Hello, I used to be over at that other site but am happy to find a new home here.

I don't want to dwell on the negatives of that other site. I signed up because I was interested, but never really did do the whole low-fat or super-low-calorie thing, and after a few weeks decided that being in ketosis made me too ill to continue on that type of plan (I have a long history of not being able to tolerate being in ketosis, kind of like a food intolerance). However, in that time I made some really close, supportive friends, so I stayed active in reading and contributing to about six or so journals, and had my own too. Now most of those friends have moved over here, so here I am. I'm happy to have found this new home.

And yes, I have PCOS (PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome), and have 130 pounds to lose. That would put me around 150 lbs, at the upper end of my ideal weight range. In hindsight, I have had PCOS since puberty, but my weight really got out of control in late 2001. In the summer of 2001 I weighed 160 lbs. By the summer of 2004 I weighed 260. During that time, I was obviously concerned about my rapid weight gain, and sought medical advice constantly. In a nutshell, I was told over and over that I should eat less and exercise more. Finally, a routine ultrasound revealed that I had cystic ovaries "consistent with PCOS." What a relief - contrary to what I had heard so often, I wasn't just fat and lazy. There was actually something wrong with me.

I won't go through the details of what I've already tried to control PCOS, but will just say that some of the medications made me extremely ill. I have now turned to low-carb eating as my hope for reversing this condition and improving my health. PCOS is tied in with insulin resistance, which is a risk factor for heart disease and all kinds of other serious health problems. I need to take control of my eating and of my health. I have had several false starts, but am committed to this goal. It's hard though, as you all know.

Anyway, that's the short version of my story! I look forward to keeping in touch with my friends from the other place, and making some new ones here.

mme kj, I just had to call you that. I love your name here . I thoink that your introduction was lovely, and look forward to having many conversations in the future. I know that you have a strong heart, and no matter what you will make goal. some of us will be faster than others, but who cares, we'll all get there.

I have to confess that I sometimes eat coarse salt too. If you ever hear about what causes these cravings, please let me know. You see, I'm back to sucking on salted peanut shells.

I'm glad to hear that you got to bed early, at least your not working on school stuff. Have a wonderful weekend, and RELAX<---that'll be you and me once we reach goal, K? Whose on the right though

Welcome

(((((kjersten))))) i am so glad you are here! i wouldn't be able to post to you on kk anymore since i am banned, so it's good to see you.

now that you are here, too, we can get to serious business of finding the plan that works for us. lorraine, do some google research on what salt cravings mean...i know it's out there. i indulged this weekend in some peanuts, too and i am paying for it now! boy are my fingers puffy. but that's ok, cus this weekend was my weekend off and i didn't want to stress it. i ate peanuts and a juicy steak, and jambalaya (no rice) and i enjoyed every minute...well, not exactly, but i faked enjoying it. someday i will enjoy it again.


now back to you, mme kj have you investigated soem of the other plans people here are talking about? they are more modified low carb plans than atkins, which might be better for you since you + ketosis is bad. maybe south beach? do some reading here and find one that will work with your chemistry and then lets all get back on track.

hugs to you all....

Hi Rene, good to hear from you! In the past, I think I have read every low- and lower-carb diet book written... Atkins, South Beach, Rosedale, Carb Addicts, the list goes on and on. I'll have to get them out again and read and find a plan that works for me. Yikes - that seems daunting. Well, I'll do my best.

And Lorraine, I'm always happy to hear from you too, of course! I'm so happy that we have all ended up in the same place. Of course, I followed the two of you over here so it's no coincidence.

I don't know about salt cravings - I googled, but it looks like it can be almost anything.

Pattim, thanks for saying hello I'm going to look around as much as I can, but am pretty crazy busy these days so won't get everywhere. If there is something on this site I should be sure to see, please let me know.

Hey mme kj, DEFINITELY check out Living The Low-Carb Life by Dr. Jonny Bowden to figure out which low-carb plan to follow. Sounds like South Beach is the one you need to go on based on your "health reasons" for avoiding a ketogenic diet.

Hi Kjersten!!

So happy to have found you here! I haven't started my journal yet but I'm usually the last to get started. Guess I'll get to it soon.

