Weight problems due to health problems (PCOS)

I also have PCOS. I am not on any medication as of now. There is loads of information out there for this though. I have found the WebMD message boards to be one of the best places.
From everything that I have read, a lot of the weight problems associated with PCOS is due to the imbalance of our hormones.
And I am having a terrible time getting the weight off. I have always had a slight problem with my own weight. But, it use to be that I couldn't gain any weight...now it's the exact opposite of that. I just started trying to lose weight (again), I am sticking to LOTS of fruits and veggies as well as lean meat (like fish and chicken breast). Started this about 2 weeks ago and found that if I keep things that are quick and easy on hand it's been working out just great! Fresh fruits, fat free yogurt, and my favorite is the single serving steamers. It's been a life saver! Hope this helps! Best of luck!

Hi mandakay,

I have not had PCOS, but have definitely had my share of female health issues! Please read my bio on my profile page....it may or may not be of some help. Just know that you are NOT alone! God bless you in your health and fitness endeavors! :flowerforyou:

I was put on glucophage/metformin several years ago and it never helped me lose weight, but it made it so that i was no longer gaining any either. I was in a plus 15 lbs a year pattern and after being on for a year solid there was no weight gain. I also noticed that it made the dark areas of skin go away which was excellent! It takes a lot of hard work to lose but we can do it!!!

I have PCOS and T2 diabetes. My doctor wants me taking glucophage not only for my sugar, but also as a weight loss supplement.
I don't really notice a difference, and feel I do just fine without it (I also take insulin). Ran out of my glucophage refills a few days ago, but see my doctor on the 3rd for checkup. It will give me a week to see if it really does make a difference.

I too have PCOS, I was diagnosed when I was about 20. I am on Glumetza which is a longer lasting Metformin, I don't think it has helped me lose weight, but it hasn't allowed me to gain any. I had stomach issues for the first week or so, but after that I was fine. No other side effects for me either and I'm prone to Migraines. Godblessourhome have you tried Maxaalt for your Migraines? It is the first thing that has ever worked for me, I'd try it if not, you take it right when it's coming on so you never get to the sick point. Ive tried Imatrex and it did nothing for me, good luck! Anyway, what has made me lose weight is the G.I. Diet and Kickboxing. The G.I. diet is perfect for us because it keeps blood sugar under control, which means less insulin produced to turn into fat cells when it's not used :bigsmile: I was losing weight at a slow pace before I started this diet (well its actually a lifestyle change now, I won't go off it ever I don't think), and that combined with a high intensity workout (Kickboxing) has started to speed things up for me. I feel great for the first time in years! Good luck ladies!
Jenn

My husband is pre-diabetic and is taking Metformin (I just checked the label, cause I know he doesn't have PCOS >.>). He's lost a significant amount of weight with that medication, diet (we're on the G.I. diet) and exercise changes. About 60 lbs. If I remember correctly he had some annoying side effects for the first week he was on it, until his body adjusted, but nothing since then and it's been about a year now.

Hi. I have had pcos for a very long time. My sister also has it as well. Both of us have studied up on this and we have found that counting carbs and watching what you eat as far as your sugars will help tremendously. I have managed to loose 22 pounds just from counting carbs and staying away from as much sugar as you can. I was also on metaformin to help me get pregnant. It worked considering we had been trying for 18 years!!!!!!. It made me feel awful and I seemed to stay in the bathroom all the time. Good Luck to you. Feel free to add me as a friend or mail me if you need anything.

hi deb, i was inspired with what you wrote. my main purpose of dieting is for me to get pregnant. i have pcos and i'm taking metformin. what i observed is that it supresses my appetite. i lost 4 lbs already. i'm into 2nd week. i'm really wanting to have a baby. hay..

Maxaalt is a migraine medication, Dawn had said that she has migraine issues so I suggested the medication that I use.
The G.I. Diet is based on only eating foods low on the glycemic index which keeps your blood sugar low, If you want more info on it I would suggest going on Google and searching for it, there is a ton of info out there.

Maxaalt is a migraine medication, Dawn had said that she has migraine issues so I suggested the medication that I use.
The G.I. Diet is based on only eating foods low on the glycemic index which keeps your blood sugar low, If you want more info on it I would suggest going on Google and searching for it, there is a ton of info out there.

thanks

I am very happy to read this thread! I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2002. I was 19, and I just knew something was wrong. I had just gotten married, and was on my husbands insurance. It was a now or never moment. I've been on and off metformin for years. I've recently went back on it after stopping it due to not so fun bathroom issues. I now work as a CNA and I can't be leaving residents to their own devices while I hope and pray I make it to the bathroom on time. I'm on half the dose I was on, and I don't see a difference at all. I do hope that it is doing its job though. This whole weight loss journey is about me coming to love my body. I'm doing this for ME! I've hated my body for years... for being fat, for having no energy, for not giving me another child, etc. Its time for me to realize that I have a body that works... might not work the same way as a normal womans body does, but it works, and I have to take care of it. I'm working on loving myself!
So far what is working for me is stop eating all white foods... No white bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, etc... I eat 100% whole wheat bread, and whole wheat pastas when I feel I need them. I'm not much of a veggie eater though, so I try to add them into the meal as much as possible because I don't like salads and I don't like eating side veggies. I've been staying very honest when I enter in my food intake here, and I try to stay conscience of calories throughout the day. I have had some really bad days where I do reach for the chips and the peanut m&ms, but I try not to beat myself up... tomorrow is a new day. Day by day... one day at a time... I'm not doing this for no one but me, and I'm going to enjoy my time doing it!

I have struggled with PCOS for years, and so has my mom and sister. (It is hereditary). There are medications that you can take, like the others have mentioned, to regulate your menstrual cycles and resume ovulation, which would be important if you want to become pregnant. I didn't want to be on any medication, though, so I decided to read about the syndrome to learn more. I am now back in school to get my license as a dietitian, with the hopes of counseling women with PCOS.

I have managed to lose 70 pounds, although it has taken me about 3 years. Women with PCOS lose weight differently and more slowly than others, so you have to be determined and motivated to stick with it. A diet low in simple carbs and sugars is essential -- sugar seems to be the "fuel" for PCOS, and cutting it out has made a huge difference for me. My cycles have become completely regular and I continue to slowly lose weight, and I'm not on any medication at all. With a serious commitment to a healthy diet, you can take control over PCOS instead of letting it control you. I have some books I can recommend if you're interested. Good luck!