How is your diet affecting you?

[ladybug]

So this is the 2nd week I have been on the girl diet...I did cheat the weekend, but otherwise I have been doing pretty good....I am tracking my food on my fitness pal....But I feel horrible....I have no energy and I feel dizzy alot...Is it normal to feel this way....I feel really hypoglycemic most of the time.....I had gestational diabetes with both pregnancies.....I hope it gets easier....

[shouldihope?]

I felt that way the first couple of weeks. Now I almost forget to eat when 12 or 1 comes around. I thought I would never be able to do it but I just stick with the same few foods and it has not been as bad the past couple weeks. You can do it!

[3boys]

Ladybug tell me about it the dizziness sucks big time. It hasn't gone for me yet and I am on week three of the Diet. I am only just over eight stone so maybe that is why??!!

[purplepoet20]

I noticed recently that I forget to eat breakfast now and I am not starving at lunch time. Just recently the hunger before dinner is fading. After coming home from Easter vacation I was a little hungry in the morning but drinking coffee helped.

I am starting to make dinner meals based on the girl diet but I little different because of nursing. I noticed that having a tiny bit of meat at lunch time helps to hold me over so I will do the same at dinner.

[ladybug]

Thanks ladies....Glad to know I am not alone and that it will get easier....I am ok with skipping breakfast, its the dizziness that is really getting me down!!

[Out of the Blue]

Ditto on the dizziness...got it big time!

[praying4princess]

I had no energy on the diet either Ladybug!! Im sure its because it probably causes usto be slightly anemic since were getting hardly any iron or other nutrients! But it will all be worth it in the end!! Just stick with and you will get used to it and maybe your body will adjust and you wont feel so bad! The exciting part is getting to lose weight!! Lol Yeah for that!!! I had problems with my arm tingling, mostly at night!

[atomic sagebrush]

So this is the 2nd week I have been on the girl diet...I did cheat the weekend, but otherwise I have been doing pretty good....I am tracking my food on my fitness pal....But I feel horrible....I have no energy and I feel dizzy alot...Is it normal to feel this way....I feel really hypoglycemic most of the time.....I had gestational diabetes with both pregnancies.....I hope it gets easier....

It is a tough diet esp. at the beginning, there is no doubt about it. If you don't feel better in a week or two, try adding a bit more cals throughout the day.

[atomic sagebrush]

This is why I really really hope you guys try very hard to get pg when the time comes and not stick too hard to timing, because I want to limit the amount of time you're on the diet.

[PolishPrincess]

This is my second time doing the diet (did it first January through March and DH changed his mind and wanted to wait until summer...GGGGGGGRRRRRRRRR....so anyways I took all of April off I had to because I was so think and I put 13 pounds on in April that's right ladies watch me chew! So now I am ready and on day two and now I remember these ladies are exactly right the first couple of weeks are the worst...the exhaustion...the muscle twitching...the edginess....and then something happens at least it did for me and you get used to it...but (TMI) boy did my poop look WEIRD!!!!!!!!!! So just five weeks and five days to go...but who's counting????:)

[3boys]

Beginning of week 4 for me, still dizzy but hey I'm used to it now.

What's new is I have been getting a crazy amount of mouth ulcers all over my gums, inside of my cheeks it's really weird and really painful. Secondly my hands are sooooo dry. I don't poo properly any more (way TMI but rabbit droppings spring to mind!)

DH is having head aches from the lack of salt.

I miss my old diet. I look at all the boy Swayers diets and think.... I wish that was what I had to eat LOL. But then I suppose that's why I have so many boys and no girls!!

[ladybug]

I cheated this past weekend and started again on Monday...Still dizzy and no energy....I would love to eat the boy diet too 3boys...lol...I guess thats why I also already have 2 boys.....I am still waiting for my appointment to have my IUD removed, so I am loosley following the diet now (skipping breakfast and low salt, no beef) i will strictly follow it once i figure out when I can do my first sway attempt....I hope its June!

