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MyFitnessPal Community

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and weight lose

naturalbeautyisme55

I wanted to reach out to MFP to find any women who are in the same situation as myself. Though I have not been diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) I have many of the symptoms and believe I need a second opinion and more test done. I have struggled with losing weight over the past 7 years. I am very active, eat a healthy diet, constantly moving around but yet I lose about 1lb a month if that

It's hard and depressing at the same time to see my friends dropping 50+lbs and I'm stuck at nothing. I did manage to lose 12lbs, but over a 4 year span. My body seems to carry and store fat like crazy and it''s frustrating because I put so much time and energy into diets and exercising. I am not complaining about the time I put in because I love exercising and eating healthy, but at the end of the day it gets depressing. It seems as though my hard work is in vain. If you are in the same situation or struggle with PCOS, what tips or information do you have that will help me on my journey? Thanks MFP!!!

Replies

LinderLou2000

I am kind of in the same boat you are. I have not been diagnosed with PCOS, but have many symptoms. I have a really hard time losing weight also. I will do good for awhile, but then it tapers off and I feel like I am starving, yet with no results! But I'm trying to re-examine and make sure I'm not getting too lax with my eating. That's why it helps me so much to keep a journal. We just gotta keep going and keep trying.

Bethie_J

Well, first, try to get a confirmation from you doc.

Losing weight is harder with PCOS. It just is. But if you stay dedicated, and absolutely stop comparing yourself to others, you can do it.

The majority of us PCOS gals have a much higher rate of success by eliminating processed carbs from your diet (white flour, white sugar, etc). Stick to whole grains and get your sugars from fruits. And sadly, you should try to limit these as well.

Most importantly, don't give up. It IS harder. But just imagine how good you'll feel about yourself when you accomplish your goals!

Livdoesketo

Hiya, I'm not diagnosed with PCOS but my mum and sister have it, and when my periods starting going haywire I went to the doctor, they told me that I don't have it but at the weight I was I would get it. Can I ask what diet you are doing? In all honesty with PCOS the best thing you can do is do a low carb diet, it will help you maintain a constant blood sugar level which is really important in combating this thing!

I'm doing a strict ketogenic diet, so I keep my net carbs (total carbohydrate grams-fiber grams) under 20g a day, I eat a normal amount of protein, and get the majority of my energy from fat. If you search for ketogenic diet on google loads of information will come up, if you are a reddit user then www.reddit.com/r/keto and www.reddit.com/r/xxketo for ladies issues, I know there are a lot of women on that group who have PCOS and are succeeding with keto where other diets have failed.

I myself have done lots of diets before and keto is the only one I can maintain for long periods of time and I've lost nearly 4 stone so far. An example of my meal plan

Breakfast:

2 eggs and 2 slices of bacon
or bulletproof coffee ( coffee with 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp coconut oil blended in) not for everyone
or 80g almonds

Lunch:
Pork loin chop, cheesy chorizo vegetables ie broccoli/spinach/green beans
or Chorizo omelette
or any luncheon meat with some cheese and green veggies.

Dinner:
similar to lunch- any meat, green veg and a fat source- so blue cheese/ranch dressing on a salad, garlic butter, mayonaise.

I'd recommend Gary Taubes book "good calories bad calories", if only for the eating guide at the back which is fab. Feel free to add me if you want to have a look at my day to day eating.

sallielozo

Well, first, try to get a confirmation from you doc.

Losing weight is harder with PCOS. It just is. But if you stay dedicated, and absolutely stop comparing yourself to others, you can do it.

The majority of us PCOS gals have a much higher rate of success by eliminating processed carbs from your diet (white flour, white sugar, etc). Stick to whole grains and get your sugars from fruits. And sadly, you should try to limit these as well.

Most importantly, don't give up. It IS harder. But just imagine how good you'll feel about yourself when you accomplish your goals!

