New Member - My views and misc. questions

[GraphicArtsGirl]

    I've spent the past two nights reading your article in First and reading the majority of the posts in your forums. I just have to say...I'm skeptical. I almost gave up on it earlier when I started discovering all the supplements everyone was talking about, but a few of the success stories I came across gave me the encouragement I needed to keep researching. The last thing I ever wanted was to be on a diet that has a pill regimen, but if it works it will be worth it.

    I'm at a point in my life where I'm so physically disgusted with myself that it's ruining my life. It dominates my every waking thought, it's put a strain on my marriage, my friendships...my children have a mother who has the energy of someone in their 60's and I'm only 30! I'm at my breaking point and I just can't live like this any more.
 
     I don't know what happened to me. Ten years ago, i was exactly who I wanted to be. I was a graphic design student, beauty pageant winner, cheerleader...Among my friends in the late-nineties, I was the trendsetter, if Jenny McArthy was wearing it on Singled Out, then I was wearing it the next week, go-go boots and all. I was 5'1, 96 lbs, pretty and petite. I literally turned heads when I walked in a room. I really loved who I was, and not in a conceited way. I mean to say, that I was a really happy and satisfied person and that allowed me to live life the right way. I used to go rock climbing, scuba diving, bungee jumping, dancing...I used to really live life...I was INVOLVED in my life.

    After college, I landed a really demanding job that kept me behind a computer for sometimes 16 hours a day. I think that was really the start of it all. By the time I quit a year  later I had gained about 15 extra pounds. Six months later I met my husband, we got married in 2001. My first son was born in Jan. 2002 (add 10 more pounds), my second son was born June 2003 (15 more pounds) and my third son was born July 2004 (which as of today brings my grand total to 160 pounds on my 5'1 frame - it's not pretty or petite anymore.)

     My wardrobe consists of my husbands X-large t-shirts and a few pair of post-pregnancy pants that actually earned their rips because I'm too embarrassed to go shopping for clothes. I've looked in the mirror and actually tried to see even a piece of me that looks familiar and I can't see myself anymore. I have these hips, thighs and belly that are uncomfortable to move around in, I sit on the couch and can feel parts of my body pressing against other parts of my body simply because I'm fat! It's so depressing. Not to mention my breasts that went from a B to a D! I feel like a man in my husbands t-shirts - like I'm wearing a cotton box (other large breasted over-weight women know exactly what I'm talking about). I just don't feel feminine in this body.

    I don't let my husband touch me. He's frustrated, but I'm to the point that I feel sorry for him because he has me for an intimate partner. It's like, if I just refuse to be with him then he'll be happier because who in their right mind would want to be with me anyway? Does that make sense? I know he doesn't really feel that way but I'm so depressed about my body image, that I feel that way. I need help. I need my life back.

    I want to play with my kids and be energetic. I want to feel and look 30! No, I want to look 22 again! I want to have a sex drive again and feel desirable! This is not the life I want! I feel like I'm just cleaning the house, doing the laundry, cooking dinner, watching TV and waiting for my days to pass so I can die. I know there's more to life than that. I've had more than that and it slipped through my fingers. I want it back!

    When I saw your article and the signs of estrogen-dominance, it really got my hopes up that maybe this was the solution I was looking for at last. I have every symptom except for the PMS and IBS. My fingers are crossed. The more I read, the more the article seemed to be suited for me. The cravings are the worst. If I wake up in the middle of the night I go get a snack cake from the cabinet while everyone else is sleeping. I'm up to a 12 pack of diet soda every 2 days. I drink 0, yes 0, water. Couldn't tell you the last time I had even tap water. I know my system is so screwed up it's beyond a normal diet. I need this detoxification that you are offering.

I've tried so many diets already with no lasting luck. Adipex worked great but left me irritable and stressed. I've also tried Lipitor, no results. Atkins worked okay but left me tired, cranky and feeling...heavy? I can't describe it, but it was definitely way too much meat. I've basically yo-yo'ed for the past few years with 20 pounds. It always comes back because even though I lose it I still feel like crap. And after reading your article, I feel like it's because my body needs more than just the weight loss.

I only have a few concerns about the diet and I want to get started as soon as possible. My first is about the supplements...my husband owns a company, and as a result his credit cards are all in his company name. He's not a very internet or computer-minded person and is extremely paranoid about sending his information online - no matter how safe I tell him some sites are. He's just stubborn and has refused to budge on this subject for years. As a result, I'm wondering if it is possible to go to Wal-Mart or GNC and get any brand of digestive/liver/kidney detox kit, as long as the ingredients are similar to your detox kit? Or is there a key ingredient only found in your brand that makes it the crucial brand for the diet?

My second question is...Do you use the detox kit throughout all the phases or only in the first one?

My third question is...I have a list of the supplements for phase 1, do I continue to take these throughout the entire 4 phases and just add each new phase's supplements to that regemen. Or do I only take the supplements for each phase during their own phases?

My fourth question is...where can I find a list of the supplements for Phases 2, 3 and 4?

