PCOS/IIFYM/reverse dieting

ChloeSienna

Hi all

I would like to start reverse dieting/IIFYM.

I already eat pretty low carb, but I have PCOS and have been struggling to lose weight ever since I remember. Currently I am doing the “5:2 fast diet” – where I “fast” 3 days a week (eating 500 calories) and eating 1400 calories on non-fast days. I do lose weight on this – however, I leaves me energy-drained due to the low overall calorie intake.

So my questions is: do you think I need to take some time off fasting, before I start reverse dieting? Or just add calories from here?

I am afraid to gain weight, since I have been eating low calorie for months now/low calorie for years. The PCOS does not help either – in fact I am very uncertain if it will even be possible to increase calories that much without gaining too much because of this stupid PCOS

Would love to hear your thoughts.
PS: I workout 4 days a week, heavy strength training and recently started 3 HIIT sessions pr week. Looking to go from144 pounds to around 115 at 5’5. I used to be 200 pounds.

sushidulces

In my personal opinion, I think you aren't eating enough/getting enough sustenance for the activities you are doing therefor you aren't losing. I am a newbie to IIFYM and I have lost 10 lbs in the past 3 months. I do moderate exercise 4 times a week. Reverse dieting takes a lot of planning, but it definitely is effective. You do have to toy around with the figures you get, as it suggests 1 g protein per lb of body weight, but that's probably not ok if one is 200 lbs.

IIFYM helps you meet what macro nutrients your body needs according to your lifestyle. You'll see that you do need more cals/protein/fat than you are currently receiving.