Beating Breast Cancer: Karen's Story 3

Writing to her support network on eDiets, she said:

I am still struggling with not looking back at what I've been through and where I was before, with getting discouraged at not being able to do what I used to be able to do, struggling with the idea that it's all out of my control anyway. I liked what Janet wrote about this being a fresh start. That's what I need to do too. Make a fresh start.

Today I am going to start logging my food and will develop an exercise plan that I know that I can keep up with at this moment in time. It doesn't matter what I used to be able to do or what I might be able to do next month, what matters is what I can do now AND that I do it now. This is my new beginning.

These days, Karen is happy again. With the help of Raphael Calzadilla, eDiets Chief Fitness Pro, and her friends on the Exercise and Fitness Board, she's now able to focus on what she CAN do and not what she used to do, though the gap between the two narrows regularly.

Karen has refocused on her nutrition and shedding the few pounds off that she gained while going through treatment. She's back on her bike and can confidently ride 20 or 25 miles without fear of being too fatigued to get home.

She's gotten back much of her strength, and is lifting near the same weight she had been before she got sick. She's even doing some high intensity interval training on her NordicTrack ski machine. Her confidence has returned, and she's living life and thinking about all that she will be able to do as she continues to recover and heal.

One final thought from Karen: "When it comes to my life or a few pounds, I'll definitely take life over the extra weight. I feel healthy now, especially with exercise back in my life! I'm ready for anything!"