PCOS - helpful weightloss tips please ?

katielauren2001
katielauren2001 Posts: 171 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi,
I would like to know if anyone with PCOS has found it easier to lose weight with the elimination of some foods, or even eating more of a certain food? I don't eat alot of bread, however I eat some crackers but have been advised to avoid anything white and opt for the wholegrain option. I have also been advised that any rice is bad for you and that fruit shouldn't be eaten in excess? I eat a mainly vegetarian diet so this would be quite challenging. Any advice would be helpful... also have you found any supplements beneficial to weight loss? I appreciate any advice, as I have just been diagnosed and I have been struggling to lose weight despite a healthy diet.

Replies

  • cvpis4me
    cvpis4me Posts: 50
    When I first started MFP I just focused on the calories. But lately I've been trying to keep my carbs under 115 grams a day and so far it's been working well. I eat wheat bread and try not to eat too much starchy food like corn and potatoes but I don't beat myself up when I do. For example, today I'm having clam chowder for dinner so that meant for lunch I can only eat very little carbs, so I had a chicken salad and some bacon. It's kinda of a trade-off. If you eat lots of carbs for one meal, scale back for the next meal to balance it out. I've heard other people take cinnamon pills or add cinnamon to their breakfast meals to help with sugar digestion. I've thought about trying this as well
  • iqnas
    iqnas Posts: 445 Member
    I have PCOS and hypothyroid. I've lost 40 pounds in the last 6 months with calorie restriction. I didn't cut anything out.
  • katielauren2001
    katielauren2001 Posts: 171 Member
    Thankyou very much for the advice :)
  • kissesdahling
    kissesdahling Posts: 38 Member
    I've had the PCOS diagnosis since I was 12 (I'm now 23). It's been my experience that the OBGYN tells you things like "Eat very few carbs", "only eat whole grain", "don't eat rice", because these are general things to help you lose weight. And what I was told was that losing weight would be the only thing to ease my PCOS symptoms.

    I eat very few carbs already, so the advice, for me, was kinda a moot point.

    I haven't found anything that helps the symptoms other than losing weight. So, my advice is: find what makes you lose weight, and stick to it. Some people can eat rice and lose weight just fine. I find that some days, I *have* to eat rice or else my carbs are so low it's ridiculous and probably not good for me.

    I take the cinnamon pills. I was put on metformin (sp?) and all it did was make me feel nauseus and I actually gained a lot of weight by taking it -- and it was supposed to make me LOSE the weight. That was at my OBGYN's office. I went to a general practitioner and he said there was no way I should've been on metformin for an A1C that was only slightly off. (I was on the max dose of metformin.) So, since my problem was only because of my weight, I decided to focus on weightloss, and the cinnamon pills were an extra thing I added because I knew it was a safe, natural weight to improve blood sugar.

    I haven't got my A1C tested since then, but I did get like a regular blood sugar test and it turned out to be okay.

