Needing some motivation today

Hi, Amanda. I understand completely what you're going through, although I don't have any children (four cats, though). I've been trying to be good for a while now, but in the last three weeks, I've gained 18 pounds, and neither the doctor nor I can figure out why. My blood sugar has also gone out of control, but the last three days have been good, blood sugar wise. I have at least 35 pounds to lose and have no "fat clothes" left, so everything is tight.

Do you have any physical ailments that would cause you not to lose weight? Are you choosing the right foods or just going by carbs and calories? For example, I'll go for the butter instead of olive oil and full-fat cheese instead of skim. I do take one of the same medications you do, and I didn't know gabapentin caused weight gain. Thank you for mentioning that. I did ask my doctor yesterday about garcinia cambogia, and he didn't recommend it. I then asked him about the green coffee bean extract, and he said, emphatically, "Yes!" That's my next purchase; from what I've read, it's supposed to help A1C and weight loss, as long as we get exercise and watch our diets.

Did you visit your doctor before you started a weight loss- and exercise program? He'll make sure you have no underlying issues that would set you on the right path (e.g., my doctor determined how many calories I should be eating, along with how many carbs). He can recommend a nutritionist, if you need one. I did that many years ago and it really helped. I can't afford it now, and my insurance won't cover it, but I'm going to do a lot of research and get a diabetes cookbook to help. My doctor was so kind about my fat, and I'm determined to show some kind of loss by the time I see him again in three weeks. If I don't, at least my blood sugar will be under control. That's my primary goal; if weight comes off, too, that would be awesome! You have the right attitude, in that you know you're becoming healthier.

Please stick with the program, Amanda. We can chat here regularly to support each other, if you'd like. I do much better when I'm accountable to someone or have a friend to work with. I have no family, and, since I'm home-bound, it's not easy to make friends (a third of my exercise every day and week is walking in the halls). I'm here to help you as much as I can, even though I just started here today. I've been on hundreds of diets over the years, and this is the first time I've tried something online. I've learned, though, that friends can make a huge difference, no matter what the goal.

Please don't be down on yourself. As you wrote, you know you're getting healthier, and that's the whole idea behind what we're doing, right? There's always hope. I just read in a book that "there is hope in hopeless." That kind of hit a chord with me.

I know your frustration, and what has helped me some has been to measure everything and make sure you are filling in the right amounts on your diary. And to drink lots of water. I put oranges, lemons or grapefruit in my water when I get bored with plain water. It's amazing how different the measuring amounts and what we think is the right amount actually is. And what you eat is as important as calories. All carbs and the weight will never come off. Good luck and keep focused. One day at a time.

Garcinia Cambogia is a waste of money. Use a food scale, (it's free) and it makes all the difference in the world.