PCOS

tarranp

Anyone else with PCOS really struggle with losing weight??

anonymousllama

Ugh it's so frustrating! I'm eating well, i'm working out twice a day and i was stalled on the scale for 3 weeks. When it finally did move it was only a half pound. Do you take Metformin?

Nyksta

I have done in the past.... but really what my problem is putting it on again too easily when giving in to the carb cravings. I've found following MFP to be a steady no-stress way of losing the weight

anonymousllama

I definitely feel like MFP is keeping me motivated, even when i'm not seeing the loss. I love the feeling after entering my exercise for the day.

mychellelynne

I have PCOS and stuggled for 3 weeks with losing nothing. I was exercising an hour a day x 6 days a week. I was eating right and making sure to hit my numbers.

This last Thursday I started Metformin again. Since Thursday I have lost 1.4 lbs. I know this wont last forever but it is a good kick start. Also, I changed my settings to only allow me 40% carbs instead of the normal 55%. This so far has worked for me.

I wish you the best of luck as this is not an easy thing to compete against.

Michelle

rachelhohenbrink

I have known about my PCOS for about 3-4 years. When I first found out I went on Metformin and a low carb diet. I really disliked the Metformin and eventually stopped using it. I lost a lot of weight at first and then just kept even for awhile. I recently saw a chiropractor who told me abou the link between gluten intolerance and PCOS/w insulin resistance. I gave up gluten 2 weeks ago and I feel amazing! I feel light as a feather like I have lost a bunch of weight even though I have not. I would really suggest to anyone who has this problem to try a gluten free diet and see how it impacts your life and weight loss. Good luck!

rachelhohenbrink

Also I forgot to mention that going gluten free has helped me to kick my sugar cravings/carbs! I don't feel like I can't control myself anymore

SHHitsKaty

I have a friend who just recently found out she has PCOS and is struggling with trying to lose weight. She seems to be doing fairly well, not as quickly as she'd like, but she's till losing and that's the best part.

rachelhohenbrink

http://www.livestrong.com/article/418637-grain-free-diet-for-pcos/

rachelhohenbrink

http://nourishedkitchen.com/my-story-recovery-from-celiac-disease-pcos-and-autoimmune-thyroid-disease/

ghostdivatonya

I have PCOS and was on Metaformin all last year. It does help but it makes dropping the pounds VERY difficult so I sympathize with ya!!

I'm off the meds now but still struggle. Sorry and I wish I could encourage you more but I am in the same court as you are!!!

tarranp

I'm not on any treatment for my PCOS as me and my husband would like to have children. I've been living on around 1400 calories a day for weeks (give or take a few calories) and although my exercising hasn't been very strict, I don't seem to lose any weight. Last year I was at the gym every two days for at least 45 minutes each day and I lost about 3lbs. So frustrating.

turtlefitnessdad

My wife struggles with PCOS and is frustrated with her weight loss. If you ladies would not mind giving me some advice to tell her i would really be gratful.

turtlefitnessdad

I'm not on any treatment for my PCOS as me and my husband would like to have children. I've been living on around 1400 calories a day for weeks (give or take a few calories) and although my exercising hasn't been very strict, I don't seem to lose any weight. Last year I was at the gym every two days for at least 45 minutes each day and I lost about 3lbs. So frustrating.

My wife is on Metformin. That helps with weight loss right? We also want to have children, so why do you say no treatment? I thought Metformin helped with that, am i wrong here?

MaxlacusNight

I think honestly one of the best things you can do is to limit carb intake. I hover around 100g a day give or take 20. If you plan on going on a high protein diet, like most of us do, you need to make sure to take in about 100g of carbs or you may be in danger of hurting your body from long term ketosis.

I've been dealing with PCOS for over seven years. Started in high school for me, got diagnosis around 18 and I'm currently 24. The best thing that ever worked was the Six week body makeover diet, but it is extremely hard to maintain! Weight watchers can be a good program but you really really have to watch the amount of refined Sugars you are taking in. Going to high with that is the same as being on a carbohydrate binge. Which, face it, we all do!

Keep in mind that even with a super strict diet change, it is still incredibly, out of this world difficult for some women with PCOS to lose weight. But it does happen! It really does! I encourage everyone to just keep working for it.

My moto is Low carb, low sugar, moderate fat, high protein, high fiber. It's been working so far for me. 10ish pounds in two months

MaxlacusNight

I'm not on any treatment for my PCOS as me and my husband would like to have children. I've been living on around 1400 calories a day for weeks (give or take a few calories) and although my exercising hasn't been very strict, I don't seem to lose any weight. Last year I was at the gym every two days for at least 45 minutes each day and I lost about 3lbs. So frustrating.

