Becky Sue's Struggle with Candida

[Becky Sue]

My problem is caused by over use of antibiotics thru the years.

Then after I had my hysterectomy and took HRT for 10 years the yeast problem just seemed to get worse. Symptoms: bloating, water retention, nasal drainage, foggy thinking, no energy to do what needed to get done. Just to name a few.

I started the Atkins WOE, July 2003 and in the first 6 weeks I lost 30 pounds. Then over the next 10 months I ate strictly Induction, keeping my carbs no more than 20. I lost an additional 13 pounds. I would loose a little and then it would be back in a few days. This went on for months. But I knew if I quit I would gain back all the weight plus add more. I was already 288 and I didn't want to weigh 300.

The first year eating Atkin's, Induction I lost 43 pounds. I would get discouraged but my friend, dreamof145, encouraged me to keep on trying and eventually the weight would come off. But I was stalled big time.

I went to another LC site that I had found in my searching and asked if there was anyone there that could help me. I discribed my situation and a lady sent me some sites to check out. While reading on these sites, I felt like they were writing about me.

http://hometown.aol.com/adelestrat/m...atprofile.html
http://www.conniems.com/antiyeast.html
These two sites made me realize that others had experienced the same problems that I was going thru. It gave me hope!

Then I learned about the Atkins KISS(Keep It Simple, Sweetie) approach.
http://www.angelfire.com/rnb/irock/kiss_rules.html

I started out eating KISS, then I had to go more strict, Gold Standard. I can get this info for anyone interested. Just let me know.

Only people with the horrible symptoms will be interested in eating this strictly. I am one of those people. I am willing to eat this strictly for the rest of my life if that is what it takes for me to be healthy.

I am including in this post some pictures of myself.



I am at 288 pounds, bloated, swollen with water retention and just plain fat and unhealthy.


Compare my 2002(288 lbs) to my 2004(204 lbs)


here is an example of my progress. 7-2003 at to 12-9-2004 .
Man, 84 pounds is a great accomplishment. Oh!! and my eye glasses are the very same ones in both pictures.

I did take nystatin from my Dr. to help rid my gut of candida overgrowth, for a month. My blood tests showed I did have a yeast problem.

I now have my yeast overgrowth in control. I eat strict KISS. I take suppliments to help rid my gut of the excessive candida yeast.
suppliments I take, garlic pills, acidophlisis, caprylic acid, oil of oregano, yeast defence essentials.

It took me a few months to find the relief I was looking for. Eating this way and taking the suppliments has helped me to feel 200% better.

I was exercising even when I didn't feel like it, but now I am exercising and enjoying it. I try to walk daily 1 to 2 miles or more. I also lift weights a few times a week.

I hope if you are one of the unfortunate ones with yeast problems that this post will help you get the information you need to get back your health and then your weight will start going down like mine has.

After eating this way for the last 5 months I have lost an additional 41 pounds.
I now have 29 more pounds to get to my ultimate goal. This will be a total loss of 113 pounds.

I know now I can do it. If I can do this, so can you.

I wish you the best.

Becky Sue
288-204-175
5 pounds from my Christmas Goal!!

[2big4mysize]

:clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping



I can't tell you how proud I am of you for hanging in there when many would have thrown in the towel and bad mouthed Atkins as a program that doesn't work. yep I knew her when she was a frustrated slow loser asking all kinds of questions about her induction program and the weight not moving.

And i got to see the joy this lady had when those scales did finally move and keep moving.

Um Becky Sue not to be bossy but you are supposed to let the whoosh fairy go free after she removes those pounds and share her with everybody. :yes

[Trying2]

Becky Sue - First let me say that you look wonderful. Really you are an inspiration and it proves that getting what you want requires dedication & focus. Thanks.

[lostandfound]

Becky Sue,

I know you have had a terrible bout' with your yeast problem. But you stuck with it and conquered the yeast demon. I'm so proud of you!!
It's the hardest part of any decision. How badly do I want this? Atkins is an easy WOE for most. But for some, the demons must be conquered. And your resolve to fight and win, is to be commended!!!

Well done my friend!!!

Hugs,Tammy

[dreamof145]

Becky Sue -- I can't tell you how happy and proud I am of your accomplishment!! I remember the long talks we had and the confusion over what was happening. It is so frustrating to be doing exactly what everyone else is doing, knowing you never cheat and working so hard and not getting any results.

