PCOS and weight loss success

DawnEH612

Eating a diet similar to someone with diabetes will help... Still eat no less than your net BMR calories. Twins is very important. Also, exercise helps with stabilizing insulin and hormones... Even if just walking.

StarvingDiva

currently in the process of being diagnosed with PCOS...that sounds strange, but after 13 viles of blood and everything coming back normal, i have an ultrasound next wednesday. not to mention my sister just got diagnosed with it. the infertility thing kind of bugs me, but i've already come to terms with it when my doctor told me previously that i might be going through pre-menopause...so no babies anyways. I'm also a carb junky...chips are my weakness but my plan of action is to follow the GI suggestions, cut carbs and increase fruits and veggies (i'm already pretty good with that). No more booze no more junk food. time to bite the bullet and act like i deserve to lose 50 lbs. i've been busting my *kitten* for 2 years trying to lose weight, and i've only lost 10lbs, i have 2 years to lose another 40 before i get married.

I went to so many doctors, one would say I had it, the other would do a pelvic ultrasound and said I didn't because I had no scarring on my ovaries, finally I demanded a referral to an endocrinologist and she took one look at me and said you are unequivocally PCOS. After reading the book Master your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels (I read it in one day) It felt like someone actually got it, she hit on everything I've ever felt with having this stupid disorder. I feel like a lot of doctors in the medical community just do not have enough understanding of PCOS.

LoyalAngel16

From the time I was about 13 my mom was taking me to doctors to find out what was wrong. My cycle was never right from the beginning. It took me going to a fertility specialist at the age of 20 before I finally got someone who told me what was wrong. And the moment she walked and saw me, she knew right off what was wrong. So much blood work and so many ultrasounds and all doctors told me they didn't anything and didn't know what was wrong. Was so frustrating.

remisenforme

Is there anything you guys are doing differently, in terms of exercise, than non-pcos people? Haha. I have struggled to lose any weight when friends do less exercise and still lose with no problem. In terms of diet, I've been trying to cut back on carbs but it's tough sometimes.

StarvingDiva

I started really seeing consistent loss when I switched over to IF-Leangains particularly. Also it has seemed to help with the hormonal issues as well, my period is coming regularly and I'm ovulating as well. Losing between 1-2 lbs weekly. I also do P90x, strength training and cardio.

Lina4Lina

I think weight lifting is great and every woman should do it. I've been trying to exercise every day and I may even add in a couple twice/day exercise days in the future. I have to get used to my current routine first though.

I wanted to report in that I ate 1500 calories/day this past week, exercised every day (not every day was intense but had a few intense exercise days), and lost 5 lbs on my relatively high carb diet. I'm feeling pretty good and hope I can see another good loss next week

omma_to_3

I have been diagnosed with PCOS since before they called it that - about 22 years now. Low Carb eating (I did low GI) never really worked for me, was difficult to maintain, and made me crabby. The only thing that's worked has been Metformin with LOTS of exercise. I eat way too many carbs, and should try to cut those back, but will never try low carb again because I've proven I don't need to. I also have thyroid issues. I'm a slow loser, but I eat a good amount of food (I net 1200 to 1400 a day, and work out 5 days a week. So on workout days, I'm eating around 1800+). I walk, run, and bike for exercise. It's taken me about 15 months, but I've dropped 63ish lbs.

Here are some pictures for motivation:

jcjsjones

Hey Lady! I have PCOS and have lost 65# since January. It is VERY possible for you to lose weight!! However, my doctor put me on a BC pill a couple of weeks ago (my first one in about 3 years - not for pregnancy prevention, just the PCOS) and I have stalled for 3 weeks. I told her I would give it a month and if I stopped losing or gained weight I would stop taking the pill. Well, so far I'm not happy...we shall see!!

My goal is set as 1200 calories a day in MFP. I eat back my exercise calories, so I gross about 1400-1500 calories a day. I work out 6 days a week. I started out walking on a treadmil, and now I run, weight train, and do Zumba.

