Hi Erin,
Another second-timer here...this time to stay. I can relate to your situation although my numbers are much higher than yours! I started 5 years ago at 260 (I'm 5'4"!!) and was the most depressed, miserable, self-destructive person inside with a happy round, smiling face on the outside. Those of us who have been there know that conflict.
I went on my own style of low-fat dieting and began power walking every night just to blow off some steam about being so unhappy in my body. Well, I got myself down to 175 or so. I lost the first 60 pounds in 3 months --don't anyone be envious of that -- even with the exercise, I had so much loose skin around my middle and thighs that I just had a tummy tuck last month--(the thighs will have to wait). It was NOT a good idea to lose that fast, at least for my body, but my "scale" was moving in the right direction so I didn't care about the rest of it. I had at LEAST 2 migraines every week, no real energy after a while, my skin sagged, my sugar was out of control, so was my temper, my PCOS condition was ruling my life, and after a year of this, the weight didn't even stay off!! I gained back 30 pounds S-L-O-W-L-Y... the way I SHOULD have lost it! I went on Atkins the first time out of pure despair.
Well, induction went well...lost 13 lbs. Went on OWL, the second phase, and didn't lose another ounce for weeks. I began to listen to people about "health risks" with long term LC'ing, I didn't have a "buddy" or any support system, made all the wrong choices, etc. and also didn't really get myself educated enough about the types of foods I could have and how much. I didn't understand about deducting fiber from carb counts, didn't vary my menu enough, etc. and eventually got disgusted and threw out all the meat, cheese and fats and went BACK to low-fat dieting. This time for another 3 years! Well, needless to say, I was no better off. No more weight loss, continuous health problems, energy loss, headaches, sugar ups and downs, dizzy spells when hungry, etc.
And here I am again!
This time I read the entire plan all the way through, found this site and have conceded that for me, this is NOT a "diet" to lose weight quickly, but a very pleasant WOE that satisfies my hunger, gives me the kind of foods I LIKE to eat, and has taken care of nearly all my symptoms of PCOS (polycyctic ovarian syndrome). I started near the end of April...it took me 58 days to get my first headache...and that was the day after I indulged myself a HUGE piece of carrot cake!! I knew I would pay the price, and boy did I ever. It was proof enough for me.
I'm in for good now, although my numbers are lagging slowly right now...I have to remember that I did have serious surgery and that put my body into shock and recovery, which is still ongoing. (You don't lose much weight with a TT!!) After my swelling and bloating pretty much healed, I was down to 188, which gives me a net loss of around 18 lbs. Not a record breaker, but I have to remember what a quick loss did to me the first time around!! I'm in no rush, because in addition to the goal, I am enjoying the process.
ALOT!!
Stay with it, hang in with us...the food list is MUCH more varied that I realized, and there is no hunger on this WOE. In addition to all that...there's health benefits and permanent weight loss. I don't know why LC'ing isn't a law by now!!
Good luck.
Donna