27, pcos, needing to lose over 100 lbs- losing faith/hope.

Try the 5:2 fasting regime. 5 days normal eating and 2 days 500 calories. Easy to fit around your lifestyle .

Hey! PCOS/Insulin resistance here. I'm on Metformin (XR 1500) and the first 20 pounds came off pretty easy. I've really limited all carbs/alcohol/sweets and am struggling losing any more weight.
Please feel free to add me. I need all the support/motivation/inspiration that I can get.

I am also the heaviest I've ever been. Both my husband and I have gotten very overweight together. And now we are unable to have kids because of our weight. I also need as much help/motivation I can get. I am 30 now and weigh over 300lbs. At my smallest I was 188lbs and I was so happy to be at that weight. I too have always been overweight and continue to struggle with my weight. My goal is 150lbs.
I know I can get there...I just need to stay motivated!
One thing I have a hard time with is I am always hungry, ALWAYS! And I try to choose healthy foods and snacks, and to drink all my water. But some days are just hard. Anyone have suggestions for this?
I work odd hours being a dialysis nurse. Some days I start work at 5am, some days 830am and sometimes noon. So I have a hard time scheduling my workouts. I know this is just an excuse I am using, but just wondering if anyone else has work scheduling conflicts? How do you work around this?
Thanks for any suggestions/advice.

PS....Shakeology got me out of my depression and gives me tons of energy! I love the chocolate!

Hi, I have PCOS too and I know it is a B**** I weighed myself yesterday and realised I had reached my heaviest weight ever too in the last 9 months i have put on almost 10kg that's about 22 pounds! i have always struggled with weight too, and used the PCOS as an excuse. BUT from now on i have decided it is not going to rule my life and you should too!

From what i have gathered, the best thing to do is to settle into a regular exercise plan- which is what I am working on AND EAT well!! (this is my biggest downfall) low GI foods are extremely necessary.

We can do this together I'll support you if you'll support me?

Hi Nikki!

I know exactly where you are coming from. At my heaviest I was 297 a year and a half ago. Since then I've dropped 40 lbs but am still frustrated on a daily basis as I want results NOW. However, there are a couple of things I've found to help me out:

1.) My weight fluctuates daily. I am obsessed with my scale, BUT when I see the scale tip up 5 lbs I don't freak out as because of my obsession I know I naturally fluctuate that amount. I weigh myself morning and night to see the differences.

2.) Hold yourself accountable. I ALWAYS log everything I eat/drink (even the other night when I drank 3 bottles of wine which ended up pushing myself 1100 calories over my daily amount. OOPS haha). It's easier to eat something if you aren't seeing what it's actually putting into your body. I've replaced most snacks with fruits and vegetables. Sometimes a granola bar (which when I buy these I make sure to read the ingredients and the amount of sugar/fiber/carbs each bar has).

3.) The hardest part with going to the gym, actually getting up and going! Just DO it. Get in the car and drive. Once you get on that machine, push yourself. Start slow. 15 mins -> 30 -> 45 -> 60. The time FLIES. I now do an hour of cardio at least four days a week (I try to go 5) and 4 days of weights. Weight lifting can actually help burn calories even faster and will help the muscle tone up so that as the fat is lost you have lean muscle underneath.

4.) I also got a fitness watch with heart rate monitor to take to the gym with me. I always got frustrated when the machine would say I burned X amount and then the app would say I burned 2X. My fitness watch does the most accurate readings of how many calories I actually burned. Plus spending that money on it gives me an extra push as to why I have to go to the gym!

5.) Water water water! Cut out the juices and soda (as well as other sugars). When you first cut them out its hard, your body will CRAVE them. But you have to be strong! The end result is worth it.

6.) And lastly, Pinterest! I have found some great inspirational pictures (which I set as my background on my computer, iPhone and iPad) and recipes! I made the most delicious eggs in a ham basket the other day from a Pinterest pin and 4 servings was only 225 calories!

Keep your head up. If you slip a day, remember it's ONE day. Tomorrow is a new one. If you find yourself slipping more often than not, then try changing up routines and remember the end is worth the work!

Watch Forks Over Knives on Netflix. Eat to live.

I have PCOS (just found out).... And I know how you feel. When I was overweight i felt confused about it- why couldn't I lose weight? I tried going raw. I tried lifting weights. I ran 3x's a week. Still fat. It must be hormones I said. Had my thyroid checked and was sad when I was told it was normal. That would have at least explained everything. I ate all organic. I tried creams, pills, cleanses. I was told I ate too many phytoestregens. Tried that diet.

Nothing worked!

Six years passed.

Then I found MFP, tracked what I ate and when I worked out. In half a year I went from "obese" to "normal" BMI. That was almost three years ago. I got my bf down to less than 20.

The fact was, I ate too many calories. Even organic vegan food can be too many calories.

Stick to the program here. Don't let it get too complicated. I was 100% dedicated to eating 1200 calories PLUS my exercise cals (maybe you need more than that- follow mfp's guidelines). If I wanted pizza, guess what? I had pizza. And I ran to burn off the extra calories. I gave myself credit for everything- cleaning the house counts. Walking counts.

If I can do it, so can you.

Hi Nikki,

There are dietary treatments and nutrition interventions for PCOS. Be glad to help you. I am a Nutr. Professional.

Research has shown changing eating habits and getting more exercise helps to manage PCOS.

Moderate weight loss (5-10 percent of total body weight) can help normalize menstrual cycles, regulate blood sugar and increase a woman’s chances of conceiving a baby. Eating more whole-grain foods, fruits, vegetables, lean meats and low-fat or fat-free milk, cheese or yogurt can help lower your blood sugar, improve your body’s use of insulin and normalize hormone levels.

A healthy eating plan for women with PCOS includes:

Four to five meals or snacksevery day, including breakfast. Don’t skip meals.
A variety of foods from all the MyPlate food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy. Moderate portions of healthy fats, like olive and canola oils, walnuts, almonds and avocados.
Protein in all meals and snacks. Try nut butters, lean meats, fish, chicken, turkey and low-fat dairy products with all meals and snacks.
Healthy beverages such as water, low-fat or fat-free milk or soy beverage or 100 percent fruit juice.

Physical Activity and PCOS

Regular exercise can help alleviate symptoms of PCOS. Get moving with at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity most days of the week. (For weight loss, additional physical activity may be needed.) Increase muscle mass with strength-training exercises at least two times a week.

Hope this helps!

BREATHE....You are at the first stage of a long, yet powerful, journey. Many folks, have already, posted some wonderful words of encouragement. ~Do not despair, because only then will you lose hope.~

~ I understand the feelings and the emotions that you are suffering from, because I am a PCOS fighter, too. It is amazing what time, patience, and consistency will do to make one healthier.

BREATHE....Set small goals, don't rely on the scale, and be consistent in logging your meals and workouts.

~ Love yourself!!!:flowerforyou:

BREATHE....