Tips for PCOS

Also, I see a lot of people talking about Gillian's 30-day Shred where can I find it? Like, do they sell it at Wal-Mart?

You can do the 30 Day Shred on youtube! Just search for 30 Day Shred level 1 and it will come up. After 10 days, move onto level 2, then onto level 3 after a further 10 days. They are all on youtube.

Hello Everyone,

I also have PCOS. My fertility doctor is so frustrated with my slow weight loss (lost 30 pounds over the last year) that she is recommending gastric sleeve surgery.

I don't want to do that because I am capable of eating what I choose to eat, and I feel like I can do this. I'm thinking if she thinks that would work, maybe I should just lower my calorie intake more. MFP tells me to eat 1490 calories per day, so I do that. I do not eat back the 300 or so calories I get from exercise each day. Should I lower my daily calorie goal to 1200 and also not eat back exercise calories? Everybody says eat back your exercise calories, but it seems with PCOS we are just super efficient food utilizers.

If there's a famine, I guess we'll be the ones to survive at least.

I've had PCOS since puberty but didn't get diagnosed until my early 20's. I started having trouble with the weight in my mid 20s but my doctor never fully explained that it was because of the insulin resistance. Had my first child at 35 and developed gestational diabetes, had the second at 38 got gestational diabetes again only worse and within months had full blown diabetes. The one good thing is that the second baby magically jump started my cycles so I could drop the birth control but once I had added diabetes to my list of PCOS complications I knew I needed to do something serious since dieting and exercise hadn't worked and the diabetes was likely due to the weight plus pre existing insulin resistance. I have been eating low carb since December, I gave up sugar and all forms of carbonated drinks in May. I'm actually exercising less now (3-4 x per week) then I was before (6-7 x per week) and getting more out of it. So I guess my tips would be:

1) eat low carb high protein
2) be active even if not "exercising"
and/or
3) talk to a endocrynologist and nutritionist about the best plan for your symptoms.

I'm 26 and was diagnosed with PCOS at 18, although I'd had the symptoms for years prior to that. I became a vegetarian at 14 and then a vegan at 19 and that helped loads. I've never been over the healthy BMI range, although going vegan helped me cut out crap like chocolate bars and cakes and quick fixes you see while waiting in queues and so on.

Edited to say that I only ever eat wholemeal bread. I'll have white rice or white pasta once in a while if someone else made it, but I don't go out of my way to eat it. I DO have a sweet tooth though, so I'll have a milkshake with unsweetened soya milk and banana or milkshake powder once in a while, or a bit of dark chocolate.

Diet coke and pepsi are my one vice. They sort out my sweet cravings, but I know they're bad for my teeth so I'm trying to give them up.

Another note- My endocrinologist suggested I stay away from any soy products, which I was insanely bummed about because I LOVE LOVE LOVE tofu and edamame, but after doing some independent research I decided to follow his advice. There are tons of studies out there that focus on soy and other forms of environmental estrogen and its effects on reproductive health. I was in and out of veganism and vegetarianism for about 10 years as a teenager/young adult and my primary protein source was soy, I ate it constantly, and I wonder now if it had any effect on my issues now.

Another note- My endocrinologist suggested I stay away from any soy products, which I was insanely bummed about because I LOVE LOVE LOVE tofu and edamame, but after doing some independent research I decided to follow his advice. There are tons of studies out there that focus on soy and other forms of environmental estrogen and its effects on reproductive health. I was in and out of veganism and vegetarianism for about 10 years as a teenager/young adult and my primary protein source was soy, I ate it constantly, and I wonder now if it had any effect on my issues now.

Really? Mine told me soy was fine, tofu, tempeh, soy milk. Soy protein isolate was the one I've read where you should be careful and avoid.