[Indira]

What's new is I have been getting a crazy amount of mouth ulcers all over my gums, inside of my cheeks it's really weird and really painful.
I have this too!

And I started feeling cold all the time.
Today I sneezed and I got cramps in my abdominals, this happened to me in my pregnancies as well, maybe it depends on my hormones?

[atomic sagebrush]

This is my second time doing the diet (did it first January through March and DH changed his mind and wanted to wait until summer...GGGGGGGRRRRRRRRR....so anyways I took all of April off I had to because I was so think and I put 13 pounds on in April that's right ladies watch me chew! So now I am ready and on day two and now I remember these ladies are exactly right the first couple of weeks are the worst...the exhaustion...the muscle twitching...the edginess....and then something happens at least it did for me and you get used to it...but (TMI) boy did my poop look WEIRD!!!!!!!!!! So just five weeks and five days to go...but who's counting????:)

You can add in a fiber supp and it will help reduce your testosterone and sway pink and it will also help with the poo trouble! That is a very common occurance on the girl diet!!

If your muscles are twitching, you need to up yoru potassium a little bit (and don't let anyone tell you different!) 2500-3500 mg of potassium are necessary per day for health - you can get quite a bit of this total from dairy.

[atomic sagebrush]

Beginning of week 4 for me, still dizzy but hey I'm used to it now.

What's new is I have been getting a crazy amount of mouth ulcers all over my gums, inside of my cheeks it's really weird and really painful. Secondly my hands are sooooo dry. I don't poo properly any more (way TMI but rabbit droppings spring to mind!)

DH is having head aches from the lack of salt.

I miss my old diet. I look at all the boy Swayers diets and think.... I wish that was what I had to eat LOL. But then I suppose that's why I have so many boys and no girls!!

Ugh I'm so sorry! I HATE having to tell people to eat this way. But I really, really do believe that it sways.

Cran can also cause headaches so if they're really bothering him, he may want to take cran at a lower dose or less often (that is, if he's taking it!)

Did you see the fiber recommendation above?? Taking a fiber supp will only help your sway and it will keep things moving along a bit better than they are now.

[atomic sagebrush]

If you guys are really suffering, I hope you feel free to eat a bit more. There is a happy medium between swaying and starvation!!

[tweedledeedum]

You can add in a fiber supp and it will help reduce your testosterone and sway pink and it will also help with the poo trouble! That is a very common occurance on the girl diet!!

If your muscles are twitching, you need to up yoru potassium a little bit (and don't let anyone tell you different!) 2500-3500 mg of potassium are necessary per day for health - you can get quite a bit of this total from dairy.

What sort of fiber supplement would you recommend? One of those fiber drinks or something different?

[3boys]

Thanks atomic I am going to look out for fibre tablets, I think I have seen them in boots. Will tablets be ok? Because I could def not tolerate a fibre drink!!

I have to admit that the diet is def hard but if I'm going to change my body chemistry then I knew it wouldn't be easy. The fact that I am finding it so hard actually gives me confidence that I am doing the very best I possible can!

[atomic sagebrush]

What sort of fiber supplement would you recommend? One of those fiber drinks or something different?

I know JJ has been taking Chitosan but any kind of fiber should do, as long as it is not fortified with additional nutrients.

[atomic sagebrush]

Thanks atomic I am going to look out for fibre tablets, I think I have seen them in boots. Will tablets be ok? Because I could def not tolerate a fibre drink!!

I have to admit that the diet is def hard but if I'm going to change my body chemistry then I knew it wouldn't be easy. The fact that I am finding it so hard actually gives me confidence that I am doing the very best I possible can!

That has always been my philosophy as well! Thanks for saying that, I've been feeling quite discouraged regarding diet lately but I really do think we are onto the right path, even though I know it's so tough to stick to.

If it gives you any sense of assurance, the moms who want boys are struggling with the amount/frequency that they have to eat, which I could do in my sleep - just those patterns to which we are accustomed.

Fiber tabs are perfectly fine, I wouldn't want to do the fiber drink either. Just make sure that you don't get a kind that is fortified with anythign you don't want.

