shannasaurus_rex Member

I'm a WW member currently, and I'm coming back to MFP. I've had success with both WW in the past (different Points system) and MFP, and I think WW is actually pretty great. Their new app is a ton better than it used to be, and the Smart Points system seems to favor lean protein and free fruits and veggies. Starches are…

Hi Maureen! I'm dabbling in dual tracking here too. Just restarted MFP today, but I've been on Weight Watchers (this time - first time was in 2004) for about 3 weeks, and while I'm down 6 pounds, I'm not totally sold on WW being THE answer. I have had success with MFP in the past, but I was thinking I could use a little…

I just started drinking spearmint tea last week. (Had to get over the feeling that I'm swallowing my gum at first!) Have you ladies experienced any benefits yet?

OK, I'm officially a Jillian Michael's fan now. Thank you so much for sharing!

Though my doctor has not advised it, I have been thinking I might want to start monitoring my own blood sugar - instead of waiting for my bi-annual labwork. I don't know how it works though. Can you just buy a monitoring kit at a pharmacy or do you need a prescription? Thanks for starting this thread because it's been on…

I experienced mild side effects the first time I tried metformin. I don't remember my specific dose, but it was the traditional form that you take multiple times a day. Currently, I am tolerating the "extended release" version without any problems. Around New Years, my doctor started me at just 500mg to take once daily,…

Wow, 21 pounds in 30 days?! That's amazing! I'm working on getting healthy enough to TTC too. Good luck!! :)

Oh boy, I can relate to this. I feel so guilty for not being able to fully share a friend's joy. Outwardly, I do my best to be congratulatory and supportive. Really, I am happy to see my friends starting (or growing) their families, but the initial news always taps my inner "it's not fair" nerve. I haven't given up on the…

I've never heard of using lavendar oil. How does that work? Do you just rub it in like a moisturizer, or do you mix it with the aloe vera? I much prefer natural remedies over chemical ones, whenever possible.

Well, doc prescribed an oral antibiotic to take twice a day for two weeks and a topical antibiotic gel to apply until it goes away (and to use later as other spots come up). It wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I'll give it a whirl. I did discuss my overall skincare regimen with her though, and to my surprise, she…

Thank you for sharing. I love reading success stories, but PCOS success stories are EXTRA inspiring to me! Congrats on your beautiful family and kudos to you for demonstrating for them what a healthy lifestyle looks like.

What a terrific victory! I had my "before" bloodwork done on Dec 31, and I am definitely going to use it to guage my progress as well. Hoping to create a similar success story for myself. Thanks for sharing!

Hi Ladies! Me too! 32 years old, LOTS of pounds overweight, diagnosed PCOS in 2007, married in 2011, and finally getting around to taking my fertility seriously. Started charting BBT about 2 months ago, but so far no obvious patterns to observe. Started Metformin (500mg/day of extended release) a couple weeks ago, so it's…

Thanks for sharing! You were beautiful before, and you look even better now!

I just want to chime in to encourage you girls to keep it up! I worked full time and went to college at night. It took me TEN YEARS (ugh!) to finish my BA, but I did it. (Woohoo!!) I put my health on the back burner from about midterms to finals pretty much every semester, and my weight bounced up and down and up... and…

Thank you for sharing your story! People like you help me believe that it IS possible for me to find the same success if I just stay as consistent as you have.

I can relate to this fear! If you've "done it all before," then you probably know most of these tricks. Set smaller goals. Think of it as a "way of life" and not a "diet." Don't let one indulgence ruin your whole day, week, etc. All of this is true, and when you're feeling strong and hopeful, they sound like really…

^^ LOL!!

Longest for me is 6 or 8 months. I'm completely irregular still - sometimes 30-40 days a couple cycles in a row, then nothing for a few months. It's impossible to predict. Just started Metformin last week, so I'm hoping that (coupled with weight loss) will help get things back on track... well, "back on track" implies that…

Like most diet plans, Weight Watchers works if you follow it. If you need in-person accountability, it's great for that! Knowing someone is going to watch you step on a scale and then (gasp!) write your weight down can be very motivating for some. If you don't need that kind of motivation though, I think MFP is better.…

I just started taking 500 mg of Metformin (extended release version) this week. I have taken it in the past and never noticed any difference, but perhaps I didn't stick with it long enough. For me though, it wasn't the kind of thing that made me FEEL any different. I'm taking it again because I had all my bloodwork done,…

I was diagnosed with PCOS about five years ago. I didn't take it very seriously at first, just took my birth control pills and yo-yo dieted like always. Now that I'm married (in 2011) and ready to start a family, I'm realizing all the damage PCOS has done/can do. I have let my weight get so out of hand that I have well…

Thanks for sharing your success! I have PCOS too, and I have let it get completely out of hand. You are inspiring me to believe that control is possible!

This is wonderful! Celebrate every accomplishment!

Great post, Rill! I like your approach. I have been doing many of the same things to manage my PCOS - though the progesterone cream is something I have yet to look into. I am a whole-hearted believer in the Apple Cider Vinegar; that stuff is amazing! Keep it up, and good luck! :)