Overwhelmed

**blueberrylady** · February 16, 2009, 07:22 AM

Re: Overwhelmed

I am so sorry to hear that you are having so much trouble in your life. In my opinion, it might be best to address the problem of depression first and then when your self-esteem is back, the weight problem will be easier to deal with.

I wish you the very best and hope you are feeling so much better as soon as possible! Good luck!

**Simone** · February 16, 2009, 07:43 AM

Re: Overwhelmed

Thanks for the response. I really appreciate you taking the time to say anything at all, but I really don't need pity or sympathy. I would much prefer answers. That would help my current emotional state.

**Tanyaskees** · February 16, 2009, 08:13 AM

Re: Overwhelmed

Hi Simone, I am new here and just had to jump in and say something. I am in the same situation as you are, well, sort of. I lost 100+ pounds little over 3 years ago and had several plastic surgeries. Like you, I had a tummy tuck. I was in my late 30's. Now I am 42, gained about 30 pounds and back trying to lose it. I am down 11 pounds, but it's not as easy as it was when I was younger. Took me about 6 weeks to lose the 11 pounds when last time it took 11 months to lose 103. I think after 40 things slow down and it's not as easy as before.
Not sleeping well is probably whats leading yor depression and a lot of othet problems. Have you tried some OC meds like tylenol PM? It may help. There is a wonderful vitamin formula for your hair, I have been taking it for years. It's called Formula 37. Google it, it's awesome, my hair has never been thicker and healthier. I wish I had more advice for you....just hang in there, it will happen. I know it's frustrating. Good luck to you.........

**Lyssie** · February 16, 2009, 08:25 AM

Re: Overwhelmed

Hi Simone.

I was kind of dealing with the same place - I was over 300lbs, lost 140 maintained for a bit... then it started creeping back and somehow turned into a little over 50lbs overnight. I miss being size 10 (it was the first time ever in my adult life I had been there). So I got back on the wagon (actually, I tried to jump back on, and fell short a few times). It's been a bit of a struggle this time around with making my body agree with what I want it to do.

One thing I know I did wrong was slacking on induction - I felt like I was so used to eating this way that of course I knew what I was doing and didn't need to pay attention, so things I shouldn't have been eating on induction, I was eating.. not like, cookies or whatever, but like, extra cheese, or nuts, and stuff like that. If you're not currently, I really suggest keeping a food journal, and if you don't see things, posting it here to see if there's something you're missing.

I also was just eating huge portions and had gotten off of learning when I was content with what I had eaten. So instead of stopping there and having a happy tummy from eating enough, I kept going until I was full.

I *have* to exercise in order to make my body pay attention to me. I want to kick it sometimes, but I know that when I get back lower, it will listen to me more, and the struggles will be easier. It's kind of sad that I used to love going to the gym everyday and now sometimes it seems like more of a chore than I want to deal with.

All of that being said. I feel like I need to ask - do you take vitamins? Specifically like, a B-Complex?? Sometimes that can help with some of the symptoms you were describing. My "girls" hurt umm.. right before TOM, but not any other time really, so I'm not sure I can help with that one, but it's the definite sign for me. I also think I need to say that I went to go talk to someone about the depression and am currently on an anti-depressant. Although, I have heard that the Bs help with that as well.

**liv** · February 16, 2009, 08:40 AM

Re: Overwhelmed

You're getting some good pointers.

Can you post what you are eating? What supplements are you taking? What are you drinking?

**momtomany1** · February 16, 2009, 08:49 AM

Re: Overwhelmed

May I second the comment about B vitamins? Without them I am completely not myself. I become completely stressed out, sleep terribly and have bad dreams, no energy, want to nap all day, and am just completely moody. With them I turn right back into my charming self! You can get deficient enough in B vitamins fairly easily, the food produced today is not all that high in nutrients, and consuming sugar, smoking, birth control pills,etc. can also contribute to deficiencies. It is a 'cheap fix' and if it works, you will think a miracle occured, and you would feel a difference within a few weeks. Get a 'High Potency' or 'Super B Complex' not just a single B like B12 or B6. They are synergistic, need to work together to do their job.

Do you get enough sunlight? I also used to suffer from symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. In the winter are your symptoms worse? You might have to try to get more sun. I advised my son when he moved north to college to look for a hospital with a sunny atrium, or a library with a big window, or somewhere he could spend time getting some light without having to actually be in the cold.

Some kinds of Fish oils and flax oils also might help with the hair issues. Good wishes to you!

**pipee_pl** · February 16, 2009, 09:24 AM

Re: Overwhelmed

Hi there- I am quite close to you- I am in Poland. Stick with it and you will start to see results. Induction is meant to break all your bad habits and kick start your weight loss- it can be hard but it is worth it as you know. I can relate to you and your tiredness- before I started excercising I was needing a nap mid day- and after I had it I only felt worse.
like the others suggested- try a B vitamin- check your eating, have you read the book- perhaps there is something in there that might help.
good luck, i hope you feel better soon.

**Simone** · February 17, 2009, 03:05 AM

Re: Overwhelmed

Thank you all for your comments and for reaching out to me. I wanted to address each one.

First, I do not get enough sun because I am in dismal Germany. I learned right away when we moved here that I needed to go to a tanning salon weekly. I know it sounds crazy for a black woman to go, and that is exactly the way they made me feel initially, but now they expect me and welcome me.

