Success with PCOS

brenbbb

Anyone out there have any advise for losing weight when you have PCOS? I have been restricting calories and walking and doesn't seem to be falling off quickly enough. I have struggled for about 10 years.

NYChick84

What is pcos?

lauren39421

Stay away from CARBS and SUGAR! Make sure you take your med regularly. If your not taking any med. Than thats why your not losing weight ( go to the doc and get mediformine) if you can! Do carido like dancing or something! I have pcos and its hard but the main thing is stay away from thoughs foods. Yes it will be nasty stuff you eat! But you will see results!

kiwi1003

I have PCOS and I've lost 40 pounds (some before starting on MFP). It was hard at first, but I've stuck with it. Now it is slow and steady, but happening! You can do it, just keep trying. I also seem to have more success when I'm eating more things that keep my insulin at steady levels.

daizylibra

I was diagnosed when I was a teenager. I ballooned up to 225 when I was in college. I had some success with low carbing. I tried ediets.com and ended up being a featured success story on their website. I lost 84 pounds and have kept it off for years. I struggle typically within a 10 pound range, but am still comfortable with where I'm at.

I agree that sugar and carbs are the devil for us. You will see changes around your waist if you watch your sugar and carbs. PCOS women typically have a lot of excess weight around their waists.

I think you really have to take charge of your PCOS, and not let it take charge of you. Excercise does wonders. Start small. I did, and worked up to half marathon.

kawanna941

I have been eating a low carb diet, usually around 100 - 120 net carbs daily. I have an appointment tomorrow and hopefully they can give me something to help. Some people eat only about 20 net carbs a day but I know I can't do that, it will only cause me to binge eat. So check with a doc and see what your options are.

kiwi1003

Stay away from CARBS and SUGAR! Make sure you take your med regularly. If your not taking any med. Than thats why your not losing weight ( go to the doc and get mediformine) if you can! Do carido like dancing or something! I have pcos and its hard but the main thing is stay away from thoughs foods. Yes it will be nasty stuff you eat! But you will see results!

You do NOT necessarily have to get on Metformin, I am not and doing just fine losing weight. Exercising and keeping a good diet, lowering those processed carbs will help you. And it won't be nasty either, it will be exactly what you make of it! Good luck!

chrystee

I have PCOS, and the big thing is processed foods, excess carbs and sugar. Even artificial sugars.

meycay

PCOS is Poly (many) Cystic Ovary (ovarian) Syndrome. Google it. : ) I found out I had it when I started fertility treatment with my first son. I am in the process of losing weight so I can have another baby and getting back on Metphormin was a given since that is what the fertility doctors prescribed FIRST THING.

I'm sure a good diet will help and the meds may not be an absolute but every little bit helps when you're trying to fight against your body to save your body, know what I'm sayin'? : )

rubyrubano

I have pcos, adenomyosis and endometriosis. I've cut a lot of carbs and no sugar except for fruit or agave and try to eat more like a diabetic and I've lost 23 pounds in the last month and a half! Keep it up and it will start coming off soon!!!

NaomiLyn15

I have PCOS and have lost 50 lbs total. If you are insulin resistant (which most with PCOS are), then you have to limit or completely remove processed carbs and sugars from your diet. If you feel like you can't get rid of all carbs, replace them with different types of grains that do not go through any sort of processing. This was the ultimate key to my success, but I also cut calories (I eat about 1380 now, but started at around 1200) and I exercise 4-6 days a week with an emphasis on cardio.

You can do it, and you really don't have to get on drugs to do it. You can try the drugs, but I hated them. They made me sick and didn't really increase the weight loss.

sun33082

Cut carbs and sugar as mentioned above. Also processed foods. Just try to eat as natural and lower carb as possible. I don't think you have to go to 20 net carbs and I don't know what the one person meant about eating nasty foods. I have PCOS too and have had the most success with the diet my doctor has me on which is low carb and no processed foods. I'm not on any meds for PCOS right now except birth control so that I have periods.

hausofnichele

I agree completely with eating less carbs (I eat around 100/day) and lower sugar. I have lost 38 so far on MFP (probably more if I didn't have cheats in there). Lower sodium works great for me. Lots of water. Lots of green tea. Lots of vitamins. Healthy oils. Try to eat as little processed food as possible. I eat nuts as a snack almost daily and that seems to work well in place of snacks like chips, crackers and cookies.

I also take a cinnamon supplement twice daily to help stabilize my blood sugar. Cinnamon is supposed to work well for those of us with insulin resistance.

Some can swear by eating little to no carbs and losing tons of weight rapidly but I've watched it backfire on myself and others around me. It isn't rationally sustainable in the long run (in my opinion). I read somewhere that 100 carbs per day is the target range for weight loss for those with PCOS. So that's what I've been doing and it's working for me. Try to make your carbs count - eat more "good" carbs like the ones that come from veggies and less carbs that come from flours and sugars.

