PCOS/Insulin Resistance Support - PCOS Monthly Chat For September 2004

:balloons: Good Morning, Girls!!! :coffee2:

Today is September 1st--The start of my favorite month!! :D Only 13 more days until :hb:. Whoppidy Doo. :p

How is everyone?? I am O.K. today. Yesterday I did not feel good... :( I slept for about 12 hours. Barely dragged myself out of bed for dinner and my Tuesday TV shows. I'm hooked on The Amazing Race. I can see the world without actually having to hop in the plane to go there. :lol:

I also watch Big Bro, but since I can get the spoilers online, I decided to watch Trading Spouses instead. Hahahaha it was hillarious!! They traded dads this time... I really liked the dads version better than the moms version.

Hopefully today I can feel good enough to continue working on my rocks. 20 tons of rocks out there...just waiting for a new home. I took pics but we still can't seem to get the camera software to work on this new PC, and hub hasn't had time to tinker with it yet so I'll just have to be patient or wait until my camera card fills up...one or the other. :dz:

Well, time to try to get my rear in gear..or else I will crawl back in bed. Drop us a line and let us know how you are doing, ok!! And don't forget about the word game...someone needs to add a word..Pleaseeeeeeee?? I'll do a cheer for ya if you do!! :cheer:

Type at ya later... :grouphug:

Today was just a rotten day. Really rotten.
As you know, I went to the gym last night by choice, even though I had lots of work to do for school. So I stayed up late so I could get some more of it done, and didn't go tobed until 11:30. And then I got sick. All night long... So I didn't sleep much. I was pretty tired. Today's plans included going to Staples to pick up stuff for the classroom. I had a fantastic $10 rebate check from them, and couldn't find it! WAIL! Then I couldn't find a instructional book I used to use lots when I had that level of kids and could teach about the grocery store. There are lots of great ideas in the book and I wanted it for a worksheet I know is there. And I can't find it either, along with two other books and the portfolio I made with my kids. I feel so stupid,becausethe portfolio I know was on my desk last year... And I know I saw at least one of those books recently.
Then when I left the apartment, I found out the elevators were broken. ALL THREE OF THEM! And one of our front desk people (also a resident) had gotten stuck. Now, you all know I have issues with my ankle, and I can't do stairs. Before I was in a cast back in April/May, I could at least go up stairs carrying things. Now I'm back to being unable to do up or down with anything in my hands or shoulders, etc. And I live on the 4th floor. Access to our garage is from the 7th floor. That's 6 flights up. I chose to go down 2 flights to the lobby (don't ask, I didn't create the stairwells in our building!), and did finally get there. The plan was to walk around to the garage and go in through the public entrance... and use that elevator to get to the roof. There is supposed to be a code to make it go all the way up, otherwise it stops at the 6th floor which is the last floor for public parking. The 7th and 8th floors are for residents only.
They called the garage to get the code, but the guy over there didn't know it, and said, "She can't get out anyway, we just painted the ramp and she can't come in." Whatever THAT meant! I, of course, missed the 6:15 shuttle, and the 7:15 shuttle from my building to the hospital that runs my program means I have to wait at the hospital till 8:30 because there is only one shuttle to the high school campus until 10 am, when they add a second. We have two because we're so far away it takes 20 minutes to get there from the hospital, and 20 minutes to get back. Fortunately, I was able to reach a co-worker who lives in the city and gave me a ride. But I had to meet him at the corner of my street, and I don't live a nice part of town. Its not all that unsafe as long as you're aware, and there are plenty of people around because of the huge farmer's market, the metro and the light rail stations... but I'm, well, the wrong sex to be standing on a street corner in Baltimore at that hour... Or any hour for this neighborhood! And of course, I had to get at least one idiot who wanted to know what I was selling, and if I thought he could afford my candy! :o
I finally get to school, and of course my ID badge with my keys are in my car that I couldn't get to. And onw I don't have a car to do the necessary shopping. And I'm STILL sick... but the friend that picked me up let me borrow his car, and another friend helped me do the shopping...
On our way home from work today, though, the City police were doing traffic stops for people not wearing seatbelts. Because of the damn stupid pannus, if I'm sitting in most passenger seats of most cars, I can't get it on. I usually drive, because I can get that seat-belt on... And I'm usually okay in Saturns, but I just couldn't get it on today so I didn't wear it. The officer was all ready to give my friend a ticket, and I felt so bad... I explained the problem to her, just that the belt didn't fit, and she made me SHOW HER... I was mortified. Absolutely mortified.
So, its been a crappy day. I finally ate dinner, so now I'm nauseous again... I didn't have my car, and I didn't eat, so I didn't get to the gym...

:mouse:

Oh my goodness - I'm sorry you had such a bad day.
I hope today is better :)
Take care

:grouphug: for you, Mousie. I hope today is better... :smug:

I haven't been feeling too good either. Not sure why...but I suspect an arthritis flare-up. Blah!! Plus I keep having hot flashes. :hot: I slept forever again yesterday, finallly dragged myself out of bed at 3 PM!! I finally did the errands I have been putting off for a week. I left here at 4:30 PM, got home at 10:00 PM, and went back to bed!! I haven't taken any amino acids in a while so I picked some up yesterday and I hope they give me back some energy. We shall see.

How's everyone else doing?? Post so we know!! We wanna hear from ya! :yes:

Type at ya soon... :gossip:

Today was better... I was able to eat today (and I was starving because I didn't eat much yesterday!), but my bad ankle/leg was acting up... because of the stairs. I went to the gym, but didn't do much until the water aerobics class, and then swam laps with just my arms.
Oh well... I'm off tomorrow, and my mom convinced me to come up this weekend, on Saturday...

:mouse:

This week sucks for me! My boss is on vacation and we've been SLAMMED all week. I've been working 10-11 hour days this week, too much to do when I get home, not enough time to sleep, not enough energy to work out! I'm off next week, so at least I'll be able to make up for exercise time.

I've broken out in a rash, also, and I thought I was allergic to my puppy, but now it is going away so I don't know what is wrong with me. Strange! Hopefully this weekend will be better for all of us. What crappy stories we have!

Goodness Gracious!! :o

Well, I hope everyone has a great weekend this weekend and doesn't have to work long hours and gets to enjoy the time with their families & friends. Remember...stuff can't always go bad. :D Have to have it go GOOD at times too to make up for the bad. Now if that would just happen over here... :chin:

Hi All!


I post here from time to time. I have PCOS/IR. Was diagnosed in July 2003. I have been on atkins since last Aug 2003 and that has helped tremendously with the weight and some of my health issues!

