Introducing Myself (wow, this is kinda hard)

[hez]

I've always been a back row-sitter. Don't like being wrong, or drawing attention to myself, well here I go doing both those things.

My name is Heather, but my real life friends and family all call me Hez. I'm a 34 year old wife and mother. Recent college grad, full-time web developer, professional fat lady. I'm 6' tall, packing around 330 pounds. Awful.

I've always been a big girl. I remember weighing 220 on my 12th birthday. Grew up with the requisite self-image issues and I've tried really hard to "achieve" in every other area of my life to make up for it. I might not be able to tie my shoes, but hey! Look at my GPA! So, it turns out I can't really hide it or ignore it any more. I don't want to die. I want to be there for my little boy.

I had some weight loss success back in 2008 with the OA diet. Went from 335 to 265 in about 9 months time. Met my future husband, got married, went on birth control, developed a blood clot, got pregnant, and had a crazy ride since then health-wise. Now I'm back at 330. Diagnosed last month with PCOS. Doc put me on some meds for that (Metformin, primarily) and I went back for a one month follow up yesterday and found out I'd gained 6# in a month. She pretty much tossed up her hands at me and told me to make an appointment with a bariatric surgeon.

In one respect, I know she's right. This weight is a critical problem and it's gonna kill me if I don't do something about it. On the other hand, I'm not sure bariatric surgery is exactly the panacea some people believe it to be. She also seemed a little...hasty maybe?

Here's what I'm going to do, though. I go Tuesday to the Bariatric surgery seminar and get started down that road. My understanding is, the process of getting ready for those types of surgeries takes 6-12 months usually. In the mean time, I LC like crazy, and work out every chance I get, and put every ounce of strength in me to disqualifying myself for the surgery through diet & exercise induced weight loss. If I fail, they can re-route my intestines or whatever. UGH.

I've been lurking here for awhile, admiring your success stories, envisioning me as that successful low carber. I really can do it. If it's alright with you guys, I'm going to toss my hat in with ya. I promise not to be a one-post-then-disappear contributor.

Teach me your ways. Let's do this!

[Teresa123]

Welcome Hez! I think you have a good plan. Check out all of your options and try some other things first to avoid surgery. You do not have to do anything 'crazy' in regards to low carb and you don't have to exercise a ton---just follow the plan and the weight will come off! I always caution people about starting an exercise program when they are changing their way of eating....I always suggest that you get the eating thing down first and as you are feeling more comfortable/confident in that then start adding some exercise. Too many people start out all gung ho trying to change a bunch of things and then ultimately 'fail' because it's too much. Don't get me wrong, some probably can do that but I believe they are the minority...but that is just my opinion. But truly, just following a good low carb plan will give you results in regards to weight loss and PCOS...or at least it did for me!

Please don't be a one time poster...most of us here will tell you that being here is the key to the kind of support and accountability that we really need to succeed, especially early on. So jump in and post and read and post and read and...well, you get the point!

I never say 'good luck' because this isn't about luck. You have control of your destiny and we're here to offer any help and encouragement that we can!

[JCWANNABE]

Hey there Hez,

Boy do I know what you are talking about. Writing this is actually my first post on this site! It sounds like you have kind of a lame doc. Surgery may work in it's own way, but there are so many risks involved. I looked at that rout myself and was all set to go to the seminar and all that. Then the more I looked at it the more scary it was.

I lost over 100 pounds before on Atkins. Then I got married, had kids, and gained it all back. I have been almost starving myself just to maintain a weight of 275 +/-. I would eat almost nothing all day and then feel guilty eating dinner. I was totally unhappy that I was doing that and still not losing.

Why did I ever stop atkins! I just started back up again and have lost over 5 pounds in the first 4 days! I have pcos too and know that atkins is the only way to lose weight. I want to let you know that you can do it. Maybe I just need to remind myself that if I did it before I can do it again (sorry, I think I'm projecting ; ). Keep at it!

Post back and tell us how you are doing. We have got to be there for each other (because naturally skinny people just don't get it) Ha ha!

