PCOS and Hashimoto's

MandaKayMakesIt

Hi all! I was recently diagnosed with both PCOS and Hashimoto's (though I've had an under active thyroid for over 20 years). I'm looking for people with similar diagnoses who are trying to lose weight...I thought it'd be helpful to have a group of people to share tips, stories, and generally support each other!

What's working for you? What are you struggling with?

LizCO2DC

We're already friends, but I too would love to meet other people who are going through the same thing.

I currently use herbs and supplements because traditional thyroid meds and Metformin were not working for me after 10 years on them. I feel much better off the Metformin and taking NatureThroid, but the weight is still so difficult to move. I've been hovering around 180 for about 4 months now, which is so frustrating. That said, I am happy that over the last year I've lost almost 20 lbs and managed to go a whole year without adding weight!

What's working for everyone else?

Cupcakehippiemommy

I only have PCOS but lowering my sugar and carb intake has helped and completely taking out all artifical sweetners only limited real sugar I also HAVE to work out otherwise I stall

LizCO2DC

That's probably the thing I struggle with most. I'm fairly decent about eating the right things, but I'm awful when it comes to working out. I'm just always so exhausted (probably because my thyroid is still not at the right level) so it's really hard to convince myself to work out.

MaddieCakes06

Thank you for starting this thread! I too have PCOS (diagnosed in 2011) and it'd be nice to chat with some fellow cysters about it.

It's taken me a few years to get serious about changing my lifestyle but I started the new year with a new workout plan and I'm happy with my progress so far. I've adjusted my eating habits to try and stay under 1500 cals a day (not always easy and I don't always accomplish this goal) but I've really been working out hard and that's what I think is giving me the best results. I do a combination of weight training and cardio and so far it's helped me lose weight and I feel more energized!

I do fairly well cooking for myself and eating right at work but if I'm out with friends or someone brings treats into the office I have a really hard time staying away! Chocolate chip cookies are my kryptonite...

I forgot to mention that I've been taking Metformin for a few years now but haven't noticed it help any with weight loss.

BalmyD

I have both PCOS and Hashimoto's. Feel free to add me! I try a LOT of recipes from the forum and post my opinions.

Weight loss has been very very slow for me. I've been working at changing my lifestyle for over 3 years now. I'm down 44 lbs from my peak of 307. (SW 307 CW 263 GW 175).

These are the two things that have been most important for my success:

1) LowER carb seems to jive well with PCOS. Also, I find that eating fewer carbs in the morning has helped me get off more than one plateau. Right now I'm eating scrambled eggs for breakfast on most days.

2) The other is a mental state thing. I can't compare myself to others and feel bad because they lost 2 pounds in a week and I lost a half a pound. If I've lost anything on my weekly weigh in day, I'm happy with it. If I am exactly the same weight as last week, I don't beat myself up over it. I just keep going.

MaddieCakes06

Weight loss has been very very slow for me. I've been working at changing my lifestyle for over 3 years now. I'm down 44 lbs from my peak of 307. (SW 307 CW 263 GW 175).

44 lbs, good for you!

I agree that eating lowER carb seems to help me lose weight but I have to combine it with exercise otherwise I stall.

Any other Cysters out there?!

noKTdidnt

I've been diagnosed with PCOS for over 10 years. I go through waves when I'm dilligent about watching what I eat and exercise but after a while, I get tired of fighting the crowd (my family) who constantly want pizza, bagels, and pasta.

I'm gearing up to starting fresh next week. I have a goal of limiting my carbs to 100-150 a day and working out 5 times a week. Over the years, I've found that's the absolute best way to control my weight and all the symptoms that come with the PCOS.

I'm open to friending anyone who is looking for more "cysters" to chat with!

MaddieCakes06

I'm gearing up to starting fresh next week. I have a goal of limiting my carbs to 100-150 a day and working out 5 times a week. Over the years, I've found that's the absolute best way to control my weight and all the symptoms that come with the PCOS.

That sounds like a great place to start!

What kind of workouts do you like? I'm always trying to find something new to do, my workouts are getting to be a bit monotonous and I'm afraid I'll quite if I get bored.

noKTdidnt

What kind of workouts do you like? I'm always trying to find something new to do, my workouts are getting to be a bit monotonous and I'm afraid I'll quite if I get bored.

I'm doing zumba twice a week. And then training for a 5K with my husband three times a week. Hope to add strength training in after the 5K training once I'm really in the swing of things. The zumba is typically my fun time exercise. The 5K is to help me have a goal that isn't centered around my waist line!

skincy

I have PCOS and Hashimotos and struggle with weight loss. I have been eating gluten free and watching my calorie intake and doing the Jillian Michaels Body revolution and I am starting to noticed a slow steady weight loss and losing fat and building muscle. I try to go moderate on the carbs as well and eat low carb at night. I am a marathon runner and I noticed that even running all those miles I put on weight. I think circuit training and weight lifting is the key. Thank you for posting this did not realize so many people had the same problem!

