because the last thing mum does before she goes to bed is raid the fridge, and its hard not to have anything too. (Although she's getting better too).

Chum - yes, do come and work in London. I don't think the commute would be TOO bad :smile: And I'm thinking of getting an exercise video or dvd. The video will be cheaper. I've got a couple but I've done them gobs of times, so something new will spice it up.

Bell - I get scared of pilates. It takes a whole lot of energy holding my big bod in one position for a long time. I get really shaky. May wait a while, although I do think it's something I'd enjoy doing if I was a few pounds lighter, and a lot fitter.

Kilo - I really have no idea why they asked me for interview. That sounds really bad, doesn't it? But basically, it is an admin job, and my admin experience amounts to maybe 2 months worth. At a push. But I'll give it a go. There are other jobs out there that I'd much rather have. Like this one working for a human rights information agency thing. And one working for the NSPCC (National society for prevention of cruelty to children). And a couple of others.

Pengii - I had never heard of Richard Simmons before I came here. And I've never noticed him on sale. Although I must admit I don't spend hours gazing at the exercise videos in the shops. Umm, kickboxing guy. Well, he told me what were the best positions in the kama sutra (in his opinion). And he told me how to throw a decent punch. And that's about it.

Anyway, mum wants the pc now, so am going to make a run for it.

Look after yourselves
Chuckles

PS - is weigh-in tomorrow, am pretty sure of a loss :D

Miss Chuckles:


Welcome back my friend. It's great seeing you again and I see your pumped and are determined to get into a healthy lifestyle. I have my fingers crossed here that you get the job. It's a start and eventually your dream job will happen for you.
Have a great weekend.

Judy2:ex:

Hello,

glad you got new tv and are making progress with the food. its hard but worth it.
the night eating is so hard but i know how bad it is for me to eat at nite and let it lie there at night turning to fat so i dont do it now. unless earlier evening i have a sugar free pop or popcorn or hot tea.

hang in there and take care.

Wahoo! New electronics from the parents. That's wonderful.

Hope you had a good time at your party tonight.

What did you do for exercise this week? Hmm?

Hi people

Ok, business first, pleasure later. Food: OK. Had an Indian takeaway for my friend's birthday. Have no idea how fattening/sugary that is, but I'm pretty sure its better than Chinese. And as I don't like Indian half as much I didn't get totally stuffed. Which makes a nice change. Otherwise have been eating a lot of salad (summertime makes me crave salad). And some other stuff. Mostly healthy, some not so healthy.

Exercise (since you asked kil): this week, have done rosemary conley's exercises 4 times this week (they're ones that do different bits each day, so you're meant to do it every day). And have done a total of 30 mins on the exercise bike this week. Have been walking. And ran around the garden with my friend like a looney yesterday, proving to him that girls can catch a ball much better than blokes can. So, there's plenty of room for improvement, but also encouragement to be gained.

Water: fine. Don't really have a problem with it. Think, in fact, will stop mentioning it, unless, of course, I suddenly start having problems:

Weight: Was official weigh in day yesterday. But was at friend's, so couldn't. So did it today. Am at 252 pounds now. That's 1 down from last week, and 3 down in total.

OK, so here's the pleasure. I had an excellent time for my friend's birthday. No party I'm afraid kil, just me and him. And also his parents were around but didn't speak to them much. And his sisters. We talked mostly. Did go outside for a walk and also spent some time in the garden. And watched the matrix. Because I watched the 2nd one before the first one. This was the first time I had seen the first one. It was good. Then we watched some of the animatrix. And we talked some more, and goofed about a bit. Generally enjoyed ourselves. Came home yesterday, and have been frantically filling in an application form, can't believe I left it so late. But it is done now, am just taking a break before printing it out and checking it over. He loved the origami chickens I made him. But he didn't get the joke on the birthday card: Practise safe government: use kingdoms. Never mind.

I've realised that I've had a dodgy stomach for about 3 weeks now. That's not good is it? It's not been the same thing all the time, just always seems to be something wrong.

Judy: hellloooooooooooo! lovely to see you as always

Minnie: I find night-time eating gives me nightmares. Especially if its something heavy. I've been very good with it the last few days, so I must be doing something right.

Kilo: See above for exercise. You're right to be hmmmmm-ing I suppose. My report card says: Could do better. Needs to put more effort in. So that's what I'm going to do.

So now I'm going to go and see if I can't get a few things ticked off my stupidly long to-do list.

Chuckles

Hey Chuckles,

Just popping in. Actually, I'm :rofl: -ing in response to your "practice safe government" comment. You are a funny girl! And I mean funny as in "haha", not funny as in "somebody should lock her up."