But I wanted to post and find out (And I think Jennifer did) if anyone has had a Hysterectomy? I was at teh OB/GYN yesterday and after an hour long appt that consisted of going throught my Menstral Cycle Chart for the last 10 months, the surgical reports from my laps, my blood work and my symptoms.. I am going to have total abdominal Hyterectomy on October 25th. We are going to try to save one ovary as I have horrible reactions to Hormones (I am only 37 too!) I am at peace with the decision as I am so tired of the Endo Pain and the heavy nonstopping bleeding! But I am scared to go to surgery once again!

Is there anyone here that has had a hyster and still have an ovary? How is that with the PCOS?

Is there anyone here that has had a hyster and still have an ovary? How is that with the PCOS?

Hi KarenW!! Glad to see you here!! :wave:

You're talking to the right person. I had a hysterectomy in June 2003. I still have my ovaries. I was suppose to get them taken out, but my doctor wanted to avoid that if possible because of my age. (I'll be 34 this month.)

What he did was when he went in there he decided to "cauterize" the ovaries instead. He popped holes in the polycystic ovary and then burned the edges so the holes wouldn't close. This way the ovaries are able to release the hormones/fluids stored inside whereas with a polycystic ovary hoards these fluids and makes all sorts of problems. My other ovary was fine so he left it alone. Who would of thought that one little ovary could cause so many problems?? Anyhow, I am SOOOOO glad I had it done!! :D No regrets!! No more bleeding for 6 weeks...no more wasting $$ on femnine products...etc. I get hot flashes here and there but I can live with that.

My complete recovery took about 3 months total, but that is because I had my hysterectomy vaginally. I was up 1 hour after surgery walking. Had it been abdominally it would of taken me about 6 months total, as it did when I blew out a fallopian tube.

Good luck!! Keep us posted ok!! And if you have any questions, comments, concerns, just ask. That's what we're here for. :smug:

Whewee, Noodles, that was a long recovery time! I was out of work for 6 weeks with mine, and I felt all normal after 8 weeks. Then again, I wasn't very active at the time so maybe not testing the waters is why I felt like I was healed.

Hi Karen! You're looking ravishing in your new avatar! Yes, I had the hysterectomy and they left both ovaries. At the time I wasn't diagnosed with PCOS and apparently I didn't have any cysts. I had both of my ovaries out this past June. Other than hot flashes, I haven't had any symptoms. I still probably have estrogen hanging out in my fat cells though! I will not do hormone replacement therapy due to much research. The benefits do not outweigh the risks in my situation. If my menopausal symptoms get worse I might change my mind. My PCOS is the same, just less painful. :)

I understand your fear of surgery. That is normal to be scared, but we will all be thinking of you and rooting for you!

Whewee, Noodles, that was a long recovery time! I was out of work for 6 weeks with mine, and I felt all normal after 8 weeks.

Yeah...only reason why it took me so long tubal wise was because I basically blew up and bled out so it took my body that long to regenerate I guess. I had the ectopic growing in my left tube and let it go too long and BOOM!! I couldn't even walk..I had to call 9-1-1 to come and get me. The pain was horrible...:( I almost bled to death.
The humor in it all was the doctor..I had a middle east type of doctor do the surgery. When I got out he tried to break it to me gently..." I sorry. I try to save baby in tube, but tube had big hole...lots of blood, killed baby-killed tube. I am sorry." I don't know why, but I just laughed at the way he said it. I knew there was no way to save anything by the ultrasound. Maybe I had too much ansthesia! hahaha :cool:

Well, I'm outta here for a few days!! Off to another 3 days at the river for my birthday. Time to ride the Doos, eat the food, gamble the $$, drink the margaritas, you know what I mean... ;) You girls hold down the fort ok. I shall return!! Probably late Monday.

:wave:

Hey, what day is your birthday, Noodley One?

Umm.... Noodles Pleads the 5th!! :cool:

(but it isn't that hard to figure out by my #'s in my name. ;) )

The first message in this thread said it was 13 days from Sept. 1, that means Sept. 14 to me!

I've done nothing productive: My car broke down in the gym parking lot! For pity's sake, things are supposed to be HEALTHY in the gym! Anyway, the tow driver was great... he got the car started and did laps around the parking lot to get her going... I took the car up to York, and my mom had to come get me from the dealership. I don't know ANYBODY down here that will take their car for service to the Saturn dealerships here in Baltimore. People obviously buy cars from them, but Saturn of York has lots and lots of people who drive from Baltimore to get serviced up there.
Anyway, I didn't get back to Baltimore till nearly 6 pm tonight... Missed work, and everything. I always feel so guilty.
Good news: I have a part-time job! More details when its more official... I'm hired by the person that counts, but haven't signed the paperwork with the HR person.
:mouse:

I had a Saturn once, it was nothing but trouble. One of my friends had one that had 200K on it before she retired it and never had a lick of trouble. I need a good mechanic. My car needs to get the once-over before I go to a family reunion next weekend!

I haven't done much formal exercise the last few days. Thursday I had allergy testing done and my back was uber-sore and I didn't want to get sweaty or stretch it in any way. Finally Friday night I felt better and I sanded the attic for 4 hours. Yesterday was more sanding, today was 2 hours of pulling weeds in the hot sun. My arms are nice and sore, so tonight I'll workout but leave that part off.

I've bought all my cars used, the first Saturn had just under 100,000 miles on it. I had it from 1996 to 1999, and put 114,000 miles on it in 3 years... she was still running strong when I traded the car in, but at that point I had started my grad school program and was driving to Baltimore from Harrisburg 3 days a week for classes at Hopkins. My mom insisted that I get a newer car. That Saturn was a good car too, but during my 2 years in Fairfax, the first year that dealership didn't do what they were supposed to do... I should have known, but I didn't. It needed all kinds of work from the stuff they didn't tell me about. Little problems that had gotten worse... I owed less than $2000 on the car at that point, and it was cheaper to trade her in and buy my current car. I've had no problems with this one, its the newest car I've ever owned. The worst damage was new tires and such, but I've had the car less than 2 years and put over 30,000 miles on her. NOt as much as before, but I live much closer to work and HOpkins now.
I did go to the gym yesterday because my new part-time job is teaching children's swimming. I assist in the learn to swim classes. The pool manager wasn't at all interested in hiring me until she found out that I'd done the adapted rec program in Fairfax County, with swimming, and that I was a certified special ed teacher.
Then she was really interested, so I was hired. ;)
I mean, most of the people who teach swimming are college age or younger, except for the person that runs the program, between 16-18. And I do look odd swimming the way I do without kicking! But I like being with the kids in the water and my school won't let me do it now because my lifeguard certificate has expired. It expired a long time ago, and the Red Cross wouldn't recertify me because I can't kick anymore. The pool manager and the lead swim instructor both think the person who does the gym's recerts will do mine, but I'll likely have to take the whole class again.
I think it'd be worth it... I could pick up summer jobs working at small apartment pools or something. It pays well, and I could do it evenings probably.
I spent all day today making a back-up of my system. My computer has to go in for service AGAIN. My father is giving me back the laptop that I sold him when I bought this one 2 years ago. I'll use it as a back-up system till this one comes back. I'm looking for a new system, but I can't really afford another laptop right now.

