PCOS Weight Loss Stories! Success stories, and before, during and after pics! - Page 23

Embassy Embroidery · 08-08-2007, 03:40 PM

This was the best thing that could sum up how Ive been feeling for the past ten years since my weight gain from 125-220.

"I feel like my body is an obsession now. "

Does everyone else who is overweight go through the same things? All I do is look at every other girl and say I wish I had that body or that body, ect....

Embassy Embroidery · 08-08-2007, 03:49 PM

Kittie I cant say enough Congratulations on the weight loss. I pray to God that I can be saying the same thing in the time to come

Vanessa M. · 08-08-2007, 04:48 PM

Embassy: I'm sure that lots of overweight people go through similar things, although it would be impossible to say 100%. I know there are cultures that embrace fat as a sign of wealth (but they also sell their daughters for pigs or something, lol) but we certainly don't live there.
My body is absolutely my obsession, but in a good way. All I can say is that it HIGH TIME I obsess about my body. Ignoring it for so ling hasn't done it any good.
Maybe change the wording of your thoughts a little?
Turn, "I wish I had her body."
into, "If I work hard, my body will look that good."
I've unintentionally become hyper-aware of peoples' bodies and instead of just wishing for this one chick's arms I saw once - I know how to get them myself. It's just a matter of willingness to do the work.

Maddy · 08-09-2007, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vickis_mami

what is the IR diet and how do I find out more about it? I have been on WW for a year and have lost a whoppign 15 lbs and after beating myself up about it, i signed on for a "buddy" who told me "it works if you work it and you may be trying, but you ARE NOT working it"! I cried for an hour! I have worked it, worked it, worked it, the ONLY diet I have every done that I lost more than 20 lbs on was so strict and so hard that I just couldn't do it (was given to me by the OBGYN) (i don't care if I only lose 1 lb a week, would be better than what I am getting now, which is about a lb a month

.

Any ideas/help would me seriously seriously appreciate.

When I first started I'd have taken 1lb a month if it was consistent weight loss! It took me a month of eating better to regain AF it has taken me a lot longer to lose weight (and it jumps back on quick enough). But don't feel bad if one particular diet doesn't work for you AKA WW - it didn't work for me either and I stuck to it rigidly. I tried it for 12 weeks - jogged there and back and never "cheated" - I lost 1/2 lb.

If you've tried WW and it didn't work for you then I would suggest a lower carb way of eating probably will. But there will be restrictions.

You could try the IR diet combined with calorie restriction - 1600 calories a day? Or if you find the idea of the IR diet too restrictive just calorie restriction. Plus exercise. You could start with the warm up sections of a dance DVD or a 15 minute walk. Are you on met? If not you could try chromium - it really does help.

You can find more info about the IR diet in the diet information sticky. And feel free to pm me if you want to talk!

Hopeful_Jen · 08-09-2007, 04:35 PM

I don't know much about the IR diet, either, I have a couple books about IR, but the one thing that has ever helped me in my life is just no flour/no sugar. Went to a natural doc, which didn't turn out so well, but one piece of advice that was helpful was the no f/ no s. Now, I am a passionate chef at heart, it would be my dream to work in a five star restaurant, so this type of diet was pretty hard at times. But, after the first couple of weeks, AF visited regularly and I lost quite a bit of weight. Exercise definitely helped, and the one thing I really did like about this diet is that there is no set meal plan, no rigid record keeping. I just read labels and if it had flour or sugar, I passed. You MUST indulge every once in a while, which can be dangerous for some- myself included. But my guilt is what killed me, and a low self esteem doesn't help, either. I got frustrated and quit the diet because I didn't think it was doing enough, only to see pics later and realize how much it was helping. I know weight loss and, more importantly, good health starts from the head down, it's just real hard to get there sometimes.

Anyways, best of luck to everyone!

Asgerd · 08-09-2007, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kittie

It takes a while to get use to it, I'm still not use to it all completely. It's because you are still the same on the inside really and it really goes to show how much the outside world can react to appearance. I'm having to curb my fat-girl shyness and socialising tendencies, things which I did not noticed I did to "protect" myself from the outside world.

