Freak of Nature :(

estherlion

Feeling really down after going to get my RMR checked by a doctor yesterday. My RMR is 1250, which is pathetically low. It confirmed what i already knew, its so freakin' hard for me to lose weight. I have a hormone imbalance called pcos and realize in order to drop weight i won't be eating much. I have one big meal and gain weight! Its so frustrating and just have been in tears since the appointment. I have to accept i can't eat as much as the rest of you folks. The doctor said just cardio for me or i will bulk up. My back is wide and i have a larger waist than normal for my weight/size. My Bmi is 26, 35% BF, sucks. Don't know where to go from here.

RobynLB83

Your RMR is only a few hundred below the average woman. So, um, I'm not feeling as sorry for you as you are for yourself.

JTick

Your doctor is wrong in telling you not to lift weights. In fact, you will be able to eat more by maintaining your muscle. As long as you are in a deficit, you will not bulk. Browse the forums for success stories from women who lift.

aronao

Here's a member with PCOS who's lost heaps of weight. It is possible, it might just be a little more work for you.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/880990-180-pounds-down-with-pcos

bj1220

Do you mean bmr? Unless you spent the night in a lab, it's probably bmr. That's close to what mine is and I also have pcos. I can lift weights and not bulk up and can lose weight if I really track my calories. From your bmi, it seems you really don't have far to go. What are you doing now?

savithny

"Bulking up" is a relative term.

WIth PCOS, you WANT to replace fat with muscle, if possible. In addition to the low RMR, you're probably insulin resistant or on your way to insulin resistance. Muscle has been shown to improve that - building some muscle, gaining some strength? Will likely IMPROVE yoru PCOS.

Yes, its' possible that you may gain inches across your larger muscles. Yes, its possible that if you don't eat at a deficit while you do it, you'll gain some weight. But weight gain alone isn't bad, Muscle gain would be incredibly beneficial to your PCOS and overall health.

Read this:
http://www.pcosdiva.com/2010/04/muscle-matters-with-pcos/

The "Oh, no, don't lift weights" comes from a fear of getting "bigger" since people think that being *smaller* "cures" PCOS. Getting *leaner* improves PCOS more than just getting *smaller.* Build muscle.

peggy_polenta

i am a woman who USED to have PCOS. PCOS is typically triggered by weight and once you loose the weight, the PCOS will go away. PCOS is a host to a million other health issues....including Diabetes and cervical cancer..... It IS very difficult to loose weight with PCOS because of the insulin resistance. I lost 126 pounds and have kept it off for 4 years. I cut out all white food...no pasta, no bread, no potatoes, no rice, no sugar...... only protiens and lots of veg. rarely even fruits because of the sugar. and of course, lots of excercise. i have just accepted that the fact that i just simply cannot eat white food. i have also come to accept that i have to work twice as hard to get half the results of most other women...its the hand i've been dealt....we all have been given a crappy hand in SOME aspect of our lives....this one is mine...and oh well....life goes on.

ElizabethKalmbach

My RMR tested at 670, 3 TIMES. So you are not the lowest here. (Beat by a coma patient again. The LOWEST they expected was 1252. I SHOULD have been around 1400 AT LEAST for my activity level.) I still go to the gym and lift 3 times a week. I walk 5 miles a day. I ate at maintenance calories around 1880 net, and did not gain weight. Your RMR does not define you. Get a metabolic panel done and supplement any vitamins that you are low on, eat healthy, and workout... It's not the end of the world. It just means that when you beat this thing, you will have more to brag about than most.

bj1220

i am a woman who USED to have PCOS. PCOS is typically triggered by weight and once you loose the weight, the PCOS will go away. PCOS is a host to a million other health issues....including Diabetes and cervical cancer..... It IS very difficult to loose weight with PCOS because of the insulin resistance. I lost 126 pounds and have kept it off for 4 years. I cut out all white food...no pasta, no bread, no potatoes, no rice, no sugar...... only protiens and lots of veg. rarely even fruits because of the sugar. and of course, lots of excercise. i have just accepted that the fact that i just simply cannot eat white food. i have also come to accept that i have to work twice as hard to get half the results of most other women...its the hand i've been dealt....we all have been given a crappy hand in SOME aspect of our lives....this one is mine...and oh well....life goes on.

I was diagnosed with pcos 20 years ago and I've never been over 150 pounds. So no, losing weight will not cure you. However, losing weight and cutting sugar and high GIVE foods can definitely help you control it. Congratulations on your weight loss, that is quite an accomplishment!

estherlion

Thank you all for your replies. I feel better, am done with my pity party and need to move forward to get this weight off. I am eating at 1200 calories a day and am averaging one pound loss per week. I cut out all white carbs and sugars. Pretty much lean meats, lots of eggs, veggies, protein shakes and bars. Limiting fruits to a couple servings per week. I'm on green tea tablets and myoisonol. I walk for my 1 hr lunch breaks 4-5 per week. I am 20-25 lbs away from my goal weight. My advice to people confused about "eat more" or no "eat less" is to go to a professional and get your RMR tested. We truly are all so different. Trying to love myself more through this journey.