Another note- My endocrinologist suggested I stay away from any soy products, which I was insanely bummed about because I LOVE LOVE LOVE tofu and edamame, but after doing some independent research I decided to follow his advice. There are tons of studies out there that focus on soy and other forms of environmental estrogen and its effects on reproductive health. I was in and out of veganism and vegetarianism for about 10 years as a teenager/young adult and my primary protein source was soy, I ate it constantly, and I wonder now if it had any effect on my issues now.

Really? Mine told me soy was fine, tofu, tempeh, soy milk. Soy protein isolate was the one I've read where you should be careful and avoid.

From what I have read, GMO soy (genetically-modified types) should be avoided and most soy products available in the market are made from genetically modified soy beans, such products mess with your endocrine system, and hence they recommend not to have them. However, organic soy is a very good source of protein and is good for your system too since it is non-GMO. Also, it is better to have tofu, tempeh, and edamame instead of having the meat substitute kinda soy..

Another note- My endocrinologist suggested I stay away from any soy products, which I was insanely bummed about because I LOVE LOVE LOVE tofu and edamame, but after doing some independent research I decided to follow his advice. There are tons of studies out there that focus on soy and other forms of environmental estrogen and its effects on reproductive health. I was in and out of veganism and vegetarianism for about 10 years as a teenager/young adult and my primary protein source was soy, I ate it constantly, and I wonder now if it had any effect on my issues now.

Really? Mine told me soy was fine, tofu, tempeh, soy milk. Soy protein isolate was the one I've read where you should be careful and avoid.

From what I have read, GMO soy (genetically-modified types) should be avoided and most soy products available in the market are made from genetically modified soy beans, such products mess with your endocrine system, and hence they recommend not to have them. However, organic soy is a very good source of protein and is good for your system too since it is non-GMO. Also, it is better to have tofu, tempeh, and edamame instead of having the meat substitute kinda soy..

He made no distinction between a GMO or organic soy product, nor between an isolate or whole soy protein. When talking about my diet, I told him I eat a lot of tofu and edamame and he simply said I should cut that out- I also have severe endometriosis which is another reproductive disorder that is sensitive to estrogen, so perhaps his advice was a bit extreme to be extra cautious. I still eat soy in some form a couple times a month, but not daily as I did before. I was never a fan of meat substitutes or soy milk, so I don't know about that. I don't think it's had an effect on my health or symptoms either way since I've stopped, but I try to avoid it just in case (not to mention how bad it is for the environment.) I also try to use only natural body products to avoid those artificial estrogen sources as well. You should, of course, follow your doctor's advice, I just thought I'd mention it as something to consider.

I was just thinking about this while I worked and realized how much protein I used to consume when I ate more soy and now I have difficulty getting anywhere near my daily protein allotment since I don't eat much meat (I eat other protein sources like nuts and grains and limited dairy products, but they aren't as protein rich as meat or soy.) Maybe the trade-off has created more negative effects then positive for my health? Who knows? Now I'm questioning everything, aaaaahhh!!! :-)

It really shocks me how many women have PCOS! I'm a fellow cyster. I always attributed my huge weight gain to my poor eating habits (yeah it definitely didn't help) but in 2007 I was diagnosed with PCOS. I was put on Metformin and it made me soo sick!! I stopped taking it after a week. I've cut out soda, I'm trying to watch my portions, and trying VERY hard to stay away from junk and fried food goodness!! Haha!! I'm also working out 4 days a week for about an hour. I know I have a long road ahead of me, but I'm gonna keep on truckin'.

It really shocks me how many women have PCOS! I'm a fellow cyster. I always attributed my huge weight gain to my poor eating habits (yeah it definitely didn't help) but in 2007 I was diagnosed with PCOS. I was put on Metformin and it made me soo sick!! I stopped taking it after a week. I've cut out soda, I'm trying to watch my portions, and trying VERY hard to stay away from junk and fried food goodness!! Haha!! I'm also working out 4 days a week for about an hour. I know I have a long road ahead of me, but I'm gonna keep on truckin'.

