Hi all,

I've been coming to this website for a LONGGGG time, when I was doing WW. Then it stopped working for me. I have PCOS and my doctor told me I was lucky to lose what I did.

Since then, I've tried extremely low-calorie (1000 calories a day), with no results then we tried Xenical - add to the low-calorie. With no results.

I've been chatting off and on with Jennifer for some time and have been MIA. I have PCOS, like her, and have recently (the last 6 months) discovered Low-carbing.

I find that I'm having the exact same results with the LCing....lose a good bulk the first week, then gain a few, then lose them, then gain 1-2lbs then lose them, up and down for like 10 days, then I go off....discouraged. I had been following Protein Power, btw, eating between 20-35 carbs a day.

I've had all sorts of people look at my journels and tell me what I should and should not be eating. I've tried cutting out all known and hidden carbs: caffiene, nutra-sweet (I HATE the aftertaste of Splenda btw), cream, malitol (any sugar alcohols), fruit (a killer to me), too much cheese/dairy. People have read my journels and scratched their heads and said "I'm not sure".

On top of this, I want to make this a lifestyle, I am a wife and mother and am trying to encourage this type of eating for my entire family. My daughter is showing signs of PCOS at 10 yo and I've reduced the carbs in her life as well. No starchy veggies, potatoes, rice, white flours or sugar, although I encourage her to eat fruit when she wants something sweet. I do give her an occasional low-carb chocolate bar.

About exercise: I have sciatica in my right hip. It makes exercise very difficult. Even going to PT that was supposed to HELP hurt me tremendously and I still suffer months later from that experience of STRETCHES. I get out on a small walk with my daughter and 10 minutes into it, have to limp home. I found a water aerobics class here in town (we live in a rinky dinky town) at the high school and am hoping to do that, although I'm not sure how hard it will be for me as I'm VERY out of shape.

I'd be happy to post journels or whatever it takes, but frankly am afraid to do so. I love to cook and have found some great recipes on LC websites and lists, but most of them have known "stallers" in them, which leaves me with nothing but a slab of meat, some eggs and a lettuce salad.

I know, I sound frustrated, but I'm at my wits end. I NEED to lose weight and nothing is really working for me. I cannot live a life of those 3 food items. I want to make this work forever.

I am AWOL anything right now and have eaten enough carbs in the last 5 days to fill the last 2-1/2 yrs that I've been "dieting".

Well, that's enough about me. I'm hoping this group will be able to help some.

Yvonne

There are a lot more people here who have experience with PCOS than I do so I can't help you out with that aspect.
I'm wondering if you've ever read The Fat Flush Plan by Ann Louise Gittleman. The first two weeks (Phase 1) are difficult because it's a liver cleanse, but some people have reported terrific losses during that period. I'm currently on Phase 2 but I have to admit I've been AWOL the past few days myself. I can just take so much restrictive eating and then all **** breaks loose. I'm hoping to get back on track after our Canadian Thanksgiving (this weekend).
Anyhow, the Fat Flush Plan seems to be working for a lot of people. If you'd like to know more about it, you'll find a very helpful and informative forum at ivillage.com.

I agree with Linda, perhaps a change in plan? I was on CALP for 2 years only to discover that Atkins helped me better to control my PCOS. I have severe PCOS and right now I'm ttc #2. A long and difficult path PCOS is and I have learned that measuring losses on the scale isn't the way to go. In fact, my doctor commented on how thin I was looking--a fact that we as low carbers measure not by the scale but by inches lost! In reality, my weight loss hasn't been significant but my hormones are correcting themselves and my measurements are getting thinner. When doing LC you have to take your successes in a different way and the scale can be an LCers enemy. you're right--some day it does have to come off, but for now measure with a tape measure and go from there.

There is only one thing I'm going to mention in terms of diet, are you using a lot of salt? Sometimes salt helps retain water and if you're going up and down the scale that might be what's causing it.

Hope this helps you in some way!

When I try any diet that I feel it too restrictive in any way my "mind" seems to revolt. Maybe you are trying too hard, or focusing too much and are making your life miserable. In order for any diet, Way of Eating, or whatever you want to call it, you have to be comfortable with it.

I have found that LC is very easy for me to follow, but somethime I just want something else. I've spent years beating myself up because I couldn't stay with the "plan" whatever it was that week! When I started LC I bought every book out there (1/2 price book store) and read every one of them, the sorta combined the ideas of all of them into a plan I can live with. Basically what I try to do is to have more carbs in the morning, less at lunch and very low carb for dinner. That works very well for me, so you might try that and see what you think about that. I also weight myself every day, contrary to what's the norm. I use a computer program (Weight Commander) that I've been using for years (before I even considered LC) and it charts your actual weight and the "pattern" of weight loss. I pay more attention to the "pattern" than the actual pounds. As long as my "trend" is going down, I know I'm doing okay.

As far as water aerobics: I can't say enought good things about that. I've been doing some form of water aerobics off and on for about 25 years (since I had a mascetomy and my surgeon suggested it) I currently go to a health club that offers many different types of wa classes and go almost every day. You see people of all different sizes and shape and different abilities in these classes. Try it . It really works.

Well enough preaching for one day, hope to see more of you here and welcome to a great group of women.