This ^ High protein, low carb diets do wonders for PCOS. I take Metformin for my PCOS which has helped me lose weight, along with going Paleo.

naturalbeautyisme55

I am on a low carb diet because I have heard it will help. Thanks for the information, I will look up the ketogenic diet.

omma_to_3

Metformin and LOTS of exercise has helped me be successful. I've tried following a low GI diet before (lower and balanced carbs) but it didn't actually work well for me. It just made me unhappy LOL. Once the met got my insulin levels under control, it was easier to lose weight (not easy, but easier). I still lose at a slower rate than most, but I'm able to lose.

naturalbeautyisme55

Metformin made me sick as a dog. it was so hard to take it I stopped. I see it has worked for many people, but the side effects are awful

I was not happy on Metformin.

AbsoluteNG

Metformin made me sick as a dog. it was so hard to take it I stopped. I see it has worked for many people, but the side effects are awful I was not happy on Metformin.

You are insulin resistant, that's why it's harder for you to lose weight. Taking Metformin helps fix your problem until you fix your glucose levels which is done by losing weight. Extremely low carb with high fat and high protein is the way to go. You only need to eat enough carbs to allow you to function in a day. For most people it's around 40 grams. Get a blood glucose meter and keep track of your glucose levels. High levels of glucose means hard to lose weight. You want it to be low most of the day.

LisaWixom

It takes hard work and dedication. It seems like even when I just take one cheat (popcorn at a movie, a coke etc) I am up 2/3 lbs.

We gain easier and it is definitely harder to take off.

Kristy7418

I'm in the same boat. I have changed my diet drastically. Have really cut my sugar and white flour / starches from my diet. I eat whole wheat everything now and lots of fruits and veggies. Try to work out as many days a week as possible. The weight is starting to come off slowly but it's coming off.

Jennisin1

Low carb diet and lots of exercise equals success for me....

ItalianFire91

i have PCOS and am trying to be super careful with sugar and carbs, still doing some research, basically if i lose all my weight i have a good chance of treating my PCOS. although PCOS makes losing weight hard

omma_to_3

Metformin made me sick as a dog. it was so hard to take it I stopped. I see it has worked for many people, but the side effects are awful I was not happy on Metformin.

You are insulin resistant, that's why it's harder for you to lose weight. Taking Metformin helps fix your problem until you fix your glucose levels which is done by losing weight. Extremely low carb with high fat and high protein is the way to go. You only need to eat enough carbs to allow you to function in a day. For most people it's around 40 grams. Get a blood glucose meter and keep track of your glucose levels. High levels of glucose means hard to lose weight. You want it to be low most of the day.

This is not accurate. Insulin resistance may eventually lead to glucose issues, but many people with IR have normal glucose levels. Also, losing weight doesn't fix the problem for everyone. My issues CAUSED the weight gain. Losing weight has never fixed my insulin levels nor my PCOS symptoms.

xoxomarshmallow

i have pcos too. :-(

Ashley_Panda

Metformin made me gain.

I have PCOS, Hashimoto, the whole deal.

Ask your doctor, not a website.

foxylady522

I see that others already responded with this but low carb is the way to go. I found that I was able to lose weight without the use of Metformin once I did low carb. I did a true Atkins diet for a period of time with the best success. I have also done South Beach. Those guidelines have been very helpful in educating myself on food and what I need in order to lose weight. It is so much harder to lose with PCOS. However, with eating within a lower carb diet I am able to lose much better.

Lauren_Ellison

I have PCOS too and it is insane how much it affects weight loss. I try to drink LOTS of water and am limiting my white sugar.

You are not alone! Keep kicking butt!!

spike90

I have PCOS (been diagnosed by doc). It does make losing weight very difficult. You need to go see your doc (I saw my OBGYN) and they will so some blood tests, check you for cysts in your ovaries, and do a question/answer test. If you have PCOS and are insulin resistant (which I am not), they can put you on Metformin which apparently helps with weight loss. They will also put you on a certain type of birth control to lower your androgen levels (the birth control hinders my weight loss unfortunately).

The best thing for PCOS to lose weight is exercise, and a low carb/heart healthy diet. My diet is not that great so I would probably have done better at losing weight it I could have the willpower to eat better. If you think you have PCOS, please get checked as it leads to heart disease, ovarian cancer, and diabetes. It also can have nasty "side effects" if not treated like non cancerious ovarian cysts (which I have had and are very, very painful) and things like growing hair on body/face (luckily I don't have this problem), and causing your hair to fall out of your head (this problem I do have). It is not really cureable but is treatable with the right medicines and healthy living.