    I hope my post wasn't too rambly. But I hoped it offered some insight -- or at least some commiseration.
  • katielauren2001
    katielauren2001 Posts: 171 Member
    Thankyou very much :) I will look into cinammon pills. I am not being offered any medication and I don't know why - I don't really present any symptoms of PCOS except irregular periods and weight gain/slow weight loss. I looked into natural remedies such as chromium but found that it could cause potential DNA mutation, so I want natural remedies and supplements that are beneficial but do not have any side effects. I have occasionally being taking Omega 3 and eating more fish but have not noticed any improvement as yet... I have been losing alot more inches rather than weight and have been exercising a lot more. I have been doing so since September (during the Christmas break had an obvious setback) and lost under a stone (for those that don't measure in stones, a stone is around 14lb) :( I eat a majority of fruit and vegetables - no bread, eat quite a small quantity of pasta but potatoes are quite a large staple in my diet (with almost every dinner) as I said before I enjoy crackers particularly bannocks (oatcakes) and cereal bars which I know are high in carbs D: The worst part of PCOS is that I have been advised not to drink diet coke or any other diet drinks as it contains artifical sweetners and this apparentally has a negative impact on weight loss. I really want to see a change on the scales because losing just inches is depressing. Sorry for the rambling and thankyou kissesdahling for your helpful advice :)
  • sarahp86
    sarahp86 Posts: 692 Member
    I've never heard of the cinnamon pills but I will look into them. I'm a carb and sugar junkie and have been on WW, Slimming world, unislim, slim fast, lipotrim, nutritionist food plans etc.
    This is the only thing that has worked for me. If I deprive myself of something my body needs or wants I will binge, this way I control my diet and no one else, wha ever works for you, you know your body better than anyone else!!
  • katielauren2001
    katielauren2001 Posts: 171 Member
    Well I have been successful on diets before such as weight watchers and slimming world, however they have never been longterm so I am just doing healthy eating and calorie counting. I am skeptical of any fad diets and diets that are highly commercialised so I nd am sticking with healthy eating. My body has changed quite a lot since diagnosis and methods that I would usually lose weight with are no longer working :( Perhaps slow weight loss is better? I am now more concious of what I am eating, and when I am eating at restaurants I will pick healthier options - I enjoy it anyway :) However on weekends I am usually more laxe, but perhaps I shouldn't be! Eventually I am hopeful that I get to the stage I want to be without PCOS hindering my progress :( And well done everyone who has managed to lose weight despite PCOS diagnosis. It is really tough! Very depressing when you do all the right things and minimal effects and someone cheats a little and does a lot better! :(
  • diva2bee
    diva2bee Posts: 14
    Hi,
    I have PCOS too ... I was also put on Metformin and iron supplements. For me, I try to eat less processed foods, I stay away from white bread, sugar, pasta, rice. I try to eat more protein, fibre and get most of my sugars from my fruit. I really think for me this has been working. I think you need to try different meal plans and see what works for you. At the end of the day, a healthy balanced diet will work, might be a longer process but so worth it. Good luck :)
  • katielauren2001
    katielauren2001 Posts: 171 Member
    Thankyou! Less processed food is a good thing :) But very hard to achieve... is expensive sadly... I don't eat so much processed food as I used to as I believe it has limited nutritional benefits.
  • rufus1973
    rufus1973 Posts: 13
    thanks for asking this
  • katielauren2001
    katielauren2001 Posts: 171 Member
    You are welcome rufus and thankyou everyone. Hope everyone succeeds on their weight loss journey :)
  • jparker12379
    jparker12379 Posts: 97 Member
    I have PCOS and low carb usually works to both help me loose weight and regulate my periods (not sure how that works that way but it does/has) I lost 80 lbs 2 years ago and then I got pregnant so I gained most of it back.... I tried to do low carb last month and I just couldnt I was weak and tired.......so now I am just going for slow and steady I am watching counting my calories and trying to monitor my carbs without restricting completely.
  • atrjohnson
    atrjohnson Posts: 77 Member
    How low should your carbs be? 0-50, 50-100, 100-150, 150-200, etc. My Dr. told me to go low carb due to PCOS. I was diagnosed last week but I am unsure how to get the carbs low enough when I do not know how low I should go.
  • katielauren2001
    katielauren2001 Posts: 171 Member
    atrjohnson there should be some charts on low GI foods if you search on google. All 'white' foods should be avoided and instead eat wholegrain, but that's as much as I know really. Someone advised giving up diet soda but I just don't know if I can :(
  • atrjohnson
    atrjohnson Posts: 77 Member
    Thanks. I have definitely switched to whole wheat and I normally prefer it. I do miss buttery biscuits though. I had one Friday and got the worst headache afterwards. Lesson learned.
  • Jeanine_Colavecchi
    Jeanine_Colavecchi Posts: 185 Member
    Thankyou very much :) I will look into cinammon pills. I am not being offered any medication and I don't know why - I don't really present any symptoms of PCOS except irregular periods and weight gain/slow weight loss. I looked into natural remedies such as chromium but found that it could cause potential DNA mutation, so I want natural remedies and supplements that are beneficial but do not have any side effects. I have occasionally being taking Omega 3 and eating more fish but have not noticed any improvement as yet... I have been losing alot more inches rather than weight and have been exercising a lot more. I have been doing so since September (during the Christmas break had an obvious setback) and lost under a stone (for those that don't measure in stones, a stone is around 14lb) :( I eat a majority of fruit and vegetables - no bread, eat quite a small quantity of pasta but potatoes are quite a large staple in my diet (with almost every dinner) as I said before I enjoy crackers particularly bannocks (oatcakes) and cereal bars which I know are high in carbs D: The worst part of PCOS is that I have been advised not to drink diet coke or any other diet drinks as it contains artifical sweetners and this apparentally has a negative impact on weight loss. I really want to see a change on the scales because losing just inches is depressing. Sorry for the rambling and thankyou kissesdahling for your helpful advice :)

    You're not alone!

