Hi Cookie,
In the Fall of 2001 I tried Michael Thurmond's 6-week total body makeover. I followed the program perfectly from around Halloween to Christmas. I lost a whopping 1 and 1/2lbs and I have never been so miserable and consumed with food and eating in my life. Let me say that at this time I was really really heavy and still didn't lose weight eventhough I drasically cut my calories and increased my activity. I felt like this diet really pushed my body into starvation mode so it was holding on to every calorie for dear life. I spent most of my day thinking about when and what I could eat next. It took up so much time!
In all fairness to Michael Thurmond, I do not lose weight easily and there is a specific biochemical problem that I have that makes it harder for me to lose weight. My mother did the diet with me and she did have more success; she lost about 6-8lbs.
In the Spring of 2002 I started following Atkins and I have been really successful with this diet. I've lost 95lbs and am still going down. I know that you mentioned that you feel carb deprived so I am not here suggesting that you follow Atkins. I have PCOS and it really helps me to go low carb. It sounds like you are more like my mother in that if you watch what you eat, you will lose weight. As Shywolf and Juli have said, eat someway that feels natural and healthy for you.
I don't know who could stick with Michael Thurmond's plan for long. He makes it seem so easy and appetizing, but it's not. I am not even sure it is healthy, because as I said I think I was starving. It certainly isn't practical or versatile. I was laughing out loud when I read your post with "chicken, chicken, chicken...". When I followed this program I ate turkey as my protein and to this day I refer to it as the "turkey diet." You have to eat so often and in such small portions that you have to stick with one or two things or you'll be in the kitchen all day.
I totally remember feeling "depressed and stressed, frustrated, discouraged and bummed out" when I was on that diet. I've done lots of diets but that one made me feel the worst because it required so much discipline and it still didn't work for me. It's not just you. I don't want you to feel discouraged because you will find a diet that fits you. I weighed around 270lbs when I did the "turkey diet" and didn't lose much, so you can imagine how hopeless I felt. I am almost crying thinking about it. I thought if the "turkey diet" didn't work, nothing ever would. For me it was Atkins, but for you it might be Weight Watchers or something you devise for yourself.
I just wanted to tell you that it's OK to quit something that doesn't feel right for you and to let you know that you will be successful!
XOXO
Frankie