MaddieCakes06

I'm doing zumba twice a week. And then training for a 5K with my husband three times a week. Hope to add strength training in after the 5K training once I'm really in the swing of things. The zumba is typically my fun time exercise. The 5K is to help me have a goal that isn't centered around my waist line!

I would love to try out a Zumba class soon. I've done it on my Wii and it's super fun and a tough workout!

My current workout plan is Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred It in the morning before work and then I hit up the gym after work for some cardio, I like doing intervals on the elliptical and treadmill.

mrswaite08

PCOS gal here! I don't do low carb but I do try to do mostly complex carbs. I'm hungry again very quickly if I do not have protein, complex carb & a fiber source at each meal. I started out at 283 and am down to 252. I'm having a hard time sticking with it lately, I'm finishing up my first round of clomid & it was a really hard cycle. I feel like the black cloud has been lifted today, so only up from here!

MandaKayMakesIt

The two things I keep hearing over and over from everyone is that lower carbs and cutting out gluten are the way to go. Surprised my doctor didn't recommend this, but I'll definitely be trying to limit both--carbs are my supreme weakness, so it will definitely be a challenge!

MaddieCakes06

PCOS gal here! I don't do low carb but I do try to do mostly complex carbs. I'm hungry again very quickly if I do not have protein, complex carb & a fiber source at each meal.

I'm also trying really hard to focus on matching up a protein with a complex carb for every meal/snack. It really does help fill me up for a longer period of time than just eating a complex carb (or any carb) by itself. Overall I've reduced my carb intake but I'm still finding it difficult to stay away from those tasty treats when they're brought into the office or I'm out with friends. Any suggestions on how to avoid the temptation?

ercamacho

I'm late to reply, but have struggled with Hashimoto's, PCOS, & Insulin Resistance for the last 5 years. I've previously done low-carb and GAINED weight. 1200 calories per day and GAINED weight. I recently switched to a new dr who did an extended blood glucose test. We discovered that I am 'insulin dumping'.

Essentially that means that every time I eat carbohydrates my body doesn't adequately release insulin to handle the increased glucose immediately. So...the happy little glucose molecules have fun in my body for about an hour, then my pancreas DUMPS a large amount of insulin into my system....too much for what is needed. What happens is that before that and after that a lot of the molecules get fat happy. SO my body hoards fat very easily...

Now that I had a mental picture of what my body was actually doing, I could approach my health and weight loss on a different playing field. I mentally separated myself from 'weight' loss to 'healthy' living.

My doctor put me on a restricted carb plan. No more than 20-30 carbs PER MEAL/at a time, no starches, breads, pastas, potatoes, rices, sweets, etc....so, no gluten...

I've been on this diet plan along with a daily shot of Victoza for over 100 days and for the first time since being diagnosed I have lost weight.

I'm exercising like a fiend...and use a Body Media armband to calculate calories burned/steps/activity/etc...

I'm down 45 pounds and feeling like I can ACTUALLY reach goal for the first time in a LONG time.

So, my suggestion is to find a doctor that will listen and one who understands metabolic conditions. Mine is very hands on. We have an appointment every 6 weeks to monitor me. Right now I'm on a low calorie plan along with the lower carb. She's very closely monitoring me.

It can be done. I'm living proof!

It just requires a LOT of dedication to the diet restrictions. You have to look at carbs differently. You have to choose them wisely. I still eat fruit. I just only eat 1/2 vs whole. Every time I eat a carb I think about the effect on my blood sugar and make wiser choices based on how I KNOW my body responds to them. It's completely helped me change my mindset. I no longer look at 'lower carb' as being punishment. I just know that for now, my body isn't processing them appropriately because of my conditions and I have to fight my bodies natural responses to carbs by choosing my food wisely. This approach, combined with major exercise, has really helped me this time around. Hope this helps!

SoftasRaine

I have both pcos and hashimotos. i also have low blood sugar which will some times cause me to faint (embarrassing).
i have always been over weight or obese, save once when i had thyrotoxicosis or something and fell to 69lbs. i have been as high as 260 and am currently 137. (i'm 5'3)
i find my stomach truly doesn't like most things, i am constantly bloating (it looks like i'm smuggling a turkey some days.)
extreme exhaustion and foggy brain plagues me, but you don't have a choice but to push through your day. this does affect exercise, so there are days where walking to my daughters' school and my work are the only exercise i get.
i haven't discovered anything that's really worked. when i used to weigh myself daily, i had woken up 9 lbs heavier once, and 7 lbs lighter another time. i've given up with numbers, would like to feel better. weight would just be the cherry.