I can see from all the posts this was a great question and shows that we are not all created equal in the diet realm of what works and what doesn't. But, that we are all determined to find an answer.
Here's my list of what hasn't worked:
1. Slim Fast (too much sugar affected PCOS)
2. Weight watchers (before point counting)
3. Over eaters annonymous (made me feel bad about myself)
4. South Beach (worked, but got off track)
5. Eat right for blood type (too hard to cook for different types so we weren't consistent)
5. Metobolic Diet (same reason as 5)
6. Atkins (health challenge from high protein/fat)
7. Ideal Protein (lost weight, had health challenges, gained all plus back)
8. Weight loss pills and products (Hoodia, PhenPhen, patches, dieters teas, detox, xanthia (I think that's what it was called Blue bottle) etc.
What has worked:
1. Consuming no less than 1200 calories a day
2. Low glycemic food choices (allows me to control PCOS and still not feel like I am on a diet)
3. Exercise (not crazy exercise like hours at the gym but core strengthening and muscle building)
4. Journaling (what are food triggers, emotions, how am I doing etc)
5. Accountability partner/cheerleader support person
and drum roll please........
6. REALIZING I DIDN'T GAIN IT OVERNIGHT AND WON'T LOSE IT OVERNIGHT. BEING KIND TO MYSELF FOR MINOR SLIPS AND GETTING BACK ON THE HORSE INSTEAD OF SAYING SCREW IT I MESSED UP TODAY AND PIGGING OUT BECAUSE OF IT. This took me a loooooong loooooong time to come too. LOL
Everyone pat yourselves on the back for trying and not giving up. Love yourselves no matter what. And remember being overwieght is not about being undisciplined. If it was we would not be trying all these things time and time again to get the weight off. But, we must find what works for our life, our personality, our pocketbook, our physiology and then discipline ourselves to apply the principals of what will work.
Hang in there girls and keep up the work on the weight loss.