You have me thinking about this phenom, because I'm going through this right now. I'm so used to two things:

1. Most men (married and unmarried) were indifferent to my existence - and I got used to it
2. Strangers (of both sexes) who were either indifferent or hostile

And I was perfectly happy with the arrangement. I didn't lose weight to be liked or even to start dating again. I lost weight because after years of trying, and suffering from years of cystic and hormonal problems, I was FINALLY diagnosed with PCOS, and am currently under treatment.

Now, everyone wants to chat or be my friend. I feel like I am standing outside myself watching people treat me MUCH nicer than even a year ago. The strangest experiences are with the men, especially single men I work with. Where before they were professional or indifferent, they're all friendly and personal now. And I'm beginning to learn to behave differently.

It is so fascinating. Obviously, I'm not the only one who experiences this.

I wonder: is there a psychologist or sociologist who has described this behavior and can put it to practical use for those of us going through it?

I mean, I've spent most of my adult life shy and ignored. How do I adjust?

Asgerd · 08-09-2007, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Embassy Embroidery

Hi there everyone. I have to be honest and ask what do you or how do you stay encouraged when you have noone to back you up. My family is in Phoenix-they feel that my weight is my fault). My boyfirend I cant really talk to because although he says I look fine, inside maybe because I dont feel it I feel absolutely ugly.
I have problems letting go of the past and the body I had back then(I was 125ish and now I am 220) Its so hard for me to like myself wheen all I see is ads out there fulled with lose weight if you dont look like this and feeling the enormous pressure to look "thin"

Any advice? I appreciate everyones time

Free Advice is, you know, free...

I believe I'm older than most cysters on the board, and I was diagnosed about ten years later than what appears to be the average (on the board). And so I've probably lived a few years longer with the weight and health issues.

I know it's hard for people to get motivated, and I think about this all the time, because nowadays people ask me "how I did it" and when I mention "Self-discipline" and "motivation" and "patience" I usually get these disappointed faces. I was motivated for almost three years before I was diagnosed with PCOS, but no matter what I did, I just wasn't losing weight. Now on metformin xr and a 1500 calorie/day diet, I am losing about 5 pounds per month. I'm ovulating. I'm sleeping through the night. And my moods are much, much improved. I'm not done yet. I'm somewhere in the middle of the challenge, but success has motivated me to work harder.

Now, I am teased by my friends who find my single-mindedness to be sort-of dull. I even have a friend who is kinda jealous, and doesn't even mention it when we hang out. But none of this matters, because of another moment in my life....

The other thing that motivated me was a single doctor's visit (actually the one described in my sig). The doctor is a pulmonary specialist here in DC. I originally went to him for chronic sleep problems, and to get a sleep study done. At the initial consultation, he scanned my 3-inch thick medical record, put it down and looked up at me and said: "You dodged a bullet." And then he went on to enumerate all of the medical issues stalking right behind me:

Diabetes
Heart disease
High Blood Pressure
Infertility
Sleep Apnea

I was close, he said, very close to being very large and chronically ill.

Now, if someone had told me at 25 that this was my future, I would have shrugged it off. At 36+ I have much more experience personally knowing men and women with these health problems -- and though you can live well with them -- it's still not good. Diabetes is especially complex and can be debilitating if you don't take care of yourself. All of a sudden the idea that I was close to having it just scared the heck out of me.

That doctor's admonishment literally changed my outlook and my life. I feel like I've been given a second chance, and this time I'm not going to squander it.

Future Doc Cyster · 08-10-2007, 02:32 AM

Asgerd-I agree with the Psychological/Sociological aspects of weightloss. People in general seem to be far more polite and sociable to me than they were when I was 50+ lbs. heavier. Of course my friends and family don't treat me differently, but I feel like the general public does!