Espressocycle

My wife has it. She used to be fat. She lost the weight and kept it off. All I can say is, any condition that makes it a little harder to lose weight or a little easier to gain can't keep you overweight forever if you maintain a deficit, so don't make it an excuse. Just congratulate your super-efficient metabolism for being oh so good at wringing every calorie out of your food and storing it so well and move on.

AbsoluteNG

Metformin made me sick as a dog. it was so hard to take it I stopped. I see it has worked for many people, but the side effects are awful I was not happy on Metformin.

You are insulin resistant, that's why it's harder for you to lose weight. Taking Metformin helps fix your problem until you fix your glucose levels which is done by losing weight. Extremely low carb with high fat and high protein is the way to go. You only need to eat enough carbs to allow you to function in a day. For most people it's around 40 grams. Get a blood glucose meter and keep track of your glucose levels. High levels of glucose means hard to lose weight. You want it to be low most of the day.

This is not accurate. Insulin resistance may eventually lead to glucose issues, but many people with IR have normal glucose levels. Also, losing weight doesn't fix the problem for everyone. My issues CAUSED the weight gain. Losing weight has never fixed my insulin levels nor my PCOS symptoms.

Good to know. So if your weight gain is the cause of insulin resistance, what I said earlier holds true but if insulin resistance causes weight gain, you're body is out of luck for using insulin like a normal person even if you lose weight. Is that a fair assessment?

omma_to_3

Metformin made me sick as a dog. it was so hard to take it I stopped. I see it has worked for many people, but the side effects are awful I was not happy on Metformin.

You are insulin resistant, that's why it's harder for you to lose weight. Taking Metformin helps fix your problem until you fix your glucose levels which is done by losing weight. Extremely low carb with high fat and high protein is the way to go. You only need to eat enough carbs to allow you to function in a day. For most people it's around 40 grams. Get a blood glucose meter and keep track of your glucose levels. High levels of glucose means hard to lose weight. You want it to be low most of the day.

This is not accurate. Insulin resistance may eventually lead to glucose issues, but many people with IR have normal glucose levels. Also, losing weight doesn't fix the problem for everyone. My issues CAUSED the weight gain. Losing weight has never fixed my insulin levels nor my PCOS symptoms.

Good to know. So if your weight gain is the cause of insulin resistance, what I said earlier holds true but if insulin resistance causes weight gain, you're body is out of luck for using insulin like a normal person even if you lose weight. Is that a fair assessment?

Yup, that's pretty accurate. The only thing that helps is the Metformin and exercise. They both help your body use insulin more normally.

Punkedpoetess

For me, limiting refined carbs and sticking with mostly whole grains, vegetables, fruit, and other such complex carbs helped me out. I also am very careful to stay under the carb limit each day. I also do not have insulin resistance, but do have PCOS. At this point I am very well managed with Ocella (generic form of Yaz birth control) and eating well along with exercise. If you have insulin resistance, many do well with a lower carb diet. I would talk to your doctor or a nutritionist for some advice of what would work for you specifically. For me though, limiting my refined carbs seemed to be good enough.

lisamarie2181

My wife has it. She used to be fat. She lost the weight and kept it off. All I can say is, any condition that makes it a little harder to lose weight or a little easier to gain can't keep you overweight forever if you maintain a deficit, so don't make it an excuse. Just congratulate your super-efficient metabolism for being oh so good at wringing every calorie out of your food and storing it so well and move on.

