Anyone else here with PCOS and trying to lose weight?

Samuraiko

I was diagnosed with PCOS back in my early 20s, although at the time, I was also fortunate enough to be hyperthyroidish, so the weight thing wasn't too much of a problem. Now, on the other hand, with me at age 39 and my thyroid presumably done with its mad dash (not yet been re-tested), the weight is on. 314.2 to be exact on my 5'8" frame.

Now, I admit, since I started with MFP on Tuesday, I am down 4.4 lbs (and no exercise as of yet) - woo! My goal is 175.

But does anyone have suggestions for keeping the PCOS from sabotaging my efforts? My insurance situation is still in flux (going from contractor to FTE means I finally have benefits) so prescriptions are off the table at the moment, but OTC suggestions? Dietary considerations? Anything?

Bueller? Bueller?

jenifr818

Hello from someone else with this evil b*tch of a disease. The best dietary advice I can give you is to eat fewer carbs, more protein and fats. Not sure what you're eating right now, but personally I eat a ratio of 30% protein, 30% fat, 40% carbs. Between that and exercise, that should help get you on your way.

Good luck!

kazsjourney

I have PCOS and have lost 180 pounds (started at 380 pounds and still have another 40 pounds or so to go). I find for me its best to eat mostly unprocessed....(I still do eat treats tho)....and I try and keep my carbs under 158 grams a day. Also exercise really seems to impact me well

Lupercalia

Hello, I also have PCOS and am not on any meds. I've lost a little over 100 lbs, and am looking to lose around 20 more pounds. I've been eating a low to moderately low carb paleo diet made up largely of protein and veggies and healthy fats. I stay under 150g/carbs per day right now, but when I started out, I found I needed to be a bit more strict with my carbs and stayed at 50g or less per day.

I exercise 5-6 days per week. I walk everywhere, lift weights, and train with kettlebells.

There's a PCOS group here on MFP that you might find helpful:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3070-p-c-o-sis

acupofcoffee

I take several prescriptions to control my PCOS but my doctor did recommend reducing carbohydrate intake. Maybe that is a place for you to start until you are able to see a doctor?

MickeyBoo

I have PCOS that was diagnosed in my twenties, and Type II diabetes as well, which they picked up at the same time. It is very common to have both or at least be pre-diabetic/glucose intolerant. I'm in my 30's now and although I've struggled with my weight it hasn't been because of my PCOS or diabetes, I've managed to keep my levels well controlled and the PCOS hasn't progressed.

Before starting on anything low carb its important to get a blood glucose test done, and ask for a HBA1C blood test to check your average sugar levels of the past three months, if you are pre-diabetic or diabetic then going low carb could have adverse effects that you'd want to avoid.

I am medicated for my PCOS and the same meds treat my Diabetes. I have found that there's nothing over the counter that really helps with either condition, however a balanced diet, not cutting out all carbs, probably more around the 40carb /30fat /30protein works and exercise everyday is going to be the most effective way that you can keep your system in check and lose weight.

T90LMTx

I have struggled with it for years and have tried most diets... they either don't work or they work for a bit and then stop. I am yet to be find a diet that has worked long term. I am a little lighter than what I was at my heaviest but enough is enough now. I have now resorted to a low calorie diet, in the hope that this will help to shift some weight. *fingers crossed*
It's a long up hill battle and it's very frustrating! If you need some support then feel free to add me as a friend. Good luck x

Samuraiko

Thanks everyone for the responses! While I'm still getting the hang of the reduced calorie thing (last night I slipped up, but onward I go), I'm slowly reassessing what I eat. The suggestion for lowering carbs but not entirely eliminating them just yet seems quite sound, so I will start incorporating that into my efforts.

Once I pass the 300-lb mark (which may happen faster than I'd thought!), I will be starting the Nerd Fitness Beginners Workout (that or the Angry Birds Workout, both of which have their appeal to my geek mindset), and then we shall see.

So awesome to find such supportive people on here.

jenifr818

Thanks everyone for the responses! While I'm still getting the hang of the reduced calorie thing (last night I slipped up, but onward I go), I'm slowly reassessing what I eat. The suggestion for lowering carbs but not entirely eliminating them just yet seems quite sound, so I will start incorporating that into my efforts.

Once I pass the 300-lb mark (which may happen faster than I'd thought!), I will be starting the Nerd Fitness Beginners Workout (that or the Angry Birds Workout, both of which have their appeal to my geek mindset), and then we shall see.

So awesome to find such supportive people on here.

Angry birds workout?? Totally something I need to look up :bigsmile: I've heard great things about Nerd Fitness. Either way, kick some *kitten*!

Samuraiko

Thanks everyone for the responses! While I'm still getting the hang of the reduced calorie thing (last night I slipped up, but onward I go), I'm slowly reassessing what I eat. The suggestion for lowering carbs but not entirely eliminating them just yet seems quite sound, so I will start incorporating that into my efforts.