I'm sure you'll find a plan that works for you. There's something out there for everyone. I know that I'm not one to tell you about how important "planning" is for your weight loss because I suck at it but since you're in school all day it's something you might have to do (unless you want to eat school cafeteria food which I doubt). We all want to see you succeed so keep us posted on what you decide and we'll cheer you on every step of the way!

I'm glad that we've all found a different place to keep in touch!

Sibi

Thanks Jimmy, I have the South Beach book so will dust it off and see what it says. I could clarify what I mean by "health reasons" for not being in ketosis, but you don't want to hear about it! Let's just say it affects me in a gastrointestinal kind of way. No way to live. I seem to be okay with about 50g/day though.

Thanks for having this site - I'm happy to see so many friends here!

Kjersten, I was feeling all warm and fuzzy inside as I was reading here. This really is like a new home. God it feels good here. I am going to put in my 2 cents worth regarding you looking for a new plan. I agreee that there is a lot to read and you are very busy, so my only suggestion, is to keep eating the healthy stuff, and keep the carbs at a level that works for you. When you have time to delve into one school of though or another, then you can modify. Whatever you decide, we're all here for you, and ready to have a sit and visit

Jimmy, if only you could understand how good it is to be encouraged to find what works best for us. I'm sure you hear it lots, but thank you

Sibi, your always welcome to hang out on our journals as long as you want

Moofie, it's looking like Kjersten checked about the salty stuff already. It's so weird that we want it. do you think maybe TOM is contributing? I just got my TOM today. Another thing is I also bought plain peanuts in the shell and have been snacking on them lots. I never go over 10 carbs, so my other meats for the day arn't really affected, but its weird to have this peanut thing happening. HMMMMM

THANK YOU all for being so willing to share. It's the "secret" behind why so many people are here and I'm honored to be a part of this experience.

Lorraine,

I'll definitely be hangin out. Just like old times! I'm glad to be surrounded by my friends once more.

Sibi

Jimmy

Sibi, we are so close to being the group again. I know that maybe the dynamics will change with all that has been going on, but I feel like we all respect and care for each other and will prevail through all of this.

Kjersten, I hope your day was good and you got to bed at a reasonable time

Kjersten,

Just wanted to let you know that I've started my journal here. It's called Sibi's Journey. I'm gonna send a note to Pam, Kam and qp to tell them I won't be posting at KK anymore. Just not comfortable being there anymore.

Hope you are doing well and losing!

Sibi

Hello, I have no new weight to report this week - I was at school last night late so missed TOPS, and that's the weight I'm using for my ticker. It's probably about the same. I hope you guys are doing well, I'll write more soon.

no probs, we can wait for your report . You might even want to wait until you settle in a little. I know I needed to. Just one more day Kjersten. You can do it. Although your carreer can be trying, I'm sure the good days make it all worth while. Take care

Hooray Kjersten, the long weekend is here now. Kick back, have a hot bath, and snuggle with DH. That should get you off to a great start

Friday midnight - just a very quick post to say hello and I'm still here! A couple of weeks ago, I was debating whether I should start a journal, because I felt I didn't have enough time to do it properly. Well as it turns out I was right... Anyway, I hope you guys are doing well, and will try to catch up on other journals and look around a bit more over here sometime on the weekend (although it's going to be a busy weekend, but I"ll try!)

Awww Kjersten, it really doesn't matter when you post. When I see that you've come on I reply, and I like that. So no pressure to get on to post regularily. Enjoy the weekend.

Guess what, it looks like I'm getting a new car and it's a standard. I've never driven one before. I can't wait, it will be fun

kjersten, you just post when and what you can. you will find more time in the future.you just have to get your "sea legs" yet. it will happen.

Kjersten,

We're all here and we're not going anywhere so post when you can. You have a lot of juggling to do right now and you have to adjust to the new job and its demands. We all understand. Just remember that we're here for you always!

Hugs,

Sibi

Hope you have a good week Kjerstin.
Hugs,
Amy B

Hi Kjersten,

Just popping in to say Hi and hope that you are doing well and following your plan. I hope also that you have a real good week with the kids!!

Hugs,

Sibi

Hi Kjersten, how is biting boy ? LOL, Sorry, I couldn't resist that one. I hope your day is good

Hi everyone, thanks for the kind words and support. I have been extremely busy as you know and haven't been online much, but I have been reading your posts as they come in even if I can't write back right away.

