You may have noticed that I changed the name of this blog from Fit by Fifty to Lee Getting Fit. I changed it to reflect a change in my thinking. It probably seems as if I'm completely numbers-on-the-scale fixated but there's something more important that is in my focus - health and having a fit body for life. You're probably familiar with Tony at The Anti-Jared. One thing he wrote on his blog that really clicked with me is how he wanted to be fit and strong as well as being 200 pounds lighter. He remarked about how sometimes people who lose weight just seem like shrunken versions of their previous self and not necessarily more vibrant and strong. Some truth there! Yes, I want to reach and maintain a certain healthy weight range (135-139). But more importantly, I want to continue with a healthstyle that will enable an active life where I feel strong and look good (vibrant!) for the rest of my life.
Because what I'm pursuing is more than reaching a scale goal, I want to share what I consider to be important information. Cancer is a word and a topic that most people want to avoid, if they can. But, I challenge you to identify a person whose life has not been at least touched by cancer. We need to cut through the denial (i.e., cancer happens to other people) and fear. Instead we need to be receptive to credible information about how to reduce our chances of developing cancer and ways to live with cancer and/or be of help to the people we know who are living with cancer.With this in mind, here's some information from Dr. Weil. Help spread the word.
As MizFit says: listen to your body. As Lance says: Live Strong!Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed among Americans. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 108,070 new cases of colon cancer and more than 40,000 cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed in 2009. The good news is that both the incidence of these diseases and the death rate from them are declining, thanks to improved treatments and earlier diagnosis. To help reduce your risk, try the following simple measures:
*** Get screened for colon cancer at any age if a family member has been diagnosed with this type of cancer or if you have any of these symptoms.
- Cut back on or avoid eating red or processed meats, such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs, ham, and cold cuts.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat fiber-rich foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Get screened for colon cancer, especially if you are over age 50. Discuss appropriate tests and screenings with your doctor.***
- Stay active.
- Minimize your overall fat consumption.
- Limit your alcohol intake.
- Quit smoking (smokers are 30 to 40 percent more likely than nonsmokers to die of colorectal cancer).
- Ask your doctor about taking a low-dose aspirin, such as one baby aspirin a day (81 mg).
ADDED: Cancer Symptoms Women Often Ignore via Jody at Truth2BeingFit.
~♥~
8 comments:
Great post Lee!
Yes, we need to listen to our bods & I have lived by that for years! I have lost a few members of my family to cancer including my mom. My post on April 8th had an article about Cancer Symptoms Women Ignore if you did not see it.
Thx for posting & making people think about this Lee! Many are afraid but catching it early is key!
AND, if you don't like the doctors answers & you still feel bad, pursue it. You know your body better than anyone. My mom kept going back to the doctor as he told her nothing was wrong. By the time we found it, it was way too late. She may have passed anyway due to the type of cancer but we would have had more time with her.
Jody - I did miss your post on April 8. It was jammed packed with useful info -- as usual!
My sister's leukemia symptoms were initially missed by a GP at So Cal Kaiser. I don't know if this impacted her remission length or chances for survival or not but it did add to Karen's pain and anxiety unnecessarily (and rather cruelly). Doc told her that her arm hurt from playing tennis. Karen didn't even play tennis! My sister was only 17 at the time and I was 18. If I knew then what I know now, I would have been one take-no-prisoners-in-your-face advocate for her.
Yes! We often have to be assertive with health care pros. Sure they are some of the most intelligent and caring people in the universe but they are human and are sometimes plain wrong in their assessments.
My husband died from colon cancer at age 50 in 2001 (right after 9/11).
I am one year out from a stage 3C uterine cancer diagnosis.
One thing I've focused on since my surgery and diagnosis is how I want to be strong inside my own body. Being fat and flabby without muscle tone certainly doesn't help if the cancer returns.
Chemo makes you very present due to the pain and suffering but it's a much kinder world to choose the be inside your body, feel your muscles and sometimes the ache (from exercise) and claim your right to the strength you can give yourself by eating healthy foods, exercising and taking care of yourself. Essentially, you're arming your bod for any illness that comes along. You're ready to attack back if that time arrives. It's a least a fighting chance.
"...claim your right to the strength you can give yourself by eating healthy foods, exercising and taking care of yourself..."
You are so kick-ass wise.
~thanks~
POD & Jody - Just want to say I'm sorry for the loss of your husband and your mother.
Lee, thx for the shout out & the thoughts! Like your sis, my mom was sent off on a trip to Greece that she waited her whole life for & told she had a bladder infection! She was sick the whole time & was not able to do much.
I feel for the loss of loved ones for all!
This is a very thoughtful and caring post Lee. If it seems that you are numbers fixated, I can not even imagine what people must think of me! But it really is much "more than this". I definitely like the idea of looking good and feeling good in my clothes but more than that, I want to live a healthy active life for as long as possible. My "fit by my 50th" goal is just that, really a game...but I am not willing to get to my goal weight at any cost. Overall health is much more important than the number on the scale. Thanks for the reminder!
We miss and grieve for our departed loved ones, but hopefully their light shines even brighter when the ones that they love choose to live life to the fullest.
Patty - you have such an exceptional way of expressing yourself. I'm so honored that you take time to visit my blog.
Here's to becoming fit for life...raising a small glass of low sodium V-8. Cheers!
Cheers, Lee!!
Your blog was the first one I ever read, and the first time I ever made a comment. It was the post when you had just received your new bike and you had the PeeWee Herman/Queen video embedded. That song was going through my head for days!! And I thought, now what kind of person announces the arrival of their new bike with Queen and Pee Wee Herman??? The kind I want to be friends with!!
Post a Comment