And a big congratulations :tongue:arty: :tongue:arty: on the pound loss!!! You are doing fantastic!

Hello,

first of all great job on the wt loss and the exercise and water, your doing wonderful.

* :ribbon: *


you like me have nightmares if eating heavy before bed. i dont do it now either and it helps with losing wt too.

i drink hot tea before bed instead.

well take care. and keep strong.

Hi Chuckles

You mentioned in a post in Kil's journal that your magazine will have a free copy of the SBD book with it next month - can you tell me which magazine that will be? I'm down to get a copy from the library, hopefully sometime this week, but if it looks promising I'd like a copy of the book - and a free one is always a bonus!

Thanks!

I didn't know Rosemary Clooney had exercise videos. I thought she'd passed away. Hmmm.

You are right. Kilogo will definitely chew on your tail if you don't exercise enough. I know from experience. I have a mere stump of a tail left after this past year. hee hee Thank goodness she cares enough to be our consciences (when they don't care enough to get in the crunches!).

I love the idea that you gave him origami. You are a highly original and interesting girl. Smart AND creative. Lucky English boys. I got the humor. Of course. He is completely comatose if he didn't get it.

You are hilarious.

Hooray for 3 pounds of tonnage gone! (I stole that term from Kilogo. Never say I am a plagiarist.)

Hi people

I know, it's been a while. I am still on track, have just been so busy. Decided at the last minute to go and visit my friend in France. Then went. Got back on Friday. Came back early, because I couldn't cope with the weather. About 40 every day, well over 30 every night. And we got in the car once and it said 53. So I said no more for me, and rang up eurostar and got an earlier train home. Although that did mean sitting in Paris for 5 hours. On my own. In the train station. I got approached by a strange man who grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go. And this guy was watching and just laughing at me. Oh well. It was in a public place, so I wasn't too scared. Just a little worried. Had a lovely time in France, tried loads of local food, but managed to stay about the same weight - was too hot to eat much really. And we did decide on the first day that it would be a good idea to climb to the top of the tower of the cathedral. It was 396 steps to the top, so I hope that counts as exercise. Other than that the only really exrercise I had was jumping in and out of the shower.

Ok, I have lost another pound, which brings me to a grand total of 4 pounds gone! Yay me. Slightly slower than I would like, but still losing, still getting there.

elivi - hey. Have to disagree with you though, think I probably am funny as in somebody should lock her up. But I think its all part of my charm.

Minnie - hey again. Thanks for all the support. Being a way for a while has reminded me how much I rely on it.

Mickey - cosmopolitan is what you want. It comes out on the 11th or the 18th or something like that. So round about now.

Chum - Ok, I'm not that up on people, but I'm pretty sure rosemary clooney is dead. But I'm talking about rosemary conley, who is an english exercise woman. She's done shedloads of books and videos. Her most famous stuff (I reckon) is the hip and thigh diet, but that's quite old now. Sorry to hear about your stumpiness, but I've never been quite sure about the whole tail look anyway.

Anyway, I've got to rush, lots of jobhunting stuff to do.

Take care
Chuckles

Hello,

glad to see you enjoyed Paris and are still losing. even a slow loss is still a loss and when you lose slower it tends to stay off longer too.

I would love to see Paris. i am so glad your back.'

take care.

Hi Chuckles, welcome home!

And way to go :cheer: on the weight loss. I tell you I'd NEVER lose a pound in France. Nuh-uh, not with French food being...well, the way it is. You know.

What a weird story about the guy at the train station. Who knows, maybe it was a dare or something!? Or maybe it's your...um...charm. Yeah. :)

Four pounds is lovely, Chuck!

How is the job search going? Is it any easier in the UK than here?

Frankly, I always lose weight when in France. Hate the food (believe it or not), drink gobs of water, and I walk all over the place.

Shedloads. Cute.

I'm with Chum. French food didn't do a thing for me. Heavy, uninteresting, overpriced, bleah. Though the lobster bisque was lovely (and hugely overpriced).

Your heat wave is over, no? What's your verdict? Global warming or just an anomoly? Our elected leaders, of course, say it couldn't possibly be global warming. I don't know, personally.

Though I was amused by a recent headline: "Intense heatwave causes the French to take drastic measures, such as taking showers." My apologies to anyone seriously affected by the recent European heat, and this has nothing to do with France's opposition to Bush and Blair's attack on Iraq, but I still thought it was funny.

I have been thinking of you buddy


missing you even more



hope you are smiling


hope to hear from you soon



:hug:



Peng




xoxo