this & that

Read some health tips today that I thought I'd pass along. Who knows, maybe this information will end up being of some use to somebody. First, since it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month (not Breast Awareness Month --oh, boy!) from Dr. Weil:

Six Warning Signs of Breast Cancer

1. A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
2. A change in the size or shape of the breast
3. Nipple discharge or tenderness
4. An inverted nipple
5. Ridges or pitting on the breast (resembling an orange peel)
6. A change in the look or feel of the breast, areola or nipple (such as temperature, swelling, redness or a scaly feel)

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, see your doctor for a diagnosis and possible treatment. If you are over 40, talk to your doctor about mammograms.

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 4 years ago. Before I was diagnosed, I noticed a difference in my overall energy level, weight gain (eight to ten pounds) despite a lot of exercise and eating well, seemed to be losing a lot more hair than usual when I washed it, and last but no way least, I felt a little down. Jillian Michaels was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when she was 30. She writes a lot about this condition, which is no big deal at all once it's detected. All it takes to find out if your thyroid needs some help is a simple blood test. Here are some indicators for hypothyroidism from Jillian:

Some Signs of Underactive Thyroid

Do you feel sluggish or have you started to pile on extra pounds that you can't blame on a poor diet or lack of exercise? These symptoms and others, including "brain fog," coarse hair and skin, depression, exhaustion, joint pains, constipation, and high blood pressure, may be signs that you have hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function, which can sap your energy and cause you to gain weight.

Jillian also provides information about things to do if you are found to have an underactive thyroid such as not eating these veggies raw (news to me!) -- broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale, and some supplements that support proper thyroid function: selenium, vitamin D, zinc, and fish oil.

As always, the best health tip is: listen to your body.

~♥~

Living Strong

When my mom & dad gathered my younger twin sisters and I together and told us that Karen had leukemia, my first reaction was to run to the bathroom and vomit. I can't remember the exact date this happened -- the date of Karen's cancer-versary. Sometime in the spring. So, maybe it makes sense to adopt today since it's the day Lance Armstrong and Janell received their diagnosis. It's LiveStrong Day -- not I hate Cancer Day (although I would acknowledge that day too). It's a day to consider what it takes to live strong and live well while dealing with cancer in your life, i.e., Unity. Knowledge. Attitude. (see previous post)

One of the important aspects of Armstrong's movement to support and advocate for people living with cancer is that it also embraces the families and loved ones. You see, when someone you love is diagnosed with cancer, your life changes profoundly. From day one, the Lance Armstrong Foundation recognized this and has offered support and encouragement to family members/caregivers. The LAF has also included families and caregivers as full partners in its advocacy efforts.

Now, I want to step away from my story about Karen's cancer to give a shout out to two outstanding books that show how life changes when people you love are dealt the cancer card.

A Heart Breaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers.

The Mercy Papers by Robin Romm

Someday, I'll list Janell's book. But for now, go check out her blog and read how she lives big & bold, and yes, strong, after experiencing both her husband's cancer and her own cancer journey. It's an amazing story: Thufferin' Thuccotash.

~♥~

Unity. Knowledge. Attitude.

In preparation for tomorrow's LiveStrong Day:



Click here for info about how you can participate as a blogger.

~♥~

More than this...

Remember the song "More Than This" by Roxy Music? One of my all time faves.

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.

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:

1. Cut back on or avoid eating red or processed meats, such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs, ham, and cold cuts.
2. Maintain a healthy weight.
3. Eat fiber-rich foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables.
4. Get screened for colon cancer, especially if you are over age 50. Discuss appropriate tests and screenings with your doctor.***
5. Stay active.
6. Minimize your overall fat consumption.
7. Limit your alcohol intake.
8. Quit smoking (smokers are 30 to 40 percent more likely than nonsmokers to die of colorectal cancer).
9. Ask your doctor about taking a low-dose aspirin, such as one baby aspirin a day (81 mg).

*** 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.

As MizFit says: listen to your body. As Lance says: Live Strong!

ADDED: Cancer Symptoms Women Often Ignore via Jody at Truth2BeingFit.

~♥~

Why does it take wake up calls to change our lives?

Watched this film last night. I've often wondered why most of us wait until we (or someone we love) receive a huge, scary wake up call like a cancer diagnosis, or diabetes, or stroke/heart attack, to face up to the results of our unhealthy stress levels, the impact of pollution in environment and our day-to-day diet (not just what we eat but how much of it too).

There is a way of eating, not a diet, but a day to day way of eating that will not only promote weight loss, but may help to increase prevention of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. It's also anti-inflammatory and anti-aging! If you try to purchase most of your fresh fruits and veggies from local or regional sources, it's also good for the environment. It's called clean eating.

Anyhoo...this film is not a tear-jerker. It's a well-made, life-affirming documentary of Kris Carr's journey of seeking healing and health that was set into motion with her cancer diagnosis. Why do we wait to make the change to eating clean? Maybe we all have a delusion of invincibility to some degree. Perhaps it's most strong when we're in our twenties but I think we, regardless of our age, like to believe that our bodies can handle everything. I guess that's why it sometimes takes something really dramatic and threatening to compel us to make changes that really aren't so hard to do.

~♥~