My wife is on Metformin. That helps with weight loss right? We also want to have children, so why do you say no treatment? I thought Metformin helped with that, am i wrong here?

Metformin is first and for most a diabetic drug. It's purpose in treatments for women with PCOS is to regulate insulin levels. The regulation of Insulin can in turn sometimes regulate the hormones that are on the same connective path. It's been a while since I've had Biochemistry, but I believe that it's sort of the right philosophy. Regulating the right hormones can then help reduce the number of cyst's forming because it carries a ovulation to term (Which would otherwise be cut short resulting in the cyst formation). Carrying ovulation to term is like a wam bam thank you ma'am to getting pregnant. Keep in mind too that you need to have the right hormones, in the right balance to then support the pregnancy. Stuff get's messy when it comes to hormones.

Edit* In short, yes, Metformin can improve your chances, but then again so does weight loss because it allows for the body to naturally begin regulating the hormones that our fat cells secrete. (I need to stop.) Feel free, anyone, to message me if you want.

turtlefitnessdad

I think honestly one of the best things you can do is to limit carb intake. I hover around 100g a day give or take 20. If you plan on going on a high protein diet, like most of us do, you need to make sure to take in about 100g of carbs or you may be in danger of hurting your body from long term ketosis.

I've been dealing with PCOS for over seven years. Started in high school for me, got diagnosis around 18 and I'm currently 24. The best thing that ever worked was the Six week body makeover diet, but it is extremely hard to maintain! Weight watchers can be a good program but you really really have to watch the amount of refined Sugars you are taking in. Going to high with that is the same as being on a carbohydrate binge. Which, face it, we all do!

Keep in mind that even with a super strict diet change, it is still incredibly, out of this world difficult for some women with PCOS to lose weight. But it does happen! It really does! I encourage everyone to just keep working for it.

My moto is Low carb, low sugar, moderate fat, high protein, high fiber. It's been working so far for me. 10ish pounds in two months

What is Ketosis?

kristafb

I have known about my PCOS for about 3-4 years. When I first found out I went on Metformin and a low carb diet. I really disliked the Metformin and eventually stopped using it. I lost a lot of weight at first and then just kept even for awhile. I recently saw a chiropractor who told me abou the link between gluten intolerance and PCOS/w insulin resistance. I gave up gluten 2 weeks ago and I feel amazing! I feel light as a feather like I have lost a bunch of weight even though I have not. I would really suggest to anyone who has this problem to try a gluten free diet and see how it impacts your life and weight loss. Good luck!

I've been toying with cutting out gluten for a while now after a few people said how much better they felt once they did but none of them had pcos. Thank you for this post. Its helped me decide its time for me to give it a try too!

kazzsjourney

I do have PCOS and lose slowly but have found it completely doable, just have to stick to our guns...I found having one grain free meal per day helps

turtlefitnessdad

I thought the main issue was carbs..................am i incorrect?

kazzsjourney

Its not as simple as just being about carbs. PCOS affects everyone differently. Carbs are more of a issue with those who are also insulin resistant (for an example I am not...whilst I try most days to have one grain free meal per day...I dont do low carb and I have lost 180 pounds)

Lupercalia

I'm doing ok. I don't take Metformin or any other drug. I've sorted myself out with dietary changes and regular exercise. I eat a low carb, gluten and grain free diet. Mostly meat, healthy saturated fats, and veggies. I eat around 1800-2000 calories/day, exercise 4-5 times/week lifting heavy weights and training kettlebells. I walk everywhere. I eat 3 nice big meals and do not snack at all. I really focus on trying to keep my blood sugar as even as possible, which isn't so difficult once you get into the groove of eating properly.

I've lost 55 lbs since July 2012. Prior to that, I'd lost around 70 lbs, and kept it off for about a year, but subsequently gained back about half of it. I gained that weight back due to my own poor dietary choices--I was going crazy with the sugars and grains and not exercising. Surprised I didn't gain more, actually.

I mostly feel great these days. My skin is looking great, have pretty normal periods without too much in the way of cramping/PMS. I've been gluten and (mostly) sugar free since July....been eating low carb paleo/primal diet since then. I feel like my hormones are much closer to being sorted out than they've ever been.

turtlefitnessdad

Do you mind if i ask for suggestions on what kind of things to be eating that help with this? My wife struggles to get enough food as she tries not to go over on her macros.

she is tiny. 4' 10''

tarranp

It's so encouraging to know there are other people that struggle like me. I'm not on Metformin because I believe that's primarily used for diabetes which I do not have. I've struggled with my weight since I hit puberty and it was only in the last year that I was actually diagnosed! (It certainly answered a lot of questions before I knew why I was 'this way'.)