:mouse:

Hello ladies,

I'm new to this area of 3FC. I just found out yesterday (pending a few blood tests, but otherwise we're pretty sure) that I have PCOS. At first it scared me, I worry about having children someday...will I still be able to?
Then the reality hit me, and I'm seeing it as a reason to lose weight..it all makese sense now..the acne, the thinning (ish) hair, the heavy midsection, and the HEAVY periods.

Well I look forward to getting to know you all.

:balloons: WELCOME, MISSMELISS!! :balloons:

We're glad you're here!! You'll find a great support system here with us girls. :D

Congrats on the new "fun" job, mousie!! The kids will love you. :smug:


Jennifer, sounds like all of that sanding is exercise to me. Like the Karate Kid... "Sand On..Sand Off". You sanded!! hehehehe . That reminds me of when we saw Pat Morita inside the Las Vegas Club one time...At the fancy steak resturant. We had free dinners so we were in there eating away..and here is this drunk to the bone oriental guy..cracking jokes, stumbling when he went to walk to the bathroom, etc. He was hillarious!! And very nice too. :) A happy drunk. :p

Well, I had a nice birthday weekend. We went to the river. Met some family there. The hotel was very nice...the food was good, the pool was WARM and the spa felt soo good on my arthritic back!! :cloud9:

I did some eating, some drinking, some gambling, and some shopping. I bought some more bras and undies, a cute pink shirt, a rat beanie, and the big pumpkin beanie. We went riding jet skis on the river...I cranked it up to over 60 MPH!! Wheeeeee!!!!! It felt good...the cool river water hitting ya when its over 110° outside... :cool:

I had a slight problem with my contact. It split open somwhow and I thought i had something in my eye, but it was the contact rubbing on my eye, and I scratched it. :( So I am back to glasses for right now until it heals back up. Ugh..drove me nuts!! Felt like I had a pebble in my eye. :tired: I think the contact was defective so I am going to call and ask for a replacement.

Hope everyone else is doing good!! Feel free to pop in and blab with us...we want you too!! :yes:

:sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny:

Sounds like a good time, Noodles. Fun!

:mouse:

Noodles, thank you for the welcome!!

I have a question for you all...does losing weight make this disorder 'go away'...or does it make it more treatable??? I just want to know there's hope for me yet...

Hi everybody - Meliss, welcome to the PCOS forum! PCOS is treated symptomatically. (Is that a word??) Overall, the only way to control the syndrome as a whole is to lose weight. Some people do not have any problem conceiving. Have you had an ultrasound to see if you have cysts? Are you seeing an endocrinologist? That would be the best doctor for you, particularly when you try to conceive. For other symptoms, it's just one treatment at a time. I have acne unless I use antibiotic cream on my face. If I continue to use it, I'm clear 90% of the time. I have a few wild hairs and I will start laser treatment next month. I had my ovaries removed due to cysts and massive adhesions, so that is one less thing to worry about. You will probably find a lot of interesting info in the PCOS Articles section. It's a sub forum that you can see at the top of the PCOS forum main page.

Oh, I forgot to mention my follow up to the endo yesterday. I hadn't seen him in almost 2 years since he turned me over to another surgeon. Anyway, he wants me to go back on Gluc. :cry: He wants me to just do 500mg of the XR for 4-6 weeks and then try and increase it again. I first said that if I couldn't get to goal in 6 months that we'd try it, but somehow I managed to walk out the door with my prescription anyway. I'm also going to start laser hair removal in 4 weeks. I have to wait that long because I tweezed recently. It is pretty cheap there. They charge just enough to pay for the tech and the equipment and no profit. Such sweet doctors! If anybody else out there is interested but is put off by the cost, call your endo and see if they do it.

I also had bloodwork done, so we'll see how my hormones look in about 5 weeks.

That's excellent news about the laser hair removal. Fortunately I don't have too much trouble with hair in other places but my arms and legs get really really bad if I leave them. I'm such a coward I can't even wax!
I've been following a diet called the PCOS diet by Collette Harris and its really working for me. Mind you I've never exercised before and now I am its really made a difference. (Just stating the obvious :lol: )
I feel so much better in myself, (apart from daily bleeding - I don't get period cramps or anything but really light bleeding for about 2 weeks then I stop for a week, sometimes have a 'normal' kind of period then start bleeding lightly for a while. It gets me down sometimes, but there are worst things!!!

I'm so glad you had a great birthday Noodles. It sounded wonderful. Hope your loft looks great Jennifer, Good luck with the job Mouse (don't you ever get tired? I AM going to call you Tigger!) and HELLO to you Miss Meliss! Your avatar looks just like me! (In my dreams!)
Have a great day everyone!

HI GIRLS!!!!!!!!!! :wave:

YAY!!! Alot of you posted!!! I'm sooo glad!! Means you are checking in and actually reading. :cloud9:

Hey Jennifer...if you get the gastrointestional side effects again with the glucophage, try cutting your pill in ½ and take ½ of it with one big meal, and the ½ with the other. This makes it a bit easier for the body to absorb with the food and easier on the gastrointestional tract. I hope it works for you this time...it really is a great drug for this PCOS crap we deal with.

Same ol' stuff happening here. I really need to get back to my Endo too. I am out of refills plus need to get blood work done. Blah...I hate needles. But at least I don't run off and beat the doctor now for using them on me. ;)

I made a homemade meal today and my hubby and daughter flipped!! (I rarely cook.) It came out delicious!! I even surprised myself. I guess I might try to cook something else tomorrow. I warned them not to get use to it though...Cooking has never been my favorite thing to do. I'd rather garden or clean the house. Ya ya I know I'm weird!! :dizzy:

Well, time to wind down and hit the bed. Everyone keep posting!!! & Don't forget about the word game...it's lonesome without you. :(

Hi folks,

I had a 2000 Saturn that I loved. No problems. The only thing I disliked was trying to parallel park it - it turned like a large boat.

