Hi Everyone-

I'm here in newbieland, and I'm a bit frustrated with my progress (or lack therof) in the past couple of months.

I started this weight loss/diet plan/new way of eating back in August of 2007. I've lost about 85 pounds (actually it was just about 90 pounds in early November, but I've gained and lost the same 5-7 pounds at least twice in the meantime.) I'm not sure why I'm hitting this wall. It's a real plateau, but it's almost more mental than physical.

I know that some of it is from vacations and then holiday stress, but I'm hoping that posting here and feeling as though I'm a part of a larger process will give me the kick-start that I need to get back to work on this.

I'm not following a specific commercial plan, but one devised by my MD, who shall be called Dr. No from here on in. (I really do like him, but sometimes I just need an enemy and for the time being he's going to be my nemesis). I do have PCOS, and the plan is both low carb-ish (can have some high-fiber carbs) and low-glycemic.

I work out(elliptical and treadmill) and have been working out with weights and a trainer for almost a year. I can't say that I like doing it, but I do like my trainer, and I like the results of the sessions. I also (was) doing 12-15 miles a week on an elliptical trainer and I was just starting to add jogging intervals to my treadmill workouts in addition for another 4-5 miles a week.
I just want to vegetate on the couch with my dog because I'm just not inspired to do anything else right now.

I've done so well so far, but it just feels as though I'm stuck out of gas on the side of the road.

I started a very low-carb week this week in the hopes of getting rid of some of the sugar cravings that have re-appeared with my holiday non-restrictive eating.

Is anyone else having similar issues?

I'm hoping to perhaps find a buddy here and a a source of support.

Happy New Year,
Juliet

Juliet, welcome! MOST of us are coming down off the Christmas/holiday carbfest right now, so you're not alone! It took me several days after getting back OP (on plan) with my eating, before I felt like working out. I still did my workouts, but I was dragging and fighting carb/sugar cravings like mad. I finally started to feel like my old (new) self yesterday.

You've done great with your weight loss, so far!

Are you still doing the same exercise you started with? If so, change it up. Do something different...start a beginner's running program like Couch to 5K, or take it outside, do some hills or hiking trails...ditch the elliptical for a while and do a bike or class or something different there. If your weight lifting routine hasn't changed, change out your exercises, and/or change your rep/set scheme. Changing these things will most likely get the fat burn cranked again. Doesn't matter how great your program or exercise is...if you never change it, your body eventually adapts to the work and then it doesn't have to work hard at all to do what used to burn a ton of calories. Give it a new challenge. You can go back to your faves later, in a month or two or three, and that will give you another boost.

I actually was very brave this morning and got back on the scale. It wasn't as bad as I'd feared. I had just started to do some running/fast walking intervals just to try something new to boost my metabolism. I know that it needed to be shaken up because it was getting to easy. I just needed to challenge myself in order to actually do it.

I'm concentrating on getting through the carb-reduction week so that I can feel a bit more in control of my eating. I am going to go to the gym tonight. I've made a promise to myself.

Thanks for the suggestions and the encouragement.

Good Luck with achieveing your goals.

Juliet

Thanks! Now, we've got to get you past the Intro board. There's a PCOS/Insulin Resistance Support board here on the forums that you might like. From the main forum index, Look for the Support Forum, then under that, Dieting with Obstacles, then the PCOS board is listed under that heading. So, that's one option where you might start making connections.

There are exercise accountability threads and weight loss/exercise challenges, also chat threads, on almost every board. Those are a great place to start getting to know names and finding other 3FCers that will inspire you to stay OP and getting the most out of your workouts. Just cruise the boards and start posting where ever you feel most comfortable. I'm usually hanging on the Calorie Counters board and on the Weight and Resistance Training board. Maybe I'll see you out there!