Does anyone have good experience with lowering carb intake then? I'm pretty bad when it comes to carbs because I do absolutely love pasta and potatoes.

Lupercalia

Do you mind if i ask for suggestions on what kind of things to be eating that help with this? My wife struggles to get enough food as she tries not to go over on her macros.

she is tiny. 4' 10''

I just eat whole foods. I cook from scratch including making most of my own condiments, like mayo, ketchup, bbq sauce, etc.

This is what I eat: Any sort of meat, fish, veggies, eggs, healthy fats (coconut oil, real butter, olive oils, avocado oil, avocados, walnut oil). Nuts in very small quantities and not often. I'm careful with the sorts of fruit I eat and watch quantities (due to sugars) and try to avoid dairy (mostly because I'm intolerant and I find it increases my internal inflammation). I don't eat white potatoes, but I do have sweet potatoes. That's about it! I don't eat any sort of grains or processed junk foods, no sugar, no flour. No soy products of any sort.

I regularly drink water, coffee, and tea with the rare alcoholic beverage if I'm out with friends. That's usually vodka + soda with lime, or sometimes a glass of red wine.

I have my macros set at 60% fat, 25% protein, 15% carbs. I follow a hybrid paleo/primal low carb diet.

Lupercalia

It's so encouraging to know there are other people that struggle like me. I'm not on Metformin because I believe that's primarily used for diabetes which I do not have. I've struggled with my weight since I hit puberty and it was only in the last year that I was actually diagnosed! (It certainly answered a lot of questions before I knew why I was 'this way'.)

Does anyone have good experience with lowering carb intake then? I'm pretty bad when it comes to carbs because I do absolutely love pasta and potatoes.

Yes, I have had a very good experience with lowering carb intake. I've lost 55 lbs since July of last year after really cutting back on carbs and focusing instead on fats and moderate protein. I eat according to paleo/primal blueprint principles. Feel so much better!

GonnaBFit2510

Hi everyone, I don't personally have PCOS but my friend does and she has just started going to SW to try and help with loosing weight.

She had her first daughter after taking the drugs that they give for PCOS and then she fell pregnant again naturally 8 months after having her first the docs say she is a miricale baby as mum had so many cysts on her overies that there should have been no way that she would have got pregnant even with treatment!!

She found that both times she was pregnant she lost weight instead of gaining which she was so pleased about but as soon as she gave birth her weight just crept back up again. She has even thought about having her overies removed so then she won't have the problem but as she is otherwise healthy and under 35 the docs say that it isn't necessary so wont do it.

I am gonna tell her to maybe try and have a gluten free diet and see if that helps even if she just started out by cutting it down at first and see how she goes. Thanks for OP for posting

turtlefitnessdad

One lady already said so i am going to ask the rest of you You PCOS experts. What % do you have your carbs and sugers set at here on MFP?

nikol06

I suffer from PCOS. losing weight is difficult and it is hard to keep off. Keeping weight off is a lifestyle. This is something I've been struggling with for years.

ChrissieP80

I have PCOS with mildly elevated insulin and I have controlled it since I started on MFP. However I wasn't really overweight, just 'skinny fat', one of those strange PCOS--ers that have all the symptoms (hair, acne, irregular periods, skewed hormonal profile, and obviously, +++ovarian cysts) but not overweight. Just very unhealthy.

I changed my diet quite radically to 40%C:30%F:30%P (calorie ratio) and my cycles have gone from 2-3 months to 28 days almost on the dot. When I look at how I eat now compared to before, it is most definitely higher protein and lower carb. Fat - I dunno, probably around the same or less, but trying to get from better sources and avoiding trans fats.

Lulzaroonie

In all honesty, people who are working out to death to try and combat their PCOS weight symptoms, I think your problem isn't that it's not working, it's more that you're doing too much and you're stressing your bodies.
When you're stressed, your body releases hormones which tells your body to "stock up" because hard times are coming. So you might be losing weight, but your body is also clinging to anything you're giving it because working out so much is making your body think something bad is happening. So it's counter-productive.

My advice would be to cut out as much simple sugars as you can. Don't, don't DON'T stop eating carbs, because carbs are what fuels your body. It's like putting water in a car. Just make the change from white starchy carbs, like rice, pasta and bread, to wholemeal, brown rice, wholewheat pasta and bread. If you like potatoes, keep the potatoes. Swap milk chocolate for dark chocolate high in cocoa. It's not only good for your heart and lungs, but also really good at keeping the blues at bay.

And don't forget. What works for someone else, might not work for you. If it did, we would all be carbon copies of each other.

Keep up exercising, lift weights (they don't have to be overly heavy) and keep on eating.

Jillian Michaels has PCOS, and look at her...