PCOS weight-loss input..

Are you insulin resistant? I am and have been on Metformin for years. Once I really got serious about losing weight, the Metformin made it possible (when I seriously tried in the past, before Met, I just didn't lose much at all).

The other thing I've found an absolute requirement is exercise. An absolute must for me.

I have tried a low GI diet before and it did nothing but make me unhappy. So I don't limit my carbs.

I have to keep my carbohydrate intake at 45% for breakfast, lunch, and dinner...For snacks, I keep my carbohydrate level at 15%....I have been following that requirement, since I started in September 2011. Keeping track of my food intake and exercise output has really kept me going. There are days, when I'm not perfect, but I'm honest about it. And don't rely on the scale numbers, because in the end, it is all about getting healthy.

I lost a ton of weight when I went on Spironolactone, it takes a good few months to kick in and some bad side effects at first but I couldn't live without it now it reduces all the symptoms. I stopped taking it and got bad carb cravings and put on a ton of weight but I already feel better since starting it again. I tried Metformin but unfortunately didn't make a difference for me.

I have PCOS for about 5 years now. It took me forever to figure out what to do to lose weight. And for me only a strict diet and exercise worked. Even after hitting my goal about 2.5 years ago, I still have to live on a reduced calorie diet and watch what I eat just to maintain. But it's worth it.

I also took Spirolactone for a long time and it helped with the hair problems and I swore by it too. My doctor left and my new doctor took me off of it and I was so mad!! It seems thats when I lost controle over my weight again

ohhman10, if metformin made you sick, try the extended-release meformin. it makes a huge difference.

cutting back on processed foods, strength training, and paying close attention to carbohydrate totals works for me. the strength training is very important, as it builds muscle and helps muscles 'eat' glucose.

for anybody taking metformin: a long-term side affect seems to be a possible deficiency in vitamin B12. i mean very long term, as in years. i can't remember where i read that.

I have PCOS too and have lost over 180 pounds. What worked for me is cutting back on processed foods...trying to have one grain free meal per day most days (usually my evening meal) and working out 4-6 days a week with a combination of resistance and cardio

i was diagnosed with PCOS not that long ago. yo yo dieting for me as well. I am trying to take the Metformin, but it makes me very sick to my stomach, to the point where it effects my day. cant work because i am always in the bathroom. I stopped taking it and asked the dr what else I could take and she really wants me to stick it out and get slowly accustomed to it. I dont know if i can deal with it.

I am 25 and I have PCOS and some insulin resistance (no diabetes). I was diagnosed in May of last year by my gyno. I've tried to lose weight by changing my eating habits, exercising, and nothing seems to work. Today my doctor prescribed me Metformin (once a day) and I'm really hoping that it helps me to lose weight. Weight has always been an issue and I'm ready for a change. I'm under 5 ft so any weight gain on me is easily seen. Ideally i would like to lose 70-80 and be within a good range of my BMI. From what I read there have been mix reviews as to whether Metformin helps in weight loss. I'm going to try and do a moderate carb diet and excise along with the Metformin to help in my journey. If anyone has tips or recommendations let me know!

Hi All I'm new here - I have PCOS and have for a few years, diagnosed in 2007... long story short i had an AWFUL dr who basically told me it was "no big deal" i thought i was overweight because i didn't eat well and didn't exercise.... so three years ago I took control and started working out like a fiend - every single day, 7 days a week and the weight melted off. I lost a little over 100 pounds in a year and i looked and felt great... slowly though it crept back... i was still working out every day just as hard and even harder (i now have a trainer 3 days a week) and i watch my diet carefully) but it keeps coming back.. i could not for the life of me figure out what was going on... i've had some schedule stresses in my life with a long work commute etc.. but i work out hard core 60 min a day and i've gained back almost 50lbs... i decided to go to a new dr.
She ran a full panel and as soon as i told her I had PCOS she knew what my weight problem was... she checked my insulin that that's what it was.
It's frustrating that my previous Dr didnt' do anything for me (i had seen her for 12 years) and this dr in 2 visits has an entire plan laid out for me. I'm now on Victoza and i'm on day 4 - she said it should lower my insulin and help with the weight loss. I still have to continue working out and eating healthy of course - but i had NO idea that my PCOS had ANYTHING to do with weight gain at all... i couldn't figure out what was going on. I really hope this new medication works.

I have PCOS and it makes it hard to get this stupid weight off!!! Anyone out there have this problem and if so what have you done to be successful?

I have a mild case of PCOS and am severely struggling to lose weight. I work out for 45 minutes a day at least 4 times a week, usually more. I also stay under 1400 calories, usually closer to 1200 and eat mostly healthy foods. I have reached a boiling point after 3 months with the scale barely budging.

I am guessing it's time to adopt a low-glycemic meal plan. I have researched this a great deal and it seems this is the only way for those suffering from PCOS to lose weight like a normal person would. My cousin also has PCOS, she could not get pregnant. She started doing the low glycemic diet and lost 60lbs in under a year and had a beautiful, healthy baby. I think I am going to start trying this and see how it goes...if anyone would like to join me, I'd be happy to share tips & recipes!

I've been reading and following "The GI Diet" by Rick Gallop and exercising a bit and have lost 20 pounds in 2 months and 1 week. I've had PCOS for about 8 years. I've also had insulin resistance problems in the past. I don't feel in want of anything on this diet. I'm loving it! :-)

I too have PCOS, diagnosed around 11 years ago. I joined a PCOS support group for infertility issues and found that many of the ladies there had symptom relief and were able to lose weight by following a book called The Insulin Resistance Diet. It's not a diet in the traditional sense, it's really more about avoiding processed foods and taking in a healthy balance of protein, carbs, etc... I followed it for a while because it's a healthy way of eating and hoped to relieve some symptoms. I did feel pretty good following it, I simply got out of the habit of eating healthy.

Update to my pervious post. I've been on the victoza for about a month now and while I continue to work out 5-6 days a week (2 with a trainer now) the medication has really helped. I've noticed a huge changed in my appetite. I've lost over 10 lbs in the last month. It's so good to know that I'm finally on the right meds. Especially since I've been doing the "right stuff" for so long with now results... I just needed some medical help