I'm still trying to get used to this Metformin medication. I am finding that I am nervous that I'll have blood sugar "crashes" still, when it seems to be helping that. I used to eat proactively to keep myself from crashing, and tended to always be hungry.

The Metformin seems to keep me steadier. GI stuff isn't bothering me too much still, luckily. The main problem seems to be if I eat a ton of sugar, like the ice cream sundae the other day. I felt completely miserable the next day, GI and all.

It's weird because I'm emotionally used to sugar making me feel much better, and not eating causing "crashes" with anxiety etc. Now sugar is bad and not eating as much improves my mood, it seems. So I'm trying to convince myself of these things - I have all these anticipations and habits built up from years of undiagnosed insulin resistance & PCOS, it seems...

Small amounts of sugar seem ok. (Although I'm also trying to lose weight.) Anyone else on Metformin finding anything similar?

Thanks, Yvonne

I'm so glad I found this forum, and here I was thinking a few days ago I was alone!! I'm glad to know that this isn't something you DIE from...(I'm a bit of a hypochondriac).

Jennifer:
I'm not currently seeing an endocrinologist, but I'm not trying to have children at the moment. I have not had an ultrasound, and I'm not sure if I will be getting one (at least for a while)...so obviously I do not know if i actually have any cysts...I haven't even officially been diagnosed yet..but I know that is what I have. I even have a random small patch of brown skin that they say is common in folks like us. I have acne, albeit not BAD acne..and thining (ish) hair.

Thank you to everyone else for the warm welcome. Although I am upset about my recent findings, I cannot believe it has come down to this. This is the real thing, I need to lose weight if I want to live a full and healthy life, and these changes I need to make aren't even a question of if i can do it..I HAVE to do it.

Meliss, this isn't something you can die from exactly, but it does mean you have a very good chance of getting Diabetes if you don't lose weight. If you have the brown patch(es) and are overweight, that is a good sign you are insulin resistant, which is a precursor for Diabetes. SO good for you for looking into this and nipping it in the bud before it does turn into anything (if it does, it isn't for sure)!

Anyone else on Metformin finding anything similar?

I had similar effects too, Yvonne. Heck I still get the major side effects if I eat too much sugar...plus the intestines get mad at me!! :o But I don't know what I would of done without the metformin. It really has leveled things out and kept my blood sugar level, not to mention I'm not always butt tired anymore. Plus I don't gain weight as fast as I use too, and if I do, if I exercise and go back to eating clean, the weight comes off easily. And I rarely get acne anymore. YAY!!

I hope it works for you soon and you see results like I have.

How is everyone else?? Good I hope!! Tonight I cooked another dinner. I made a baked Ziti Pasta dish. It came out delicious!!! I guess I can cook if I try. :D Nothing really exciting going on here now...just chatting and petting my rat in my lap and sucking on Atomic Fireballs for fresh breath. :cool: Exciting huh?? I thought so. :)

Type at ya later girls!! :wave:

Hey guys,

Ok I'm still trying to figure this out...does obesity cause PCOS, or does PCOS cause obesity?? Or is it sorta both? Because I was under the impression being overweight caused the diease, but then I was reading some posts, and a lot of people mentioned gaining weight because of it. I'm just wondering, because I gained about 70 pounds in three years (eek). Of course I am willing to take full responsibility for it, it would just make me feel a bit better if i knew PCOS made some other people gain weight...

I was skinny when I got it so... for me I had it before I gained the weight. The weight just seemed to pile on throughout the years though..:( Course my eating habits sucked back then too. :o There are women who develop it after they are overweight, so I am inclined to believe it goes both ways. But don't mark my words 100% on this...I'll ask my endocrinologist and see what she says and report back in a few weeks. :)

I read a magazine article the other day that says obesity causes PCOS, but I wasn't obese when I started gaining weight. I was overweight, and I suppose if you go by the BMI chart, I was "moderately obese"... and I did see a doctor write that down once. But I'm 5'7" tall, and have a large frame. I weighed between 210-220. I don't think that is disgustingly overweight. I could wear normal clothing, though I tended to buy 2X sizes in most things, and 3X in shorts because I don't like short-shorts or tight clothing. My clothing has always been big on me, which I prefer.
Now, however, I gained 180 pounds or so in a little over 2 years (1998-late 2000). I was diagnosed in 2001.
I don't think I agree with the magazine article, to be truthful. I have pictures of me from when I graduated from college, and I look just fine. My graduation gown fit. I bought a formal dress in an 18, a semi-formal in a 20 (it had a belt and buttoned down the front, so the fit was different), and my dress for my best friends wedding was a 20 also.
Anyway, I exercise daily, don't eat much... 1300-1600 calories a day, sometimes I can get 1800 in. And I still don't lose weight. :shrug:
My endocrinologist wants me to have a pannulectomy, but I can't find a doctor to do it, and.. I read Noodles' post about liposuction, and wonder if its the same thing.
Although, I can't see what good it is for me to weigh what I weigh even if I do exercise a lot and eat almost sensibly most of the time. I need to buy new clothes, still, everything is too big, even the past I bought last spring... my TA is telling me every day now that I'm losing weight which she never has before, and a lot of people are asking about my hair. I haven't done anything different with my hair, and don't style it anymore now than I ever have in the past... I'm too lazy to get up at 4:30 in the morning to shower then and gel it, so I shower at night... and I can't gel it when its dry. I figure they're asking me about my hair because they're just noticing it now... because I look different overall.
But I haven't lost any pounds... its another 3 weeks before I can check inches again, but I seem to have lost my shoe laces!

:mouse:

Wow Anonymouse, you sound like me...I always make good healthy choices...well ok not ALWAYS...but I don't like sit down and pig out every day..I eat sandwiches instead of whoppers, i eat whole wheat bread, lean means, reduced calorie cheese....and i exercise...i'm losing weight but VERY SLOWLY...and the second i mess up for even a MINUTE i gain it ALL BACK (like I'll have one bad week and the five pounds it took be a month to lose, ALL COMES BACK.

I gained 70 pounds in two years. I look at pictures of myself when i thought i was super fat...when i weight like 230...and i dream of weighing that much again. i hope my doc finds something for me. *crosses fingers*

i'm so glad i'm not alone though...

