Navigating Weight Loss and a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Guest blog by Jenny Borgfjord

Being a Loser Ain’t All Bad

When I first embarked on my weight loss journey with the Livy Method on April 24, 2023, I had no idea how much it would transform my life during one of the most stressful periods I’ve ever faced. That day marked not only the beginning of my journey to shed pounds but also the discovery of an abnormality in my breast, which led to a cancer diagnosis. The weeks and months that unfolded were daunting, but becoming a Livy Loser, which you are called when you join, gave me an unexpected lifeline.

Since my 20s, obesity has been a constant shadow. Dealing with menopause only added to the struggle. As I embarked on my 51st year in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and menopause struck simultaneously, and grappling with chronic foot problems, I was becoming resigned to the fact that I would be wearing my adipose snowsuit for the rest of my life. As a member of a family of five and a full-time teacher, I often put the needs of others first and then ate and drank my emotions. Bread and pasta were a definite comfort, accompanied by red wine. Eek!

I heard the same advice over and over again: eat less and move more. It seemed like a simple formula, but the answer was always elusive. My doctor’s simplistic directive felt more like a dismissal and an admonishment than a solution. Fuck the BMI Index. Yoga was and still is my favourite form of movement, especially when I can do it lying down. I also dabbled in a little strength training and taking the occasional walk, but I was still wearing the snowsuit and starting to feel the effects of it with age – aches, pains, lethargy, among others.

In February 2023, I was fortunate to meet a Livy Loser at the BYTE Conference in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. jen , an Ed Tech guru, shared many pearls of wisdom about Sketchnoting, Inbox Zero, and assistive tech, but her experience with the Livy Method, a weight loss and management program created by Gina Livy, was a life-changing morsel for me. Then, coincidentally, a few weeks after the conference, I had a chat with my colleague, Patti, and she mentioned that her sister had lost over 40 pounds recently. It turns out her sister is a Livy Loser! I told her about my conversation with Jen, we looked at each other, rushed to our computers and signed up for the April round right then while wolfing down our take-out food. The irony was noted and laughed about.

Sticking With the Livy Method Despite a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Fast-forward to April. After reading all the information, I filed my “normal” mammogram results letter from March 28. After much anticipation, the Livy Method program started. I found a lump in my breast the same morning. I was tempted to dismiss it…because I just had a “normal” mammogram. Fortunately, a little feeling niggled me enough to mention it to my husband, and we decided to give it a week. Anyway, you read the intro, the lump was breast cancer. I urge you to pause reading right now and go learn about dense breasts. DenseBreastsCanada.ca is a great place to start. Then come back here and finish reading.

Back on track. Despite the cancer news, I was able to stay on the Livy Method. There were times when I understandably, half-assed it, and that’s okay. My body and brain were in shock. Big time. Some days I dove down deep breast cancer rabbit holes on the internet, and other days, I whispered the word forward to myself and focussed on the present. Sometimes I oscillated between the what-ifs and the here-and-now from minute to minute. That’s where the Livy Method app and the Facebook community became my anchors, providing a sense of focus and support when I needed to distract myself. The encouragement from fellow Livy Losers and the guidance from the program helped me stay on track, even when I wasn’t giving it my all.

Later in my Gina and Breast cancer journey—fall 2023 and winter 2024—the AI components of AskEllyn and LivyAI played a significant role. These tools made personalized advice and insights even easier to access, making the process feel more manageable and tailored to my needs. They helped me navigate through the ups and downs, offering virtual support systems that were always available. Dr. Google had some competition! As a side note, different AI programs have been a gift of time as I work on advocacy and awareness of all things breast cancer in my home province of Manitoba.

Kicking Obesity Part Way to the Curb

Since November 2023, I’ve hit a plateau. Despite maximizing my efforts, the scale still bounces around the same 5 pounds. When I feel frustrated, I hear Gina’s voice, reminding me that my experience is progress over perfection! Instead of focusing on the lack of movement on the scale, I redirect my thoughts to gratitude. I’ve lost 48 pounds so far, a significant achievement; although I am a little ticked, I don’t get to say 50 pounds! Although, I guess I can if I round up. I still register as obese on the fucking BMI index at the doctor’s office. That’s okay, I don’t ache as much, I have less pain, and I have more energy. I also honour the fact that my body needs time to adjust to its new size and heal from cancer treatment and cognitive trauma. I am finally listening to myself.

Becoming a Livy Loser during one of the most challenging times in my life has been a transformative experience. It has taught me the importance of lifestyle factors, the power of community, and the significance of progression over perfection. If you’re being told to eat less and move more by healthcare providers, and don’t mind being called a loser, consider joining the Livy Method. Being a loser ain’t all bad!

About the author

Jenny Borgfjord, a lifelong Manitoban, is a dedicated mother of three, wife, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. As a teacher, she champions accessibility and technology within her school division. As a breast cancer survivor, Jenny’s diagnosis and treatment were complicated by dense breast tissue that masked a 2 cm tumour on routine imaging. Since April 2023, her journey with Livy Losers has been life-changing in a good way. She urges everyone to take breast changes lasting more than two weeks seriously, learn how to do breast self-exams properly and do them regularly, and understand the implications of breast density. You can follow along at https://jennyborgfjord.substack.com/, @breastscreenmb on Instagram, and www.breastscreenmb.ca if the domain name ever kicks in.