Jenny's story of survival
After
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Before
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| Name |
Jenny |
| Age |
35 |
| Height |
1.62 m |
| Was |
75.3 kg
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| Lost |
12.7 kg
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| Weight |
62.6 kg
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It seemed that eating right and exercising could only improve my chances of survival during this battle.
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Diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, Jenny’s adherence to following the Weight Watchers plan online helped her through the treatment.Genetic disadvantage
I guess you could say that healthy genes don't run in my family. I grew up with Type 1 diabetes, my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer (she is now a two-time survivor) and my dad was diagnosed with skin cancer. Even my dog was diagnosed with cancer and had to have a leg removed!
I took this as a wake-up call and decided to subscribe to Weight Watchers Online and start following the POINTS® System. I knew, from all my experience and time around physicians, that being overweight could increase my chances of developing cancer.
Fateful discovery
After being on the plan for just two months, I found a lump in my breast. Several mammograms and a small needle biopsy later, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer at the age of 33. I had a lumpectomy and during the surgery seven lymph nodes were removed. Reports showed that three of them had cancer.
After reading all the information I could find about breast cancer, chemo and weight gain, I decided (with my doctor's permission) to continue to exercise and follow the Weight Watchers plan online. It seemed that eating right and exercising could only improve my chances of survival during this battle.
I had been regularly working out at the gym, but I began running. Running became my saving grace; some days it was the only thing that got me out of bed. It relieved my stress and gave me focus.
A second blow
I had 64 weeks of chemo, followed by 35 consecutive days of radiation. During my treatment, my dad lost his battle with cancer.
At that time, in the middle of chemo, I decided that I wanted to challenge myself to complete my first half marathon in support of breast cancer. I thought I would be among several participants undergoing chemo, but was the only one and was completely bald. It was an emotional and difficult event.
Feeling better
I continued following the plan online and began eating healthier. Weight Watchers Online is great! It made figuring out the POINTS System a snap, and kept track of everything for me.
There were great graphs showing my weight-loss history, which I found very motivating. The site also had a wonderful library of recipes. The interactive tools were fun to use. Before going on a girls’ weekend I used the cocktail cheat sheet to see which cocktails had the fewest POINTS values. I incorporated more fruits and vegies, fish, and lots of fibre. The better I ate, the better I felt. The better I felt, the more I could do.
I believe that the exercise and eating regimen I followed helped off-set the horrible side effects of chemo. I also began working with a personal trainer during chemo. She helped me learn how important lifting weights are and how muscle building is important for all activities, especially running!
Healthier than ever
Yes, this has been a challenging year full of many ups and downs but I have a lot to be thankful for. Now, I am in better shape and healthier than I have ever been in my life. My BMI and weight are healthy. My diabetes sugar levels have improved and I'm even taking less insulin. People are now asking me for advice, and I'm glad to give it. I can wear things I never would have worn before, my skin looks wonderful, and I feel like a new person. Although it has been hard, I am thankful.
Now cancer-free, I have the rest of my life to do things I never would have dreamed about doing. These challenges have made me a stronger woman and the person I am today.
| Jenny’s tips |
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- It’s OK not to eat something if it’s not what you really wanted. If the cake you ordered is a little dry and not that great, stop eating it and toss it, even if it was expensive.
- Food pushers typically just want to know that you still want to spend time with them and be friends with them. If your old relationship was to meet for dinner or drinks, let them know that you still plan to meet them as much as always and that they still mean a lot to you.
- As friends and family become more comfortable with you changing, introduce new ideas — meeting for bowling, or meeting to shop, something not always involving a heavy meal.
- Find some zero POINTS value foods that you enjoy and add them to your diet each day. For example, add zero POINTS value vegies to dinner and lunch, it will help fill you up, and if you are not hungry you are more likely to stick to the plan.
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