I'll never forget the EXCITEMENT when you discovered KISS and the weight started rolling off for you again. It would have been so easy for you to quit, but you struggled, found a solution and now you are 29 pounds from your goal.

Your story is amazing, full of emotion and a true example of determination. To anyone having YEAST problems, follow Becky Sue's example and DON'T GIVE UP!!

[Cobbystock]

Thanks to Becky-Sue's help I found out about the kiss diet & started with Allimax (garlic) & took OoO plus probiotics. In my first week I lost 8 lbs & was no longer constipated. I continued with this WOE but started to cheat with just a little hard cheese. (Only 2-3 oz a day.) Weight loss slowed & I was again constipated. So I've gone back to Kiss. Am still taking Allimax & probiotics but also unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar. (OoO is very expensive in the UK!) This has had an immediate effect. Down 4 lbs this week & no longer constipated . I seem to be enjoying the Kiss diet much better this time round. I am able to have cream cheese (as Dr. Atkins suggests) & this is not stalling me. I am now looking for coconut oil as I've been reading posts on how good this is for you.- Not only with yeast overgrowth, but for other health problems also.

[Chynna]

Becky Sue, you're doing a great job and you look marvelous!

Thank you so much for the information concerning this issue. It's helped me out a great deal and I am greatful for that. I've managed to rid myself of the candida and am also sticking to the KISS plan. I've managed to add in a few things, but only on occassion. However, I agree with you... eating to be healthy is more important to me than eating for the indulgence.

Thanks again for everything! :hug

[missy90]

When you buy the coconut oil be sure it is UNREFINED......I don't know what I did without it. You can purchase it over the internet if you are having problems finding it close by.

Missy :hug

[bree630]

I have a question that I hope SOMEONE can and will answer for me .

I do not have any of the common "yeast" symptoms that I've read about on this board, however I do have a slight weight stall. I've always been a pretty slow loser but I'm not sure (I will be performing the spit test tomorrow AM). Would anyone suggest doing this cleanse/KISS/CAD WOE for someone who does NOT have an abundance of yeast?

I guess if I cut out unprocessed foods, I will just be doing a "cleaner" induction, so there's probably no harm in that. I'm thinking that if I don't have candida that if i take the supplements I may kill the GOOD yeast (is that a possibility?) I was just thinking that maybe I'll cut out unprocessed foods to see if I can get the scale moving again.

Any advice or suggestions of would GREATLY appreciated!
Many Thanks.
Bree

[Becky Sue]

I have a question that I hope SOMEONE can and will answer for me .

I do not have any of the common "yeast" symptoms that I've read about on this board, however I do have a slight weight stall. I've always been a pretty slow loser but I'm not sure (I will be performing the spit test tomorrow AM). Would anyone suggest doing this cleanse/KISS/CAD WOE for someone who does NOT have an abundance of yeast?

I guess if I cut out unprocessed foods, I will just be doing a "cleaner" induction, so there's probably no harm in that. I'm thinking that if I don't have candida that if i take the supplements I may kill the GOOD yeast (is that a possibility?) I was just thinking that maybe I'll cut out unprocessed foods to see if I can get the scale moving again.

Any advice or suggestions of would GREATLY appreciated!
Many Thanks.
Bree

I suggest that you do the spit test and get your results first, before you decide if you need to take measures to rid yourself of yeast overgrowth.

It is fact that all carbs are not created equal. by eating unprocessed foods, you will have great results. Or You can limit your processed foods. Might get a bit boring, but there is nothing wrong with boring. My opinion!

You speak of a slight weight stall. How long are you referring to?

I don't suggest you do a cleanse/KISS, if you don't have a yeast problem. If the problem isn't there, you can't fix it.

There are so many reason's that your weigh loss has slowed down. Are you taking a new medication? If you are exercising you could be building muscle and muscle weighs more that fat.
It could be that your body is just taking time to catchup after you have lost a certain amount of weight. Your body will lose at its own pace. Some of us are slow losers and some are fast losers. We just have to eat what is on the accepted list and enjoy our journey to good health.

Let me know how your spit test turns out.

Don't ever give up, keep eating on plan. The problem can be finetuned and you will be getting the results you are looking for.

Becky Sue