Mind if I join you two?
I have PCOS... and 2 years ago through my endochrinologist and dietician, I did the modified protein sparing fast.
I lost almost 50 lbs in 4 mos.
Since the weight loss, I slowly gained the weight back. I tried doing the diet on my own and.. got gout (too much protein and nothing else)
I've avoided the scale but finally got on it this morning. I feel like throwing up.. I now know I weigh 20 lbs more than my original starting weight. Which means I"ve gained 70 lbs since my loss.
I'm devestated. I dno't want to go back to my Dr because I"m ashamed. So.. with PCOS you can't really do carbs... at all, really. However I"m thinking south beach may work for me. The weight may not come off AS FAST but I know that..
I'm to the point that it feels hopeless. like I crossed a line of no return.. but I'm so uncomfy and out of breath and ASHAMED of myself lately. Weighing myself this mornign was my turning point.
SO... how did you guys learn enough about this diet? I looked into it a while back but the books I found were SO LONG and confusing. How do you know what to do/how to do it without weeding through this neverending books?
And do you exercise as well? I hate exercise but now that summer is coming I will walk/bike I suppose
Hi CinRell, Come on in! Ofcourse you are welcome to join us! (I'd put a hug icon here. The only icon working for me these days is the smile.)
What is PCOS? It sounds like a challenge to deal with. That's for sure, but you can do it! First of all, please don't be so hard on yourself! Don't be ashamed! Focus your energy on getting on task. Whenever you are getting down on yourself think of something positive you have done or can do. You can do it!
The best thing for me to get started was keeping an eating journal. I highly recommend it. I was really surprised at what I was eating! It gives you lots of information on where you can change your eating habits and replace it with something healthier. Writing down what you eat also holds you accountable. Sometimes you don't want to eat something just because you don't want to write it down in your eating journal. Crazy but it's true, for me at least! I'm not where I want to be (weight wise) either, but I'm getting there slowly but surely.
The things I'm trying to do with a "modified" S.B. diet is cut way down on sugar consumption, cut down on carbs, and fats. This is the second time I've done the S.B. diet. I read the diet book the first time. This time I just reviewed the foods to eat & foods to avoid. The cook books didn't cut it for me. There were a few recipes that were ok. Most were not family friendly for our family. We do try different foods, but sticking with the things we like and modifying our recipes has helped the most.
I'm getting better at reading the labels. I scan the ones I'm not familiar with for calories, fat, carbs, sugar, and sodium. That's helped me more than just about anything.
Other things that really help me is I carry a reading/snack bag. Ice water too. LOL. I really do. I find if I prepare in advance for waiting times or when I'm caught out and about and I get hungry I'm ready. I don't have to rely on fast food. I can get a snack and be ok. I think about meals in advance too. I don't plan them out like I should, but I have a rough idea of a few possibilities that are quick to assemble and reasonably healthy.
Now for the good stuff. Snacks! I love the S.B. diet cereal bars (except chocolate it tastes like cardboard to me). The S.B. snack bars are good too, at least the berry one is. I usually carry a cereal bar or a zip lock of cashews with me when I'm on the go. I love the Carb Smart ice creams. Rocky Road is terrific! The Carb Smart ice cream bars have anywhere from 5-7 G of carbs. Not bad at all.
I don't weigh myself very often. I found it helps me to not know and just keep doing what I'm doing. I feel my clothes fitting better and that's good enough as time goes by. It can be depressing to not see results in numbers. So it's better for me not to look. I might look once every 2-3 weeks. I haven't been exercising, but I have been thinking about it! I'm just not ready yet.
I've heard Sparkpeople.com is a great website and resource too. And it's free! I have a friend that has lost a lot of weight using their resources and support. I think they have forums too.
I didn't mean to write so much. But I do hope some of these tips help. The biggest thing I hope for you is that you won't be so hard on yourself! Remember small steps are ok. Just cutting out sugar in the beginning will help a lot.
Hugs to you. You can do it!
Just have to pick through it all. 
