Hi all, I am new to any of this sort of communication, but am looking for support that my family can't give me. I am 32 and have four kids now ages 7-13. I gained most of my weight after pregnancy (non during I was to sick for that) I am 5'2 and weight 218. This summer I decided I was ready for a change. A year ago the doctor said I was on the borderling for pre-diabetic. I was a serious MT Dew Aholic 6-8 cans a day. At the doc visit I was drinking regular mt dew, so I switched to diet thinking that would help. I even went to weight watchers online for a few months, but couldn't afford to keep doing it. I didn't loose anything on them anyway. This summer I started a grain free diet to help with the blood sugar and plus it helped my mom loose 50 lbs so why not. It doesn't really bother me to have no grains anyway. I thought I would lose weight doing that, but nothing happened. Two weeks ago, I made the commitment to stop soda. I did it cold turkey no turning back. I am an all or nothing sort of person. Now I drink almost 80-100 oz of water either using mio to add taste or drinking it plain. I occasionally have a glass of sweet tea but not every day. two weeks ago I started really watching what I am eating even more and am down around 1200 cals/day. I also walk almost 3 miles a day/briskly. At this point in time I would have loved to have seen some changes but haven't even lost 1lb. I start student teaching in 1 weeks and was hoping that there would have been some change before life starts up again. Anyways I just wanted to say hi and see if anyone had some advice.

Hi sfreirch! It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Did the doctor check your thyroid when you saw him/her last? You said that was a year ago, so maybe if he/she did test it, you should schedule another apt, just to check things again like your vitamin levels, cortisol level, thyroid, etc., anything that can affect weight loss. Then again, it could be that you just haven't given your body enough time after getting off diet soda. Some studies suggest diet soda has something to do with weight gain. Also, besides the grains, are you watching your carbs in any other ways? What I mean is, are you cutting back on potatoes and pasta and sweets, and fruits, etc.? My son is a type 1 diabetic and he has a certain allotment of carbs he's allowed to eat everyday (and by the way, he eats grains and bread, just not white ones but whole grains). Did your doctor discuss anything like that with you?

Thanks for welcoming me. I have been eating potatoes maybe 1 3-4 times a week, but very little fruit. Yes I should get back into the doctor, but the last time I was there everything checked out perfectly. As far as grains go, it is my choice. I eat no wheat, corn or rice other than in condiments, no breads, pastas. I notice now if I cheat on grains it makes me sick so I don't cheat. Instead, I have made a couple of flax seed wraps and one loaf of almond flour bread but ate only one slice. Losing weight has always been a problem for me, but I do notice my energy level is up from the beginning of this summer.

I just came across this thread and thought it might interest you since there are medical articles online that say diet soda depletes vitamin D levels. Not all doctors check vitamin D levels, so you might ask yours if he would order such a test. http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/does...t-believe.html. Good luck!

I did have my vitamin d levels check and am real low. I haven't been real good about taking the supplements so I will get back to that first thing