[Lony]

Hi Hez

I know exactly how you feel because I have been overweight my whole life. Just do me one favor, PLEASE give the LC a chance before you head directly to the surgery. I am not against bypass surgery, I have a lot of family members that have chosen that path. I was headed down that path myself until I found LC. I have lost over 120 pounds so far with the low carb way of life and I have learned a lot about myself on this journey.

We are stronger than we think we are. I am sending my fellow Idahoan lots of happy glitter and great mojo and congratulations on making a life changing decision.

[skoolmarm729]

I'm going to sneak it to say hey there and to let you know that I am in a similar situation as yourself. I've been successful on this a few times, but always fall off and regain sadly. This is critical for me as well and I'm back to try this again. I'll be following your story, so post often

(Btw- I don't like being wrong OR drawing attention to myself either! Just a few more things we have in common...)

[hez]

Thanks for the warm welcome, ladies! I feel encouraged already, which is amazing, considering my day.

I went to the bariatric surgery seminar tonight, and talk about sad statistics. Supposedly, non-surgical weight management methods fail for 95% of morbidly obese people. There was a whole lot of "It's not your fault, it's genetics" talk. I walked out of there thinking what great salesmen they were. The surgeon doing the presentation said he did about 450 gastric bypasses last year. According to the pamphlets they handed out, each of those surgeries cost someone about $25,000. Let's see, carry the one.....ELEVEN MILLION DOLLARS. I know the surgeon only gets a little sliver of that. Still...big business.

Wouldn't it be weird if you could lose weight without surgery? Wouldn't it be weird if I could be a five percenter?

You know what? Put me in a room with 100 morbidly obese people (hopefully a pretty big room). If anyone there can beat the odds, I think it's me. Maybe that's arrogant, and for the moment it's just words. I'm going to do my best though, to put my money where my mouth is.

Uhh, do I need to buy an Atkins book? Lol. For tomorrow I'm just going to keep it to 20 carbs and keep track of everything. That's not much of a plan, but time's a wastin!

[JCWANNABE]

That's not arrogance, that's just knowing that you ROCK!!!!!

They sure are salesmen! And you really can't blame them. It is their job after all

You can totally do it! They say that 95% fail. Well, I say that that 95% are not doing low carb and getting support from low carb friends . com !

We all know how hard it is to lose weight here. But we also know how hard it is to be overweight in the first place. And having done both, being overweight makes life much more difficult than doing what it takes to lose weight.

I've found, with myself at least, there comes a point where we say to ourselves: "enough is enough! I'm ready to do whatever it takes to change my body!"

It's like something inside of you clicks, and you know that right then and there you are ready for the challenge and ready to face it head on.

That's where I am at now. And I think I see a glimmer of that in your post???

You go and "get'r'done!"

I know that if I can do it, anybody can!!!

[JCWANNABE]

Oh, and totally go and get the atkins book!

Get the old one: Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution

There is a new one out that was not written by Dr. Atkins that came out after his death. There are a lot of mixed reviews on that book. A lot of people seem to think that the old book is better written and easier to to understand with better explained science.

You can also go the the atkins.com web site and get a FREE newbie kit that comes with a guide, a carb counter, and three free samples of full size atkins bars. It ships pretty quick.

Who's the salesman now? LOL!

[Lony]

Hez, I am curious if they told you about what percentage of the surgery fails. I could show you countless photos of people (my sister included) that had the surgery and then 5 years down the road gained it all back plus some.

I had a long talk with my primary care doc and he told me ... Sure you can have the surgery, eat what you want for a year or two and then you will be right back where you are now watching what you eat. Genetics plays a big roll in weight so my question is how is having surgery going to change your genetics??? That really opened my eyes! (he is the one who introduced me to low carb)

So it has taken me 4 years and I am not where I want to be but, I have not gained any of it back and it is still coming off slowly but surely.

You can do this if you set your mind to it!

[hez]

Originally Posted by JCWANNABE

I know that if I can do it, anybody can!!!

Young lady, where is your arrogance?! Thank you for the advice on the book. I will track down a copy of the old one.

