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I'm just trying to figure out the healthiest eating pattern for my screwed up endocrine system: hypothyroid (tsh was 104 when I was finally diagnosed), low adrenal function, diabetes (type II), depression, menopause, and to top it off a brain cyst that may be causing some of these conditions.

I'm hoping to rid myself of the all the weight I've gained since this has been going on.

I was on McD for about 2 years in the '80s, I migrated there from Ornish, but I fell away from it. I did it again in the mid-90s and all of a sudden my weight dropped from 180 to 108 within about 4-5 months.

Looking back, I'm pretty convinced my thyroid went into overdrive and then pretty much burned itself out, piling the weight back on as fast as I lost it. No matter what eating plan I tried, I couldn't lose an ounce -- I eventually just gave up.

My weight keeps bouncing between high 150s and about 180. I'm 5'5" with a small frame and feel best at about 115-120.

So now at 157 I'm back to McD hoping it will work for me and that I can stick with it.

Welcome,
Sounds like you have many health issues to manage now. I hope that the diet plan you have chosen will not feel like another item to manage. Try to plan meals that are simple and quick to prepare--less frustration when going for change of habit.
Hope that you have good support around you to see you thru the medical stuff. Look forward to hearing how it is all going for you

Thanks Carolynn. That's good advice to avoid the stress of managing something else.

After I put away the groceries, I put on a huge pot of a simple cabbage soup (cabbage, onions, carrots, celery, and a couple of cans of diced tomatoes). That gave me something to dip into the rest of the day without any guilt!

I also did a lot of reading on this forum, then took out all my McD books, from "Plan" forward and looked at all the earmarked pages. All that inspired me to just go for clean McD. Some of the nonplan foods I bought today will now go in DH's cupboards and fridge space

Day 2: 155.6
down 1.4.
Wow, that sure made me feel good

I was glad I made the cabbage soup yesterday. I love soup and it's so filling. I had it for breakfast this morning.

It feels great to get off the last diet experiment I was on -- a what-was-I-thinking LC, high fat plan. My rationale for trying it came from some studies that showed high fat helped normalize some of the hormonal issues I have. I doubt that it did for me, but even if it did, gaining 5 pounds in one week was enough to make me ditch that "experiment"!

I guess the good that came from it is first-hand experience at how bad I feel on that kind of program. It sure reinforces my belief in what Dr. McD says about fat.

Today's food will be lots more soup. I'll add some potatoes to it for dinner, but I want to stick with the soup for 2-3 days to help "detox" from that week of high fat.

DAY 3: 154.8
Down almost another pound.

I'm shocked though -- last night at work there was pizza and my body went on autopilot -- dove right in before I allowed myself to even think about it!!! I did stop after eating the tops off 2 good-sized pieces (the crust was soaked in oil so I passed on that), but I still wound up with a goodly amount of cheese. But the rest of the day all I had was my soup, so I guess that saved me.

It was a learning experience -- aren't they all! Today there will be temptations as we're headed for a barbecue at DS and DDIL's. I already have my food prepared and ready to go. I will kill that autopilot switch as soon as I feel it trying to kick on!

Day 4: 155.6
Up nearly 1, but I strayed more at the cookout that I'd hoped. Couldn't quite shut off that autopilot switch completely! I stuck with veggies but that included salads with mayo and other dishes with added olive oil

Home today, no temptations in the house, so it should be a good, clean eating day

Day 6
155.2

I'm definitely feeling somewhat better being back on McD, even with the 2 days that I strayed. And being down 2 is encouraging.

End of week 1:
154 -- down 3 pounds

I'm pretty pleased with this, especially since there were some slip-ups along the way

154.2

I have a huge pot of meatless chili and one of cabbage soup simmering on the stove. I try to make both on Sundays so I have food for the week. I feel very virtuous

End of week 2
154.8

Sticking to the regular Plan, weight up a little, I was hoping for a bit of a loss.

Near the end of week of 3
159.8

This is so distressing. The past week or so I've had the hungry horrors. I've stuck with McD foods but feel driven to just stuff myself. It feels more like a physical need than an emotional one, but who knows, There must be something that can curb this runaway appetite -- I just don't know what it is or what to do.

6 months later...

I gave up in June when I gained 3 pounds in 3 weeks, pretty much went back to SAD and my weight crept up to 164.

So I'm back. I started MWL on Thursday. I'll stay on that for awhile to see if I can jump start some weight loss.

Hi Sanlee,
We have a MWL challenge/support threadgoing for November and plan to do another one for December. We just try to check in every day and share how we are doing. Please join us.
Letha

Thanks, on my way

Another half a year or so has gone by and I never followed through on joining the MWL thread. Lots of reasons/excuses -- mostly that I sink into these mini-depressions that last a few months. Took Lexapro for it and it helps somewhat but don't like the side effects.

I wonder if St. John's Wort really works for depression?

Anyway, weight hit 167 again on Monday after overeating at a Father's Day bbq. That shook me up and I came back here for inspiration. I'd forgotten about Mary's Mini so reread her articles and decided to go for it.


6/21/09, 165 before BBQ
6/22/09, Day 1 of Mary's Mini: 167
6/23/09, Day 2: 166.8
6/24/09, Day 3: 165.6


I'm hoping this will the shake up my system.

I chose potatoes for my starch. The only downside was my BG at 90 minutes and at 2 hours was over 220. But after the next meal, I got on the treadmill for 5 minutes and it was down to 160 at 90 minutes.

I'm too sedentary -- I think the depression has a lot to do with it, but the hypothyroid and diabetes probably contribute to my total lack of motivation when it comes to exercise. Doing 5 minutes on the treadmill exhausts me but I'm going to try to do at least the 5 minutes each time I eat to help control the BG -- that's my motivation

I've also started a food log and i'm eating small amounts fairly frequently -- every 2-3 hours. Calories on both days are at 1700. I know counting isn't recommended but I'm prone to binges. Eating frequently and keeping track seems to help.

My biggest worries now are staying on plan the two days a week we go to each kid's house to spend time with the g'kids. Eating frequently will be hard and NOT eating what they make for dinners will be too.

I've rambled enough -- but it kept me from eating before it's time