Once I pass the 300-lb mark (which may happen faster than I'd thought!), I will be starting the Nerd Fitness Beginners Workout (that or the Angry Birds Workout, both of which have their appeal to my geek mindset), and then we shall see.

So awesome to find such supportive people on here.

Angry birds workout?? Totally something I need to look up :bigsmile: I've heard great things about Nerd Fitness. Either way, kick some *kitten*!

Link to it is here:
http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/03/10/angry-birds-workout-plan/

And since someone was kind enough via the comments section on that page to create a Google Docs spreadsheet that helps you figure out your levels, I swiped a copy and put it on my own drive (and fixed a couple of mistakes that had been on the original).

toscarthearmada

In April of 2012 I was diagnosed with Insulin Resistance and PCOS...

October of 2013 I'm 101 lbs lighter and cured of my Insulin Resistance and PCOS.

PCOS is NOT a death sentence. Unfortunately the only thing that properly works with PCOS is a low carb, low fat, low sugar diet.

I'd love to give more information about my Link and Balance diet, open diary to friends.

MeepleMuppet

I'm here at MFP for the same reason. There's a PCOS group here called PCOS.I.S with some great people. I recently learned from that forum that we "Cysters" needed to lower carb and sugar intake. I tried it for a week or two and ended up kick-starting a cycle. So that worked. The weight is coming off very slowly (about a pound every two weeks with a little sliding around) but this is my new life so I'm not in a hurry. Welcome and good luck!

Samuraiko

In April of 2012 I was diagnosed with Insulin Resistance and PCOS...

October of 2013 I'm 101 lbs lighter and cured of my Insulin Resistance and PCOS.

PCOS is NOT a death sentence. Unfortunately the only thing that properly works with PCOS is a low carb, low fat, low sugar diet.

I'd love to give more information about my Link and Balance diet, open diary to friends.

Go you!

(And yeah, I don't view PCOS as a death sentence. For me, it's more of an irritating inconvenience but it hasn't stopped me so far!)

Link and Balance? Sounds intriguing, do share!

ajlandon

Yeah, I lost 40ish lb and once I hit 160 (I'm also 5'8") decided that weight was good enough for now. Intense cardio and lifting sessions seemed to help, as well as aiming for whole foods most of the time (80% of my diet, give or take on any given day, consists of "real" food, the rest is stuff like Kind or Larabars, sometimes sugar in my coffee, a little bit of chocolate, etc.). I had untreated hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, and other general PCOS BS during all of that x.X

I'm going on meds for some or all of the above soonish, so my goals might change.

Samuraiko

If nothing else, I'm really hoping the weight loss brings the PCOS under enough control that I stop spotting and actually have a semi-normal cycle again.

ezf1268

UGH!
Im n the SAME BOAT. I need support to. I feel like im at my heaviest but idk. i have a SERIOUS case of PCOS n i hate it. I am suffering so bad with appetite n weight loss. i've been bleeding for almost a month n cramping in it just stinks. Please help me into what exactly u did to loose weight. PLEASEE. THX! N MY NAME IS LISA

Samuraiko

First off, if you can, go see a doctor. Spotting or longer-than-average periods are "normal" for PCOS folks, but going on that long is not good. If you're anything like I was, it was my body forgetting to produce the hormone that says, "HEY, KNOCK IT OFF!" Trust me on that one - I ended up in the ER going into shock because of the blood loss. Not fun.

Second, basically what I'm doing is following the calorie/macro limits here on MFP for my profile. The only other major dietary change was cutting out soda (that's my biggest weakness). I do VERY mild exercise for the moment, and in 5 weeks, I've lost about 15 pounds and a few inches here and there.

Two big things you will want to cut down on if you have PCOS - first is sodium (do as I say, not as I do - that is hard for me) to minimize water retention. The second is sugar, since PCOSers tend to have insulin resistance problems. I try my best to watch these, and so far so good.

katieNdan

hello im new to group! I was diagnosed in april this year, weighing 13stone and 5.3 in height.
I was reffered to an endo in my local hospital.
they started me on metformin and a low fat diet.
since april I have been exercising and dieting.
I returned october this year for a check up.
I had gained 7kg weighing just over 14stone.

my doctor has now increased my metformin to 4 times a day, more exercise and low fat no carb diet.
I have been sent my mri date on my head, as I get really bad headaches at the front of my head,
I suspect it is the growth on the brain, I spent most of yesterday with a headache I don't like to take pain relief but I do when I hate the pain!
I drink lots of water when I can.
im due to get married next year and would like to fit in to my size 14 wedding dress, purchased before my diagnosis!

yami0385

A few months I was diagnosed with pcos but there were only cyst in my right ovary. Now I have cyst in my left ovary and I gained 10 pounds! I get really bad migraines before my menstrual cycle and mood swings. It's really difficult trying to eat healthy and exercise consistently to reach a weight loss goal. I walk 4 days a week for 30 minutes but I am getting bored with the workout.