Lony, the statistics they give you say that on average, 5 years after gastric bypass, people have lost 60% of their excess body weight. They also mentioned some things like you have about a one in 400 chance of dying from the surgery. That might sound like good odds of not dying, but people have like a one in seventy million chance of winning the lottery and they are still buying tickets. Your other point makes a ton of sense. Surgery really helps some people, but I am not sure it's for me.

Turns out, the whole surgery discussion is moot at the moment. Today I found out that My insurance policy will not cover it under any circumstances. I checked my wallet and there's somewhat less than $25,000 in there at the moment. It's alright. I was just looking at the surgery as negative reinforcement anyway.

In other news, I had a great eating day today. Didn't count carbs like I know I should, but I didn't eat any sugar or flour. Had a bunch of protein and walked 3 miles on my lunch hour.

I don't know what exactly has clicked for me, but something did. You're right, Wannabe. This is my time. I'm glad you're back at it too. Very happy to meet you guys and thanks so much for caring.

[JCWANNABE]

Originally Posted by hez

Young lady, where is your arrogance?! Thank you for the advice on the book. I will track down a copy of the old one.

Lony, the statistics they give you say that on average, 5 years after gastric bypass, people have lost 60% of their excess body weight. They also mentioned some things like you have about a one in 400 chance of dying from the surgery. That might sound like good odds of not dying, but people have like a one in seventy million chance of winning the lottery and they are still buying tickets. Your other point makes a ton of sense. Surgery really helps some people, but I am not sure it's for me.

Turns out, the whole surgery discussion is moot at the moment. Today I found out that My insurance policy will not cover it under any circumstances. I checked my wallet and there's somewhat less than $25,000 in there at the moment. It's alright. I was just looking at the surgery as negative reinforcement anyway.

In other news, I had a great eating day today. Didn't count carbs like I know I should, but I didn't eat any sugar or flour. Had a bunch of protein and walked 3 miles on my lunch hour.

I don't know what exactly has clicked for me, but something did. You're right, Wannabe. This is my time. I'm glad you're back at it too. Very happy to meet you guys and thanks so much for caring.

I like the idea to look at the seminar as a reinforcement thing.

I'm glad you joined up on the board. It's turning out to be a great tool for encouragement and motivation for me as I am sure it is for others.

This is totally your time! If you have never done low carb before then you have never had the tools that you need to lose weight. I wish I had known about low carb as a chubby kid. Instead my poor body has been subjected to decades of yoyo dieting. Heck, I remember drinking slimfast in third grade!

Is this your first exposure to low carb?

[hez]

Originally Posted by JCWANNABE

Is this your first exposure to low carb?

Nope! Back in 2008 when I lost that 70 pounds, I was basically doing low carb. I did have two servings of "starches" each day, but nothing containing flour or sugar, and no white taters. I was also allowed one serving of fruit at breakfast.

It was the first and only way of eating that helped me at all. Why I quit, I have no idea. I remember it being super easy after the first couple of weeks. So, SO glad to be started again!

[JCWANNABE]

Originally Posted by hez

Nope! Back in 2008 when I lost that 70 pounds, I was basically doing low carb. I did have two servings of "starches" each day, but nothing containing flour or sugar, and no white taters. I was also allowed one serving of fruit at breakfast.

It was the first and only way of eating that helped me at all. Why I quit, I have no idea. I remember it being super easy after the first couple of weeks. So, SO glad to be started again!

I'm with ya on the "why did I ever quit?"

Then I remembered, the only reason I quit the last time was because I was pregnant with my son!

I guess the real question for me is why did I not start right back up after pregnancy?

I stopped when I got married because my hubby thought that it was too expensive. I, of course, gained 100+/- pounds within 1 1/2 years. Poor hubby I used to be hot, I swear! Well, not totally skinny at 180, but still kinda hot

This time I'm not going to let myself go back EVER EVER EVER

I lost more weight today. Yesterday I was at 273 (day 7) and today I was at 269.8!!!!!

Oh, I should go to the daily weigh in page........