[hollyberry7]

Chiming in on this one...just started girl diet today and tracking my food on Fitness Pal. Do you think this diet will affect ovulation? I know that too much exercise can negatively affect ovulation, but not sure about dietary changes. I'm a little nervous about it since this our first time TTC and I'd like to get pg as soon as possible, esp since this diet is not easy! Will TTC around the third week of June (est O date). Also, what should I set my carbs and sodium goal to?

[tweedledeedum]

I started the diet on May 1. I have been doing well and losing weight (7lbs so far) but have been eaten a few no-nos (had a burger once, had kd today, some regular cheese, seasoned rice cakes twice, some sugar here and there). I have never dieted a day in my life and I am just not used to being restricted in my diet! It is hard. I miss meat and potatoes and tomato sauce and salt! But strangely I am liking dairy, milk in particular, more and more. I feel weaker than usual.

Does it get easier in time? I am thinking maybe I should continue but postpone my TTC until July so that I can have 6+ weeks without "cheating". I have had a very stressful month as well, with buying and selling a house, so I am worried about the impact of the stress as well. I move next week and things should settle down soon thereafter.

Hope everyone else is hanging in there!

[swish]

I feel exactly the same as you tweddle, I too have been on the diet since 1 may and have also cheated a bit! I have never dieted and am naturally slim, I've already lost 4 pounds. I'm finding missing breakfast the most difficult, it makes me so weak and grumpy! I have just come to accept that I will cheat a bit, I'm going to do the best I can and it's still REALLY different from my diet before. Good luck, keep me posted about how you're doing, it's nice to have dieting buddies!

[pastelpicnic]

Thought I would add my side affects also. As of two days ago I now have vertigo when I first wake up in the morning and as of this morning my left eye is twitching. So I think I'm right on schedule!

[atomic sagebrush]

Chiming in on this one...just started girl diet today and tracking my food on Fitness Pal. Do you think this diet will affect ovulation? I know that too much exercise can negatively affect ovulation, but not sure about dietary changes. I'm a little nervous about it since this our first time TTC and I'd like to get pg as soon as possible, esp since this diet is not easy! Will TTC around the third week of June (est O date). Also, what should I set my carbs and sodium goal to?

It can mess with ovulation, anything can unfortunately. But please understand that may be what is swaying for you - supressing your fertility just a little bit. I think you are absolutely right in getting pg quickly. :agree:

Carbs are unlimited as long as you don't go over 1500-1800 cals a day. Sodium should be 700-1000 mg a day.

[atomic sagebrush]

I started the diet on May 1. I have been doing well and losing weight (7lbs so far) but have been eaten a few no-nos (had a burger once, had kd today, some regular cheese, seasoned rice cakes twice, some sugar here and there). I have never dieted a day in my life and I am just not used to being restricted in my diet! It is hard. I miss meat and potatoes and tomato sauce and salt! But strangely I am liking dairy, milk in particular, more and more. I feel weaker than usual.

Does it get easier in time? I am thinking maybe I should continue but postpone my TTC until July so that I can have 6+ weeks without "cheating". I have had a very stressful month as well, with buying and selling a house, so I am worried about the impact of the stress as well. I move next week and things should settle down soon thereafter.

Hope everyone else is hanging in there!

I don't think a cheat here and there is very important at all. It will ALWAYS be something that makes your sway less than ideal and postponing TTC only means another 6 weeks in which (let's be honest) you will probably cheat. EVERYONE cheats on the girl diet on occasion, it's the overall pattern that matters and not an occasional food that you eat now and then.

Even our ancestors occasionally found a honey tree or a blueberry bush and very very few people eat as little salt as we try to eat on the girl diet yet girls are still conceived all around the world.

Of course that's not carte blanche for unlimited cheating but I don't think ANYONE should ever postpone a sway over a burger or Kraft Dinner.

[atomic sagebrush]

Thought I would add my side affects also. As of two days ago I now have vertigo when I first wake up in the morning and as of this morning my left eye is twitching. So I think I'm right on schedule!

