I'll never capitalize cancer

I have alot going on in my life, more than just cancer and chemo. Sure it's a big part of my life right now, but it's not the most important part of my life. You will never see me spell it with a capital "c".

I'm a Wife and Mom. I love my Family. I have good Friends. We do fun stuff and dumb stuff and sometimes we argue and then we laugh again. We go to work and to the grocery store and we go swimming and have birthday parties and get ready for the first day of school.

I keep saying that I don't want ovarian cancer to define me, but sometimes I just can't help it.

A good friend put it this way for me "cancer may be defining your life for the moment, but it is not your entire life. You seem to just make time for it." That made me feel better.

If you want to see it from the beginning, my cancer story begins in March.

The rest of my story is happening now.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Commit2Fit Day 21

Saturday - we just kinda hung out in bed this morning, watching cartoons and playing with Barbies.

The day started late so I did not have time to get all of my meals in. Sure got all the calories though! Blame it on the pizza for lunch. I only had one piece! And the Ranch dressing - it really makes a difference when you log it all in and see the whole day's worth of calories and fat and sugar laid out like it is in My Food Diary. Lots of salt, too. I drank all my water, 12 cups.

I experimented with making some cookies this afternoon. Hoping for a more healthy snack, I used a box of cake mix, an Advocare Meal Replacement Shake, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, 3 tbs water and baked them in a 350 oven for 10-12 minutes. They taste pretty good, have less fat and more fiber & protein than other cookies but I still have to be careful not to eat too many.

When I started with the Advocare Metabolic Nutrition System, I thought I wanted the Max Energy. But since I cut back on carhs (really, it was worse) and caffeine and eat more protein and fiber, I think my energy is fine. After looking at my eating habits, I think I really need the Max Appetite to keep my sugar cravings under control. I can take Thermo Plus whenever I need an extra boost to my metabolism. And I will consider Carb Ease.

As I read over this post again, I realize that I need to change more than my supplements. I still believe they are important - I mean, I have cut back my food intake, which cuts my calories (energy) and nutrition. So I still need a good Multi vitamin, Omegas, Probiotics, and metabolic regulators.

But I really need to adjust my groceries, too. Even brown rice and whole wheat pasta.

Hmm, this is going to take some thinking.

Tomorrow we begin Commit2Fit Life Habit 4 - do not eat right before bedtime to be sure to be in the fat burning mode.

That's pretty much common sense, but how many of us really do it? How much time should I leave in there between eating and goimg t sleep? What are the benefits? Those are the details that we find out at the Commit2Fit meetings. Or you can email me for more info.

I came across a really good explanation on why this is so important. I will share it in tomorrow's post.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Commit2Fit Day 20

OK, again I blew it. I spent most of the day at the pool with my daughter. We had such a good time, but it was a total snack day.

It was hot, so very easy to get all 12 cups of water. But take a look at My Food Diary, and you will see what I mean about the snacks. My calories are OK, just too much sugar.

I did skip the popsicles, though. And it was a fun day!

Commit2Fit Day 19

My Food Diary

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Commit2Fit Day 18

My Food Diary

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Commit2Fit Day 17

My Food Diary

Monday, May 26, 2008

Commit2Fit Day 16

My Food Diary

Commit2Fit Day 15

My Food Diary

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Commit2Fit Day 14

I am learning some things about myself - my behavior & habits. I shared them today during our Commit2Fit meeting.

I already have admitted to eating way too much sugar. Today, while I was talking about my food choices, I realized that I eat way too much salt, too! But, mostly I am finding out that I am pretty random about how I go through my day. I guess I always knew that, but this program requires that I actually have a plan. And that is spilling over into other areas besides food. Of course I am not the perfectly Zen organized type A person yet - but I think I may be moving in that direction!

Drank all my water! 12 cups! And ate pretty well, My Food Diary.

During the meeting today we learn 2 new Life Habits. Tomorrow I will add Commit2Fit Life Habit 3 to my routine - gotta get a certain amount of carbs and proteins in each of our small meals. How much of each? Well, you need to come to the meetings to find out! Send me an email and I will tell you more.

We also measured our parts. Heather brought one of those little machines that measures your body fat and figures your BMI - my body fat is still high, and my measurements really haven't changed much. Even though I have lost 8 pounds and I feel better.

It's that exercise thing - gotta do it. When did I say I was going to start? Tuesday!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Commit2Fit Day 13

I need to go Downtown to pick up ballet recital tickets.

