A Massive Health Transformation
- Pippa Hannah, 39, from Cheshire, England decided it was time to get healthy and lose weight after surviving three heart attacks and a rare type of cancer.
- The inspiring mom adopted a healthy lifestyledropped 100 poundsand has since changed her life around, finding love again and a new career as a nutritionist.
- There is really no “cancer diet” that patients need to abide by, but making sure you exercise and trying to maintain a healthy weight can make a big difference.
“I was killing myself with overeating. I knew I had to make a change, and that change has saved my life,” Pippa told the Manchester Evening News (MEN).
Read MorePippa’s Health Battles
In October 2015, Pippa had a spontaneous cardiac arterial dissection (SCAD), which is most common in women. This rare condition causes an emergency blockage of blood flow to the heart, according to the Cleveland Clinic. She thankfully survived the multiple attacks, but while in the hospital, she suffered another blow. Doctors found a tumor on her kidney, and she was then diagnosed with stage two clear cell carcinoma, a cancer of the kidney."Little did I know it, but I had cancer even then and that is why I was gaining weight and feeling so tired,” she told the news outlet. “I was told that my cancer had been preventing me from losing weight, and it all made sense.”
The Role of Diet and Exercise in Cancer Risk
Pippa underwent surgery to have her right kidney removed, and luckily beat it, but her mental health still suffered.
Prior to her health emergencies, she lost her best friend to cancer and her marriage suffered because of it. All of a sudden, she found herself an overweight, single mother.
"I slumped into a depression,” she admitted. “I ate and drank too much and then I would yo-yo diet and use laxatives to try to lose weight. I am usually such a bright and bubbly person, but I became very sad and withdrawn.”
Pippa said her weight has always been a challenge for her, and explained that she was even “a little overweight as a child.” Although her parents were supportive, her mother was a model and her dad played soccer, so she felt she “had a lot to live up to."
Weighing nearly 260 at her heaviest, Pippa was determined to get healthy and finally started learning about food after finding some inspiration online with a nutrition club. “The nutrition club is all about understanding what you need rather than what you want,” she said.
Related: These 5 Ripped Survivors Show That You Can Stay Fit During and After a Cancer Battle
With proper food intake and exercise, the weight began to fall off, and she changed her life around. Now she is surely making her parents proud, but most importantly, she is proud of herself.
Finding Love Again
Feeling healthy and confident for the first time in her life, Pippa even found love again. She scored a cute husband named John whom she married earlier this month.
"When I look back at the lowest points of my journey, I feel it's incredible that I've found such happiness,” she said. "I used food as a comfort and a crutch. I ate secretly and I would hide my fast-food wrappers."
Pippa has now started her own nutrition business, Soul Nutrition Club, which she launched two months ago with her husband.
Pippa’s heroic story proves that we often can overcome the toughest obstacles, and that there can be light at the end of the tunnel, even when life seems hopeless.
Cancer and Your Health
There is really no “cancer diet” that patients need to abide by, but making sure you exercise and trying to maintain a healthy weight can make a big difference.
We spoke with Dr. Ken Miller, the Director of Outpatient Oncology at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, who shared some guidelines with SurvivorNet for cancer survivors who are concerned about a recurrence:
- Exercise at least two hours a weekand walking counts.
- Eat a low-fat diet. The Women's Intervention Nutrition Study, which looked at early stage breast cancer patients, found that a low-fat diet was associated with reduced risk for cancer recurrence, particularly in those with estrogen receptor-negative cancers. Other studies have found that foods with a high glycemic index that are digested quickly and cause a spike in blood sugar may lead to tumor growth in lung cancer patients.
- Eat a colorful diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. The American Cancer Society recommends aiming for two to three cups of vibrant vegetables and fruits each day.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Studies have shown that being obese can increase your risk for several types of cancer.
Recommendations for a Healthy Lifestyle: One Doctor's Advice for Cancer Survivors
Overall, these guidelines are good for your general health, survivor or not, to combat cancer and any other type of sickness.
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