People at stores are far more helpful and more guys hold doors open for me at restaurants, malls, etc. I actually think that this is a common phenomenon. There was a Lifetime movie about a thin girl that did a project about this. She was popular and "cool" in her high school when she was thin, but when she went undercover in a fat suit, she was treated differently. People in general weren't as nice to her, and she was even teased by some of her peers. I didn't see the movie, but I read about it online and saw the previews for it.

At the end of last semester, some fellow students had a pool party. For the first time in my life, a guy was flirting with me while in a bathing suit! Granted I'm no bean-pole and my suit was a "trendy" 2-piece with a halter top and a swim skirt bottom, but guys were actually paying attention to me.

I also think that we sometimes radiate a certain positive energy when we have lost weight. We feel better about ourselves and other people pick up on that. I'm not saying I don't sometimes feel like I'm still the size I once was, but generally, I think my energy is more positive. A classmate even commented to my roommate how I seem to be "happier" and have "a kick in my step!" Lol

Future Doc Cyster · 08-10-2007, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asgerd

One thing I've noticed is that when I finally do start buying clothes again (most likely some Fall clothes in September) I need to rethink how I dress. I don't need the boxy clothes that hide the fat rolls anymore, and I've noticed that my options have expanded even as my waist has shrunk.

I know the feeling! It's sometimes a good idea to bring a good friend with you and have them help you pick stuff out to try on. I was definitely a bit hesitant to try on anything form-fitting at first, but with the encouragement of friends I was able to find great clothes that complimented by new bod!

The funny thing is is that I worked at a retail clothing store mostly dressing mannequinns (sp?) and doing merchandising, so I'm obviously not a total fashion disaster. It's just sometimes hard to look at yourself in clothes you NEVER used to wear and know if they look right.

That leads me to another good point. Don't be afraid to ask a sales associate (preferably a well dressed one

) to help you find things to try on, especially if they are not incredibly busy. I used to love helping dress customers when we were slow. I've even explained to sales associates before that I've recently lost weight, have no idea what size I am, and I'm looking for a certain type of blouse, bra, etc. Most of them are pretty open and enjoy helping you. Plus a good sales associate should never tell you that you look good in something if you don't. They should be trained to say something like, "I've got just the right sweater to go with those jeans, and I think it'll look GREAT on you!" if something doesn't fit quite right.

Embassy Embroidery · 08-10-2007, 02:23 PM

I appreciate everyones thoughts and encouragement. I am actually by nature a happy person, even with not being at my ideal weight.
I am very excited about Metformin though because its given me a reason along with this board , to exercise and watch what I eat.
Thank you again everyone I appreciate it

Future Doc Cyster · 08-10-2007, 05:15 PM

Hey Embassy! I just noticed that you are from Chicago! It's great to see another Chi-town Cyster on the board! I'm actually from a suburb and don't go to school in IL, but Chicago will always be "home" to me.

_Maddy_ · 08-10-2007, 07:51 PM

I am going to join in too

I have not lost 20lbs yet but I am on a start. I have recently been diagnosed with PCOS as of Tues. And in 3 weeks I have lost 11.+ lbs

. I am trying to reach a goal of losing 50 lbs in the next 3 months.

But I was wondering what the IR diet and The Schwatrtzbein Principle is. I would love to hear what they are.

Thanks
Maddy

CystaK · 08-14-2007, 12:17 AM

I have been posting a lot in the WLS Divas site. I just joined a few days ago, but I have been reading quite a bit of your posts.

What is the IR diet? I am curious-I am having lots of issues with my health, and have been considering WLS. But I am also looking at different diets.

RandomGirl · 08-22-2007, 07:59 PM

Wow, thanks for posting the pics guys. It's really motivational when you have people that have been where you are and where you want to go.
Keep up the good health

CystaK · 08-23-2007, 11:47 AM

Asgerd-how long have you been on Spiro? I noticed n your med list you are also on hyzaar-i am on Diovan for BP/heart palps and was recently told my testosterone was high and was put on Spiro-It has bottomed out both my BP and I have also had my sugar drop-sweaty/heart racing, etc-(I am also on met) I was just wandering have you had any problems being on all of your meds???