ARe you getting enough potassium?? Remember, you need 2500-3500 mg of potassium a day for your health - you don't want your heart to be twitching like your eye!!

[atomic sagebrush]

I feel exactly the same as you tweddle, I too have been on the diet since 1 may and have also cheated a bit! I have never dieted and am naturally slim, I've already lost 4 pounds. I'm finding missing breakfast the most difficult, it makes me so weak and grumpy! I have just come to accept that I will cheat a bit, I'm going to do the best I can and it's still REALLY different from my diet before. Good luck, keep me posted about how you're doing, it's nice to have dieting buddies!

Perfect attitude! Try not to cheat but if you do, let it go and move on.

[Mochagirl]

Hi ladies - I was happy to find this thread. I started the diet about a week ago, and I'm feeling the dizziness, weakness and headaches too. I've also become the grumpy mom from Hell to my poor little boys. I'm not having trouble with skipping breakfast, though I do drink coffee in the morning (I know - naughty), which helps. What I find hard is not snacking in the late afternoon and early evening. I'm eating more fruit than I should (mostly strawberries, raspberries and green grapes) to keep myself from eating worse things, but I'm still keeping well under the calorie maximum - is that ok? I'm also finding that the only way I can keep my sanity is to limit sodium almost entirely during the day so I can have a tastier dinner to look forward to.

I'd better get pregnant on our first try (which should be around mid-June), because there's NO WAY I can do this diet for more than 6 weeks!

[swish]

Hi Mochagirl,
I also do that with dinner, you have to have something to look forward to!! sounds like you'r foing great with the diet. I'm ttc mid/late june too and am really hoping it will happen first time. I'll keep in touch with your progress.

[Mochagirl]

Hey swish - maybe we can be TTC buddies! Do you think it's ok to eat some no-no things if I have room in my sodium and calorie budget to eat them? For example, I love basil pesto. I know the store-bought type has lots of sodium, but I was able to have a two servings of pasta mixed with a full serving of pesto with two servings of parmesan on top, and still keep under 1000 mg of sodium for the day. Bad idea? I just think I have more chance of staying on this awful diet if I can still eat some of my favourite things.

[tweedledeedum]

Hi girls, glad to hear others are still struggling to create their ideal diet. I know I can't go on the way I have. I am adding a bit more sugar into my diet to make it through the day. I have been eating really girl friendly (aside from a few cheats on week 1!) but I think the breastfeeding is just making me so hungry! But I find if I allow myself a little sugar here and there, I can stay away from the major no-nos like red meat, potatoes, tomatoes, salt, etc. Hopefully this will help slow my weight loss too so I can keep losing until I finally TTC. Hoping to TTC in late June but kinda hoping to get pg in July for other reasons so we'll see.

[hollyberry7]

Hey swish - maybe we can be TTC buddies! Do you think it's ok to eat some no-no things if I have room in my sodium and calorie budget to eat them? For example, I love basil pesto. I know the store-bought type has lots of sodium, but I was able to have a two servings of pasta mixed with a full serving of pesto with two servings of parmesan on top, and still keep under 1000 mg of sodium for the day. Bad idea? I just think I have more chance of staying on this awful diet if I can still eat some of my favourite things.

Mochagirl/swish - I will also be TTC mid-June (should hopefully O around 6/23 unless something changes)! We should start a June attempt thread! We are TTC #1.

[swish]

Definately mocha, let's be ttc buddies, we need all the support we can get! Hollyberry, great idea about starting a new thread. I'm trying to be relaxed about the diet as I think there's more chance of sticking to it and less stress! I'm not sure about the pesto, only because of all the olive oil which is a big no, no as it has lots of good things for you, maybe if you made it yourself with a little corn oil? I think basil might be really good for you. Have you guys checked out the thread in he dream members bit that AS has just written, it's really useful.

[swish]

Tweedle, i'm really impressed you can even attempt the diet whilst breastfeeding, I am constantly hungry when feeding.

