I'm new to 3FC and just started SBD this week (on day 2 of Phase 1). I was recently diagnosed with PCOS after trying to conceive for over a year. I've struggled with weight my entire life, was 225lbs in high school and went on my first diet (Jenny Craig) when I was 10. Have gained and lost the same 50-60 lbs over and over again, and I'm really tired of the yo-yo.

I realize most of my problem is mental - I know that I'm not fat because I like cheeseburgers. In fact, I don't eat poorly, but I did have a more carb-centric diet. I work out 4-5 days a week, two days with a trainer, did a 5K last year and physically I think I'm in good shape - except for the layer of blubber that is packed on over the muscle I've earned from my ball busting workouts. Despite my exercise regime, I have still gained back 45 out of the 60 lbs I lost three years ago for my wedding. Even at my wedding, I still had another 30 lbs (my lowest weight as an adult was 165). I hit a plateau I just couldn't get past, and I was being religious about my diet. I think I got frustrated and started floating from diet to diet (tried Jenny Craig again and my 68 year old mother lost more weight on it than I did!) Now I'm back up to 206, depressed, and frustrated and angry with myself that I let it happen AGAIN! How does one not start hating themselves, or stop hating themselves, for being unable to control my weight?

I could give a million excuses for why it happened; traveling for my job, my mother in law in & out of the hospital this past year, trying to quit smoking several times (and keep going back for reasons I can't understand or explain), etc. Quite honestly, I keep giving myself a hall pass because of the stress to just be destructive to my health, and I have struggled with overcoming this behavior.

Can anyone relate to this? I know I'm not alone out there, but it's really hard to face friends and family after gaining this weight back and trying to explain why..... Why, after all the diets and all the exercise programs, and all that I KNOW from being basically raised on a diet my whole life - why can't I get past this mental block in my head and just DO IT, and not revert back to old behaviors?

Thanks for reading/listening I appreciate anyone's feedback!

Thanks for posting a nicely-written introduction! You're obviously very good at describing your feelings and I enjoyed reading your post.
I have no real words of wisdom but wish you much success on your journey!

Welcome and good luck !

Welcome!!

I'm in my second week of Phase 1, and I, too, have PCOS and have floated from diet to diet, losing and regaining (and re-losing, and regaining) weight all my life.

I love South Beach, and it's the best way of life I've personally found for controlling my PCOS too..

I also like SB because once you're in Phase 2, there are truly VERY few foods that you can't find a tasty SB-friendly cousin to, which is what makes it easier to stick to in the end I think.

Kudos to you for all the exercising! I need to get off my butt more, but I'm waiting for Phase 2 (ahhh I know, excuses, excuses)

I think what makes people successful on South Beach is to realize that while weight loss does occur, it's truly a Way of Life and SO not a "diet"..

Anyway, welcome aboard, and I look forward to getting to know you

Welcome to SB!

Just wanted to say welcome and address the smoking issue for you. I smoked for over 20 years, a pack a day, never the kind of person who "forgot" to smoke one day. I would wake up and reach for my pack. I quit a couple of times ranging from a day to a couple of months (when I was pregnant) only to go right back to smoking after my son was born. The ONLY thing that worked for me was Chantix. I took it a couple of years ago (this is how little I care about smoking anymore, I can't even remember how long ago I quit. I think it was 4 years ago). Luckily I did not have any negative side effects although I have heard of those who have, so you'll have to evaluate whether it is something you personally want to try. My mind was literally freed from my addiction by Chantix and I've never looked back. Also, I only gained about 5 lbs. when I quit and they came off pretty easily later. Good luck to you and welcome to the beach!

Welcome to the forum and best of luck in your weight loss journey. I think you've got a great start with being able to vocalize your feelings and struggles. Maintenance is as much work as losing and I think that's where a lot of us go off track. You're not "done" when you get to your goal weight.

Join us in the daily thread to chat and get to know you better!

Nice to meet you! I've yo-yo-ed for years. I wish I knew the answer, the magic whatever that flips the switch to doing it from knowing what it is that needs to be done.

Welcome welcome!!

These are the words I seem to forget every time over my adult life that I have hit my goal. My yo-yos go slowly, and over long stretches of time, but I can totally relate to that frustrated feeling of knowing what you are "supposed" to be doing and just not having the capacity to do it. It's a vicious cycle, since not being healthy just leads to less energy and less emotional capacity!!

I'm glad you came to join us!

Thank you all for the support!!! I am really glad I found 3FC, there is so much great information and support here! I actually heard about South beach for PCOS reading the posts here on 3FC, which is why I thought about giving it a shot. It seems to be a lifestyle I can live with the rest of my life, instead of a "diet". Seems easier than counting points on WW too, I write down what I'm eating but I'm not obsessed with numbers, so that's a nice break.

I'm on day 4 of Phase 1, had a moment last night where I was REALLY tempted to go off plan. My husband called to tell me that the biopsy of the lump my mother in law had removed from her shoulder last week came back positive for cancer (met from lung). She has lung cancer and is 100% dependent on us financially and otherwise (my husband is an only child). It's been a very stressful year....and so last night I caught myself going to the pantry and staring at it for about 5 minutes for something to eat. I ended up having a handful of almonds, but I know that I need to deal with that way of handling stress. It was amazing how aware you become when actually being mindful instead of mindlessly eating whatever. I would have murdered someone for a poptart last night though, but I overcame it - and to me that was a success. Wiser choice was the almonds, so at least I can give myself some kudos for that!

Looking forward to getting to know everyone!!

Welcome! Great job reaching for the almonds last night! Sorry to hear about your MIL. It must be a very difficult time for your family right now.

I'm so sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. I hope they find a treatment plan that will work for her.

Emotional eating is a big struggle of mine as well. I've been known to come here and just post something so my fingers are busy and I can't eat. I also go upstairs so I'm not near the kitchen (last night the cookies were almost audibly calling to me and I refused to go downstairs - made my husband go get something for me because I knew I'd be so weak if I went down there LOL), or I leave the house completely and go for a walk or something.