I attended my TOPS meeting tonight and am happy to report that I'm down a pound It's only a pound, but it's a pound! I have to admit that I haven't been trying to lose weight, so that means that despite my stresses and busyness, I haven't been too sloppy with my eating, or turning to food for comfort.

Now that it's after Thanksgiving, it's time to get on track so that I don't end up putting things off until after Christmas!!! I have re-read the South Beach Diet (thanks for the advice, Jimmy!) and am going to do that, although I'll be careful not to go into ketosis. Wish me luck.

Christmas is 11 weeks away. I'm going to aim for 2 lbs a week (should be possible), which will put me at 30 lbs lost since the beginning of the school year. Not too shabby.

I'm off to read some journals talk to you guys again soon, I hope!

p.s. I just noticed I'm barely out of the 270s... LOL...

kjersten, congrat's on the pound! it's a great loss, especially since you are so stressed, so busy, and just had holiday! remember, a lb a week is a HEALTHY loss. we have to retrain our thinking on that.

30lbs by christmas. i like it. my goal is to be a size 16 (comfortably) by christmas. i have decided to focus more on clothing sizes than scale numbers for now because i get so obsessed, and i need to refocus myself. when i reach size 16 then i want to shift my focus from losing more weight to working out and tightening up. iknow size 16 is still considered obese in our society, but it's absolutely tiny to me! and i like having curves, to be honest. i am very pleased with my hourglass shape that's come out now, and i get tons of compliments...so i have no desire to get down to single digit sizes. would i like to make a 12 someday? sure..but i am not that worried about it. 16 will be fine. i can shop in regular stores and that's something that i've always wanted.

i realize i am rambling. i think i need some caffiene this morning!

so our christmas goals....30lbs for you, sz 16 for me...let's get the rest of our friends to chime in with theirs!

Kjersten 30 lbs by christmas is very doable. You will have lots to celebrate for christmas. A 1 lb loss is an awsome start, especially for not trying.

I don't have any real goals right now, I guess I just better keep eating right. The rest should come naturally

Kjersten,

You're doing great and a pound is a pound and every single one counts! Your goal is attainable and what a christmas gift to yourself!!! Keep it up!

My goals:

immediate goal: be in the 230's by November 9 (my annual physical)

Be as close to onederland as I can be by Jan 1!! (and more toned)


That's it for now.

Sibi

Hope you have a wonderful day.

Thanks guys, it's so nice to hear from you.

Amy, I just read your Caringbridge journal, and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family ((hug)).

Rene, I like the size 16 goal! I'm not sure of my size, but I'm not as tall as you. The last time I bought jeans they were 22 16 sounds fantastic. I was a size 12 back before the pounds started coming on. I can't even let myself think about those days though, I get too mad at myself.

Lorraine, you asked about the biting boy... He can be a real sweetheart, but sometimes a switch flips and he gets a look in his eye and a look on his face... There hasn't been any more biting, so that's something!

Sibi, you have good goals too. You have done so well, and I'm so proud of you!

I'm proud of all of you!

kjersten, i know women's sizing is so weird. i know women who are much lighter than i am, but because of their body shape, they wear the same size as i do. we are just not a one size fits all group! that's why i hated teh weight charts, especially as a teen. they always said i was obese, even though i looked really good and healthy. if i would have gotten down to what that chart said, i would have looked sick. it's the same with sizing. you gotta know what is right for you and to hell with what the magazines and tv shows and charts say is acceptable!

have a good day at school. you are already sounding stronger and more confident. you will make it.

Hi Sibi, of course he has issues at home that come out at school... lots of them do. Lots of them show up in the morning tired and hungry... Not all but lots. I also have four low-iq kids and 4 ESL kids - all from parts of the world that are very volatile. They have been through lots of traumas in their families and lives. Lots of kids with lots going on. When I have a tough time getting through the day, I remember that they do too...

No news diet-wise today... I hope you guys are all doing well!

Kjersten, it's great that the little boy is behaving much better. I am a little curious about the red light/green light thing in the classroom. I hope that everyone is feeling comfortable with it, and looking forward to getting little rewards.

