Cathe Pleeeaaaseee Read I need you HELP!

[mari27]

Hi Cathe,
I need your help,My six year old son was diagnosed with cancer in Dec.Since then I have gained 20 pounds,I feel horrible,I used to exercise 1 hour 6 days a week.Now with the home care regimen and the hospital stays and the clinic appointments and I also have a 13 year old and a 2 year old, I do not have the time.I find myself with mixed emotions feeling guilty and frustraded.I should not be so concerned with me but at the same time I do not want to gain so much weight.I guess what I am asking what would you recommend I do that would be effective for weight loss.
I would really appreciatte your Input.
Thank you In advance,
Marisol

 

[icklemoley]

I just wanted to say that i feel for you very much and hope life gets better for you and your son. I really really really hope life treats you both well and gives you the strength and courage you both need to fight this disease. My prayers are with you.

W x

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo... Nam Myoho Renge Kyo... Nam Myoho Renge Kyo...

 

[Soosan]

Marisol, I can't imagine what you're going through but I hope you find the strength.

I'm sure Cathe will have some answers, but maybe you could work out in 10 minute snatches here and there to give you the physical and emotional energy you need. Don't beat yourself up for not continuing like you used to. You obviously have your priorities in order and your son is lucky to have such a loving mother.

 

[KeliJean]

Marisol,
I'm so sorry to hear about your son's illness. Let me tell you, a few years ago my youngest son was very sick and at the same time my husband was diagnosed with incurable cancer.

As mothers we are dedicated to give all our energy to care for our loved ones even if it means ignoring our own health. That is what I did, I remember pushing my son through the mayo clinic in a wheelchair with my pale-white husband telling me he was going to pass out in the hallway. It was a nightmare, and I was exhausted.

What I realized is that I had to start taking care of myself in order to be strong for my children and husband, and myself. When all this happened I didn't stop eating, found the time to brush my teeth, had time for a shower, so why did I stop exercising? So then I started exercising again, and it was a lifesaver through those many months of stress. It was really hard but each time I had to find a way to fit it in.

Please take care of yourself. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. KeliJean

 

[candi]

Marisol,

I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. It sometimes seems life is so unfair, doesn't it?

My neice passed away in January. My sister, like me, struggles to keep in good shape. I was very worried about her during the illness because when I went to see her, I noticed she was eating anything and everything with sugar and nothing healthy (we both have a sweet tooth - comfort food). I took her aside and told her the same thing KeliJean said. You have to take care of you to be strong for your family. If you get sick also, then who will take care of them?

Try Weight Watchers eating as it is very healthy and flexible and then try exercising just 10 to 15 minutes a day.

 

[amy_b]

Hi, Marisol,
I am REALLY sorry about your situation and I hope it gets a lot easier very soon. I have had a child in the hospital and on extended ICU at home for about 9 months and I have also walked through child cancer situations with 2 friends. Here are a couple of things we found helpful.
1-TAKE BREAKS!! You have to! We all found that incorporating fitness into breaktime with the other children was a good bonding thing. EX: get a jogging stroller and take the little one to the park and make yourself have fun. OR go roller blading with the 13 yr. old and pretend he/she is your only child for just a little while. We tried to do once a week with each kid.

2-SPEND $ on FRESH FOOD. Buy those pre-cut fruit and veggie trays, order groceries online, find a "frozen gourmet" who specializes in healthy food for the freezer. All these are more expensive than penny-pinching at the grocery store, but we all found it very helpful.
3-ALLOW YOURSELF AT LEAST 20 MINUTES for fitness a day and DO NOT FEEL GUILTY about it! Your mental health will help you give them the best care and will help keep your spirits up while you are encouraging them.
4-I don't know if you are a praying type of person, but we also prayed about our weight management. Those who pray often focus on the child, which is good, but it is a very real part of the problem that you must also manage your own life and the rest of the family at the same time. We found strength and comfort in praying about all the rest of the ordeal as well.
5-Keep in mind that when the storm has passed, you will have more time for fitness. It is possible to lose weight later.
God bless you!
Amy

 

[skatie0569]

Hello Marisol,
My daughter April finished treatment for brain cancer 1 year ago.
I feel and have felt the exact same way as you do now so do not feel guilty about it. I realised very quickly that not looking after myself would make it harder to look after her.
During the hospital stays I put on about 20lb also, stress eating.. feeling sad about things I had to see and experience happening to my girl made it very easy to eat all my troubles away.
Amy hit the nail right on the head (where were you when I needed to hear that Amy? )
Just a walk every day to clear your mind, eat fresh food.. eat well to minimise snacking on junk in between.. try not to drink too much coffee. Stay well hydrated as those long hospital stays really take it out of you.
My daughter is back at school now and the clinic visits are a steady reminder of what we have been through and I am finally getting the time to think clearly.. eat well and get some exercise.
It gets easier later on.. life gets back to normal.
Take it easy,
All the best to you and your family.
Kelly

 

[Jcrew3082]

Marisol,

I'm so terribly sorry for what you and your family are going through. Of course your first priority is taking care of your son, but try not to get down on yourself for thinking of your own needs. Your son needs the "best you" to take care of him, and if that means you need to take a little time each day for yourself, do it. If it means that you have to leave dishes in the sink or the floor un-vacuumed, so be it. Things are tough, as you well know, so if you can find something, such as exercise, to give you a little boost, it will help you handle each day.

You're in my prayers!

Gina

 

[macska]

Marisol

First of all, my prayers are with you and your family.

I'll just echo what the others had said before --you must take care of yourself first during these difficult days in order to take care of others the best.

A few years ago my husband was diagnosed with cancer, my Mom's husband just died at the same time and my uncle lost his leg due to diabetes. I had 2 young kids also to take care of. At that time running was my life and sanity saver. I ran at least 20-30 min every day and it helped me a great deal. I don't think I could've done this whole ordeal without it.
Any cardio AT HIGH INTENSITY will reduce your stress lever a lot. Low intensity will help to lose weight but with the stress only high intensity helps.

I hope that your son will be healthy again soon.

Take care

Mari