[pastelpicnic]

ARe you getting enough potassium?? Remember, you need 2500-3500 mg of potassium a day for your health - you don't want your heart to be twitching like your eye!!

I think I'm not getting enough potassium, so I have upped it slightly since I do cardio 6-7 days a week for 60mins. or more. My Vertigo ended up getting waaaay worse the the next day after my first post about this, my poor DH was freaked out when I couldn't get out of bed until noon for two days because of the vertigo. I also dropped the artificial sweetner until the last few days before O. I went to the Chiropractor and that helped too.

[atomic sagebrush]

Hi ladies - I was happy to find this thread. I started the diet about a week ago, and I'm feeling the dizziness, weakness and headaches too. I've also become the grumpy mom from Hell to my poor little boys. I'm not having trouble with skipping breakfast, though I do drink coffee in the morning (I know - naughty), which helps. What I find hard is not snacking in the late afternoon and early evening. I'm eating more fruit than I should (mostly strawberries, raspberries and green grapes) to keep myself from eating worse things, but I'm still keeping well under the calorie maximum - is that ok? I'm also finding that the only way I can keep my sanity is to limit sodium almost entirely during the day so I can have a tastier dinner to look forward to.

I'd better get pregnant on our first try (which should be around mid-June), because there's NO WAY I can do this diet for more than 6 weeks!

For sure check out my "Low-Everything" diet thread in the Dream members section.

I am TOTALLY on board with the idea of little changes that make it easier to stick to the big things. Strawberries, raspberries, grapes, all superfine as long as you are under the calories for the day. Even the sodium thing, if you are under the limit all day long and you have a bit extra at dinner, that's fine (and may even be BETTER than small amounts all day long, because you will pee out at least some of it.)

I would rather you didn't snack because of the blood glucose stuff, BUT it's probably only of critical import for a few days before O and then the 2 WW. If snacking here and there helps you stick to most of the diet, carry on.

I feel ya about the getting pg quickly, that is one thing I really believe with all my heart. Better to let go of some things that really don't seem to sway that much (timing) so you don't have to stick with the dang diet, which really has been proved to make a difference.

[atomic sagebrush]

Hey swish - maybe we can be TTC buddies! Do you think it's ok to eat some no-no things if I have room in my sodium and calorie budget to eat them? For example, I love basil pesto. I know the store-bought type has lots of sodium, but I was able to have a two servings of pasta mixed with a full serving of pesto with two servings of parmesan on top, and still keep under 1000 mg of sodium for the day. Bad idea? I just think I have more chance of staying on this awful diet if I can still eat some of my favourite things.

Eh, it's not great. Honestly I think low sodium, low fat marinara would be better than pesto because of the healthy fats in the olive oil. BUT it would be low protein (if it's the kind without pine nuts anyway) and I think low-protein is good too.

[atomic sagebrush]

Hi girls, glad to hear others are still struggling to create their ideal diet. I know I can't go on the way I have. I am adding a bit more sugar into my diet to make it through the day. I have been eating really girl friendly (aside from a few cheats on week 1!) but I think the breastfeeding is just making me so hungry! But I find if I allow myself a little sugar here and there, I can stay away from the major no-nos like red meat, potatoes, tomatoes, salt, etc. Hopefully this will help slow my weight loss too so I can keep losing until I finally TTC. Hoping to TTC in late June but kinda hoping to get pg in July for other reasons so we'll see.

I do think breastfeeding can complicate dieting because you do just get so darn hungry. Sounds like you are doing well at doing the doable, remember the weight loss sways no matter what you're eating and the breastfeeding may be working in your favor!!!

[atomic sagebrush]

I think I'm not getting enough potassium, so I have upped it slightly since I do cardio 6-7 days a week for 60mins. or more. My Vertigo ended up getting waaaay worse the the next day after my first post about this, my poor DH was freaked out when I couldn't get out of bed until noon for two days because of the vertigo. I also dropped the artificial sweetner until the last few days before O. I went to the Chiropractor and that helped too.

