Successful dieting

Wanted to give you overview before asked my question.  I've been dieting for the last two years because I gained over 90 pounds during my pregnancy and have only added weight on after it even with dieting (I stuck to weight watchers and then tried LA Weight Loss and nothing worked).  I found out in addition to my autoimmune disorder (mixed connective tissue disease which for awhile the docs thought was lupus then fibro), I also have diabetes type II and PCOS which causes insulin resistance which doesn't help the diabetes, the weight gain, or any of it.  Doc thinks with diabetic meds, the weight will start to come off now.  Am on Metformin, and once the doc can code my medical condition right so my healthplan will cover it, I will also be on Byeta which is another diabetic drug which helps weight loss.  She will not prescribe any diet drugs, and has told me to stick to the diabetic diet, and that weight loss will be slow.  I'm 220 pounds!  I just want to cry so badly.  I started Lyrica back in the fall for my joint pain problems and gained weight with that.  My joints have not hurt as much, and I won't stop the medicine because I need it to function to chase after my 2 year old.  I think the weight gain with the Lyrica has stopped, though.  So 220 pounds is what I'm staying at.  The diabetic stuff was just discovered quite recently.

So, how long does it take to lose weight when you're a diabetic?  Is South Beach diet or low carb diet safe if I'm on medication that controls my blood sugar levels?  And will walking be enough exercise?  I thought about buying that Sweating to the Oldies tape, if it's still sold (I remember from when I was a kid they advertised it on TV with Richard Simmons).  I can't afford a gym membership, or an excercise bike or treadmill, especially now since I can barely afford all the medication I'm on (there went my husband's raise this year!) and recover from the money I spent between Weight Watchers and LA Weight Loss which did nothing because of my medical conditions.  I wish I hadn't spent the money then, because now that I have the diabetic meds, and the doc thinks the dieting will work, now I need them.  I guess if I hadn't used them, though, I would be heavier than I am now, so guess have to count my blessings where I can, huh?

So, will diabetic diet and dancing to the oldies or whatever excercise tapes I can find that are not too damaging to my joints be enough to lose the weight?  And what is a safe weight loss goal?  2 pounds a week?  That was what Weight Watchers had said.  Is more too much?  I was 140 pounds before I got pregnant 3 years ago.  And now 220.  That's 80 pounds heavier!  And most of that was put on when I was pregnant.  *sigh*  Just feel not myself.  I hate pictures taken of me nowadays.  I feel like I've aged 10 years.  Does anyone else feel like that too?  And how do you stay motivated when nothing has worked in the past two years?  

[chigirl29]

I think your doctor is right. You should stick to the diabetic diet.  There are plenty of low impact exercises--walking, recumbant bike cycling, swimming-you can try.  Look in your yellowpages for a YMCA as rates are reasonable. My apt.complex has a gym and a pool.  Maybe that is an option for you--not sure.

I stay motivated by thinking of my health.  I like the idea of taking care of myself.