I was teaching my students various skills using a grocery store ad, and found all of the Hood Low Carb Dairy stuff on sale this week. Fantastic prices... lots of it was buy one, get one free. I can't have nutra sweet so I buy this stuff, it uses Splenda.
I don't eat whoppers. I eat rye bread, turkey based lunch meats, frozen dinners, fresh fruit, cottage cheese, diet drinks. The gym was pretty bad this week, since they were closed yesterday, I had grad classes on Monday, Rosh Hashana was Wednesday, and we had tornado warnings and thunderstorms tonight so the pool is closed. The gym closes early on Fridays, so I know the storms won't be over before they close.
I don't necessarily gain the weight back, which I attribute mostly to the medication, but even with eveyrthing I do I don't even lose 5 pounds. I think MAYBE I lost 2 pounds, MAYBE... The lsat time I wore my appropriate shoes, I weighed 2 pounds more than I did this time. These are the shoes that have my ankle orthotics in the one shoe, and its metal, both shoes are ankle high and they're heavy shoes.
I dunno,though. People at work keep telling me how much weight I've lost. The scale doesn't know about it though.
And the whole grad school thing: I've made such an :censored: over the whole thing. And then couldn't get my advisor, so I didn't know what to do. Its been a long week in that regard, and so today I was supposed to talk to him, but I got tied up with a kid in our behavior center, and then an hour later when I finally got to a phone again, I couldn't get through! ARRRGH!!!!! So I asked one of the people on campus, an administrator who is also an assistant professor, and then felt even more like a knucklehead. I tend to talk too much when I want people to understand me and I'm not sure they understand. I'm not sure I understand what exactly happened to be honest, so I was more wordy than usual. It was also late Friday afternoon. It was really a mess.
:mouse:

Mouse, don't look at the scale. I know that is the easiest way to see it (for me also) but you are apparently losing inches, which might relate to fat loss and muscle gain!


I love the Hood Low Carb Chocolate Milk. I never buy it though, hard to drink just one glass. I have no self control with chocolate milk!

I'm trying not to look at the scale, and just look at my clothes in between the times I measure. I've officially lost my shoelaces that I was using, so I'll have to start over. I bet the cat knows where my shoelaces are! :sigh:
I'm having bathing suit issues, though... The 26 and 28 are too big. The bra for the 24 is too small. ARRRGH! I mostly swim breaststroke because of my ankle, and its hard when you feel like you're falling out of the suit!
:mouse:

Hello everyone!! :wave:

I'm sorry I haven't been too posty lately. I have alot going on and I guess a bit of the post-depression birthday blues so I just become a hermit at times. Not to mention the fact that I haven't been able to exercise much due to my arthritis and bad knee so I've gained weight. :o 13 pounds...blah!!!

The good news is I am going to the endo tomorrow and I'll get a referral from her to go see an orthopedic surgeon. My knees really need surgery...I got hit by a car in 1990 and they said eventually I would need I keep putting it off..and putting it off..and I just cant put it off anymore. So..come January I'll probably get it done and over with. Wheelchair and crutches will be my friends for a few weeks. :( But this gives me time to heal by spring. Spring here is end of Feburary!! Crazy huh...

I good chocolate milk is the 8th Continent Light Chocolate Soy Milk. Great for hot flashes and good for you too!! Yum!!! :p I'm also hooked on this new 7-UP with the Splenda. :smug:

Well, I will shut up for now. Take care everyone and type soon!! :grouphug:

Noodles, I'm going to have to think of something to perk you up. Maybe I should send a stripping gorilla to your house??? :lol:

I love the 8th Continent Choc Soy Milk too! YUMMMMM, but it has a lot of sugar in it. Maybe they will come out with a Splenda version. Or maybe there is one already and I just don't have it yet here. 7-UP has Splenda now? Yayyyyy! I will have to look for that. I was hoping it would happen since RC bought it!

Jennifer: I drink the light 8th Continent. I can't handle the regular one. I believe it is low in sugar too, but not 100%. Next time I pick some up at Super Wally I'll check for ya. :) And that 7-Up they came out with is the fruity one...with the Splenda. I hope they start putting it in their regular 7-Up though. That would be cool!! Out with all of these other cancer-gas causing artificial sweetners and IN with the Splenda!!! :^:

Forgot to add...

Does the stripping gorilla work for Publishers Clearing House?? :hyper:

Well..today I went to the endocrinologist...

She wants to take out my ovaries. :( Apparently they are in worse shape than we originally thought and aren't expected to get any better. She is worried about ovarian cancer, one seems to be all twisted, etc...and says they really need to come out before things get even worse. Sheesh!

I just had a hysterectomy in June 2003...I wish I would of stuck to my guns and had my GYN take them out then but he really wanted to try to see if he could fix the one bad one, plus my age was "too young" so...I guess there's a reason for everything. Oh well. Another surgery to look forward too. I will probably get it done in January...after the holidays unless she says it needs to be done immediately. I guess my knee surgery will have to wait.

She said I'm doing great otherwise and was so proud of me for dropping all ofthe weight I dropped & getting my blood sugars back to normal. I told her I had dropped 13 more pounds but then gained it back due to not being able to exercise much cause of my knee. She was still thrilled and wished all her patients would listen like I do. She wants me to let my "facial hair" grow a few days before my next visit so she can see how bad it really is. I told her no way!! EWWW!! But I might just have too anyhow. Yeck! Then I got my blood work done...She's checking for everything as usual..have to keep an eye on my liver. I don't want to ever damage it again like I did in 2001-2002. That was horrible. :(

I go back in 2 weeks to see what the blood work says. If I have some sort of elevations in certain things then she said definitely surgery and the sooner the better. I say the later the better!! I just need to make it through the holidays to January then they can chop away. :p Plus I have a cafe plan that gets refreshed with funds every January to pay for medical stuff.

So..that's the story. I am thinking about asking my endo to be a guest writer on our forum here. What do you think??? Our own doc!!! I don't know if she'd have time for it but I could always take notes from her. :comp:

How is everyone else doing?? Feel free to buzz in!! Oh and don't forget about our lonely word game... :cry: It misses you and wants you to play. It told me so. :lol:

Type at you later... :grouphug:

Hi folks,

I'm new to this forum, but what better place to go for support than a group of women who are treading the same path? :)

I was diagnosed with PCOS about 5 years ago and am currently on metformin. I'm taking 1000 a day as I can't tolerate 1500, and have gone from three periods a year to periods that last 3-4 months long. (ick) I started a new job and had to change docs because the old one isn't part of my new insurance plan, but the new one actually suggested a hysterectomy at our first meeting. I'm thrilled because I've dealt with this for years (I probably had PCOS for a good 8 years before I was diagnosed and kept getting the run around from GYNs, thinking it was all in my head) and I'm really tired of it. I am thinking I would like them to leave at least one ovary though, both to minimize insta-menopause and to protect againt osteoporosis, coronary artery disease, and breast cancer.

