losing weight with PCOS

My mum called me yesterday to say that she had caught the end of a programme on Tuesday night in which a doctor was talking about how hard it is for people with PCOS to lose weight no matter how hard they try. I was told years ago I had it but other than taking a contraceptive for a couple of years I have never been medicated for it and in my own head don't really give it much consideration. Long story short my mum said the doctor concluded that the only way that people with PCOS can lose weight and keep it off is either by gastric band or bypass. I disagree and although this is an option for some people, who I applaud, it's not a route I wish to go down. Does anyone else have an opinion on this or any weight loss tips?

Replies

  • I have pcos also but with diet and exercise it can be done with a little extra struggle. I've done research and low carb seems to be the way.
  • I've recently started the DASH diet and its working wonders for me, my daughter also has PCOS and she is definately loosing weight. There is actually an insert in the book regarding. This is an extract out the book.
    "
    Many people who struggle with weight and health issues have what is known as
    metabolic syndrome (also called dysmetabolic syndrome, or Syndrome X). Women with
    PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) may have metabolic syndrome. It is related to a
    combination of symptoms, including elevated triglycerides, blood pressure, blood sugar,
    and waist circumference, and/or low HDL. Current estimates suggest that 25% of
    Americans have this syndrome. Fortunately, the DASH Diet Weight Loss Solution
    addresses all of these symptoms. In addition to your waist size shrinking, your blood
    pressure should become more normal, along with your triglycerides, HDL, and blood
    sugar."
    Hope this helps.
  • emienne
    emienne Posts: 29 Member
    I have pcos also. All I can say is that you CAN lose weight without surgery. So far I have lost 30kg (67 pounds) over the last 8.5 months. I still have a long way to go. For me, it's taking twice as long as it should for the amount of effort I'm putting in. I track everything very carefully and for every 1 kg I 'should' be losing, I am only losing half, if that. Which is extremely frustrating, but that's the only option I have so I keep at it.
    I have also read that low carb is supposed to be the way to go. But at this point I am just making sure I have a large enough calorie deficit and making sure I do some strength exercises along with cardio.
  • duvella
    duvella Posts: 30 Member
    i have PCOS and it is the biggest stress in my life. the side effects and weight are some days too much to handle. I find when i ditch the carbs my weight and well being improves but for me its hard and boring to eat day in day out.
    Weight loss can be done with diet and exercise but it is not easy and always an uphill battle. Finding discipline however seems the hardest part of the battle.
    Any tips or tricks you've found that worked please share as the more help and support the better for us suffers.
  • nadinesanut
    nadinesanut Posts: 4 Member
    I take metformin for my pcos. It makes me a bit tired but it has made me get a period again. Which is good. But it also makes me **** like crazy if i eat the wrong foods. So i read a lot on what we should and shouldnt eat. Obviously clean eating is the best for us. Lots of women with pcos rave about the paleo diet. But i cannot afford all fresh all the time. Ive incorporated more veggies and fruit. Less junk and its helping i think. Plus when i eat lots of veggies i dont have poop problems with thr metformin
  • kellymac518
    kellymac518 Posts: 132 Member
    low carb is working for me... i try to stay close to 100 net carbs most days but on the weekends i am a little less strict about it. i don't lose as much in a week as most people without pcos would, but i am still losing at least a little bit each week. i also do at least 5 days per week of exercising for around an hour each day... usually cardio but i throw in some weight training now and then