Lost my motivation a little
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Jennym93
Posts: 136 Member
I have gained about 3lbs back, I will admit that I haven't been the best with my calories or exercise but I didn't realise how easily I could gain weight back (only 1lb has actually come off my counter thing on mfp and it's true some will be water weight), I wanted to go low carb to see if that would be a more sustainable way of eating but I've ended up going over calories more than a few times over the weeks (more down to the fact I just wanted to eat all the time)
I clearly have to keep a good focus on my calories and exercise to lose weight but now I'm wondering if there is a point to going low carb when you have PCOS, is low carb, calorie controlled and regular exercise too much?
I don't know about my cholesterol or insulin levels but I'm going to ask about getting them tested on Monday when I go to see my doctor which will hopefully tell me if the low carb diet is going to be much of a benefit.
For those who have managed to lose and keep it off do you still have to keep a very close eye on calories and exercise or do you just watch your weight now and then?
I clearly have to keep a good focus on my calories and exercise to lose weight but now I'm wondering if there is a point to going low carb when you have PCOS, is low carb, calorie controlled and regular exercise too much?
I don't know about my cholesterol or insulin levels but I'm going to ask about getting them tested on Monday when I go to see my doctor which will hopefully tell me if the low carb diet is going to be much of a benefit.
For those who have managed to lose and keep it off do you still have to keep a very close eye on calories and exercise or do you just watch your weight now and then?
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A typical general doctor is going to be hit or miss when it comes to diet, and given that they get all of about 10 hours of nutrition training and most don't continue with post-school education/learning in that area, don't expect too much from your doctor on that front.
That said, I'm a hard loser as well (I'm still up a pound and a half from Easter), but I continue with low carb, because while I still have to keep an eye on my calories, I don't have to be 100% perfect in order to avoid gaining weight, and I can eat a sane amount of food (I've actually been able to reach the point where I don't necessarily have to track to maintain calories).
From the looks of your diary, you've only gone very low carb as of last week. Until then, you were more into the "moderate" carb range at 100g+. Give the lower amount a try -- a good, honest try -- for at least a month and see how you feel. Try not to increase your carb intake when you exercise. If you want/need to eat back those calories, do it in protein and fat (unfortunately, you can't make MFP keep a macro locked, so you'll have to ignore it). Don't forget, too, that it's not just about weight -- eating this way can help with many other aspects, including bloating, joint pain, menstrual cycles, Metformin side effects, headaches, and more. So make sure you're not missing other benefits, because you're too zeroed in on your weight.
Keep in mind, too, that it will take some time for the weight to come off. Eating right for your body isn't just about weight loss, but about healing your body. PCOS wreaks havoc on the body, and the underlying causes of the PCOS also do a number on the body. When this happens, the body is typically more focused on healing that, before it will give up the excess weight. Contrary to popular belief, being overweight isn't itself the disease. It's a symptom of an underlying problem. Fix the problem and the weight will start correcting itself. (And yes, for some people, eating too much and not moving enough is the underlying problem, but for us, that generally isn't the case.)
It might help to drop the sodas. Maybe get some lemons to drop into your carbonated water. The artificial sweetener in the sodas may be having the same hunger-increasing effect that typically comes from sugars and may be why you're having trouble maintaining your calories. Also, you're still eating a fair bit of starches and breaded things, which may not be helping with either your calories or your hunger levels.
As for your lipid levels, if you're concerned that low carb will make them worse, don't be. Low carb, high fat improves the numbers across the board (one caveat -- LDL will increase according to the standard test, which looks bad, but it increases because the LDL particles become the larger, benign type, which is actually a really good thing; if your doctor is concerned about your LDL, request a VAP test). However, by keeping the starches in, you may be keeping your triglycerides higher, so keep that in mind.
Have a watch of this video, which explains the actual science and the real reason behind all the "fat is bad!" hype:
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Ah thank you, all great to know
I'm aiming to go as low carb as I can from tomorrow to see if it helps with cravings while still fitting 1200 to 1300 calories and hopefully I'll see the weight come off soon enough, I did manage to lose weight on rather high carb but I was aiming to get more protein and working out 7 days a week and keeping calories at 1,300 or less.
Just have to put some more thought in.
I'll drop the fizzy drinks and try and reduce the starchy, breaded stuff, I am trying to make my own versions of some but it doesn't always work
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It is better to cut things out and eat other foods rather than finding substitutes. When you make substitutes in general you are feeding your not so great carby addictions. The best way to succeed at this way of eating in my opinion is to break the old habits and start all new better habits! It is difficult at first, but using a lot of fat and sodium will break the addictions. you need to drop all the "bad habit" type of items for the first month before adding substitutes back in. some people don't have to do this, but any of us in the obesity cycle have to fight harder than most.0
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Thank you for the help
I've got an appointment for a fasting blood glucose test on monday, I will also ask about my insulin levels, when I asked during the time I made the appointment I was told they didn't test it that way and it was just a blood glucose test but I want to know the level so I'm going to ask again anyway, once I've had that done I'm going to try and go zero carb (or as close as) for one month and then test again, once the month is up I'll try adding in small amounts of vegetables and certain fruit and see how it effects my weight
Does that sound like a good way to do this?0 -
Thank you for the help
I've got an appointment for a fasting blood glucose test on monday, I will also ask about my insulin levels, when I asked during the time I made the appointment I was told they didn't test it that way and it was just a blood glucose test but I want to know the level so I'm going to ask again anyway, once I've had that done I'm going to try and go zero carb (or as close as) for one month and then test again, once the month is up I'll try adding in small amounts of vegetables and certain fruit and see how it effects my weight
Does that sound like a good way to do this?