[GypsyLizze]

I'm right there with the rest of y'all on the whole idea of weight loss surgery. I have known several people who have gone through variations of WLS from full bypass to the 'less invasive' lap band procedure and *every single one* of those people have gained back at least a substantial portion of the weight they initially lost after the procedure. That sounds an awful lot like a 100% failure rate to me! I know in my case the only surgery I've ever had was when my daughter was born via emergency cesarian and almost six years later I still have occasional complications from that so I'm not looking to volunteer to be gutted again any time soon. The way I look at it is that if I can't manage to adjust my eating habits and lifestyle and get myself back down to a healthy weight on my own then WLS would just be like a temporary bandaid solution. And if I CAN do it on my own then what the heck do I need surgery for in the first place?!

I'm glad you were never really wanting the surgery to begin with and just as I'm reminding myself remember you are not alone!

[Hildebeest]

Heather, welcome home. Love, Heather. Heh.

I was on the fence a long time as to how I felt about WLS. Like Gypsy, I have know several people who have gone through variations of the surgery, and every single one has experienced something that I would not be anxious to perpetrate on myself: infection, nausea, dumping, alopecia, anemia... the list goes on. I only know one person who, now ten months later, is still happy with her decision and doing well, though there are things that are hard about it. She's very strict with her portion control and makes sure to follow her post-op plan. MOST people, it seems, do not. And I'm not confident that I could, either.

I am galled by the popularity and commercial hype of WLS. Three things happened that put me firmly on the 'no way' side of the fence:

1. I had gallstones. I self diagnosed and knew I was going to have to have surgery, but I needed a referral to the surgeon and an official diagnosis so I went to a clinic doctor who confirmed my suspicion and then (walk in clinic, mind you) handed me some pamphlets and recommended I look into WLS. She didn't know me from Eve and until that moment had not suggested I had any health problems besides the gallstones - but expressed surprise that I did not need or take any medication, even though my labs were perfect. At the time, I was low carbing and had lost 87 lbs in 6 months. I let her know that and she told me "well, it still wouldn't be a bad idea..."

2. I saw my first television commercial for WLS. The advertising made it sound like a happy simple enticing thing - like if "the little blue pill" cured fatness. I was thinking....SERIOUSLY?

3. A friend was able to get into a surgical center to have WLS done. She *might* have been 50lbs over her 'ideal' weight and couldn't stop talking about how much better she was going to look. That kind of talk bothered me. I know we all want to look better - but she was talking about the WLS like it was cosmetic surgery and not a completely life changing event. It made me realize how many people do this (and fad diets, and starvation, and kooky pills and drinks) primarily for vanity. Hence the TV commercials. My friend had the surgery, lost her 50 lbs and most of her hair, and gained 15 years in her face.

Surgery is SO not for me.

You've made a fantastic foray into a way of life that works, is safe, happy, and completely doable. Congratulations! And indeed, you are not alone!

[JCWANNABE]

Originally Posted by Hildebeest

Heather, welcome home. Love, Heather. Heh.

I was on the fence a long time as to how I felt about WLS. Like Gypsy, I have know several people who have gone through variations of the surgery, and every single one has experienced something that I would not be anxious to perpetrate on myself: infection, nausea, dumping, alopecia, anemia... the list goes on. I only know one person who, now ten months later, is still happy with her decision and doing well, though there are things that are hard about it. She's very strict with her portion control and makes sure to follow her post-op plan. MOST people, it seems, do not. And I'm not confident that I could, either.

I am galled by the popularity and commercial hype of WLS. Three things happened that put me firmly on the 'no way' side of the fence:

1. I had gallstones. I self diagnosed and knew I was going to have to have surgery, but I needed a referral to the surgeon and an official diagnosis so I went to a clinic doctor who confirmed my suspicion and then (walk in clinic, mind you) handed me some pamphlets and recommended I look into WLS. She didn't know me from Eve and until that moment had not suggested I had any health problems besides the gallstones - but expressed surprise that I did not need or take any medication, even though my labs were perfect. At the time, I was low carbing and had lost 87 lbs in 6 months. I let her know that and she told me "well, it still wouldn't be a bad idea..."