My little distraction is coming along with me. We LOVE Downtown. But we are just picking up tickets and then coming right back home! I need to finish up on the Commit2Fit presentation for Saturday.

Look at this, someone dropped a rose on the sidewalk. And look at this cool rock, and the train ...

Maybe we could have lunch at The Barking Dog.

I think I like this place. It's got that funky Downtown way about it that I like so much. And no one is looking at me like I'm crazy for bringing my kid into a restaurant. That's what I like about Hog Wild, that's where we usually have lunch. Today were just checking out this new place. They have a limited menu, and I am eating an $7 salad, but it's comfortable. I see that they have live music and poetry readings and stuff. We'll be back.

Drank all my water - 12 cups. But we got lost looking for the ticket office and I missed my snack. Lose a point! My Food Diary. Just gotta plan ahead, that really is the key. The lemon meringue pie after dinner made up for it. Even though I don't think it works that way.

We measure tomorrow. And get ready for Life Habits 3 & 4. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing from everyone.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Commit2Fit Day 12

It's a work day, so it's easy to stay on track with My Food Diary and I had my 12 cups of water. My daughter is out of school for the summer, so there is a chance for distraction. But she has some new Barbies and is pretty busy in the other room. Even the bird is quiet.

Ohp - I see some laundry that needs to be done ... and I think we should take a walk and go to the bank.

I didn't eat that much today, but I can see where I can really rack up some junk calories. I am doing OK. Afterall, I have lost 7 pounds. But notice I haven't mentioned anything about exercise? That's because I haven't really done any.

There - I said it. I'm not proud of it. Hmm - I'll start ... Monday ... No, it's a holiday ... gym's closed ... Tuesday ... Wednesday's my birthday ...

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Commit2Fit Day 11

Today is my Husband's birthday. I am not very good at getting gifts. I mean, if I see something that jumps out and says "this would be perfect for ..." Then of course I'll get it, but then I give it right away. Kids - now that's a different story, gotta bring the gift to the party. Still, I usually buy it on the way. But I'm learning. Especially after weekends like this past one - 3 birthday parties!

Kaboodle.com - this is a sight that may help to make gifting easier. I just haven't made the time to really get into it.

As for my Husband - we'll just let today be his special day.

I will make a special dinner. He bought a roast the other day and I think that is what he wants. I have Paula Deen's recipe for crockpot roast, but I think I will just use some Lipton Onion soup mix. I don't put in the veggies. I'll cook those later. I think they get too mushy in the crockpot. And aren't they better for you if they are just lightly steamed? I did not get cake, but you can see from My Food Diary that I had a bunch of sugar today anyway. I drank all of my water - 12 cups.

We have a water playdate this morning. First, I have to run to the store to get the soup mix. May as well pick up some watermelon and cookies to take along. Drop Abby at the playdate and scoot off to a SHADE house party to pick out a couple of tops, munch a few snacks and chat with other Moms about our kids and my other favorite topics Advocare, Omegas, Fiber, Spark & Slam.

Now I can go back and enjoy the playdate. A little plastic pool, watermelon, goldfish crackers, sunscreen, mudpies, kittens. This is a great day!

We still have ballet and then tumbling this evening. We'll be out for awhile. I have to be sure to grab good snacks and water for both of us.

That is the challenge, planning meals and snacks and having water on hand. Commit2Fit really has helped me to be more aware. I like that it is happening slowly. I know about the upcoming Life Habits. I am excited about them because I know that we will all get great results by following them. But I still am trying to do this one week at a time and not get overwhelmed.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Commit2Fit Day 10

Today was my daughter's "End of the School Year" party. They had a Nursery Rhyme Field Day. Her teachers are very creative. It was funny to watch 3 & 4 year olds doing relays and races. Of course it always was a tie and everyone was a winner.

But more fun to watch was their interaction. In between the fun, they were having intense conversations, as if discussing the Presidential primaries or gas prices.

Of course I took video - I had a Hi 8 video camera on a tri-pod and a pocket digital video camera and a still camera. There were several parents with cameras - watching and chasing the kids around the field - we were like Preschool Paprazzi.

I think this may be where I insert some YouTube video - I will have to go read up on how to do that, but it should be fun to watch.

And I think I may be cured of my pizza obsession. You can see here in My Food Diary that I had pizza again for lunch today. The party menu was pizza and cookies. Sometimes I wonder if I should be concerned about so much fun food at school. Then she came home with a Summer Suvival kit full of things to read and color and do, and a goody bag full of candy. But as long as she is active and learns how to make good food choices and is getting good stuff at home, I suppose that is part of the fun of being a kid.