The problem is PCOS is so different from person to person. Some women experience all the horrible symptoms, some don't, I think it all depends on your hormone levels, metabolism, and lifestyle. For a lot of ladies with PCOS, weight loss and a diet low in sugar subsides a lot of the symptoms we deal with having PCOS, usually the more weight you lose, the more the symptoms go away. There are some women that can lose not going low carb, but I do have a lot of friends on here with PCOS and a lot are on some form of low carb diet. I have also tried myself to not have to be a lifetime low carber, I tried a pescatarian diet, ate very healthy, all whole foods, and was gaining weight ON A DEFICIT. You will see all over these boards that it isn't possible, but yes it is when you have a metabolic condition. I don't keep my calories at a set amount now because eating low carb takes a way your appetite, so I eat when I am hungry, and I usually fall between 1500-2000 cals. And I am losing. Wasn't losing in the same calorie allotment when I was eating carbs, so for most of us, watching your carbs really does matter. We have a lot of issues just like a diabetic, so this is why low carb or low glycemic is suggested for PCOS. Going low glycemic is not always enough for us, some have to be more strict to see results.

I don't believe we use having PCOS as an excuse, for people who don't have it, yeah they are going to think that, but until you have struggled with this yourself, you have no idea. I lost 40 lbs last year and just completely stopped. I was still working out, watching everything I ate, nothing. I tried IPOARM, upped my calories, gained weight - went and had my RMR tested, upped my cals to where they told me to, gained weight. I have gained back 20lbs of the 40 I lost last year trying to figure out how to fix my metabolism. I think IPOARM works for a lot of people, but when you have PCOS there is a lot of adjusting that needs to be done, which in the defense of IPOARM, Dan does state that people with metabolic issues may have this problem and need to adjust. My RMR test said I was burning over 2000 cals at rest, but when I ate that eating a regular diet, was gaining. I went back to low carb, actually following a keto approach, around April of this year, and the weight is FINALLY starting to come off. I was stalled out for about 5 months, and was as patient as I could possibly be. It is very difficult keeping motivation and the drive when you are not getting ANY results. And this is a big reason we struggle so much. I see girls on here all the time crying when they haven't lost in a week or two, try months and see how it feels - very discouraging.

Losing weight with PCOS is definitely very difficult for some, not as bad for others, it really all depends on the severity of your personal symptoms. I have high testosterone levels, which is causing hair loss, infertility, etc. But I don't have the issues with facial hair, things of that nature. I have been eating a clean whole food diet with the occasional convenient things for a couple years now, and I think it has helped make a huge difference and rid some of those symptoms for me. I would suggest trying to eat as clean and whole food as you can, there are alot of things in pre packaged processed foods that mess with hormones and add more chaos to our already weakened bodies. I buy meat that has no hormones or antibiotics and try and buy organic or locally grown veggies as often as I can. I was also told by my doctor to stay away from soy because it messes with women's hormones and we don't need more of that lol And soy is in ALOT of pre packaged processed foods, which is another reason I eat the way I do. I would just do the best you can, if you can't afford these things, afford what you can and do your best.

Also, there are a lot of great PCOS websites out there with a lot of good helpful information. My mom gave me this article about a vitamin supplement that works just like Metformin, have to find the article for the name, but I am going to try that and see how it works. I do take supplements, some that are suggested by these websites, to try and help with the hormone inbalances. Another thing worth looking into

Sorry for the novel all, I know how it is having this and what a pain in the *ss it is!! If any of you need more support, feel free to friend me, I have lots of great friends on here dealing with the same issues, always help having others that understand

Good luck and research, research, research! :flowerforyou:

jbirkett7

I echo what PPs have said about PCOS realizing itself in different ways for different people. I have not gone low carb, though I do not eat alot of white bread / rice and am losing. What I think works for me best is the focus on exercise. If I don't exercise I don't lose weight even at a deficit.

Best of luck to you. Hope you figure out what works for you (it's alot of trial and error I think for those of us with this syndrome) and know that there are others out there who do understand what you are going through.

saratf

I have PCOS and have lost about 30 pounds and am now at a healthy weight. Metformin made me sick, too, but it got better with time (and starting off on a low dose). I only stayed on the metformin long enough to get pregnant. To lose weight, I didn't go low carb, but I did try to keep my carbs around 160/day. I also tried to eat less processed food.

Have you had blood tests done? My ob-gyn ran blood tests to determine that I had PCOS, and my primary care physician ran blood work and found that my fasting glucose levels were high.

