Good weight loss advice

[reallydisgusted]

Okay I have struggled with my weight all my life and I desperately need to lose.   I have PCOS and high blood pressure.  I am currently taking metformin and lebetalol.  I have been watching what I eat and exercising, I recently joined the gym, that helped before, but I have never been an appropriate weight.  I have lost 20 pounds and it has stopped.  It doesn't seem to matter what I do the scale won't budge.  I am trying to find some type of diet that I can live with the rest of my life.  Lets face it I could go on a low carb and maybe lose some, but I don't think I could live on it forever and last time I tried it, I had keytones in my urine and my gyno requested I see a nutrutionist.  I drink sugarfree tea and sodas, also caffiene free.  I also try to watch my starchy foods, not avoiding them all together, but limiting them.  What diet suggestions do you have?  I need to lose at least 80 pounds and I still wouldn't be my suggested weight, but I would be happy.

[James G Beckerman, M.D.]

Thanks for your post.  It's always challenging to balance weight issues with other medical problems like PCOS that can be playing a role.  It's very important to make sure that everything else is being appropriately treated - might also make sense to rule out hypothyroidism as a contributing factor too.

I think a nutritionist is a great idea - it will get your started thinking about what exactly you are eating on a daily basis - a food diary is a fantastic way to get your mind in the groove.

Another thing to consider would be to get rid of the sugar substitutes that you are consuming in tea and sodas.  Data suggests that people can actually gain weight drinking diet soda as compared to drinking water.  It seems that the fake sugar actually tricks your body into craving more sugar later on, and you might be consuming it without realizing it in other forms.  Go for water to really make a no calorie change.

If you recently joined the gym, you've made a great choice - now you have to make that membership worth it.  Go.  Three times a week at minimum.  Remember that you want to lose only a pound or two every week.  This will feel painfully slow, but it's the right way to make a change that help you in the long run.

Take care, and best of luck!!  Do well!

[hopeful4health]

Hi, I know exactly how you feel.  I've been trying to loose weight for ten years now.  I have a leg ulcer which prevents me from walking, as a form of exercise. I use a stationary bike
I recently started eating very healthy meals, watching my portion size, and stop eating by 5pm.  I have lost 20 pounds in 2 1/2 months I have fruit for snacks, I freeze yoplait whips for snacks, tastes like ice cream, when I get a craving I eat shelled peanuts one at a time, and chew really well, and in about 10 nuts I've passed my craving. Drink water instead of diet drinks.  I'm loosing between 1 and 2 pounds per week, I know that might sound slow, but any loss is a good loss, and it adds up.  I also make small challenges for myself, like to loose in 10 pound sets.  After being on every diet out there for the past ten years so far this is working.  I don't restrict anything from my list of food, that way I don;t have that many cravings. But I ration the size, just a sample size so I can have a taste and not feel guilty, if it's a goody.  If it's a food I eat a normal diet sized serving. Hope this helps you , The main thing is to accept yourself, you are worth it, and not feel guilty if you have a misstep.  Just pick yourself up and get back on track the next day.  This is for you, Your doing this for you, Put yourself first, don't sweat the small stuff, and the weight will come off, and stay off.
Good Luck to you and I hope this helps you