I started weight watchers 3 weeks ago and am having a steady loss (down to 219.2 from a high of 226 five weeks ago) which I am happy about. My immediate goal is to get under 200lbs--199 here I come!

I was reading some studies earlier and they suggested that Saw Palmetto (1-1.5g per day) worked well at blocking some of the androgens and cutting down on the hirsutism that is such a problem with PCOS. I bought some today and will let you know if it help me at all. I have an actual beard and moustache, and grow thick coarse black hair at such a rate that I have to shave it daily. :( I'm saving up for laser hair removal, but it'll be a bit before I can commit the $1000 or so it'll take to do my face. The face bothers me the worst, though the back hair and inner thigh hair are buggers as well. How badly do you guys have this?

BTW, for those of you who have had hysterectomies, how long was the recovery? I've been told its 4 weeks for a vag/hys and was rather hoping I could be out of work (I'm an RN) for 2 weeks and then return on light duty (no lifting, pulling etc) until I fully recover. That may be overly optimistic though. I started my new job about 2 months ago, so I have squat for earned time off and can't afford to take a lot of time off. I figure I'll keep working for now and accrue more hours off, and keep bleeding all the time. *sigh* I should buy stock in Tampax!

BTW, Jennifer--you look gorgeous in your avatar photo!

Hello, Will-Woman! Congrats on getting the hysterectomy. I had large fibroids and had a hyst in 1998. It took me about 6 weeks to recover, and I had a tummy tuck with mine. I had 300+ stitches, so I'd say 4 weeks for a vaginal sounds about right. You're not going to be able to do any heavy work for a while, and I'd plan on starting out a half-week that first week to make sure you ease back into things. I had both of my ovaries out 3 months ago. It was supposed to be cyst removal only, but I was so matted with adhesions they couldn't get to them, so a general surgeon cleaned me out and they had no choice but to pluck out the ovaries while they were in there. I'ev had hot flashes, but that's about it.

I don't have a lot of facial hair, but I do have to keep it tweezed off. I'm going to get laser treatments next month. My endo's office does it at a reduced rate for their PCO patients. Hopefully I won't have to go too often. BTW, congrats on the weight loss! Hopefully when you get the weight off the symptoms will also decrease. I haven't tried Saw Palmetto, but I think Noodles has.

Noodles - I'm sorry you have to have a new surgery. I don't blame your doctor for taking them. Twisted ones can cause problems and now that they will be out, no worries about the cancer! That was my fear. Symptoms: change in menstrual periods. Hmm. Can't do that anymore, so no warnings! I'm relieved mine are gone now.

:balloons: WELCOME, Willendorf_Woman!!!!!!!!! :balloons:

Glad to see ya here!! :yes:


You're on the same amount of metormin that I am. It has been working for me blood sugar wise. I'm glad I gave it a chance. :)

My periods were doing exactly what yours are doing...I feel for you!!! :( I had a vaginal hysterectomy in June 2003. I'm SOOO glad I did. I don't miss those bleeding days for anything!!! My complete recovery for the vaginal hysterectomy was about 4 months. Recovery to where I could get around and do light things was about a week or so. I hear its a bit longer for an abdominal hysterectomy.

I take Saw Palmetto. To be honest I haven't noticed THAT much of a difference. I'm still losing hair on my head and growing hair where I don't want it. :dz: I've been taking it for over 6 months now. I have to shave daily too. It sucks!! Hopefully after I get my ovaries out some of this will stop.

Do you like Vermin?????? I noticed your words under your avatar so I had to ask. :)

In addition to my three people children, I also have a very spoiled (and very evil) kitty named Vermin. *grin* Vermin is a Russian Blue and makes a marvelous diet aide in and of herself, or at least she did when she got her name. We would have to lock her in the bathroom to eat or else in about 2 milliseconds she would run up your leg, down your arm, and your food would be gone. She doubles as an alarm clock by sucking your eyelids or ear whilst you try to sleep, and further serves as a hat, liking to sleep atop your head, which is nice in the winter, but not at all nice if its hot, or if she has fleas. *shudder* She's my baby, and I can snuggle with her, but anyone else does so at their own risk, since she'll turn around a bite you with little notice or provocation. She's mellowing a bit as she ages, but is still waaaay too fiesty. *lol* Despite her eccentricities, I adore her and consider her my 4th child. She also is much less mouthy than my three teens are these days. :D

Hello to all!

This is my first time to post to this thread. I was recently diagnosed with PCOS and I have started on glucophage. I have the thinning hair, missed periods, infertility, hair grwoth (on my stomach), skin tags, holding weight and insulin resistance. I have tried to start reading THE INSULIN-RESISTANCE DIET book (although I haven't been able to read much as I do daycare in my home and the kids were screaming crazies yesterday). Has anyone else read this book? I did get to the check off list of symptoms and was surprised at how many I have and how many I didn't realize were related to insulin resistance. My husband and I have been trying to start a family for more than 3 years and I am hoping that with changing of food habits, excercise, understanding and treating PCOS, that I will be able to ovulateand maybe get pregnant. Anyway, I just wanted to say hello! I need to head off as the little ones will be here soon. I am glad to have found this group!!!

Hi everyone!

I wanted to post and check in. My kids school schedules have really put me off routine these last few weeks.

My Hyster is scheduled for October 25. I am still scared to death (And after 2 Laps, 2 C-sections, an cone biopsy, and gall bladder surgery you would think this is OLD HAT! )But I have finally felt that I am ready emotionally to take this step. I have talked to a friend who had it done a couple years ago and she keeps telling me it was the best thing that ever happened to her. The Hormones scare me though. But Jennifer.. If you are doing well with out them, then hopefully I will too!

I just got the reports from the ins company and they are pay 90% too! so that makes me happy! But the cool thing was that the doctor sent me a copy of the papers that tells me what I am having done. They are doing a Total Abdominal Hyster with possible Bilateral OOsconectomy (both ovaries an tubes) - Plus they are going to clean up my adhesions and endo... they are estimating 4 hours in surgery and 3-5 days in the hospital! Thank goodness mom is coming up to help out my hubby! I think he would just go nuts trying to deal with his emotions on this whole thing PLUS gettign the kids off to school and sports everyday! Mom had her Hyster 3 years ago so she knows the routine.. but hers was Vaginal...

Noodes - after your coments about keeping your ovaries and Jennifer having y ours removed later.. I am wondering if I should just tell him to yank them anyway. He wants one to help prevent the HRT.. but there are no guarentees at this point.

