How I Managed Cancer Weight Loss During Treatment

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Cancer weight loss is a challenging and common issue for many patients, including myself, as we undergo various cancer treatments. Managing body weight during cancer treatment is crucial because unintentional weight loss can impact our immune system, overall strength, and response to treatment.

After my cancer diagnosis of stage IV rectal cancer that spread to my liver, I faced significant weight loss due to a combination of the growing tumor, loss of appetite, and treatment side effects. As I went through chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and multiple surgeries, I discovered that keeping my weight stable was essential for giving my body the support it needed to fight cancer.

This article shares my journey, the adjustments I made, and practical tips for others facing similar challenges with unexpected weight loss during cancer care.

Why Do Weight Changes Happen During Treatment?

When you’re dealing with cancer, weight changes—especially weight loss—can happen fast and without warning. This is often due to both the cancer itself and the treatments meant to fight it. Cancer cells alter metabolism and draw energy, which can lead to unintentional weight loss. These shifts in body weight aren’t just numbers on a scale—they impact energy, immunity, and how well the body can handle ongoing treatments.

Common side effects that can lead to weight loss include:

Nausea and Loss of Appetite: Chemotherapy and radiation therapy often cause nausea and loss of appetite, making it difficult to eat enough to maintain a healthy weight.

Metabolism Changes: Cancer itself and certain treatments alter metabolism, which can lead to muscle loss and a need for more calories.

Eating and Digestive Issues: Problems like difficulty swallowing, stomach pain, and changes in digestion can lead to reduced food intake and other health issues, leading to unintentional weight loss.

My Experience with Weight Changes

After my cancer diagnosis, unexplained weight loss was one of the earliest signs that something was wrong. Before I even began treatment, I noticed I was losing weight rapidly—losing a few pounds each week, even though my diet hadn’t changed.

I didn’t know it then, but the growing tumor was already affecting my body’s ability to maintain weight. This significant weight loss was one of the reasons my primary care doctor pushed for further testing, leading to my cancer diagnosis.

Once my cancer treatments started, the weight loss became more intense. Chemotherapy was especially hard on my body weight. The side effects of cancer treatments—nausea, vomiting, and fatigue—made food intake challenging.

Foods I once enjoyed suddenly caused nausea, and my appetite dropped sharply. This unintentional weight loss was difficult because I needed strength to keep up with the treatments, but my body seemed to lose weight faster with each session. Keeping my weight stable was an ongoing struggle, especially during those early months of treatment.

How Did I Adjust My Diet to Prevent Weight Loss?

When cancer treatments made me lose weight quickly, I knew I had to focus on getting enough nutrient-dense foods to maintain my strength. This meant choosing foods packed with vitamins, minerals, and enough protein to maintain my body weight without eating large portions. By eating foods rich in essential nutrients, I could give my body what it needed to fight back, even when my appetite was low.

Since my appetite was unpredictable, I started eating small, frequent meals throughout the day to prevent weight loss. These smaller portions were easier on my stomach and helped me get in the calories my body needed without feeling overwhelmed. I found that nutrient-rich snacks, like nuts, yogurt, and smoothies, made it easier to manage my food intake while also helping me maintain a healthy weight.

What Supplements Helped Me Maintain My Weight?

Along with changes in my diet, I added natural phytonutrient supplements to my routine. These supplements provided essential nutrients that supported my immune system, helped with inflammation, and boosted my body’s ability to handle cancer treatment. Taking these natural supplements felt like another tool I could use to strengthen my body against the effects of chemotherapy and weight loss.

I also started using olive oil to increase my daily calorie intake without needing to eat large amounts. A small amount of olive oil added to my meals helped me absorb more nutrients from the food I was eating and provided healthy fats. This approach helped me maintain my weight even when my appetite was low, giving me more energy to get through each day.

How Did I Balance Nutrition and Caloric Intake?

Balancing nutrition and caloric intake became necessary as I worked to prevent excessive weight loss while avoiding unnecessary weight gain. I started monitoring portion sizes and chose healthier options that would give me the calories I needed without adding too much fat tissue. This approach helped me find a middle ground, letting me fuel my body while avoiding the risk of unintended weight gain from certain types of food.