I had a similar experience with Metformin and refuse to go back on it ever again. I have also cut out soda and the idea of it now is awful to me (cut it out 4 years ago). Keep on truckin'

Metformin made me super ill for the first month or so I was taking it (throwing up and diarrhea.) I stopped, but then my doctor told me that I really should go back on it. I tried again and cut out all (well most, I’m not going to lie I had some sweets here and there, but very rarely) simple carbs and refined sugars during the first couple months and the symptoms were greatly relieved- and I lost a bunch of weight, which was a nice bonus. I slowly added them back in and I don't have any side effects anymore. Just some ideas in case your doctor keeps suggesting it and you'd like to try again.

What I would give to go back and tell my 19 year old self how to "fix" this....

You're going to have to exercise at a high intensity for a minimum of an hour a day. (The extreme makeover folks do 4 hours a day so I can do one). See an endocrinologist and take the appropriate cocktail of medicines until you get the weight off. If you don't get your hormones under control you're working very hard in vain, and you might not see results. When I am under 160ish I don't have very many symptoms and don't take any medicine, your threshold will vary.

The best thing I can tell you is that if you neglect this it will get much worse. I know from experience. I wish you the best!

I was diagnosed with PCOD, the precursor to PCOS and have been on birth control since I was 15 and am now on metformin. I know this is just hearsay but try taking Vitamin E. My aunt (not saying that it will be the same for anyone else) had severe cysts and was going to have her ovaries surgically removed, the E helped reduce the size of the cysts and was able to avoid surgery.

The biggest thing I've noticed is that the aching in my lower abdomen (from my ovaries) has almost gone since I've been taking vitamin E regularly.

I think I just need to Vent. I was extremely good all of this week and nada weight loss. I've literally been stuck at the same weight for 2 years now and nothing. I went on a gluten and wheat free diet a while ago (my nutritionist suggestion) and in the whole month I was on it I didn't lose a single pound. I am getting really really disheartened now at this stage and don't know what to do!!! It's just sooooo frustrating! Needed to just get that off my chest!

Hang in there Broadwaybound! It is so comforting to be on a site like this as well as other PCOS support sites when you have this disorder. This syndrome has been around for a very long time, but is finally starting to become more known by doctors. When I was younger, my doctor told me I had a hormonal imbalance and had them put me on birth control pills at age 13. That completely messed me up, and assisted in my gaining weight pretty darn fast. Unfortunately, in the 80s the doctors didn't give it a name. They also didn't treat it as a metabolic syndrome where insulin resistance was a factor. Therefore, I continued to grow hair everywhere I didn't want, and miss periods, and gain weight. It wasn't until I turned 25 did the doctors catch on that the birth control pills were only for regulating my period, but not addressing the underlining issue of insulin resistance. Given the fact my dad and grandfather both have diabetes, they really should have known there was a strong chance I was insulin resistant. Again, different time and level of knowledge. Once I started seeing an Endocrinologist in my late 20s, I was placed on Metformin which tore my insides up daily all the way until this year when I shifted to being a diabetic. I certainly wish my doctors knew then, what the doctors know now! Everyone that has posted on here so far has hit the nail on the head for managing PCOS. It is quite apparent that you never stop having PCOS, but you can work really hard to minimize your chances of becoming a Diabetic. I could kick myself for not treating exercise like a daily necessity, but that mistake I will try my best to never make again. Get moving!!! Find an activity you enjoy, and stick to it DAILY!!! I wish I could say 3-5 times a week, but my experience has shown me that 3-5 days a week with a modified diet didn't quite get it. MOVE YOUR BODY for a minimum 30 minutes EVERY DAY!!!! Start reducing the frequency of the high carb intake, and increase protein with attention to low fat. It may seem challenging at first to not eat 2 pancakes from IHop with bacon and eggs, but your body will respond positively if you start making these changes. We're here to help each other along the way.

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