Also, are red/green apples, papaya, pineapples, grapes, honeydew, cantelopes and watermelon allowed as fruits? And are brussell sprouts, green beans and tomatoes allowed as vegetables?

Last question...can I use olive oil and vinegars in phase 1 or only during and after phase 2?

Thanks for your time. I know I rambled on, but it sort of felt good to finally get out how I feel. I don't only feel trapped physically in this body but emotionally as well. Unless they've been in the same situation, people don't want to hear someone moaning about being overweight, so I don't know about others out there but I've always kept my feelings about it to myself. So the release was nice.

I swear, if this diet works for me, I will post a college picture, a picture of me now and an after picture for you to post anywhere you want for advertisements and testimonials proving that you can get your life back! And that you can find yourself in the mirror again! Thanks so much.

Angela

[butternut]

Hey Angela,

Good to have you here!

 I have a lot more weight than you to lose. I'm in exactly the same boat, in terms of feelings with my husband, the tiredness and weight gain from childbirth, it takes its toll. I too can't stand looking in the mirror, or wanting to shop for clothes as it is all too embarrassing and nothing but sheer frustration and it makes me incredibly miserable. There are times where I've just locked myself at home, too embarrassed to leave my home where I know no one is going to judge me but its not healthy,I'm just saying this because I myself know how bad and depressing it can be. Just two weeks ago I had really gotten down, I had tried finding something for myself to wear and couldnt' and cried from the shops all the way home. I don't know I drove the car back home.  I'm 33 myself and I have had enough of feeling and looking like someone much older than my age. Knowing what you can be when you've already been someone who you like to be can pull you down

So, trust me you are not alone in terms of how you feel and the desire to achieve weight loss!

I have only started the AED this week but I do feel better already - there are sooooo many people on the board who've only been doing it for a little while say two or three weeks and have had some terrific results, I read them every day as I find it very inspirational and I know that I can do it too - I recommend that you do the same as it makes a difference to your outlook. We are all here to help each other, we all slack off at one time or another but as long as you dust yourself off and try again, that's all that matters

[DN Moderator]

I know it's easy for me to say, but I see things from an entirely different perspective here.  Your lives are NOT as hopeless as you may think.  You're seeing things through dark glasses.  It's time to take off those glasses and start seeing things clearly.  That's very much what the Anti-Estrogenic Diet is about - it's about shining light on a dark issue that many, many people are struggling with.  We are providing you with the vehicle to weight loss and a healthier life.  You CAN regain the beauty and vitality that you once had - in fact, you can be even better.  I truly believe that.  You've actually taken the first step already by finding yourself the RIGHT program to follow.  This isn't a fad - it's a way of living, a lifestyle.  The second step is to COMMIT.  This is the only life you have.  It's time to make the most of it.  We all have problems.  Yours are not insurmountable.  It's time to take control of your life and quit letting your circumstances and wavering emotions control you.  Grab hold NOW and make a change.  Start living the life that you want.  The easiest thing you can control in your existence is what you put in your own mouth.  And we are telling you, if you follow the program, you will lose the weight and feel so much better and happier. 

What's it going to be?

[wannabe]

You can do it! I too felt as hopeless as you and needed something... a change of lifestyle not just another diet! I want something that will help me to be healthy now and in the future! I need to lose a lot more weight than you do but that is becasue of the years of abuse with failed diets! They would work in the beginning but after I lost the weight I would only end up regaining it becasue I did not know how to eat healthy. But this diet or way of life seems to be different! I have only been on this for a little over a week and have lost 11 pounds so far! After only a couple days I felt the fog lifting from my eyes and had more energy and zest for life than I have had in years! I feel so much better about myself! Becasue I too would hide myself from my husband and others as to not digust them so much!  I don't feel that way now and I still have a lot more to lose but I know that I have finally found a lifestyle of healthy eating that works! So yes it will be tough to cahnge from those bad habits but get started and see how it makes you feel and then you too can regain your life back!

[butternut]

"The easiest thing you can control in your existence is what you put in your own mouth"

This is exactly what I said to a family member just a few days ago, it is true in every sense.

Thanks for your good words Rick

[DN Moderator]

My pleasure.  I certainly don't want to be offensive here, but only want to spur you guys on to success.   I hate to see people hurting.  I know you guys can achieve the results that you want and become the person that you want to be.  I only wish I could spend time with each and every one of you to cheer you on towards success.  For now, I'll do what I can via the internet and email.

[GraphicArtsGirl]

Thanks for the support!

Butternut and wannabe it's nice to know people understand what I'm feeling and I'm exciting to be starting out on the diet with the two of you. I hope we can keep each other posted on our success. It may be just the encouragement we need! Hopefully, I will be able to start on Saturday. I'm going tomorrow to hunt down a detox kit and pick up some food.

Rick thanks for responding so quickly and giving me the boost I needed to believe that I can do this and that I can change my life.

Some of my skepticism is still there and like many of you, it will be until I start losing the first few pounds and feeling better, but thanks to your responses I'm now ready to jump in with both feet and not look back!

I'm so excited!