Good luck to you and your goals!! Feel free to add me if you like! :flowerforyou:

Lina4Lina

Switching or adding pills can make you stall. I had a 3 month stall once due to the pill but I stuck through it. I really never want to switch pills again, last one I did switch was because the previous one stopped being manufactured.

queeny1011

Hi I have to say I think it's great that everyone is supportive of each other. I was diagnosed a while back with PCOS, but for me I had to go to the doctor and say this is what is going on with me, with all my symptoms for them to finally listen. I need to lose a lot of weight, the aim is 100lbs I know it will take a long time but I want it and you don't get anywhere in life without trying.

I used to be on dianette but it had other issues for me and I am also on metformin when I can afford a prescription for it that is. I have just had some blood results back which also say that I have high cholesterol so I need to try and bring that down. Luckily for me I don't have diabetes yet but my family medical history isn't that great so I need to do more about my weight more than ever.

I've lost 11lbs which is good but it's easy to lose motivation when you can't see any change. I know I wont see change straught away but a little would be nice. There is one change I have noticed though and that is that for the last 2 months I have had a period whether just losing a little has done something or its a fluke I don't know.

Like a lot of you I'm a complete carb junky, fresh bread, pasta, potato omg I could just live on carbs and it's so hard not trying to have as many. I've joined a gym too and really like the cross trainer which is helping but another thing I found helpful is the hairy dieters cook book. It has some real home style, warm, hearty recipes that are lower in calories so you feel like you are being so indulgent but your not. It's also helped me with portion size as when I made a meal the portion size was huge!!!!

Think I'll take a look and the low Gi as some of you have recommended.
Gl everyone, you can all do it xoxo

anneerick

Suspected PCOS sufferer here... still considering getting a second opinion.

I started taking Metformin about 12 months ago, but I stopped taking it after about 4 months.

I'm successfully down 14kg (31 pounds), the goal is 40kg (88 pounds). I try to limit my carbs, but I love them too much! It can be done, we just have to work harder for it. I think it means we appreciate it more when we get there!

Feel free to FR me if you'd like. I'm on here every day.

I too stopped all the medication, they had me on metformin, BCP and spiralactone, I was so sick of taking all these prescriptions I went off them all. Did Accupuncture instead, it totally helped me as well as switching to IF.

Me too. I stopped all meds, they were just making my body feel wacky. It's a slow process but I am starting to see small weight loss results. Also, I have also been trying to get preggers for over 3 years with no luck yet....... PCOS is so frustrating....

omma_to_3

I am also on metformin when I can afford a prescription for it that is.

Are you in the US? Metformin is a $4 generic drug at most chain pharmacies like Target, Walmart, CVS etc.

queeny1011

I'm in England and as far as I'm aware i can only get it on prescription

Lina4Lina

Metformin messed with my stomach too much so I quit it.

queeny1011

Metformin messed with my stomach too much so I quit it.

did you have the slow release? As it did the same to my mum and nan so they were put on to a slow release but the dosage is what does it sometimes I think. It's no wonder people stop taking it with the pain and the upset.

Lina4Lina

Metformin messed with my stomach too much so I quit it.

did you have the slow release? As it did the same to my mum and nan so they were put on to a slow release but the dosage is what does it sometimes I think. It's no wonder people stop taking it with the pain and the upset.

I'm not sure. It actually caused me constipation and I'm never constipated! I figured maybe my diet and it didn't mesh and I never got up to the full dosage.

queeny1011

Metformin messed with my stomach too much so I quit it.

oh my goodness me, I've not actually heard of that happening, (well with the people I know who take it that is). Obviously the same medication wont affect different people in the same way there are many variables to take in to consideration, I do think it is a good in the vast things it is used to treat but it is about what works for you and what your happy with and doing and that's the main thing really. But stopping hasn't hindered your loss quite clearly so you're doing great :-)

LoyalAngel16

I never noticed much of a difference with the Metformin, just kept an upset stomach all the time. Been taking my BCP and spirnalactone religiously though. Wouldn't know what to do without those two pills.

Joannie30

Losing weight with PCOS is hard!!!!!!!!! but not impossible. I've lost 43lbs so far since Feb of this year.

Add me if u like!

HerBravado

Me. About 40 pounds though.
It took me a couple of years--
& it was difficult.
It still is, as the weight comes off slower than usual,
but I'm at it again.
So many factors go into making sure the weight comes off.
Generally watching carb intake was my best bet, & helped take off some of the belly fat.