I focused on incorporating more vegetables and proteins into my diet. These meals provided the essential proteins my body needed to maintain muscle mass while giving me the energy to get through cancer treatment. Keeping my meals balanced allowed me to maintain a healthier weight without sacrificing nutrition, which was crucial for keeping up my strength.

Using Exercise to Manage Weight

Regular physical activity became a key part of managing my weight and maintaining muscle mass while undergoing cancer treatment. Exercise helped me stay strong and balanced, countering some of the muscle loss from treatment. By maintaining my body weight through movement, I could give myself more energy and support my immune system, which helped me face the challenges of cancer treatments.

Zone 2 Cardio for One Hour Every Day

I incorporated Zone 2 cardio for an hour each day. This lower-intensity workout allowed me to exercise without exhausting myself. This level of cardio was effective in maintaining my weight and energy, and it was easier on my body than high-intensity workouts.

Resistance Training Twice a Week to Build and Maintain Muscle

In addition to cardio, I included resistance training twice a week to build and maintain muscle mass. By lifting weights, I was able to counteract some of the muscle loss that comes with cancer-related weight loss. This routine helped me stay strong, adding to my overall resilience during treatment.

Staying Hydrated and Managing Cravings

Staying hydrated was crucial for my overall health and energy. I made it a point to drink plenty of water and green tea throughout the day. Green tea kept me hydrated and provided antioxidants, which helped my body fight inflammation and feel refreshed. Hydration was vital for managing side effects and supporting my body weight during treatment.

Avoiding sugary drinks was another fundamental change I made to manage my weight and reduce cravings. Sugary beverages can cause weight issues and spike blood sugar, so I chose healthier beverage choices. Choosing water and green tea over sugary drinks helped me maintain steady energy levels without the crash.

How Did I Handle Cravings?

Cravings were a constant challenge, but I found ways to manage them by making healthier choices. Instead of giving in to sugary snacks, I found alternatives that satisfied my cravings without causing unintended weight gain. By focusing on foods that provide nutrition without added sugar, I could keep my body weight more stable and feel healthier overall.

Choosing fruits over sugary snacks: When I craved something sweet, I chose fruits like blueberries or an apple to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Opting for protein-rich snacks: Nuts, yogurt, or cheese helped curb my cravings and provided more protein, supporting muscle maintenance.

Staying mindful of portion sizes: I allowed myself small treats now and then but kept portions controlled to avoid unnecessary weight gain.

Key Takeaways from My Experience

Maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise routine made a huge difference in my journey. A healthy diet, full of nutrient-dense foods, along with daily exercise, gave my body the support it needed to manage the challenges of cancer treatment. This approach helped me manage both my weight and muscle loss, which was vital for my strength and stamina.

Staying hydrated and managing cravings also played a big role in maintaining a healthy weight. Choosing water and green tea kept my body well-hydrated, and finding alternatives to sugary snacks reduced my risk of weight gain. Using technology to track my health metrics helped me stay on top of my progress and adjust as needed, which became an important part of my overall cancer care strategy.

Managing Cancer Weight Loss Through Diet, Exercise, and Hydration

Managing cancer weight loss requires a balance of healthy diet choices, regular exercise, and staying hydrated. Throughout my cancer journey, I learned that maintaining body weight is essential for enduring the effects of treatment and supporting overall health.

By focusing on nutrient-dense foods, incorporating small, frequent meals, and using exercise to build muscle and energy, I found ways to stabilize my weight. Staying hydrated with water and green tea and finding healthier options to satisfy cravings also made a difference.

For people with cancer facing unexpected weight loss, these strategies can offer ways to stay strong and give the body the resources it needs to fight through treatment.

References

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Biswas, A. K., & Acharyya, S. (2020). The Etiology and Impact of Muscle Wasting in Metastatic Cancer. Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine, 10(10), a037416. https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a037416

Rock, C. L., Thomson, C., Gansler, T., Gapstur, S. M., McCullough, M. L., Patel, A. V., Andrews, K. S., Bandera, E. V., Spees, C. K., Robien, K., Hartman, S., Sullivan, K., Grant, B. L., Hamilton, K. K., Kushi, L. H., Caan, B. J., Kibbe, D., Black, J. D., Wiedt, T. L., McMahon, C., … Doyle, C. (2020). American Cancer Society guideline for diet and physical activity for cancer prevention. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 70(4), 245–271. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21591

How I Managed Weight Changes During Cancer Treatment