2. I saw my first television commercial for WLS. The advertising made it sound like a happy simple enticing thing - like if "the little blue pill" cured fatness. I was thinking....SERIOUSLY?

3. A friend was able to get into a surgical center to have WLS done. She *might* have been 50lbs over her 'ideal' weight and couldn't stop talking about how much better she was going to look. That kind of talk bothered me. I know we all want to look better - but she was talking about the WLS like it was cosmetic surgery and not a completely life changing event. It made me realize how many people do this (and fad diets, and starvation, and kooky pills and drinks) primarily for vanity. Hence the TV commercials. My friend had the surgery, lost her 50 lbs and most of her hair, and gained 15 years in her face.

Surgery is SO not for me.

You've made a fantastic foray into a way of life that works, is safe, happy, and completely doable. Congratulations! And indeed, you are not alone!

Oh my goodness I can't believe that walk in doc! I would have been so mad and hurt if a doc made assumptions like that just from looking at my size. Really unprofessional.

I am really impressed that you lost 87 pounds in 6 months!! That is so awesome! Just goes to show that with atkins you can show all those crazy low fat rhetoric "experts" what it's all about!

Great job and keep up the good work! It really helps me to see other people doing it and being able to interact with weight loss "celebrities" like you!

[Hildebeest]

Originally Posted by JCWANNABE

Oh my goodness I can't believe that walk in doc! I would have been so mad and hurt if a doc made assumptions like that just from looking at my size. Really unprofessional.

I am really impressed that you lost 87 pounds in 6 months!! That is so awesome! Just goes to show that with atkins you can show all those crazy low fat rhetoric "experts" what it's all about!

Great job and keep up the good work! It really helps me to see other people doing it and being able to interact with weight loss "celebrities" like you!

Aw now! I don't count too much as a celebrity - I did gain a bunch of that back and now am re-starting; but we can re-check my celeb status in 6 months or so! LOL. Crazy low fat rhetoric experts indeed. Another friend of mine went to see a doc who spent a good bit of time talking about how his healthy eating plan for her was NOT Atkins, then put her on a low carb diet that, upon examination, is pretty much Atkins. While I enjoy crediting good Dr. A, I guess I don't mind too much that some of the naysayers are slandering his work while promoting it at the same time...except it makes it a lot harder for the recipients of that information to find us here for support!

[JCWANNABE]

Originally Posted by Hildebeest

Aw now! I don't count too much as a celebrity - I did gain a bunch of that back and now am re-starting; but we can re-check my celeb status in 6 months or so! LOL. Crazy low fat rhetoric experts indeed. Another friend of mine went to see a doc who spent a good bit of time talking about how his healthy eating plan for her was NOT Atkins, then put her on a low carb diet that, upon examination, is pretty much Atkins. While I enjoy crediting good Dr. A, I guess I don't mind too much that some of the naysayers are slandering his work while promoting it at the same time...except it makes it a lot harder for the recipients of that information to find us here for support!

Ha ha that is so funny about your friend! My sister went to one doc who called his the "paleo" diet, that he gave to EVERY one of his patients is basically atkins. Her new doc ( a fertility doc ) put her on south beach. And it turns out that phase one of south beach is basically atkins but with low fat cheese and sour cream (YUCK! )

Don't discount yourself. You totally rocked losing those 87 pounds before. You've proved that you can do for as many pounds as you need !!!!! I'd consider you way cooler than some actor on tv or something

[Hildebeest]

Originally Posted by JCWANNABE

Ha ha that is so funny about your friend! My sister went to one doc who called his the "paleo" diet, that he gave to EVERY one of his patients is basically atkins. Her new doc ( a fertility doc ) put her on south beach. And it turns out that phase one of south beach is basically atkins but with low fat cheese and sour cream (YUCK! )

Don't discount yourself. You totally rocked losing those 87 pounds before. You've proved that you can do for as many pounds as you need !!!!! I'd consider you way cooler than some actor on tv or something

LOL... you're crackin' me up. Indeed, whatever they want to call it, I can get behind the idea of any eating plan that includes whole, clean foods. Even when I was a rabid low-fatter (MANY years ago, until I reached the age of reason) I had a sneaking suspicion that any diet that included processed products - especially ones that tasted SO bad - couldn't be a natural or sustainable way to eat. Really I think food shouldn't be something you have to 'tolerate' - low fat frankenfoods are like congratulating and punishing yourself at the same time. WTblueH? While I'd scarcely consider the idea now, I'd rather eat NO fat than low fat. Yuck.