Keightisgr8

I have PCOS and I've lost 67lbs so far. I workout and eat right.
It will be 2 years in January that I've been working towards my goal of losing 100lbs.

Ali_TSO

Yes ma'am....I was diagnosed when I was 23, I'm 30 now. I've lost 36 lbs so far, which isn't 50, but that's been lost since Nov, so I'm ok with that. :-) Feel free to friend me if you want (just leave a quick message reminding me who you are lol). The keys for me have been exercising at least 4 days a week, and trying to stay at least 50 below my goal in my carbs, which means I'm usually around 150-200 (goal is 257). That's by no means "low carb", it's just being a little aware of them. Good luck!

PlayDoh1234

I have PCOS... but it's hard to say if losing weight is harder for me than others since I really only know my side. My husband and I will be trying to conceive next year. I'm hoping my weight loss will only help with my fertility. When I was diagnosed, I was told that SOME people have pregnancy issues, but some people can have PCOS and have NO pregnancy issue.. So don't get defeated yet! Good luck with everything! Feel free to add me!

suzieqcookie

PCOS here! i also have a tipped uterus and have gotten pregnant easily THREE times so far, i am down 29 lbs. it has been in fits and starts but i just know because of the PCOS i have to hang in there to see results. Alas, not one period since i started mfp 65 days ago, but i'll take a 29 lb loss over a period anyday

Jkelly1221

54 pounds lost here, PCOS here. It has been a VERY difficult experience, but the most rewarding experience as well. When I started, I worked out 5-6 times a week and ate VERY VERY clean. I cannot stress that enough. I never cheated. I plateaued at 25 pounds and 45 pounds. The 45 pound plateau was vicious but I seem to be breaking it-but its a slow process. I still have about 25 pounds to go-hoping to get that off by the end of the year. But you can do it! If you have enough motivation and willpower, it can happen! Everytime I considered cheating on my diet, I would just really think about it "Would I rather eat this or would I rather continue to be successful?" At the end of the day, that's a pretty obvious choice.

mcfish618

I have lost 70lbs to date, I have been a constant yo-yo dieter my whole life. I no doubt had PCOS when I was in high school but was not diagnosed. I lost weight after I was married and got pregnant with my son. We tried for over 5 years to have another child, of course my weight was back up at the time and honestly...yes most people don’t get it I actually ate pretty healthy but when you have PCOS you have to eat totally different with low carbs and for me low sugar. After trying for 5 years to get pregnant and having a miscarriage I seen an endocrinologist who told me I would never have another child without infertility drugs and could not fix this myself….oh yeah mister??? I did tons of research and started eating higher but HEALHTY protein and low carb low sugar and walking I became pregnant and have 14 year old daughter that I was told I would never have......fast forward and I gained the weight back felt horrible and in January 2010 started living the higher protein/low carbs and doing interval workouts, elliptical, weight training and have lost and most importantly kept off 70 lbs. It is much harder but it can be done, you can sooooo do this!

Jkelly1221

Oh, and I do not have periods...like ever. But I did get pregnant in April-I had a miscarriage though. But it is possible to get pregnant, which gave me some hope!

JeicaRose

Hi
I have PCOS, Have only just finally been diagnosed about 12 months ago. The only thing that i have found that has helped me lose weight is acupuncture. Have lost 7kg = about 15lbs in about 5months without changing my diet. I cycle about 30mins each day intensely. I am on the pill and that is it, will be starting metformin soon for insulin resistance.
Before i started acupuncture i tried bootcamp for 6 months which was really intense and i lost no weight at all.
Am trying to lose weight at the moment to get my body baby ready to start TTC in a year or two.
I definitely recommend trying acupuncture for those who cant lose weight no matter what they try.
Hope this helps.

seddaslim

I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 18. I am now 32. It's not impossible to lose weight with PCOS. Reducing carbs & sugar or following a low glycemic diet will give you the most success. With prayer, weight loss & femara, I had a successful pregnancy. Even just losing 10% of your body weight can improve you menstrual cycle & fertility. Be determined, you can do it!

kdsp2911

PCOS right here! Bump for later!