Also, I had an extreme bad reaction to Metformin so it was not the answer for me. I have PCOS and am pre-diabetic.

cheryl_egan

Hi there. I was confirmed with PCOS a few months ago after finding a 'real' doctor who 'really' cared. My ultrasounds and bloodwork confirmed it. What we didn't know at the time was I'm also very insulin resistant (not quite yet diabetic but headed that way). So I started on Byetta injections to level out my insulin. Fast forward and I'm also on 1,000 mg on Glucophage twice a day. I have to take it faithfully. Nothing else has worked but Almased. Now... I don't push products...this is just what's working for me. I'm doing a shake in the morning, one for lunch, and then a 'green veggie' dinner. It's working after everything else didn't. I'm down 1.6 pounds since Monday the 20th. I couldn't be happier. Check it out. It may or may not work since everybody's different.

omma_to_3

Here's my success post: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/499389-my-first-success-post-pics-included

I've been DX'ed with PCOS for about 20 years (damn I'm getting old!). Low carb didn't help me lose weight. The only thing that made it possible was taking Metformin. Going low carb didn't control my insulin levels and I'd still have to starve to lose weight (800ish calories). I've been on Met for at least 12 years but didn't seriously try to lose weight until last year. It's still hard, it still takes a lot of work and exercise, but with Met, I am able to lose weight. Very slowly.

Good luck! PCOS sucks.

cjteacher

I am on the pill and metformin and I am losing. Metformin has made a difference for sure. I can't live without it. I am not as tired and feel so much better.

elizabrittt

I have PCOS as well, and just started trying to change my eating habits. I don't take Met ( bad reaction, typically don't like prescription drugs) but I do take cinnamon and a vitamin b complex. I could really use support/friends in this though so feel free to add me

shine_

I have PCOS and I've lost 50lbs since September. I'm definitely in the cut out (fast) carbs and sugar camp! It makes such a difference when you have PCOS. I am starting to reintroduce slow carbs into my diet little by little now which is working fine as well as long as I exercise 4-5 times a week. I watch my sodium intake as well. Not currently on any medication for my PCOS.

OnWisconsin84

I have PCOS & my highest known weight was 271. Without medication, I was able to lose the weight (110+ pounds) by paying close attention to carbs, sugar and sodium. To this day when I find myself slipping in any of these areas I tend to gain rather quickly.

sexycheesemonkey

I was diagnosed with PCOS after about a year or so of TTC...I was originally on Janumet, but my system was not absorbing the pill (my doctor diagnosed me with Type II Diabetes before the gyno diagnosed me with PCOS) I have lost 29lbs since starting my diet, and am feeling much better. Anyone that wishes to add me it would be great, there are so many people that dont understand the emotional situation that comes with PCOS, especially with so many of my friends conceiving...regardless of precautionary measures or not...=) good luck to you all in your endeavors.

AmberCHM

I would suggest you talk to your doctor. Everyone's experience is going to be different. As for me, I have PCOS (battled infertility for two years because of it) and have lost 67 lbs over the last 8 months. No medication, counting calories (not restricting carbs), exercise, and dedication. Metformin is a good option for some, but it's not for everyone.

La_Amazona

I have PCOS and have always been able to lose weight as long as I stuck with it. I used to take Met but stopped. I'm now on BCPs.

shvrngrl

I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2005. I was put on metformin, but didnt' like it so stopped taking it. I lost 98lbs by eating clean and exercising. For me, exercising is the big key. I have read exercising helps your body utilizing the insulin better. The change in my eating helped too. I've gained 40lbs since 2008, but that has been due to other things (you know, like eating too much ) The PCOS hasn't returned even with the weight gain, but I'm still active.Good luck to you.

starrygirl82

Everyone's body is different. You have to find what works for you. I try to take my metformin on a daily basis, but sometimes it does make me sick to my stomach. I find it best to do the low carb low sugar. I was eating WAY to much fruit and it backfired on me. Right now I'm trying to keep my daily intake at 50 carbs or less and VERY little sugar. When I lose enough weight, then I will SLOWLY increase my carb intake. The mistake that some people make when they lose the weight they want, then they go back to eating normal carbs and normal sugar. You can't do that though. Just be patient. Good luck!

Articeluvsmemphis

it seems like everyone has PCOS, I don't know if I have it, as I don't go to the doctor, but what do you mean by quickly enough? if you're losing or averaging 1 pound a week or 4 in a month, that's healthy and most likely fat, and the slower you lose, you're likely to keep it off long term. drink plenty water, eat when you're hungry, eat fruits/veggies. it's not hard, it's a matter or doing it, we're all a lot smarter and capable than we think we are.

southernyankee716

Hey- another cyster here! Exercise definitely plays a huge role in weight loss for women with PCOS. I think it's important to get at least 30 minutes of exercise in daily- it doesn't have to be intense- simply taking a daily walk around the block will help. For most of us, it takes longer to lose weight so the results won't be visible instantly but exercising daily is improving your overall health.