I am really glad you upped your potassium some! I've had vertigo before and it is SCARY. I hope you're doing better. You can prob. get away with a bit more food since you're exercising that much. GL.

[Mochagirl]

Thanks for the advice, Atomic! I know the pesto isn't ideal, but I track all of my sodium, calories and protein very carefully and only eat it if I have room in my budget. On most days I have plain pasta with unsalted butter and parmesan, which is ok - just not as yummy as my beloved pesto! :)

I'm resisting snacking except for the evening, when I have a bowl of strawberries or grapes. That's not going to blow the whole thing, is it? All I eat up until suppertime is a yogurt, an unsalted rice cake or two, and sometimes an apple without the peel.

[pastelpicnic]

I am really glad you upped your potassium some! I've had vertigo before and it is SCARY. I hope you're doing better. You can prob. get away with a bit more food since you're exercising that much. GL.

I have to say it was VERY scary when I experienced the vertigo. I am doing much better. Thanks AS.

[hollyberry7]

I'm now on my second week of the diet and feel much better than the first week! I can tell my stomach is getting used to the smaller portions and less food in general. I cheated this week since we went out to eat for MIL's b-day (crab cake sandwich and sweet potato fries, YUMM!!), and over the weekend I cheated here and there but pretty much kept portions very minimal and tried to avoid snacking. I'm finding the weekends are really hard not to cheat since we do a lot of stuff with family, etc. Have lost about two lbs now...DH is getting on me to start exercising, but I don't think I can run for the entire hour :-\ Plus, we only have about 4 weeks left until TTC, so not sure I want to start now. Anyone else doing lots of cardio in addition to the diet?

[atomic sagebrush]

Thanks for the advice, Atomic! I know the pesto isn't ideal, but I track all of my sodium, calories and protein very carefully and only eat it if I have room in my budget. On most days I have plain pasta with unsalted butter and parmesan, which is ok - just not as yummy as my beloved pesto! :)

I'm resisting snacking except for the evening, when I have a bowl of strawberries or grapes. That's not going to blow the whole thing, is it? All I eat up until suppertime is a yogurt, an unsalted rice cake or two, and sometimes an apple without the peel.

No, that's not going to blow it at all. The problem is snacking in the form of, all day every day kind of stuff, and even that may not blow it but I figure we should err on the side of caution.

[atomic sagebrush]

I'm now on my second week of the diet and feel much better than the first week! I can tell my stomach is getting used to the smaller portions and less food in general. I cheated this week since we went out to eat for MIL's b-day (crab cake sandwich and sweet potato fries, YUMM!!), and over the weekend I cheated here and there but pretty much kept portions very minimal and tried to avoid snacking. I'm finding the weekends are really hard not to cheat since we do a lot of stuff with family, etc. Have lost about two lbs now...DH is getting on me to start exercising, but I don't think I can run for the entire hour :-\ Plus, we only have about 4 weeks left until TTC, so not sure I want to start now. Anyone else doing lots of cardio in addition to the diet?

That's great news! Keep up the good work and don't stress about the occasional cheat - it happens!

4 weeks is still enough time to get some benefits from an hour of cardio, it's ok if you can't run for a full hour, you could do aerobics, walk briskly, whatever it takes to get that heart pumping.

[Mochagirl]

Thanks for making me feel better about my evening snack. It really helps me get through the day if I can look forward to sitting down with a snack after the kids have gone to bed. Usually I have some strawberries or something like that. Here's another question, though...would it be awful and terrible to have a small bowl of ice cream once in a blue moon as a treat? I'd only do it if I had lots of room left in my calorie budget (which I often seem to - I average about 1000-1200 calories a day).

[atomic sagebrush]

Once in a blue moon, yes, it's ok. http://genderdreaming.com/forum/showthread.php?2735-sweets-and-treats-for-pink I would go with lowfat, low cal, and/or artificially sweetened.

[Mochagirl]

Thanks! Do I need to avoid chocolate? It would be sooooo much easier to deal with this diet if I could have a treat like chocolate ice cream once a week or something.