Days are getting hotter, I need to start carrying a cooler bag with water in my car again. And I need to be sure to keep snacks with me. When I miss my snack time it usually is because I am out running errands and I want to avoid buying a candy bar or getting a drive thru burger. That is something that I think I used to do often. These past several days I can feel the hunger, my stoach grumbles. I don't remember that happening before. Now that I am more aware of my food, I make the effort to stay away from those things.

It must be working, I am down a couple more pounds. This is kind of exciting. I'm curious and actually am looking forward to taking my measurements this weekend.

Enjoy your day!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Commit2Fit Day 9

My Food Diary

My Food Diary is Active!

It took a while, but I learned how to make the link in my blog active so that you actually could see the chart that I have beeen doing each day. There are some other progress charts that I will share, but I really need to be spending some of this computer time riding my bike!

I also found this nifty progress bar.

What's next? YouTube video in my blog!

How's it going? Remember we are into Life Habit 2 - 5-6 small meals throughout the day.

Are you on board yet? Let me know and let's get started!

Leave your comments, we'd love to hear from you.

Enjoy your day!

Commit2Fit Day 8

OK, I know that you are not able to link to My Food Diary unless you are logged onto MyFitnessPal.com as my username.

I think I can embed the chart within this blog, but there is a learning curve here. I am reading over the instructions now.

By the way, this was a 3 Birthday Party weekend! Lots of pizza and cake spread out in front of me. As soon as I figure out how to get the chart in here, I will share the details with you.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Commit2Fit Day 7

It's been a week, let's see how I am doing - My Food Diary.

OK, so I have some work to do. But today was not an ordinary day. We had a playdate at the park this morning, and then 2 birthday parties this afternoon.

A bit hectic for me, and my daughter was exhausted this evening, but we had a great day.

Of course lots of fun at the park, and the play area at Chik Fil A. But the last party of the day had a big blow up water slide! She was up and down that slide for like 2 hours, then was passed out before we backed out of the driveway.

Even though I don't list them all, just know that along with the
Advocare Spark and Meal Replacement Shakes and Muscle Gain, I am taking my daily supplements in my Metabolic Nutrition System, along with Amplify AT, Anti Aging Formula and Catalyst. I take extra OmegaPlex and FiboTrim to control my cholesterol ( I have dropped 40 points this year without a prescription!). I had a bone density test and found out that I am borderline osteopenia. So even though my Meal Replacement Shake is loaded with Calcium, I also take Calcium Plus.

Tomorrow I will begin adding Commit2Fit Life Habit 2 - eat several small meals throughout the day. Makes sense. Like when we were kids. That's how my 3 year old daughter eats.

There's a little more to it - How many meals? How often? How many calories?

That is something that you will find out when you come to the meetings. Or you can
email me to learn more.

Commit2Fit Day 6

The day started early. For me anyway. I had to be at the TV station for a VO @ 8A.

This is why I LOVE Spark! And then I can mix up a Meal Replacement Shake and take it along with me.

The spot was for a Research company looking for volunteers who have neuropathy to test drive a medication. These days, every time I hear about a health issue, I start thinking about which Advocare products would be useful. So, right away my brain is clicking, "Hmm, OmegaPlex". I said it out loud and the producer asked me about it. So I told her about a friend who had diabetic neuropathy and increased her Omegas and has gotten the feeling back in her toes.

She asked, "What about for high cholesterol?". OmegaPlex. And FiboTrim. This is where I say, "I am not a Doctor and I don't make medical claims ... but this is what happened to me."

I increased my OmegaPlex to 6 a day (9 if I remember to take them) and take 6 FiboTrim before bed. I have dropped my cholesterol 40 points. It have it documented.

She said, "My Dr. mentioned Omegas. He said they'd taste fishy." "Sure they will if you get the bargain brand, but not if you get Advocare OmegaPlex - that's a money back guarantee."

Now it's 830A. We have a playdate at the park. Let's see, what to pack? Advocare lunchbox with water, carrots, raisins, Arcoiris cookies, goldfish crackers, packets of Spark & ReHydrate. Advocare sport bag with swimsuit, Crocs, Advocare toddler shirt. I will wear jeans and a shirt with Advocare logo emroidered by my friends at Katy Trophy. Abby likes to wear skirts, Baby Legs make sliding more fun. Can't forget the Advocare beach towel. And of course my Advocare water bottle.