I know many women who have had success with The South Beach Diet (low carb) and/or a Low-Gi diet. I personally have lost a significant amount of weight following the SBD. I quickly became pregnant and gained nearly 100lbs. At this stage in my life the SBD just isn't something I could manage for the rest of my life. I wasn't losing weight at 100g carbs so I'm trying to keep them in the 50-75 range. You will have to experiment with food and find out what works for you because PCOS affects every women in different ways.

There are a lot of women on MFP with PCOS and most of them are very supportive. Feel free to add me if you like Good luck to you- You CAN do this!

tracy337

I have been eating a low carb diet, usually around 100 - 120 net carbs daily. I have an appointment tomorrow and hopefully they can give me something to help. Some people eat only about 20 net carbs a day but I know I can't do that, it will only cause me to binge eat. So check with a doc and see what your options are.

Actually I have done it and its not that hard to do. Lots of protein and fresh veggies. The only thing I have a hard time with is dairy lol I love my bread rice and pasta, but I LOVE dairy lol I ate more eating like this and eating like this is what helped me lost enough weight that PCOS was gone and watching carbs that close are no longer needed. I was able to work into a balanced diet and continued to lose. Good luck!

naseak

The varied opinions are interesting. I've struggled with weight for years sometimes it seems no matter what I do nothing works. And was wondering how others with PCOS deal with it. Also I would be interested how others deal with some of the other symptoms like excess hair growth? I've tried lazer hair removal but the Dr said the PCOS makes it hard for it to be perment, also the heavier you are the worse the PCOS symptoms are which makes it easier to retain weight have more excess hair a real vicious circle.

southernyankee716

The varied opinions are interesting. I've struggled with weight for years sometimes it seems no matter what I do nothing works. And was wondering how others with PCOS deal with it. Also I would be interested how others deal with some of the other symptoms like excess hair growth? I've tried lazer hair removal but the Dr said the PCOS makes it hard for it to be perment, also the heavier you are the worse the PCOS symptoms are which makes it easier to retain weight have more excess hair a real vicious circle.

I take a prescription drug known as Spironolactone (Aldactone) (DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT) to help with excess hair. It's also supposed to help prevent hair loss (scalp) but so far, it hasn't helped in that area. When I take it, some of the excess hair stops growing while other areas slow significantly. I also use tweezers to pluck the hairs. It can be a bit painful for beginners but I've been plucking for more than 10 years so it doesn't bother me. I would warn against shaving. I have heard of so many women shaving their faces and I just want to yell at them. Once you shave, you're risking the hairs growing in darker and more often.

omma_to_3

The varied opinions are interesting. I've struggled with weight for years sometimes it seems no matter what I do nothing works. And was wondering how others with PCOS deal with it. Also I would be interested how others deal with some of the other symptoms like excess hair growth? I've tried lazer hair removal but the Dr said the PCOS makes it hard for it to be perment, also the heavier you are the worse the PCOS symptoms are which makes it easier to retain weight have more excess hair a real vicious circle.

Because PCOS is a syndrome, it affects everyone differently. The side effects one person has are completely different than another's. For most women, PCOS is caused by insulin resistance, the IR is not caused by being obese. This is very true for me. Once I hit puberty, even though diet and exercise didn't change, I started gaining weight inexplicably and had to starve to lose any weight. I am VERY insulin resistant. My only other PCOS symptoms are anovulation (once a year only from age 14 to about 35 when my body suddenly started working again), and polycystic ovaries. I also have autoimmune issues that are frequently tied to PCOS. I don't have what most would call 'excessive' hair growth, but I come from a family of women who are basically hairless. My grandma has never had to shave her legs, and my mom can do it maybe once every 3 months. I have to do it daily. I also have a light mustache and a couple chin whiskers that I pluck. My suspicion is that people who can lose weight without Met are less IR than I am. There are even women with PCOS that are NOT insulin resistant at all, but have many other symptoms. That's what makes it so hard to compare what works for PCOS. And I find it pretty condescending when people say 'oh, you don't need medication. Just do xyz.' implying that I didn't try or didn't try hard enough. My body just doesn't FUNCTION that way. Just because we both have PCOS doesn't mean our bodies work the same way with it.

galegetsthin

I too, have PCOS. I take Metformin for it and am VERY careful about the quality of carbs and sugars. I try to get most of it from furit and veggies. I have lost 169 lbs so far....... it is possible, you just have to work to get the balance. I get about 100 - 120 carbs a day (90% of which I get from natural sources), feel full, continuously lose weight and only have about 30ish more to go!