Sounds pretty good to me.
And definitely keep pressing them for an insulin test. If they keep pushing back, find a new doctor if at all possible. There is an insulin test available, and the insulin test can be the difference between "oh, you're fine," and "no, you need help."0 -
Had my blood taken.
I asked about finding out my insulin levels and got told to ask at reception, reception got confused because I wasn't diabetic and sent me to the nurse who told me the same as my doctor that they don't test insulin levels, told me my hbac1 was 5.3 back in 2013 and I wasn't insulin resistant but should watch my diet. which the doctor didn't tell me, if she'd have been clearer I wouldn't have needed to ask all of this
All in all I left feeling like a complete idiot and like I'd wasted their time0 -
The cannot know whether you are insulin resistant or not WITHOUT TESTING YOUR FASTING INSULIN. You need a new doctor.0
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Im going to ask my preferred doctor when I go for the results and explain my issue with her
I wonder if it's a UK thing, a bit stupid if that's the case0 -
It is just not a standard test. You have to request it specifically, even here in the US. I just can't fathom a PCOS/endocrinologist doctor not understanding the need for the that specific test. And they have to run it differently that the A1C and fasting glucose. See @Dragonwolf's info for why it is necessary. Her blood sugar showed enough for "let's watch it carefully for a bit," but when added with her fasting insulin levels went to, "let's get you to a specialist right now." Any doctor who supposedly treats those conditions yet doesn't want to run the tests to give the true info need to go back to school in my opinion.0
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KnitOrMiss wrote: »It is just not a standard test. You have to request it specifically, even here in the US. I just can't fathom a PCOS/endocrinologist doctor not understanding the need for the that specific test. And they have to run it differently that the A1C and fasting glucose. See @Dragonwolf's info for why it is necessary. Her blood sugar showed enough for "let's watch it carefully for a bit," but when added with her fasting insulin levels went to, "let's get you to a specialist right now." Any doctor who supposedly treats those conditions yet doesn't want to run the tests to give the true info need to go back to school in my opinion.
I'm not seeing a specialist, since I was having laser hair removal they decided there was nothing more they could do since their interest was my symptoms not my overall health and sent me back to my gp, they never tested my insulin level either0 -
*Sorry I completely didn't think to say these are GPs not specialists0
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Too late to edit I'm afraid but I bet that pretty much explained all my trouble I've had with this0
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I should clarify, too. Anyone educated enough in the entire process to state that you "are not insulin-resistant" should know that this requires a separate test. If they do not know that this requires a separate test, then they need to quick talking out of their - behinds - and only speak to the things in which they have actual knowledge. Any doctor worth their salt who knows what "insulin resistant" means knows that your blood glucose cannot indicate anything about insulin levels without the insulin component, unless your blood glucose is also off the charts dangerous...and even then, just because the blood glucose is way out of range doesn't automatically mean insulin problems either. Even my regular GP/primary aka family doctor knew this information...
But it seems like you're getting educated on your own health now, and you'll be able to educate any doctor involved in your treatment as to what you need to know... I wish you luck!0 -
Thank you
It's rather off putting to have all of these negative experiences but I might try explaining it all to my favourite doctor (she seems to pay more attention to patient records than other doctors) and see what she can do, I'm starting to guess, as completely ridiculous as it may sound, that they just don't do those tests in the UK but until someone else from the UK says anything I don't know0 -
Thank you
It's rather off putting to have all of these negative experiences but I might try explaining it all to my favourite doctor (she seems to pay more attention to patient records than other doctors) and see what she can do, I'm starting to guess, as completely ridiculous as it may sound, that they just don't do those tests in the UK but until someone else from the UK says anything I don't know
They do them there....just with "free" healthcare and such, they aren't likely to do extra testing unless warranted, and it is a separate test, though not more complicated or anything. Non-standard tests are some that doctors don't always understand. This is why you have to champion your own health. I have to do this even with my specialty and very well trained doctors. We are the only ones who lose out when we don't stand up and demand what we need (which I promise gets easier the more often you do it, and the older you get...but when you start seeing progress, it gets easier, too!!)