    I was just finally diagonsed with PCOS. After many years of doctors just telling me to "east less calories" or eat less carbs...I finally have an answer! I saw an endocrinologyst and she did blood work to determine that is what I had.

    Low Glycemic Index is the way to go IMO. Many books and sites recommend this too. I started eating this way last July and in about a few months I lost 35-40lbs with working out. That was the first time I actually lost anything in YEARS and I'm a true believer its from the Low GI thing.

    I just find fun ways to make stuff from the Low Gi food list...its really not that complicated actually and you can still have a lot of things. I have a website that gives you a list of things to not have...and things to have if you want. Just let me know and I can link them :)
  • Lozze
    Lozze Posts: 1,917 Member
    Another one who sticks to low GI.
  • Karamelicious
    Karamelicious Posts: 39
    You're not alone!

    I was just finally diagonsed with PCOS. After many years of doctors just telling me to "east less calories" or eat less carbs...I finally have an answer! I saw an endocrinologyst and she did blood work to determine that is what I had.

    Low Glycemic Index is the way to go IMO. Many books and sites recommend this too. I started eating this way last July and in about a few months I lost 35-40lbs with working out. That was the first time I actually lost anything in YEARS and I'm a true believer its from the Low GI thing.

    I just find fun ways to make stuff from the Low Gi food list...its really not that complicated actually and you can still have a lot of things. I have a website that gives you a list of things to not have...and things to have if you want. Just let me know and I can link them :)

    I'm having a very hard time trying to incorporate Low GI into my diet. Can you send them to me because I LOVE BREAD! Not just any bread, but freshly baked bread from the carribean bakery near my house. But I need to get this body of mine to work with me not against me... and lose this extra fat too.
  • katielauren2001
    katielauren2001 Posts: 171 Member
    I feel your pain (well I don't enjoy bread that much) but I love crackers and lots of white rice! Thankyou for the advice about low GI btw, I have been feeling awful about everything recently because no matter hard I try the weight won't budge! I'm going to try the wholegrain bread and hopefully these changes will help. I am not planning to go on a 'diet' this is for life :) Here are the lists of foods http://www.the-gi-diet.org/lowgifoods/ :)
  • Cwilliams8676
    Cwilliams8676 Posts: 252 Member
    I had PCOS but in August had a complete hysterectomy. Now weight loss is much easier I struggled 10 yrs to lose

    Thinking of you
  • katielauren2001
    katielauren2001 Posts: 171 Member
    That may one day be an option, but I have just turned 18. I am tired of being big but have always struggled to lose weight since puberty :( and it's hard because I have no self confidence and despite working hard since September the weight hasn't went down very much - although the inches have.
  • Cwilliams8676
    Cwilliams8676 Posts: 252 Member
    Have you tried the insulin resistance diet plan? Id suggest to when done having children and older to get a hysterectomy seriously best thing i ever did i feel normal finally
  • katielauren2001
    katielauren2001 Posts: 171 Member
    I looked it up never heard it used by that term, thats basically a low carb/gi diet right? I am pretty confused though because I am not the typical body shape for someone with insulin resistance - I am big on top and bottom as well, my stomach has gone down because of exercise admittedly. I am going to start eating low carb foods but I have also discovered I need more protein in my diet (if you look at my diary)
  • Cwilliams8676
    Cwilliams8676 Posts: 252 Member
    its a diet they usually put diabetics on low index carbs healthy carbs eat plenty of whole grains and veggies..
  • gymalien
    gymalien Posts: 2
    I know I'm way, way late.... But a teaspoon of Konsyl Fiber (this brand is not addictive with almost no additives) with a glass of water about 45 minutes before the major meals helped me lose cravings and eat less. I also used a new workout system call the 7minuteworkout every other day (although not religiously) and walked a couple miles on the off days... I lost 32 pounds in two months and when All was said and done I'd lost 53 pounds in about 6 months.
  • estherlion
    estherlion Posts: 86 Member
    Thanks! I should try this.

Categories