PCOS and Insulin Resistance = Slow weight Loss.

TighteningStrings
TighteningStrings Posts: 46
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone,

I'm wondering how you've all overcome your insulin resistance to begin losing weight at a relatively normal speed? I find sometimes I can do what I think is "right" for weeks on end and lose next to nothing, but on the flip side, sometimes I can do nothing and eat like a slob and get a good loss. It's odd.

I want to find a balance, so that I am losing, but so working out what I'm going to eat, how much of it, when etc doesn't take over my whole life.

Replies

  • Kaathmandu
    Kaathmandu Posts: 129
    Hi Tighteningstr,
    I'm in the same boat as you - add a motorbike accident that stopped me getting around, and my weight just ballooned. I find Atkins is the only thing that works for me. I have actually gained weight on Pritikin and fat-free diets because I can't handle carbs!
    I need to keep my carb count below 20g per day and once I'm 'in the zone' that is not hard - and I no longer get those carb-craving feeding frenzies. I plateau sometimes but it always gets moving again after a week or three. And it works for me - 66k lost - I think that is about 145lbs. It's taken me about three years, and I'm not there yet, but this time I know I will get there.
    It has been a slower process because I go off the diet to enjoy things like birthdays, festivals and Christmas :) so I put on weight, but I limit it, I enjoy it, and then I pay for it - get back on Atkins and undo the damage.
    A lot of people will tell you that it is no good, but, horses for courses, as I said, it is the only thing that works for me.
    Good luck with your journey!!
  • TighteningStrings
    TighteningStrings Posts: 46
    Hiya Kaathmandu,

    Thanks for commenting. So, what type of things do you eat to get that carb reading? What is your calorie count? Please excuse me if I am being nosey, I am just very interested in finding a way to do this properly.

    Good luck to you, too!
  • kazzsjourney
    kazzsjourney Posts: 674 Member
    I have PCOS and what I do was limit my processed foods and avoid carbs with my dinner meal...breakfast and lunch I will have carbs....that worked for me...it did take a long time to lose my weight (about 5 years - I have been around this weight for the last year or so altho i still want to lose another 20-40 pounds) If you are insulin resistant/PCOS have you discussed metformin? That does help some (altho didnt help me)
  • Kaathmandu
    Kaathmandu Posts: 129
    Mainly meat, cheese and (most) veggies ... I used to have trouble with breakfast as I don't really like cooked breakfasts, but then I found the Atkins choc chip breakfast bar - it is like a regular muesli bar, just a slightly chalky taste, but I like it. That makes b'fast easy. Lunch, I have meat/fish and salad if I go out, or maybe just a piece of cheese if I'm busy. Today I had some brazil nuts. Dinner is meat/fish and veggies or salad - often a slow-cooker casserole, as I work a few evenings - and then I have a supper, usually another Atkins bar, but a treat type. I drink waaaay too much diet coke and pepsi max, need to cut down on that. I teach aquafitness classes, so get most of my exercise there, but I also do belly dance class once or twice a week and just go out and dance as much as possible.
    I never used to worry about calories, and still be losing weight, but since I've been on mfp I try and keep it below 1200. my fat and protein count is always over - that is fine. I've put on weight doing low fat diets, and I've put on weight doing Pritikin!
    I don't add back from exercise. I usually get told I'm not eating enough ... can only say it is working for me. I don't get physically hungry, but I do get the self-pitying, not-fair-everyone-one-else-is-drinking-and-eating-birthday-cake kind of emotional wantings ... but the longer I am 'in the zone', the less that happens. The first two or three days are really hard - carb withdrawals! - but once you get past that and into the right 'headspace' it isn't hard at all.
    :)
  • mk_hammer
    mk_hammer Posts: 105
    See your doctor! I've been on Metformin for a couple of years, and it has really helped my weight loss and my insulin levels.
  • JustANumber85
    JustANumber85 Posts: 644 Member
    I have PCOS and I havent been taking my Metformin this monthly cycle but i have still lost weight.
  • Jbarbo01
    Jbarbo01 Posts: 240 Member
    I find weight loss to be slower with PCOS but it still works. I think eating like a diabetic is important and pay attention to how you feel when you eat certain things. Some people will tell you, don't eat any carbs just meat and veggies! This will work for some but for some it won't. Id give the low carb eating a try and see how you feel. You will lose a ton of water weight initially so don't get too excited in the first couple of days but give it a shot. I have and it doesnt work for me, I feel really good eating vegetarian foods over a ton of meat. I feel great eating steel cut oats, brown rice, and beans and still lose weight with PCOS. However, eating processed meats, white breads, and french fries does not make my body feel good....so I steer clear. So my point is try out different ways of eating but mostly concentrate on eating low glycemic index, healthy, and natural foods. Make sure you exercise as well it really helps insulin sensitivity with those who have PCOS. I have found the most success with the Eat Clean Diet.
  • footiechick82
    footiechick82 Posts: 1,203 Member
    *kitten* PCOS! (FYI I'm cranky today!)

    That's not going to stop me from working my *kitten* off and achieving my goal.

    I still have to start taking "something" to regulate my freakin' periods.

    Either way, I honestly believe that if you 'think' you're going to have a hard time loosing weight, you will. Don't let PCOS determine what you're capable of.
  • sarahz5
    sarahz5 Posts: 1,363 Member
    I run and I lift. I eat fewer calories than I expend, and vaguely try to a decent amount of protein. The weight slides off! I always made the PCOS excuse for myself and probably ate so many carbs I went way over my daily calorie burn. Now I just do what everyone else does, and it works.
  • yancymichele
    yancymichele Posts: 66 Member
    bump
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    Metformin and exercise. Low carb/GI never did anything but make me cranky. But yes it is slower than it seems it should be.
  • LusciousLady
    LusciousLady Posts: 43 Member
    Hi TighteningStrings,
    After going back and forth to the doctor and trying to determine the best routine for me, I found that portion control and eating carbs for my lunch helped me loose the weight. I've tried metformin and stayed so sick I could barely eat. I also try and follow a diabectic diet, I don't always do right but no matter what I save my heavy meals for my lunch. Its worked so good and the weight came off that I ended up pregnant. So now I'm back at it again. Good luck!! You can do it.:smile::smile:
  • toscarthearmada
    toscarthearmada Posts: 382 Member
    I also have PCOS and Insulin Resistance. I've lost almost 80 pounds on the Insulin Resistance diet! So I'm a little confused when you say "lose weight faster." I lose about 10 pounds every month on a 7 protein to 15 carb ratio. I highly recommend reading the Insulin Resistance book and following the program.
  • tara7779
    tara7779 Posts: 20
    I feel like I lose slower. I try to limit the white carbs and sugar. Working out regularly helps too.

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