We always stay at the park longer than planned. Then we are off to Dollar General. It always surprises me how much I can spend on $1 items. Next stop is HEB.

HEB is an event. We grab a huge car cart and get a ballon on the way inside. We have to try all the samples in Produce. Abby looks over the birthday cakes. Then we look at the big mahi mahi, salmon, tuna, crab, shrimp. We talk about them - where are their heads? We pet the live lobsters.

The best part is sushi for lunch - with chopsticks! and coffee!

So far it has been a great day. I managed to get in some business, spend time with friends, drink lots of water and eat pretty well.

I can't blame this next part on anyone but myself. Hey it's Friday night - let's go out for dinner. I could have said "No" or just not get the pizza buffet. Next to sugar, the pizza buffet is my big weakness. I don't even want to take a Crave-Check because that would just be frustrating. It's all right here in My Food Diary.

After dinner Brian discovered another of my weaknesses - pinball. It really was a great day.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Commit2Fit Day 5

Another workday for me. That means a routine so it's easy to stay on course. Interesting how you really can notice your habits when you start keeping track. I always thought that I ate more a ton - I don't, but I sure do like my sugar!

Since I am keeping track, I am making an effort to stay away from alot of the junk in our cupboards. I actually have reached in for a box of cookies and then caught myself and pulled back. Well, maybe not everytime. But I did put it down in My Food Diary

It was my idea to start this Commit2Fit. It's only 8 weeks. I think I should be able to do this.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Commit2Fit Day 4

The alarm went off at 5AM - the start of a long, sugar filled day!

I had my Spark, MNS Max Ap , Catalyst and Meal Replacement Shake for breakfast. I knew it was going to be a long day, so I tossed back a couple of ThermoPlus too. But that was at 6AM. No problem, I was prepared, I had a Snack bar before I left to drop the bird at the boader, then I mixed Muscle Gain and Peaches & Cream fiber drink and had that on the road. I arrived at the event hall at 1030A. I was so proud of myself for not stopping for a fast food breakfast. I had packed some good stuff in my cooler, but it just wasn't enough.

Every booth at the event had candy or cookies, and with my cravings this week - well, I blew it! They served us lunch - BBQ sandwiches - I did not eat the bun. Somehow I thought that would make a big difference.

But I had plenty of water! A couple of the vendors were handing out cold water bottles, so that was helpful.

You will see it all in My Food Diary, give or take a few Hershey's Kisses.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Commit2Fit Day 3

My Food Diary

Today was pretty ordinary. It was a workday for me, with more routine than most days.

With everyone gone all day it's quiet and I can get things done - or I could just take a nap here in front of the TV!

Nope, got my list. Still it's tough to keep away from those distractions.

Yesterday my Agent called for a job out of town tomorrow. It's just to Houston but I still have arrange Day Care and a boarder for the bird and I will need to pack a lunch and snacks for the day.

These events are always challenging when it comes to eating. I never know until I get there if I will get a lunch break or what will be available. I'll pack a cooler to take with me.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Commit2Fit Day 2

This takes some effort.

All the way around, or maybe it is just that I am being more conscientious about my day.

Here's My Food Diary, and I did get all my water - 12 cups!

I need to be sure to keep the water bottle with at all times. That really does make it easier. I remember quite a few years ago I took a sailing vacation to St Bart's (this was before everyone in the US was drinking bottled water) And people were on the beach and the little vafes and riding their Vespas and they all carried drinking water bottles with them. Usually it was a huge Evian bottle. So now I just imagine that I am being very European on my little Carribbean Island vacation with my very cool Advocare water bottle!

I was so busy getting ready for the Commit2Fit group session last Saturday, that I did not keep up with my days - I started my cycle Sunday. Bonus info for some of you, but the point is - no wonder I have been so hungry! I crave carbs, lots of sugar on these days. So instead of the MNS Max Energy that I usually take, I switch over to MNS Max Apetite Control and add in some Carb-Ease.

I never really kept track of my food before. I know it is one of the most important things that you can do when you are on a weight management plan, but I just ket a running total in my head - or at least I thought I was.

When you see it all laid out in front of you it makes a difference. I see that I don't really eat that much, but I sure get alot of junk carbs i.e. sugar. I am sure there will be days that I get 5000 calories in the day, but that is not normal.

And I usually do eat more often than I have these past couple of days, this is not normal. It's all the distractions.

By the way, you can comment on these posts. I would like to hear how the rest of you are doing.