I'll just make this quick becuase I need to go take the cat to the vet. I've now struck out FOUR plastic surgeons. The one I saw today was worse even than the one at Hopkins.
He was insistant that the only way I'll ever lose weight is to have gastic bypass surgery because the amount of calories I take in is greater than the amount of calories I put out. At that point, I thanked him and tried to walk out. But apparently, this is one doctor who doens't know when to stop... or he's so confident in his own skills that nothing anybody says to him makes a difference. He followed me and said he hoped that I would "find the truth somewhere" and listen. I told him and tried to show him the exercise log from the gym, but he wasn't interested. He insisted again that I take in more than I put out, and that the gastic bypass surgery is the only thing that would help. :cry:
I just can't do this anymore. This was it. I quit, I give up. I'm apparently destined to be a fat one for the rest of my life. I haven't lost any weight since July, despite having upped my exercise to 7 days a week. In August, I started lifting weights in addition to swimming. So... That's it. I give up. I'm not doing it anymore.
Any of it: the exercise, the eating, reading labels, none of it. I quit.

Mouse,

Don't let one putz get you down. Have you lost any inches since you started working out? Muscle weighs more than fat, so sometimes when you add weight training you even gain weight, but as its healthy muscle, it takes up less space and you lose inches. Muscle also burns calories, even at rest, unlike fatty tissue, so its a good practice all around. Try shaking up your exercize routine, so your body doesn't get used to one routine (and subsequently more efficient and thereby burning fewer calories)--I know a physical trainer who changes her client's routine every 6th time, so its always new and keeps their body working hard. Keep up the good work you are doing thus far--it sounds like you are doing the right things.

I have done some research into bariatric surgery, btw, and if I were to make a choice I would go woth the lap-band as its safer, removable, and does not re-engineer the digestive tract in any way--its just a mechanical restriction that can be customized to the individual needs of the person with it. (My .02, .01 CDN) I'm not saying that bariatirc surgery is the only way to go either, unlike that surgeon. If anything, you need a second opinion, or even a third. Find someone who will listen to you!

:grouphug:

Hey there Mouse,
I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!! I'm so cross on your behalf. I'm not suprised you are feeling frustrated!
I think you are incredible to do all you do. :strong: :cheer: Please don't let him get you down. We believe you!!!!
Sending you :balloons: and :grouphug:
Love Annie

Mouse, the weight lifting in August can be why you don't show a loss. Your muscles will retain water when they start to build. Also, some increased muscle tone could be occurring. I've read about a lot of people that start Body For Life and don't lose weight for the first couple of months due to this. July could easily have been a plateau. Don't give up! I'm sorry the doctor isn't listening to you.

Hello, Lyonness, and welcome to 3FC! I've not read that book, sorry I can't help you! It is probably similar to South Beach and SugarBusters.

Karen, my cardiologist, gyno and endo all said no need to take HRT unless I can't cope with the symptoms. I don't seem unreasonably grumpy (any more than usual!) and the hot flashes really aren't so bad. They were worse in the beginning while I was also trying to heal and get somewhat comfy in bed, but now they leave as quickly as they come on. I'm relieved to have them gone. Some people do have more problems with menopause than others, but hopefully if you have yours out your symptoms will be as mild as mine.

I have talked to a friend who had it done a couple years ago and she keeps telling me it was the best thing that ever happened to her.

I'll second that!!! The only regret I have is that I didn't get it done sooner!!! And look at all the $$ you save on feminine products. :D

Mousie: Don't give up. You've come so far already...don't let that one doctor spoil it all for you. Go back to that one doctor that was really nice to you...your endo doc right?? Everything you are doing is good for your body regardless of what those docs say. :grouphug:

Jennifer: Do you find anything changing like voice wise or anything ever since the ovaries came out?? Does that mean we don't need any hormones?? My endo was talking about me being on a low estrogen cause of osteoporosis and stuff but I'd rather not take any HRT if I don't have too. Just so long as it doesnt shorten my life by no hormones. :lol: I already have arthritis though so maybe that's why she's saying that about the estrogen and osteo. I'll know more in 2 weeks what my blood work says. Then we go from there.

It's sooo nice to see all of you posting!! YAY!! Keep blabbing!! Remember we're all in this together. :grouphug:

Nope Noodles, nothing else changing on me. Apparently none of my doctors think it is necessary. Nobody brings it up, so I've asked them all one by one and they just act like "Oh, why do want it?" Since you have arthritis already, your doctor might be more concerned about you. When I go back to the endo in October I'll ask him about the osteo protection and let you know what he says. I think right now a lot of the doctors (here anyway) are just sitting back and watching what comes up in hormone studies until they decide what their opinion is.

I don't know. If it was just one doctor or one person, it'd be different. I couldn't even stay at my mom's house this weekend. Her kitten isn't neutered yet, and so him and my cat just don't get along. I spent all yesterday (including most of the evening) mediating. Imp would come to me, and beg for scratches and assurance... and then Wiccan (kitten) would show up, and he'd start hissing and growling and scratching. Fortunately he doesn't have front claws or I'd be minus a hand.
I hope once Wiccan is neutered, they'll get along better. MAybe. Imp has been around and lived with other cats before and never had any problems except my one roommate's cat who was psycho. That cat would sleep in Imp's litter box or steal his food.
But... I don't know. My endocrinologist is fantastic, and so is the gastroenterologist... but neither of them have had any luck getting anybody to do anything for me. And really, I can't believe that either of them is lying to me. Especially not the gastroenterologist... My endocrinologist is very nice, and I don't think she'd lie, but she might fluff the truth a little. I just can't picture somebody who is so earthy, the gastro, as a liar. She's too forward.
As for shaking up the routine, I'm already doing most of what I can: I do vary it between swimming laps or walking in the water. I also do water aerobics, teach swimming and lift weights. FitDay says that I'm burning 3700 calories a day just by sitting and breathing... that doesn't include any exercise. It says my average intake is 1500 calories. I guess that is pretty close... It seems correct to me. I know I eat less than I have ever eaten before.
I should be losing weight if the whole calorie-in/calorie-out thing is true... so its either not entirely true, or that doctor didn't know what he was talking about and doesn't know anything about endocrine disorders.
I just don't know what more I should do. I can't take the glucophage, and that seems like the only thing left that would help.

:mouse:

Mouse, do you think your calories deficit is too high? Your body might be hanging on to the calories since you've been doing this for a while. When I had a 4 month plateau, I went off plan for several days in a row and increased my calories and then started back up. I did start losing again, but slowly.

