I'm about to cry.....help please....

You should really try the south beach diet. I lost 30 lbs on it very quickly. I am now trying to get back on it since I had my son. The book is a very easy read and is only about half of the book. The rest is recipes. I love this diet because you can start out eating as much as you want so you are never hungry. You just need to eat the right foods.
Good luck to you!
Sincerley, Caryn.

I'm sorry to hear you are going through so much! Stress can cause weight gain, water retention, etc. on its own, even without overeating, and especially if you aren't eating the right nutrients. I have a friend with DM who was recently able to complete a 5K after doing a complete diet overhaul. Do you take any suppliments? That might be something to look into with your doc. I've read that meditation can really help...

I understand your frustration, I have a simular history, It's so frustrating because it seems that no matter what you do - you don't get any better and the pain makes you feel so depressed. Yes, I tool looked to food for comfort. For me, the hardest part was finding a sypathetic soul to be able to vent to. i think a lot of people thought I was crazy because I look so healthy. I always felt like i was a whiner. I went undiagnosed for many years and I am now finally feeling better. I understand your frustration with doctors, prednisone (hate it) and our wonderful insurance system. Just keep on looking for help, Seek and you shall find, Don't be afraid to try alternative therapies - just keep searching. If you need to cry - do it, sometimes it makes us feel better. After a good cry, dry your tears, summon the best attitude you can and move forward. I wish I could give you a big hug and tell you it will be alright. Please feel free to friend me if you want, you can always vent to me. I will understand.

I'm sorry to hear about all of the negative things that have been happening to you. The best thing I can suggest is to try to stay away from carbs . . . especially processed carbs. Add more protein and fruits/veggies into your diet and drink nothing but water. This is what worked for me when nothing else would. When I track my food I go over on Protein and sometimes sugars (as fruit has a lot of natural sugars but they are better than refined sugars).

Do you think you are not good at tracking your food because you are embarassed about what you are eating? If so, you have the power to change that. I know it is not easy and it is not something that you can change instantly or over night. Set small goals for yourself to accomplish. For example, this week you could focus on your snacks. Instead of grabbing crackers/chips/granola bar etc. grab an apple or baby carrots instead. Then the next week work on breakfast. Plan ahead -- this is what usually gets people off track . . . in a hurry and just need "something" so a donut, bagel, etc. is fast. You could make hard boiled eggs head of time and keep them in the fridge. Grab 2-3 in the morning and have it with some fruit or maybe some yogurt. Remember: If you are not having a lot of carbs in your diet then you can get away with having more fats (nuts/cheese/eggs).

Then once you feel comfortable with your breakfast, work on your lunches. Instead of having a sandwich . . . put your meat on a bed of lettuce or if you like tuna fish make it with some light mayo or mayo made w/ olive oil, add in some pickles, and sprinkle on some pepper . . . instead of putting it on bread, put it on celery sticks. Pair it with a sliced apple and 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter. Then after you are comfortable with your lunches then focus on dinner.

Again, pick a lean protein (fish/chicken/steak) and pair it with veggies. Do you have a George Foreman grill or something similar? In the morning, take your meat out of the freeezer and put it in the refrigerator to thaw. When you get home, just throw it on the grill -- maybe even add some onions on top for flavor. Then steam or microwave fresh vegetables to go with it. Or you could grill or bake up meat on Sundays and put them in Tupperware for the week so you would just need to microwave it. Then for dessert make some sugar free Jello/pudding, or have some yogurt with fresh fruit (Or there are low carb treats in the freezer section at the grocery store). Then all you need to work on is your water intake. Replace one of your normal drinks (coffe/soda, etc.) with a glass of water . . . each week increase it to one more until you are taking in a minimum of 8 glasses per day.

I know you are really frustrated right now and you want instant results (as does everyone, especially in our "need it now" society) but remember you didn't get where you are in one night or even one week. So, take it slow . . . one day at a time . . . one meal at a time. I promise if you take the time to change your eating you will feel better about the choices you make . . . will feel healthier and in turn happier. I would be honored to be your friend if you would let me. I hope this information is helpful and not hurtful (I know sometimes when we are down we can take advice the wrong way . . . please know all of my intentions are good).

I think you made a good choice today by sharing your feelings and reaching out for help. We are all here for the same reason you are and we all want to be successful -- let us help you be a success. :flowerforyou:

My heart cries for you, B, :ohwell: and you can get through it. I;d like to offer you my friendship and support. :flowerforyou: Feeling anxiety and side effects is not your fault, and although it's not what you want to see on the scale right now, please try to not be too upset with yourself knowing that some of that is due to your conditions/medications. MFP guidelines are nothing but that. It's here to help us understand what we should be watching out for, what to stay away from, and to get the support from others who really and truly understand you like no one else may be able to. It's not written in stone, and if you go over or under, here and there, please don't let that discourage you. :noway: I'm here for you. :smooched: I'm here to listen. You're beautiful, you have to take care of yourself, so you can continue to care for your family as well. I came in so quickly to reply to you, that I didn't even see your page to see what state or location you're in, :embarassed: but can I encourage you to please contact the Univ of Common Sense in LA, California (as silly as the name sounds) at (800) 527-5682? And request a telephone consultation with Tim Morrow or an educated rep that can guide you in the right direction, or feel free to look him up on YouTube and listen to his info. first.

To summarize what I'm recommending here: it's a natural alternative to prescriptions (to try to avoid all the side effects you're feeling, the success of a 100% recovery from your illnesses, and to later focus on a healthy weight loss). ♥ I live in South Florida, I'm just a customer of theirs because I prefer alternative medicine, and I'm from LA and learned from them there, and they mail me my orders, I'm not a spokesperson for them :noway: or anything like that.

But since I have faith in it (ever since my brother was cured from Diabetes for 10+ years as a result of their guidance, and my mother is now recovered from hereditary infections in her ankles). As a friend, I'd like the best for you, :smooched: and would never want to hold back on what I find to be a gem ♥ If you're not interested, that's cool.

But most importantly, I'd like to offer you a shoulder to cry on, and an ear to listen. Be strong, be patient, and don't steer away from MFP. We're here for you, ok. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ :flowerforyou: :smooched: