[Jennifer 3FC]

So far for me, it has been low carb. I have really only been able to successfully lose on it - no other plan. I loved Sugar Busters, but it didn't work for me. I'd like to eat similar to that plan for maintenance.

Gained on WW...that was when I was diagnosed PCOS and IR.

I am doing Atkin's and losing very slowly. Thinking about trying South Beach for a change of pace. All this meat and cheese is getting to me!

[Melissa70]

Hi Jennifer

I am doing South Beach now too day 2 of it today. I would have to say Atkins really did GREAT for me, I lost weight rather quickly, abt 20 pounds in 2 months... HOWEVER, Like u I can only eat so much meat and cheese. So I decided to go with the South beach Diet.

I also did WW in the past, and NEVER lost a pound

[RobinW]

Hi Jennifer

I'd have to say Protein Power was my most successful plan. Atkins has been great, but I cant seem to stay on it more than 2 weeks at a time anymore.

Im thinking about going back to protein power, or giving South Beach, a try.

So basically, its been a LC plan that works for me.

[Autumn S]

Ive only done ww, im mainly vegetarian so atkins was out of the picture for me. WW worked after my insulin was normal through glucophage though so Im sure that had a huge impact on it.

[H8winter]

I lost 40 pounds on jenny craig, but got sick of their food stopped doing the program and gained it all and some back. It's good if you only have like 20 pounds or so to lose. WW worked well for me too.

[Cassandra B]

When I was diagnosed with PCOS part of my treatment was to see a dietician. She was wonderful. They put me on a high fiber, low fat diet. You couldnt have anything white. It was whole wheat bread and pasta, 2% milk and cheese and Nutri-grain waffles. You get the idea. We also were told to start eating off of a paper plate with sections. That is supposed to help your portion control. Less than 5 grams of fat and 4 or more grams of fiber was the rule of thumb. It sound hard but it really wasnt. I lost 60lbs in 3 months.

Like an idiot I quit and gained it back (p.s. I love Bk whoppers) But now I am back on it and doing great. I will look for my paperwork from that Dr and maybe find more information to share.

Hope my .02 helps!
P.S. You all are great!!!

Cassandra

[Jennifer 3FC]

Wow Cassandra, that was really fast weight loss! Sounds like an interesting plan, too. Sounds sort of like a low glycemic WW plan.

[funkmastermel77]

i envy everyone that can do diets like atkins or south beach or low carb for life. its SO hard for me to limit my carbs, especially since i dont like red meat and im a chicken/veggies/fruit/cereal person.

the biggest thing i did in my weight loss though, was cut out the white stuff like rice and pasta. i balloon ANYTIME i go back to eating these things.. but oh, when you never eat them, they taste SO good. LOL.

still i have a hard time believing anyone could give up bread forever. i mean, why would want to? LOL. bread is so wonderful....

what i do is i pick and choose my breads/carbs wisely. today i had cornflakes for breakfast and walnuts for a snack and im going to have fresh pizza i made last night for lunch. CARB OVERLOAD! but im going to step aerobics tonite and ill feel better if i do...

anyway, my point is that i have PCOS too and i still lost weight. im a very strong advocate of not dieting and just making moderate changes in your lifestyle... i feel that diets work because you limit portions, calories, fat, sugars... and exercise too. but the reason youll regain the weight is that your body is USED to eating foods like youve been eating youre entire life. my advice is always to gradually add foods you love back to your diet on "free days" and watch the portions, eat earlier in the day, and up the workout. you WILL see results, without always feelings like youre cheating yourself.

*mel

[Jennifer 3FC]

Mel, you are really lucky to lose and still eat carbs. I will start introducing them back in when I lose weight, but for now I just don't get anywhere when I eat them. I am REALLY carb restricted at the time, and I am still losing weight very slowly. My hopes are that when I lose weight and the insulin resistance improves, that I will be able to eat carbs again, in moderation. Mmm. Home made pizza. I would like to try some homemade whole wheat crust one of these days.

[THE BIG ORANGE BABE]

CASSANDRA,

I would be VERY INTERESTED in finding more info about your eating plan...SO...if you find your paperwork, PLEASE post it for all of us ENQUIRING MINDS

JENNIFER...we miss you over at SB...drop in every now and then to at least say hi!

BOB

[Jennifer 3FC]

Hello Bob! Yes I do need to pop in! I have gone by to read a few times, but have a hard time jumping in on the middle of a thread. How's your plan going, are you currently on SB?

