Many people struggle with extra weight and cancer survivors often do it with extra helpings of fear and guilt. See if these thoughts can help!
BY BARBARA TAKO
PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 14, 2019
Barbara Tako is a breast cancer survivor (2010), melanoma survivor (2014) and author of Cancer Survivorship Coping Tools–We'll Get You Through This. She is a cancer coping advocate, speaker and published writer for television, radio and other venues across the country. She lives, survives, and thrives in Minnesota with her husband, children and dog. See more at www.cancersurvivorshipcopingtools.com , or www.clutterclearingchoices.com.
I am a breast cancer and melanoma cancer survivor, and I am overweight—again. I don't plan on staying this way. I don't think anyone does. People with additional health issues, including cancer survivors, have an extra dose of fear and guilt to go with their weight loss frustrations. We know our weight can impact our disease. We are mortally afraid. No one wants to die. Fear, however, is not a good long-term motivator, as my talk therapist has repeatedly told me. So, what might work?
As a cancer survivor, there is seems to be a mixed message in my brain. On the one hand, rather than focusing on cancer, it is good to live in the moment. Does living in the moment include a second glass of wine or a dessert with friends, I wonder? On the other hand, carrying extra weight is carrying extra cancer risk, and so the circle beings again. Help!
As a cancer survivor, there is seems to be a mixed message in my brain. On the one hand, rather than focusing on cancer, it is good to live in the moment. Does living in the moment include a second glass of wine or a dessert with friends, I wonder? On the other hand, carrying extra weight is carrying extra cancer risk, and so the circle beings again. Help!
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