PCOS and weight loss

I've been diagnosed with PCOS for about 2 years. It has been very difficult to lose the weight, but I was on Metformin when I was first diagnosed and lost some weight, but went off it when I got pregnant and just yesterday I went back on it. So I'm hoping it helps me lose weight this time around because my glucose levels are all out of whack and that's why I couldn't get pregnant before and the Metformin helped me get pregnant! I watch my sugar levels, and I know I should exercise more, but dang it's so hard. Especially with me because I have a disability with my legs and it affects my balance. So, I can definitely relate to not losing the weight like we want to. But yes, the PCOS does make it super hard to lose, but it's possible. Just by cutting out fast food, sweets, and nothing to drink but water, I've lost 15lbs in a little over one month. So, you gotta watch what you eat as well.

I have been diagnosed with PCOS for a number of years, and I have found that losing weight has been extremely difficult. I didn't realize it, but the last year said I actually didn't have it anymore, as I had lost some weight and apparently you can grow out of some of the symptoms. My periods came back and I didn't have the insulin resistance. I DID have to stay lower carb, but while I did atkins and lost a ton of weight, it was not sustainable. I had tried metformin a while back and it made me SOOOOOO sick that I came off it and never went back.

I think it's good that you are noticing other ways in which you are making progress. That's important. But I DO know the frustration of not being able to see the number on the scale.

Hang in there and keep logging and making good food choices.

I was diagnosed with PCOS about 6 years ago. My weight has fluctuated a lot during that time depending on my diet and activity level, but I've had the most luck losing weight and reducing my symptoms over the years by eating a low GI diet and incorporating intense cardio.

Reducing the amount of high GI foods I eat took me from 2 to 3 periods a year to a semi-regular 40-50 day cycle, and adding in 30-45 minutes of cardio 3 times a week finally got me to a "normal" 30 day cycle. I stopped exercising regularly a few years ago, so I gained weight and I'm now back to the 40-50 day cycle, but I know what works for me. (Thankfully I'm back on the exercise wagon now!)

Stick with it! It's tough and really discouraging to not see the number on the scale move, but if you're noticing a difference in your clothes, you might try taking your measurements regularly to see if those are changing. And if your PCOS symptoms are getting better, that's obviously a huge improvement.

If you continue on and still don't see a change in your weight though, I'd recommend getting a full check-up to see if there's something else hindering your weight loss.

I would say try eating less calories 1600 and then go down to 1300

Glad I found this topic! I to have a hormonal imbalance and it was extremely hard for me to loose weight. I have always been "chubby" but active when I was younger, so my weight never fluctuated. At the time, having hormonal problems never concerned me, but after graduating from high school, my activity level went from active to hardly any activity at all. This is when I put on most of my weight.

In 2008, after consulting with my Dr. he advise me to go on medication, which I declined. Instead, I became a vegetarian and completely eliminated meat products, processed products and started a workout routine which at the time consisted of walking and the elliptical machine two hours a day. In less then three months, I lost 60lbs,(see my FB pics under my weight loss journey).This by far was the best way that I tackled PCOS. My cycles also became regular and I felt so much better.

After the birth of my son, I noticed that my weight was not coming off and instead I was putting on weight.I blame this primarily of reverting back to old habits. I truly believe that a lot of the issues women are facing with PCOS have a strong link to the things we eat and how they are being processed. I know its hard to workout and not see much pounds coming off at the scale, but keep in mind that you are also building muscle which is a lot heavier than fat. loosing inches and building stamina and remaining active is so much better than the number on the scale. In do time Deborah, you will see and feel a difference.

Stay encourage and mentally fit for the fitness road ahead!

I am 24 right now, soon to be 25, and I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 14-15. I have been on meds, on and off (even though I was supposed to take them regularly), all these years. I took them religiously for four years, but then I got tired of them. I have lost significant weight twice but gained it all back: the first time I lost weight, I was 13-14, and I ended up losing with 60 lbs with a crash diet and intense workout. Second time, I was on bed rest when I lost weight, so it was some light stretching exercises and physical therapy while on bed and eating healthy. Needless to say, I have gained all the weight back and haven't lost significantly since I was 19. I am on metformin extended release, spironolactone, and birth control for PCOS. I used to be on finasteride and Vaniqa for a few years as well but no more. I haven't really lost weight specifically being on metformin per se, but I guess it helps with distributing energy consumed from calories throughout the day. It also upsets my stomach, but metformin is necessary to regulate the glucose levels in the body, especially if our hormones are all screwed up. My endo recommended Qsymia to jumpstart my weight loss journey, but I refused to go on it, considering all the side effects. However, I am at all-time high right and considering it again. My plan is to see if I can lose weight with healthy eating and light workout during the first month; if I lose at least 8 lbs, I won't go on Qsymia. And yes, weight loss is harder with PCOS. I am now on day 2 of eating healthy and day 1 of light workout. I am motivated and determined to do it the right away, as I really want to avoid being put on Qsymia, but I'll consider it if my body fat percentage doesn't go down.