My problem is that when I try to do HIIT I lose weight but I can not do it for than a month. I believe HIIT is way better than walking but I always choose the easy peaty workout.

cafeaulait7

For those suffering the reproductive hormone issues of PCOS, my gyno was going to have me go on a strong progesterone OTC cream to help fix the estrogen imbalance. I ended up calling him and getting Prometrium instead (on my next period from hell), but he did say that the progesterone creams work if the dose is high enough for your body. The Prometrium is just a high dose period.

I researched anti-androgens to see about that problem, and spearmint tea was used in a couple of studies to help hirsutism. That means it cuts the extra androgens (or one of them). Also, Saw Palmetto helps disrupt the most potent kind. The Rx meds aren't the safest in the world and don't get to the root of the problem; that's where more progesterone can come in. But I think using the herbal anti-androgens is probably a good idea if those are your top concern (acne, hirsutism).

For insulin resistance, there are a whole lot of herbal remedies that have shown success in studies. You can take your pick for where to start, lol.

So there are OTC possibilities. The progesterone is probably the most important, aside from the insulin side of things.

I'm on Prometrium (vaginal, cos the side effects are soooo much less), trying to enjoy the extra testosterone if mine's still up there, and using diet and exercise to try to sort the high BG and triglycerides. My BMI is just barely overweight, but I'm working that, too. So far, I may have to take something for the BG problems (and so the triglycerides from that). I've gotten my numbers down, but they are still higher than I like. I'll either do Metformin or some of the fruity/food herbal choices (I think they are safest).

I hope that helps someone, lol. I wrote a book!

natures1st

I found something that works amazingly with me I have pcos and have had it for years I have finally lost 9 pounds and started drinking this tea that is a mixture of raspberry ketone African mango seed, green coffee bean extract, green tea, and GARCINIA CAMBOGIA in it and omg its amazing im hardly ever hungry and when I am I end up eat so little like yester day I was starting to feel hungry and I ended up eating some almonds very little bit filled me up its scary on how well this stuff worked on me ive tried raspberry ketone and green coffee bean and all kinds of other stuff but I guess alone they didn't really work well for me I mean my weight didn't go up with them but it also did not go down but I guess the mixture in it is so amazing the first day for to was a little iffy but when day three hit it was like omg I never really feel the need to eat and ive lost some weight already its just so amazing and where its in a tea form I drink it cold because im worried that the hot water might ruin the effects of it so I pop it into a bottle of water and let it set a little its so amazing the brand I have is zhena's extra strength slim me and it has those 5 things on it and its just so amazing! I belive I found the perfect weight loss supplement I hope it works for everyone else who takes it

crugani89

I was diagnosed with PCOS at 15. I have always struggled with weight, especially since I have a large chest (Measured at a 36 J at age 19). It wasn't until After my breast reduction that I have been able to start focusing on PCOS.

I have been active my whole life. I played competitive sports through high school, and how I am a half marathon runner and Tough Mudder, but no matter how much I work out, the weight does not come off. The only thing that has worked for me is the insulin-resistance diet. Now for me it was easy, I discovered I was gluten-intolerant, so my bread intake decreased anyways, but this has really helped in the weight department. But I would say that diet is 80-90% of healthy weight loss.

Stay strong and connected through MFP and other women living with PCOS, and make sure to talk with your doctor. They can be very helpful.

crugani89

Let me preface that I am not a doctor, and this is just from personal experience.

I was originally on Metformin when I was first diagnosed at 15 ( I am now 24). After two years I stopped taking it to see if it changed anything, well I lost weight and felt better. I have never been on Metformin since and my doctor was ok with it.

I am currently only taking birth control and a multivitamin.

As for diet, I agree with the low carb, but be careful with the low fat. Many fats are good for you, and I would hate for you to lose the benefits of it. But if that is the diet your rotor suggested, you may want to look into the Paleo diet. It has worked for many of my friends and my diet is somewhat similar. I am not completely Paleo, but I don't really eat a lot of bread, and try to stay away from dairy.

I know this is hard and most likely frustrating, but I am always here if you want to add me as a friend and/or send me messages.

goalss4nika

I have not been diagnosed with PCOS, but I have the embarrasing facial hair. I used to take the little white pills to help me come on my period and I was told I could never have children. So far, I have lost about 43lbs and it is still a battle but I am not giving up. Feel free to add me if you like.

mrsb070911

I've had Pcos since I was 15. I have epilepsy so that made my hormones go crazy. My husband and I want to try to have a baby once I lose 50 pounds or so. But I'm having trouble.