Okay, now we've threadjacked. Where is HEZ? Heather...? Hullo? How you doin'?

[hez]

Thread jackers! Ha. Sorry I haven't posted back here in a couple days. I thought my little "Hi my name is..." post had dropped off the radar, but I see it's alive and well.

Hilde, the nerve of that doc-in-a-box. SMH. It's so good to hear success stories like your almost 90 pound loss. Dang, I'd be feeling good if I weighed 90 pounds less than I do now.

The thing I didn't really talk about...my husband had a RNY gastric bypass in September of 2010, and he's had pretty phenomenal success. He's not at his goal weight, though, and I think the surgery is done helping him. Eventually, we've all just got to learn how to eat right.

I'm having a semi-depressing start here. Today will have been a week of trying, with really only 2 fairly minor food fails. My weight is all over the place. I was down 6lbs after the first 4 days, but it's all back now. I think it's hormone related. I've been on Metformin for PCOS for about the last 6 weeks and I think my body's just kind of in a tail spin.

One amazing thing is how quick my sugar/carb cravings have gotten under control. My "food fails" were just badly handled social situations, and not secret M&Ms or something shameful like that. The candy and junk food is just not calling my name. I'm off to a slow-ish start, but I'm still confident this is what I have to do in the long run.

[JCWANNABE]

Originally Posted by hez

Thread jackers! Ha. Sorry I haven't posted back here in a couple days. I thought my little "Hi my name is..." post had dropped off the radar, but I see it's alive and well.

Hilde, the nerve of that doc-in-a-box. SMH. It's so good to hear success stories like your almost 90 pound loss. Dang, I'd be feeling good if I weighed 90 pounds less than I do now.

The thing I didn't really talk about...my husband had a RNY gastric bypass in September of 2010, and he's had pretty phenomenal success. He's not at his goal weight, though, and I think the surgery is done helping him. Eventually, we've all just got to learn how to eat right.

I'm having a semi-depressing start here. Today will have been a week of trying, with really only 2 fairly minor food fails. My weight is all over the place. I was down 6lbs after the first 4 days, but it's all back now. I think it's hormone related. I've been on Metformin for PCOS for about the last 6 weeks and I think my body's just kind of in a tail spin.

One amazing thing is how quick my sugar/carb cravings have gotten under control. My "food fails" were just badly handled social situations, and not secret M&Ms or something shameful like that. The candy and junk food is just not calling my name. I'm off to a slow-ish start, but I'm still confident this is what I have to do in the long run.

Doc in a box! I love it!

I'm glad that you got on metformin for your pcos. It has really helped me with weight loss. It seemed like without the metformin I gained a lot easier and my blood sugar was more wacky.

I take 850 mg 3x a day for my pcos and I'm thinking of asking my doc to up it to 100. How does your tummy handle it? It can really do a number on you at first with lots of #2 potty trips. Which, on the bright side, can counteract the constipation that can sometimes come with low carbing

I'm so glad that you are still confident in your low carbing super powers
It is totally a long freaking marathon and not a quick sprint race. Do you have the atkins book? I can't recommend it enough! The atkins new diet revolution is the good one. There is a new-ish one out that has mixed reviews. I like all the success stories in NDR book

I like what you said about all having to learn to eat right some time. Totally true no matter who you are. Congrats to your hubby for his weight loss, surgery driven or not! Is he on board with you for low carbing?