I don't know. I don't know how to figure it out or who to ask. It seems like each doctor has a different answer, and a whole lot of them answer with gastric bypass surgery. :( That isn't an option. I won't do it.
If that is the answer, I don't know what to do... the days I eat more than 1800 calories, I'm so stuffed I feel sick. Some days, I don't get that far...
Like, I want to go to the gym, come back and do laundry... do other chores... but I ate breakfast, and now I'm feeling sick. I hope it goes away soon, I need to leave to go to the gym soon if I'm going to get the laundry all done. I want to wash the blankets on my bed, and they take forever to dry.

:mouse:

:mouse:

Mouse, try having 6-8 small meals a day and spreading the calories out through the day so you can still have the amount that you need, but can tolerate it better and not feel as stuffed. I know if I don't eat enough I will feel sick for days, and a small snack will get me feeling better so I can resume my normal diet and exercize patterns.

I wasn't hungry this morning despite falling alseep early last night without supper, but ate an odd but relatively small breakfast, after which I feel significantly less shaky. Part of my problem is that I work nights, but I work them 3 days a week (13 hour shifts) so my body doesn't know if its day or night. I just finished 3 nights in a row, so I was physically exhausted. I try and take care of my body by eating small amounts regularly. For example, my breakfast just now was a can (6oz before draining) of water packed tuna, drained and mixed with some salsa and an oz of low fat cheese. Small quantity (especially as I had no bread or crackers to increase the bulk), but filling and it'll keep me for hours. :) Believe it or not, the combo tastes pretty good--I microwaved it to melt the cheese.

I teach, and can't eat in front of the students. I'm not supposed to drink in front of them either, but that just gets ridiculous because I'm in the classroom with students from 7:30 to 11:20 without a break, and I can't go without drinking that long. So eating 6-8 small meals isn't really an option. I tried today drinking a smoothie around 9:30, and the students didn't notice too much because it was a drink. That might be a substitute. I'm not sure.
But really, it doesn't matter WHEN I eat the food, if I eat that much I usually feel over-full for the whole day. Part of my issue is that the hormones that control part of the digestive system don't work well, so I tend to be nauseated on various days or times, and can't really plan for it. I make it worse by exercising most of the time anyway.
This month has been just awful for exercise though... We've had tornados and thunderstorms and lots of rain twice this month, I had a flat tire, the Jewish holidays... ACK! More rain and storms tonight, the rain was so bad I couldn't see to drive, so I came right home because I knew it'd be dark after I left the gym. I live 20 miles from the gym because I won't cut through the city (I'm really only 5-7 miles, but the road goes through some really bad areas of the city, so I take the highway).

:mouse:

Mouse, I am sorry to hear that you are having so much difficulty.

From my earlier post it seems no one has read The Insulin Resistance Diet. I am a little surprised as two doctors, last week, suggested it to me after my diagnoses. I have not had the chance to read it all the way through yet, but I am finding it very interedting. It really is about lifestyle change and not a "diet". It talks about balancing your carb intake with you protien intake. According to the book the balance will help your blood sugars from spiking and causing that tired feeling and the cravings too. All of this is new to me, so I am just learning, but this all sounds like it is worth a shot and so I thought I would share it with all of you. Hope it is helpful.

I was diagnosed with PCOS about 3 years ago - but my gyno only said it, and told me to watch carbs! No medicines, tests, etc. I always knew I had cysts in my ovaries (from yearly doctor visits) and I have only been pregnant once (I'm 40) - and the periods have always been irregular.... I have the hair on the face (I've had laser - it didn't last and cost $1500 - I still shave daily) - and alot of hair on my arms.

Interesting - my gyno has retired and I'll be starting with a new doctor. I'm going to talk to him at length about some of what I've read here. I have struggled with weight my whole life - lose, gain, lose... but lately its been more gain and the losing has become more difficult.

Thank you - you wonderful ladies!

Hope it goes well with your new gyno LinenLady June! I'd love to know how it goes!

I haven't read the book or heard of it, but I don't actually have PCOS either. If I do, its an extremely severe case that hasn't responded well to most of the traditional medications. In any case, I've changed my life-style. Bascially my biggest change was adding a whole lot more exercise and giving up regular soda. The latter has become much easier with Splenda and finding soda that doesn't have nutra-sweet in it.

I do balance what I eat, but mostly I watch calories and fat. I do buy a lot of low-carb products, and don't eat very many white things anymore. I even buy whole-wheat macaroni for macaroni and cheese! Which is made with no-fat/low-fat margarine and the Carb Countdown milk! Try figuring out THAT calorie count!
But, I've already given up so much because in addiiton to the hormones that don't cooperate when you have PCOS, I also have digestive issues. So I can't eat chicken, and chicken or chicken products are in EVERYTHING!!!! :shrug: I'm getting used to it at this point, but I refuse to give up everything. I'd already been buying things like frozen yogurt, but now my favorite ice cream company uses Splenda in their sugar free products, so I buy that too.
:mouse:

Lyonness, the Insulin Resistant Diet has been out quite a while, but I think it got overshadowed by more commercial names. I looked into it, Sugar Busters, and The Glucose Revolution and I went with Sugar Busters (then later to low carb). They all work on basically the same principle, so if you have questions, maybe I can help.
You are very true about a lifestyle change. I think a lot of people don't realize that it lasts forever, not just for weight loss! Slightly more relaxed, but still at it!

Mouse, I remember reading something years ago that you might find interesting. It was in some magazine like National Geographic. They were studying women in a country undergoing food restriction. These women were eating 1500 calories, walking miles each day to get water, and were PREGNANT. They apparently were having normal babies too. So I think that these doctors don't know as much as they think they do about what women's bodies evolved to be able to do with food. I suspect that people with insulin resistance evolved in some of these harsh environments, too - there are theories about that - the "thrifty gene" hypotheses. We might be better off in a famine than these people who burn everything off effortlessly. Unfortunately we can't change our evolution, and our current environment is VERY different.

One other thing - I read that swimming isn't as good for weight loss as some exercises - something about the chilly water, maybe it slows down the metabolism or something. Maybe using Google would find something on that. It is good for overall fitness though.

I'd be interested in knowing where you read that, because swimming is one of the best exercises there is. I've never heard that it isn't good for weight loss. And honestly, it doesn't matter: swimming is the ONLY exercise I can do. I have nerve damage in my ankle and it hurts to ride a stationary bike (unless it has been specially adapted: the PT's office had one, my gym has a similar bike but not close enough), I fall off of treadmills, and I can't walk with any speed... forget running, elliptical or ski machines.
I lift weights, but there is only one machine I can use with my legs. Everything else I do is upper body.
:mouse:

OK, girls, time to start a new thread for the month of October!! I'm closing this one, but here is a link to the new one. :smug: Come post!! YAY!!


http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?p=684816#post684816