I too think that the numbers game when losing weight is not always the best for our well being. The size idea of Rene's really does sound great. I'm sure that if you keep it going, you will be able to get out of the 20's by christmas. Especially if you will be 30 lbs lighter.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Enjoy your weekend and get some rest...Monday is another school day. LOL
Hope you are doing good .
Hugs,
Amy B

Hi guys, I haven't been online hardly at all, just really busy at school and really stressed out. This week I've been sick - I'm not sure if I'm actually sick or if it's the stress and exhaustion catching up with me. Either way it's not good. I'm up a few pounds too which just adds to the stress.

Sorry for such a negative post - I just wanted to say hello and that I'm thinking of all of you...

Kjersten it's great to see you again. I hope things start to get a bit better for you. Don't stress about the little gain, as you have plenty going on right now. Still though, good luck with keeping up with the weight loss.

Hey any post is great, negative or not, so I'm so glad to hear from you.

BTW I'm using the french vanilla, and carmel syrups all the time. Man are they ever good.

((((kjersten))))) the first couple years of teaching you will be sick alot. i think i was sick from november to june my first year. you have to build up the immunities to handle being around germ infected kids all the time. it's normal. it sucks, but it's normal. all new teachers seem to go through it. i highly, HIGHLY recommend "airborne" -- i buy it at walmart. it was developed by a teacher, in fact, to help ward off the germs that float around your classroom. it really works great. see if you can find some in canada. if you cannot, let me know and i will get you some.

you need to make sure you are making some time just for yourself on weekends. let go of school and all that stress and focus on yourself, your huband and having some fun. you need to give your body and mind time to recoup or the stresses of this job will win.

(((((Hugs))))))

how are you doing, kjersten? just thinking of you...

Hi Kjersten, I miss you. Take care of yourself, and we'll wait here patiently until you can come on to visit.

Kjersten,

Just popped by to say HI!! We're thinking of you

Sibi

Hi guys! I'm so happy to see that you've all come to visit me here, even though I'm not here very often!!

I'm surviving... Some days are awful, some no so bad as far as teaching goes. There are so many frustrations and the occasional joy at this point in the year, and at this point in my career. But by now I have built (and am always building) relationships with my kids, which makes it all much more worthwhile. That is what I try to focus on.

Weight-wise, I haven't made it to TOPS for a couple of weeks but judging from my home scale it's going down sloooowly... I need to step it up though, and also I'm having some very real problems with my stomach and gut which I'm sure are due to stress, but would be helped by eating a better diet. All future tense but hopefully this weekend I can get that organized. Let's just say I had a wake-up call the other day and I NEED to get that gut under control!

How are you guys doing??? I'm off to read your journals.... sorry it's been so long, and I'm so happy to hear from all of you.

((hugs))

Kjersten, good for you for getting more settled in at school. You are doing great, but we all knew you would. You have a beautiful personality and are the perfect person to teach little ones.

I already mentioned that I'd love to get together for lunch with you in Regina, once I get the chance to go there. I promise you I will get in touch with you if I plan to come down. I figure its better for me to come see you since your city has a lot to do, so I can make it a mulitpurpose trip. I really miss you so much. I know that you are busy, but your are dearly loved here, and it just isn't quite the same when you are away. It's great to see you posting today.

Hopefully you work through the stomach issues and get healthy again. I strongly encourage you to do what your body needs. I know that you are in a good place with your thinking and how you need to lose weight, and I hope that you continue to do so. You will be one amazing success story I'm sure, and you'll get to keep all your hair too, haha. That was a bad one I know

how you doing, sweetie?

Hi there, I've hardly been online all week - just so much to do with school, so much stress and worry... and my gut has started giving me some serious problems, and I'm losing a lot of hair... but I'm thankful that my stresses are limited to work and my health. Reading Rene's journal has given me some much-needed perspective on that!

My weight is the same and I'm still not eating like I should be... I really have to get on that, I know, it's just so hard. I'm really dragging my feet. I have to get my head on straight.

This is not a positive post - but it's an honest one...

Hey honesty is great, and yes getting our head in the right place is a very big deal. We have so many different kinds of barriers or demons or stresses that seem to make all this quite hard. But we'll get there, just as long as we can remember to put ourselves first sometimes. Have a great weekend. I missed you....