[hez]

Originally Posted by JCWANNABE

I take 850 mg 3x a day for my pcos and I'm thinking of asking my doc to up it to 100. How does your tummy handle it? It can really do a number on you at first with lots of #2 potty trips. Which, on the bright side, can counteract the constipation that can sometimes come with low carbing

Yeah. I've been on the Met for about 6 weeks (only 500mg 2x a day). The first 3 days I had, er, *problems*, but ever since I've been fine as long as I take it with meals. I'm skeptical about my dosage, but my GP has been unhelpful, even so far ignoring my request for a referral to an endocrinologist. That reminds me, I need to call her up today.

Originally Posted by JCWANNABE

Do you have the atkins book? I can't recommend it enough! The atkins new diet revolution is the good one. There is a new-ish one out that has mixed reviews. I like all the success stories in NDR book

I do! After your recommendation, actually, I bought the ebook and I'm reading through it as I get time. Job, toddler, social life....time? lol

Originally Posted by JCWANNABE

Congrats to your hubby for his weight loss, surgery driven or not! Is he on board with you for low carbing?

Aye, for the most part. he seems unwilling to give up his evening popcorn, but it's not really a temptation for me, so no problem there.

I'm getting serious today on starting to track my carbs. I think that'll help. From past experience, it seems like the minute I start to fail with low carb is the minute I get sloppy and start estimating. Accurate food journal is sure to help with that. It's a discipline, but that's what I'm trying to learn, right?

[Hildebeest]

Hey Heather! I want to write more but I'm being pulled in all directions today, lol. I just wanted to mention - do you know about ******? It's a fantastic and FREE tool to track food, weight, exercise, etc... it has the most comprehensive database of food items and carb/fat/protein content I have ever seen, plus the ability to add 'custom' foods. I was reluctant to go back to using it because I hate recordkeeping - but I made myself do it and it really helps. It also helps keep too many 'legal treats' from going in your mouth if you know you have to enter them in there later!

[JCWANNABE]

Originally Posted by hez

Yeah. I've been on the Met for about 6 weeks (only 500mg 2x a day). The first 3 days I had, er, *problems*, but ever since I've been fine as long as I take it with meals. I'm skeptical about my dosage, but my GP has been unhelpful, even so far ignoring my request for a referral to an endocrinologist. That reminds me, I need to call her up today.



I do! After your recommendation, actually, I bought the ebook and I'm reading through it as I get time. Job, toddler, social life....time? lol



Aye, for the most part. he seems unwilling to give up his evening popcorn, but it's not really a temptation for me, so no problem there.

I'm getting serious today on starting to track my carbs. I think that'll help. From past experience, it seems like the minute I start to fail with low carb is the minute I get sloppy and start estimating. Accurate food journal is sure to help with that. It's a discipline, but that's what I'm trying to learn, right?

A social life? I think I remember what those things are

I have a toddler too, and an almost 6 year old. I'm a homemaker so the kids are pretty much my social network I think maybe that is part of the reason for coming here!

I don't have a "paying" job, but I have also been pretty busy trying to help my husband start a business. We are still in the beginning about to start seeking out funding. Scary

But, once the business starts, hopefully I won't have so much non homemaker stuff to try to do.

Ahhhh! Life never stops!

[Dragonfly]

Hello ladies! I see a bunch of Pacific Northwesterners in here...cool!

Just wanted to throw some support Hez's way. I'm so glad you're giving Atkins a go, instead of surgery. I was at the same point. My doctor told me to go to a surgery seminar, and that was my wake up call. I like to prove people wrong...and she obviously thought I was a lost cause. I wanted to show her (and everyone else in my life) that I could lose weight all by myself...no surgery, pills, gimmicks, etc. Just sheer determination and hard work. Well, I did GREAT my first year. Lost 140 pounds. The next six months, I managed to get off 20 more pounds. Then, I totally stalled out. It was my fault...I discovered low carb ice cream, and started eating way too much natural peanut butter. These things would have been ok as occasional treats, but I was totally bingeing. I eventually slipped entirely away from low-carb, and back to my old habits. It was a really easy transition, let me tell ya. The weight came flying back. I've been bouncing around between low carb and all-out carb bingeing. I know that low carb is the only thing that truly works for me...but my carb addiction wins out much of the time. I need to get back to strict LC for life. I feel my best when in ketosis...never hungry, lots of energy, improved complexion, etc, etc. It always fascinates me why I keep slipping...but, addictions are powerful things. I guess I will be battling this my whole life. It will never be easy, but it will be worth it.

