[Jayne]

I'm starting to become a bit frustrated, and it seems there's a lot of knowledge here so I thought I'd ask for some advice. Warning - this may be a little long since I want to share all the details with you.

I have been overweight since puberty. Everyone in my family is obese. Type 2 diabetes and heart disease run in my family (no big surprise).

I've had some success over the years, and have had the most in the last year. Last summer I started working with a personal trainer and doing yoga. I'm not working with the trainer at the moment but still exercising regularly. I lost a total of 30 lbs, then gained back about 7 when my husband and I separated. I know the cause of that - while I didn't increase my calories, I relied way too much on refined carbs (comfort food) and wasn't getting enough protein.

Here's my weekly exercise routine:
Monday 75minutes of Power Yoga (very aerobic, strength building as well)
Tuesday Yoga, Walking or strength training with my bible study group
Wednesday 75 minutes of hatha yoga
Thursday 60 minute walk / jog
Friday off
Saturday 75 minutes of power yoga
Sunday 60 minute walk / jog

My muscle tone is great since I've started yoga, and it hasn't diminished since I stopped working with the trainer.

4 weeks ago I made a drastic change to my eating pattern. I'm hypoglycemic and I know I am insulin resistant. I knew I had to eliminate sugar and refined carbs from my diet. I have also eliminated all artifical sweeteners, except for an occasional cup of tea with stevia. I drink close to double the recommended amount of water each day. (Between 2 and 4 liters a day). I'm on a multivitamin, take magnesium and garlic. No prescriptions other than birth control (and stopping is not an option due to medical issues).

Here's my typical eating for the day:
6am Light multigrain (8grams fiber) english muffin with 1/2 cup egg beaters
9am 1-2 servings fruit with a handful of nuts (normally almonds)
11am 4-5 cups green salad with grilled chicken breast and very little dressing (i often use salsa), 1 serving fruit (all fruit is fresh)
1pm 1 serving fruit with 1 piece lowfat string cheese
3pm 1 serving fruit with 2-3tbsp hummus or more nuts, sometimes a few pita wedges made with organic oat and millet flour and flaxseeds
5pm 1 serving fruit with a handful of nuts
8pm steamed vegetables and chicken breast - sometimes with organic brown rice or whole grain pasta (but not more than once every 2 weeks)

Dinner is normally at 8 because yoga goes until 7:15 and I can't eat much before yoga.

If I count my calories, I'm normally around 1500. Based on discovery with my trainer, anything less than 1500 puts me into starvation mode.

Now here's the deal - by all calculations I should be losing 2 lbs per week. I have a total of 30 left to lose. Since I changed my eating 4 weeks ago, I have lost 2 then gained 1 back - so I'm down net 1lb in 4 weeks. I would expect much more from eating this way. I previously lost 1 lb a week by restricting my calories but still eating sugar. This has to be working better, right?

Maybe it's too much fruit? Would appreciate any insight you can offer.