AbsoluteNG

I have PCOS and have lost about 30 pounds and am now at a healthy weight. Metformin made me sick, too, but it got better with time (and starting off on a low dose). I only stayed on the metformin long enough to get pregnant. To lose weight, I didn't go low carb, but I did try to keep my carbs around 160/day. I also tried to eat less processed food.

Have you had blood tests done? My ob-gyn ran blood tests to determine that I had PCOS, and my primary care physician ran blood work and found that my fasting glucose levels were high.

160 grams of carbs seems like a lot. Have you tested at home to see if your glucose is still high on your current diet? I'm assuming you know that insulin resistance leads to type 2 diabetes if you leave your glucose levels unchecked?

saratf

I have PCOS and have lost about 30 pounds and am now at a healthy weight. Metformin made me sick, too, but it got better with time (and starting off on a low dose). I only stayed on the metformin long enough to get pregnant. To lose weight, I didn't go low carb, but I did try to keep my carbs around 160/day. I also tried to eat less processed food.

Have you had blood tests done? My ob-gyn ran blood tests to determine that I had PCOS, and my primary care physician ran blood work and found that my fasting glucose levels were high.

160 grams of carbs seems like a lot. Have you tested at home to see if your glucose is still high on your current diet? I'm assuming you know that insulin resistance leads to type 2 diabetes if you leave your glucose levels unchecked?

The ADA recommends 135-180 grams of carbs a day for type 2 diabetes (http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/ask-the-expert/ask-the-dietitian/archives/how-many-carbs-can-i-eat-per.html). I recognize that many people need to have fewer, but I've done fine eating this much.

I haven't checked my glucose levels at home because I was never counseled to. My glucose levels were high for me, not necessarily high enough for my doctor to be concerned.

AquaFitQueen

Well, first, try to get a confirmation from you doc.

Losing weight is harder with PCOS. It just is. But if you stay dedicated, and absolutely stop comparing yourself to others, you can do it.

The majority of us PCOS gals have a much higher rate of success by eliminating processed carbs from your diet (white flour, white sugar, etc). Stick to whole grains and get your sugars from fruits. And sadly, you should try to limit these as well.

Most importantly, don't give up. It IS harder. But just imagine how good you'll feel about yourself when you accomplish your goals!

This!! I AM diagnosed and the GP supports low carb/keto eating for me as it helps not only with weight loss but with bloating and water retention. I am able to lose more this way than I am on just a calorie controlled diet. Here on MFP you will come across lots of opinions of people telling you what to do to your body. Do not listen to them, instead, research until your eyeballs bleed and figure out what is going to work with your body chemistry!!!

toscarthearmada

I had PCOS and Insulin Resistance 13 months ago. I started low carb dieting and exercising three times a week. I started a diet called "Link and Balance" where you eat 7 protein for every 15 carbs. The weight fell off! I'm currently 95 pounds lighter and no longer have PCOS or Insulin Resistance.

Low carb dieting changed my life and it's really manageable to maintain. If you learn how to portion control, it makes it so much easier! If you're not already low carb dieting start by taking baby steps and using MFP!

I'd love to have you as a friend!

MotherOfTwins2010

My doctor told me I have polycystic ovaries but not the syndrome whatever that means I just assume I have less severe PCOS but I most definitely have the menstrual symptoms and more testosterone than I need. I had trouble losing weight after having my twins and was 5'3" and 155-160 for a year afterwards (pre-pregnancy weight had been 128) I also have bad hormonal acne. I decided to tackle the acne since the weight was getting harder to eliminate. I stopped eating any and ALL dairy. I mean reading labels for everything bread, meats, anything that wasn't fresh fruit or veggies. My acne started to clear up and to my surprise weight started falling off. It got to the point were I was nearly underweight (5'3" and 109) so I sadly had to lower my frequency and intensity to stop losing but anyhow for me the no dairy worked.
Just a disclaimer I am 99% sure I also have a mild dairy allergy because when I did relax about the dairy and ate some cream sauce after 2 months of abstaining I ended up with joint swelling and pain, migraines, a runny nose, canker sores all over my mouth and nausea within an hour of eating it.