You can make this happen. I don't know if you're completely LCing yet, but please give it a real chance. You will be amazed at how great you feel, and how fast the weight will come off. You just really, really, really cannot cheat. If you are 100% good...you will be rewarded, I promise. Gather lots of LC recipes that sound good, and find things you really enjoy eating. I tend to eat the same breakfast and lunch pretty much every day...it just takes some work out of it. I don't like having to think too much about what I'm going to eat. I try to vary my dinners, so I don't get too bored.

I'll be following your progress, so please keep posting regularly! The Century Club can be a little quiet at times, so it's nice to see some recent activity going on in here! This is where I feel most comfortable posting. Looking forward to getting to know you...and the others that have been posting in this thread!

Amy

[hez]

Originally Posted by Hildebeest

I just wanted to mention - do you know about ******?

Wow, thanks. Got my fit day account set up yesterday and tracked everything. Had a pretty darn good day, if I might add. If anything, I didn't quite eat enough (1100 calories - 15 carbs?). I also went to the gym and sweated on the elliptical trainer for about 45 minutes. It's hard to get myself to walk in there, but it feels sooooo good when I'm walking out.

JC, I admire stay at home parents so much. It's a good thing too, because I'm married to one. Hope you're still doing well. If I remember right, today's two whole weeks for you? Still kicking butt?

Originally Posted by Dragonfly

I don't know if you're completely LCing yet, but please give it a real chance. You will be amazed at how great you feel, and how fast the weight will come off.

Hi Dragonfly! Wow, 160 pounds in 18 months?? I LOVE the success stories. Gets me fired up every time. I don't think I was perfect all week last week, but I'm actually picking up steam. This morning was my first one-week weigh in, and I'm down 5 pounds. Bought the infamous Ketostix at Rite-Aid yesterday, and this morning I was a lovely dark purple.

No gym tonight, but we're taking the kiddo in his trailer and doing a nice long bike ride. I'd soooooo rather burn my calories for the day with my family outside, enjoying the nice spring weather, than in the smelly gym.

[JCWANNABE]

Well, I may not be kicking butt, but I sure am trying to drag it along!

The scale has gone up a little. But I am sure there is a reason I was down to 267.6 this past weekend and it has gone to 269. But, I know that daily weighing is kind of tricky and you have to take the results with a grain of salt.

I know from experience that when I keep meeting my "action goals" like eating right, drinking fluid, and stuff like that the scale slowly but surely goes down over time. And, when I don't do that stuff, the scale goes up slowly but surely :P

[Katy]

Hi Heather

I also have pcos (am 31) and my doctor put me back on metformin a week ago. I was on it in 2009 when I was first diagnosed but then I got pregnant with my little boy (born march 2010) and went off of it when pregnant. My doctor did not want to put me back on it saying I didn't need it but after gaining 38 pounds in 2 years he put me back on it. The combination of metformin and low carbs seems to be the magic combination for me at least because I am finally seeing the scale go down instead of up. I was eating low carb with no loss prior to metformin but once I added that in the weight is dropping. I'm only on 500 mg once a day. I am trying to get my fertility back to have a second baby since my cycles stopped in september and am hoping this will be the way to go.

[hez]

Hi Katy,

Your situation sounds really familiar. My little guy was born May 2010, and we'd realllly like to have one more before time gets away from us. I also thought Losing weight was a near impossibility, in the last 10 days of LC'ing, I've lost 12 pounds. I couldn't be happier. The Metformin might be helping the weight loss, but it's got my cycles so screwed up. Just started my 3rd period in 6 weeks. Do not want! Prior to the met, I had a nice, irregular 60-90 day cycle lol. My GP has been totally unhelpful in that area. Going to see my obgyn later is week. If she can't help, hopefully she will refer me to someone who can.

I really hope the Metformin helps you. Sounds like it really does wonders for a lot of women who are trying to conceive.