Next, I only drink water. I might have a cup of coffee once a week or less, but water is my mode of hydration. I try to drink 15 8oz glasses per day.

I am taking a prenatal vitamin daily. I did this because of my hair and to help with my fatigue. It has 100% of B12, B6 and Riboflavin (85%). I take 500mg of Vitamin C daily and also a calcium supplement (except on induction because of the sugar).

I had been drinking Slim Fast Low Carb daily also. It has very few carbs and gives me 6 grams of fiber, which helps a lot. Maybe I can't do that on Atkins? It is convenient and keeps me from starving and then pigging out. I do not have access to any Atkins products here, and really don't want to invest in them. I need to eat for life, not for a moment and I can't afford to have a separate grocery bill from my family.

My typical day on induction was this.

Breakfast: egg beaters (.5 cup), ground turkey sausage pattie, water
Snack: Slim Fast Low Carb
Lunch: Crab meat with garlic, heavy cream and butter over a bed of cooked spinach
Snack: Slim Fast low Carb
Dinner: Grilled chicken thighs and some leafy veggie or peppers
Snack: 2 tablespoons of my icecream (cool whip extra creamy)

I have done this for more than 2 weeks and I have not lost a full 3lbs. My calorie count has been consistently between 1200-1450, so I am not eating too much. Lately I have had to make myself eat because I am just all proteined out and don't want any thing to eat.

Yesterday, I just lost it. I got on the scale after my induction phase and saw so little loss, and then looked to the right at the gobs of valentine's candy my husband had brought back for me from the states and I wanted it. I opened it. I put it on the tip of my tongue, and I tasted it. I didn't ingest it. I through it out because even though this isn't working, I know that won't make it work either. So I am just searching for a way. I am willing and I want to lose the weight.

My routine for working out is 3.5-4 mile walks, that take an hour or an hour on the elliptical machine. My goal is to get this in 5-6 days weekly. I have been doing ok. This is a far cry from 5 mile runs and bootcamp workouts along with kickboxing and step aerobics, but it is what it is.

I can't imagine what I can do to make this body move toward Onederland again. I am not supposed to just accept that I am 41 years old and can't lose weight. I think that is ridiculous. All the women in my workout group are older than me and doing fabulously.

So...today is a new day. I had eggs and spinach for breakfast. My snack and lunch will be crab meet without the cream and some bell peppers. Dinner will be chicken and a salad.

Can you help me with this? I am desperate!

**momtomany1** · February 17, 2009, 05:29 AM

Re: Overwhelmed

Oh goodness no DO eat the cream and use real eggs instead of egg beaters and make sure you get a liberal amount of fat at every meal. Ditch the Slim Fast. Don't worrry about not getting Atkins products, most of us do better without them. Snack on celery sticks with cream cheese or dressing, deviled eggs, or something nice and fatty, even just a cold baked chicken leg is a good snack.

Don't try to restrict your calories. This is a high fat diet for it to work, for your body to move to ketosis, you need HIGH fat to moderate protein to low carb.

(Don't know what is in your cool whip, but if it is sugar, you need to ditch it too. And consider the possibility of candida, you might need to do a 'spit test.' If you do have a candida overgrowth, it is possible to clear it with a very strict eating plan, but very very strict! you would feel much better though. Google 'candida spit test' for more, and you can search 'spit test' here too for more info.)

You can lose weight at 41, yes you can!

**momtomany1** · February 17, 2009, 05:29 AM

Re: Overwhelmed

Good job not eating the chocolate!

**OzLover** · February 17, 2009, 06:13 AM

Re: Overwhelmed

You may consider doing a clean Induction per Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution.
No Slimfast
No Cool Whip
More Veggies
More Fat

Atkins Diet Bulletin Board

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-low-carb-dieting-faqs/6782-what-rules-induction.html

Atkins Diet Bulletin Board

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-low-carb-dieting-faqs/6781-what-foods-can-eaten-induction.html

**Simone** · February 17, 2009, 06:24 AM

Re: Overwhelmed

THank you! Thank you! Ok, I looked at the cool whip and sugar free has the same number of carbs as the one I am eating, but for induction (2 weeks including today) I will let go of even that. I will not have the Slim Fasts either. Can you tell me why eggs instead of egg beaters. they are so convenient and my husband (very high cholesterol) can eat them. I hate cooking 2 different meals each time I cook.

I let go of the heavy cream too, though I recall that being a "safe" food on Atkins.

I will make some deviled eggs and include my crab meat in the yolk to make it tastier. I can grab one of those in hurry.

I just went to the OB/GYN. If I had candida, wouldn't she have told me? Either way, I found the spit test on the net and will do it in the morning. I also have a natural remedy for it that i bought online from Advanced Naturals called Yeast Max. If after the spit test I see a problem I will do that regimen. Not sure what the "symptoms" of candida are. Why did you say I would feel much better?

Again, thanks for the dialogue.

**OzLover** · February 17, 2009, 06:35 AM

Re: Overwhelmed

Another thought about the crab meat~~is it real or the imitation? If the imitation please look at the list of ingredients as there is probably some form of sugar in it.

Check out this Yeast forum as it will probably answer some of your questions.

Candida (Yeast) - Atkins Diet

**Simone** · February 17, 2009, 06:38 AM

Re: Overwhelmed

The crab meat is real from Phillips. It gets shipped here to our commissary. No sugar. 100% crab.

thanks for the link!

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