Hi everyone: I'm new to this forum but was excited to find one for Schwartzbein followers. I started out on Protein Power several years ago and lost about 20 pounds... then went on maintenence. Not because I was done losing weight but because I had no energy to keep going full-steam. That first introduction to the idea that carbs were addicting and that I could actually control the gross, fuzzy-brain, lethargic feeling I would get after eating refined food was totally liberating. I gave up sodas and refined bready, sugary things and haven't gone back (except once in awhile). Yay!

Then in 2000, I went up Dr. Christiane Northrup's womens' health clinic (Womens Bodies Womens Wisdom -- great book that changed how I thought of many things!) and they recommended Schwartzbein as a way to balance my hormones (very irregular menstruation). I lost 20 more pounds last year. Again... I had a rough on/off time getting started on the 15 grams of carbs /meal, then something clicked and I was strict. After my intermediate goal of 20 pounds was met, I went on maintence and have kept it off by just eating healthfully and avoiding as much refined stuff as I can. Oh, during that 20 pound phase, I also started regular excercise and kind of liked it for the first time.

I want to lose 20 more pounds to get to goal and just read Schwartzbein II ... and now I feel lost. I think I'm an insulin sensitive and adrenal sensitive... at least I thought I was until I read that those people should eat 30 to 35 grams/meal, plus snacks. Huh? That's pretty much maintenence right? I don't think I'd lose a thing eating that so did I mis-categorize myself? I can go back to the 15g. per meal but the SPII really confused things and now I'm not sure that would be healthy for me. Any suggestions? (Sorry this is so long... I'll keep it shorter in future messages

Welcome, With irregular periods you may be insulin resistant, or on your way to becoming insulin resistant, I would probably either have a blood test drawn or follow the plan for insulin resistance, healthy adreanal glands. If you lose more than 2 pounds a week it would probably mean you aren't insulin resistant and you need to follow the insulin sensitive healthy adrenal gland plan.

I do feel better than I have felt in years on SPII. I love eating healthy and actually have been enjoying exercises.

Good Luck, keep us posted on how you are doing.

Piano

Orkneyinga

Just wanted to let you know, Dramadame start another thread called Which Schwartzbein Type are you I or II (or something like that!) that also compares the two books, if you haven't seen it already.

WTG by the way with all your success on TSP! I read TSPI and am just following the healing program but am not as strict as I should be. Many days I have to add a few more carbs but I bet it's because I'm not eating enough and get hungry.

Check out that other thread and don't worry about your posts being too long; they're perfect! I enjoyed reading your story. Rose

Thanks for your thoughtful replies Piano and Rosemerry. I did have bloodwork done and the fasting insulin level came back low... Thanks for the tip about the other post comparing the TSP I and II. I think I'll follow book 1 since that worked for me in the past and I felt good. Just wish I could get my periods more on track. Have been to reproductive endocrinologists and everything came back normal but not sure if that is really "normal" for me since I can skip 3 or more months at a time.

Have you noticed when you start eating on-plan after being off for awhile that your weight goes up a few pounds immediately starting? I jumped up 3 pounds the first week and have done that each time I get back on track. Then I start losing at a steady clip. Must be my body chemistry realigning.

Anyway, thanks for your replies...

Rosemerry-- I know what you mean about adding a few more carbs if you let yourself get hungry. Today I waited too long to eat dinner (I'm always starving when I get home from work) and it was all I could do to not snack on the first sweet thing I found. I managed to get a chicken salad before I gave in. But just barely.


Best of luck... I know where you are!

Have you been tested for PCOS? Often women with PCOS have blood work that comes back normal, but they still have the syndrome. With your irregular periods and the fact that TSP has helped you so much I would guess you DO have PCOS.