Keep arming yourself with info as to why you need the information, and definitely request the help of your favorite doc who pays more attention.0 -
KnitOrMiss wrote: »Thank you
It's rather off putting to have all of these negative experiences but I might try explaining it all to my favourite doctor (she seems to pay more attention to patient records than other doctors) and see what she can do, I'm starting to guess, as completely ridiculous as it may sound, that they just don't do those tests in the UK but until someone else from the UK says anything I don't know
They do them there....just with "free" healthcare and such, they aren't likely to do extra testing unless warranted, and it is a separate test, though not more complicated or anything. Non-standard tests are some that doctors don't always understand. This is why you have to champion your own health. I have to do this even with my specialty and very well trained doctors. We are the only ones who lose out when we don't stand up and demand what we need (which I promise gets easier the more often you do it, and the older you get...but when you start seeing progress, it gets easier, too!!)
Keep arming yourself with info as to why you need the information, and definitely request the help of your favorite doc who pays more attention.
This.
Also, if all else fails, tell them to humor you. Explain that while it may not seem important to them, it matters to you, and that you're willing to pay for it out of pocket if you have to.0 -
Dragonwolf wrote: »KnitOrMiss wrote: »Thank you
It's rather off putting to have all of these negative experiences but I might try explaining it all to my favourite doctor (she seems to pay more attention to patient records than other doctors) and see what she can do, I'm starting to guess, as completely ridiculous as it may sound, that they just don't do those tests in the UK but until someone else from the UK says anything I don't know
They do them there....just with "free" healthcare and such, they aren't likely to do extra testing unless warranted, and it is a separate test, though not more complicated or anything. Non-standard tests are some that doctors don't always understand. This is why you have to champion your own health. I have to do this even with my specialty and very well trained doctors. We are the only ones who lose out when we don't stand up and demand what we need (which I promise gets easier the more often you do it, and the older you get...but when you start seeing progress, it gets easier, too!!)
Keep arming yourself with info as to why you need the information, and definitely request the help of your favorite doc who pays more attention.
This.
Also, if all else fails, tell them to humor you. Explain that while it may not seem important to them, it matters to you, and that you're willing to pay for it out of pocket if you have to.
And in addition to this, your doctor should always be willing to educate you and explain things until you feel comfortable with the information. Ask for resources where you can continue your own research - or at the least - which sources are considered not reputable! Doctors will fight by your side once they realize you are taking medical advice and fighting for yourself, but they will not waste their time fighting YOU first, before they can fight with you... There are too many folks willing to ally themselves with the medical staff for them to have to frustrate themselves trying to help people not willing to help themselves (yet, at least - and you know we've all been THERE!).
I know all of this is SOOOO overwhelming... Take a deep breath and focus on one thing. Maybe do some research on why Insulin is SOOO important... (hugs) Then you are armed with proof of why you need that test next time you have to make the argument. LOL0 -
actually since joining this group and the low carb group I've found out a lot more, (which I must thank everyone here for being so helpful and patient about it) it's just explaining it to the doctor I'm no good at, I don't feel they'd take me all that seriously if I said my information was from online forums, I could be wrong though, I did find a web page, which I now can't find again, that did say insulin can be high while blood glucose is low which would have probably been a good resource to back me up.
I find one of the biggest issues I've had with all the doctors involved in my pcos treatment were focused on me being able to get pregnant, that's not my concern, I've no desire for children in the foreseeable future, if ever, my health is more important to me than my ability to procreate and doctors don't seem to see that, it's just I'm female therefore I must want to have babies. But I get it since that's a big thing it effects.0 -
actually since joining this group and the low carb group I've found out a lot more, (which I must thank everyone here for being so helpful and patient about it) it's just explaining it to the doctor I'm no good at, I don't feel they'd take me all that seriously if I said my information was from online forums, I could be wrong though, I did find a web page, which I now can't find again, that did say insulin can be high while blood glucose is low which would have probably been a good resource to back me up.
I find one of the biggest issues I've had with all the doctors involved in my pcos treatment were focused on me being able to get pregnant, that's not my concern, I've no desire for children in the foreseeable future, if ever, my health is more important to me than my ability to procreate and doctors don't seem to see that, it's just I'm female therefore I must want to have babies. But I get it since that's a big thing it effects.
Probably the best way is to find the underlying studies behind the things that are talked about. Most of them have studies at least for the mechanics of thing. It may take clicking through a few references, but stuff from PubMed and whatnot will likely hold more weight with your doctor than just "the internet."
And the whole "you're not looking to have babies, so it's not an issue," is the biggest load of crap. My doctor said that to me, too, and had it registered more quickly (she said it so casually, it didn't sink in until later), I would have told her to give me my file and I'll take my business elsewhere, because anyone who thinks that has zero qualification to be treating it, because they know nothing about it. (As it stands, she's how I'm getting an endo at this point, but I won't be going back for anything to do with my PCOS.)
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I will look up studies then thank you
And yeah, having babies seems to be the main thing, I'm very much disinterested towards having children so I don't want my ability to reproduce to come before my health, I've never even once been asked if it's something that I actually hope for in the future.
When I was referred to the hospitals specialist area by my GP it turned out to be the fertility clinic of the hospital, I don't really know what else I expected.
I just hope the doctor I intend to see will listen to me and understand me0