I know I have talked about the food and calorie thing alot, but really this week is just about the water. Life Habit 1 - drink 12 cups of water each day and NO soda.

Good Luck!

Commit2Fit Day 1

Distractions - I have alot of them.

It is so easy to get sidetracked.

The bird, the Pet store, Mother's Day, the pool and a Star Wars marathon.

It's after midnight and I will have to keep this short. Day 2 I will have more to share.

But here is the important stuff:

My Food Diary, and I only got 8 cups of water but I am trying to finish off another 4 while I sit here at the computer. I guess I won't get my point for the day.

I remember when Star Wars first came out - we stood in line to see it at NorthPark theater. It was a good day - me, my brother & sister and my Dad (weekend visitation)

Everyone is asleep here. Luke Skywalker and the Rebels are about to attack the Death Star.

I have to pee!

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Excellent Nutrition for Expecting and Nursing Moms

I can see that it has been a while since I have posted. I have been getting ready for Commit2Fit. I knew it would take some time, but getting everything prepared for the Kick Off meeting has become more of a project than I had expected.

I will get back to that in a later post. Right now, I have to address something that is so very important to me, even more so since becoming a Mom.

I think I hit on it a bit when I was writing about the importance of Omegas in your diet. The overall good nutrition that is so important for expecting and nursing Moms. This week I heard "Gestational Diabetes" come out of 2 separate conversations with pregnant women who are slim (except for the bump) and look otherwise fit. That really suprises me, so I am looing into the symptoms and causes so that I can understand better.

But this brings up again how important it is for Women to be sure to stay fit and get good nutrition even if they are just thinking about becoming pregnant. The first several weeks of pregnancy are very important, and we may not even be aware that we are pregnant until we are about 2 months along.

I wish I had known about Advocare when I was pregnant. It would have made things alot easier. I did not suffer with Morning sickness, but I did have incredible Heartburn. And really there is nothing that is safe to take to relieve the Heartburn. Advocare DigestEase is a wonderful product that contains ginger root and papaya and it is safe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

I think that I mentioned in an earlier post that OmegaPlex is an excellent source for the Omegas that are so important for developing babies. Flax seed is not an efficient source for omegas, fish oil is best. It is especially important for a pregnant and breastfeeding woman to consume DHA (one of the omega-3s in fish oil) because the developing baby is dependent on Mom! DHA is an essential fat—we must get it from diet or supplements, because our bodies don’t make it—and consuming enough DHA is critical for normal and healthy development of infant brain, eyes, and nervous system. Inadequate consumption of DHA during pregnancy has been linked to shortened gestational periods and premature delivery. It is recommended that women consume 300–600 mg of DHA daily while pregnant and breastfeeding.

Protein is also important, especially for brain development. A good, easy to follow diet is Dr. Brewer's pregnancy diet. Let me tell you though, it's tough to get your daily 100 grams of protein in you. And if you have Morning sickness or gas, it's even tougher. Meal Replacement Shakes have 24 grams of easily digestible protein, that's a meat serving! They have half your RDA of Calcium which is important to me because I found out that I was osteopenia, most likely due to breastfeeding which depletes your Calcium.

Calcium Plus is a Calcium supplment with the necessary vitamin D and Magnesium, Zinc and Manganese.

Muscle Gain is another great protein source and excellent snack. As are the Nutrition bars.


ReHydrate electrolyte replcement drink is what Gatorade wishes it was - sugar free, less salt, way better. Doctors prefer it to Pedialyte. Great for babies, children & Mommies when we are sick and it is running out either end! Also while breast feeding when we need alot of fluid, and during Menopause due to hot flashes and night sweats. Every woman should drink Rehydrate before bed, we lose alot of water and don't realize it.

Catalyst contains branch chain amino acids that feed your muscles, keeping you strong and lean, great for back support and all over fitness and strength and totally safe for pregnant and nursing Moms.

CorePlex with Iron multi vitamin is a great Pre Natal, lots of folic acid and Iron. My daughter loves the sugar free CorePlex Chewables.

Probiotic Restore has active cultures that aid in digestion and will help in keeping you regular. Each capsule is like eating 1000 yogurts.

Here is the age, pregnancy and nursing indications for the Advocare products that I have mentioned.

Advocare products have excellent science behind them. One of the members of Advocare's Sci/Med board Dr Carl Keen has written an article about the necessary Nutrition for Expecting Moms.


Remember that I am not a Doctor. I am just passing along information that I have learned through my own personal experiences. If you have a medical issue or are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your Doctor to be sure to do what is right for you.