[funkmastermel77]

well the thing is -- i can't really eat carbs and LOSE weight. i can eat carbs and work out 5 days a week and MAINTAIN my weight, but lose weight? I think my body's at a stand still at 150.

when i eat carbs, i still have the same effects. i get bloaty, i crash hardcore, i get cold. all of these symptoms really suck. but i dont want to completely take them out because that causes me to binge.

i guess i had to trick myself mostly into eating less carbs. things you could try when you add them back in -- if you are eating steamed veggies, try mixing brown rice (if it's only even a tablespoon or two)... i used to do that all of the time. i just dont like the idea of cutting something out completely unless you believe you could do it for the rest of your life. to me, the concept doesnt make sense. i'd rather do 15-20 more minutes on the treadmill or up the intensity of my work out class and enjoy the carbs

anyway---the PCOS is the kicker though. and while i say this, might i say that its such a little discussed topic and its important. i feel fortunate to have learned that i have it earlier than later and i think if more people knew about it theyd be more likely to seek treatment. some of the side effects are brutal, huh? and ******* the carbs forEVER!

[skeeweeaka]

Cassandra I'm interested in the diet plan too... sounds like some good advice...low fat, high fiber... Think I'll do some research on some higher fiber foods... Please post more on it when you get a chance...

[Cassandra B]

Sorry to take so long to get my ducks in a row but here is what I found. My infertility Dr. was Dr. Sills of Georgia Reproductive Specialist. I really enjoyed being his patient. He is the best. He sent us to Rachel Brandeis at Northside Hospital for the diet. It was like a class full of women that had PCOS (except for my husband, the only man there) So here we go...

FOCUS ON CARBOHYDRATES WITH FIBER
(high fiber foods slow the digestion of carbohydrate into the bloodstreem)
*100% whole wheat bread
*whole wheat crackers (ex. reduced fat truscuits)
*whole wheat pasta
*whole grain cereal
*brown rice
*vegtables
*fruits (limit 2 per day)
*sweet potatos

LIMIT INTAKE OF CARBOHYDRATES WITH LITTLE OR NO FIBER
(refined carbohydrates spike blood sugars and cause more insulin to be released)
*white bread
*white flour based crackers
*white pasta
*high sugar/low fiber cereals
*white rice
*white potatos
*packaged cookies, cakes, snack foods

HELPFUL HINTS
*LOOK FOR FOODS WITH 3 GRAMS OF FIBER OR MORE PER SERVING
*BREAKFAST CEREALS SHOULD HAVE 5 GRAMS OF FIBER OR MORE PER SERVING AND 3 GRAMS OF FAT OR LESS PER SERVING
*FIBER GOAL: 20-35 GRAMS A DAY
*REMEMBER TO INCREASE YOUR FLUID INTAKE WHEN YOU INCREASE YOUR FIBER INTAKE

MEAL PATTERN

Breakfast
(snack-optional)
Lunch
afternoon snack
Dinner


BEVERAGES
*All beverages should be calorie free
*NO juice, sodas, sweet tea etc.
*Focus on water & diet beverages

SNACK SUGGESTIONS (choose1)
afternood snack should include a protein and carbohydrate
*reduced fat triscuits (6-7) plus a piece of string cheese or 1 oz. of any other type of cheese
*cup of light yogurt
*apple with peanut butter (1 tbs)
*1 piece of fruit and 1oz of cheese
*1/4 cup nuts (cashews/almonds preferred)
*1/2 cup of cottage cheese with fruit
AM snack (if needed) can just be a piece of fruit)

INCREASE YOUR INTAKE OF LEAN PROTEIN
(lean protien helps keep you full and slows the digestion of carbohydrate into the bloodstream)
Sources of lean/heart healthy protein:
*deli meats (turkey, ham, roast beef
*tuna
*lowfat/reduced fat cheeses lowfat/fat free yogurt
*Lowfat cottage cheese
*Reduced fat peanut butter (limit 1-2 tbs
*1/4 cup almonds, cashews, soy nuts
*egg whites

HELPFUL HINTS
*make sure your meals contain a carb with fiber plus a lean protein source
*try to have snacks that contain a carbohydrate with fiber plus a lean protein source
*red meats (beef or pork) that are from the loin or round are lean
* try to find cheeses that have 6 grams of fat or less per serving
*all dairy products, chicken, turkey, fish, beef and port are excellent sources of protein


I was/am on glucophage, a prenatal vitamin, 1 baby asp a day, and a calcium supplement. I didnt stray from this diet at all and lost 25.1 lbs in 1 month. I am really getting back into it. I was stupid to quit. I wasnt exercising then but now I go to Curves. I lost 12 inches and 4 lbs in my first month of that. Well, I really hope this helps. If anyone has any questions.. please ask.

Have a great day!

[Jennifer 3FC]

Thanks Cassandra for writing all of this! Wow, it must have taken you ages. I really appreciate you doing it, and I bet a lot of other people will feel the same!

Anyway, this is very interesting. Good luck on continued weight loss!