Ladies with PCOS success stories!

EmmarrD · May 2013

I recently found out I have PCOS and have been told it is 10x harder to lose weight, so I'm wanting to hear some success stories, tips, progress pics or anything!

twingirlsmommy · May 2013

hey!! You can add me as a friend, I have PCOS as well!!

mdj2011 · May 2013

You can add me too, pcos, i am just getting started on my journey.

brantleysbaby · May 2013

I have PCOS also...I've only lost about 8lbs since I started (about 3 weeks ago) but there is hope! You can add me also!!

Carnivor0us · May 2013

It might be a little tougher but don't give up! I've lost 10 pounds so far, 90 to go. You can add me if you'd like.

tehzephyrsong · May 2013

I have PCOS. I don't do anything special because of it, although I've been told I'd have an easier time of it if I gave up or at least severely restricted carbs. I might try that, but honestly I've managed OK so far without doing so.

Celeigh12 · May 2013

It's true, some women find it harder, but it's not a given! I don't struggle too much.

BrittBrat1787 · May 2013

I have PCOS and yeah, it's been really hard, but totally possible! I find that I just have to be a lot more careful than the average girl. Especially since I can't really take any meds for it except bc. My symptoms got really bad at one point and I was so frustrated because it felt like nothing I did would make the weight come off. I felt trapped in my own body. To the point that I developed an eating disorder. It took/ has taken A LOT of work to figure out how my body responds to certain foods, but I lost 70lbs so far

I haven't completely figured it out, I'm not perfect by any means ,but trying hard day by day. Feel free to add me!

mamosh81 · May 2013

since i cut down carbs to only max 120 g per day and i am on medication i seem to be doing pretty well before that ohh yes it was bad maybe lost 1 lbs a month on a 1500 cal diet. But it also depends on if you have insulin resistent pcos or not witch if you struggle with weight loss you most likely do. I find since i added HIIT to my workouts i lose much better since HIIT can improve insulin sensitivity so your muscles more readily suck in glucose, instead of the glucose going to your fat stores.

Cocozest · May 2013

Reading this is a bit discouraging....

I've been diagnosed with PCOS 2 years ago and started eating 1500 calories a day for 3 weeks, but haven't really lost that much weight. I read somewhere that PCOS carriers have to be cautious with sugar intake because we might be insulin resistant? This makes me worry about eating a lot of fruit. I tend to eat more fruits than i do veggies

VanCityFit · May 2013

I am here to tell you that it can be done, I had insulin resistant PCOS, I was diagnosed at 14 and I was told that life would give me some challenges. I never worried too much about my weight until I was 20 years old and weight 199.6lbs I couldn't believe I weighed that much!!

I learned quickly that carbs were not my friend. HIIT was a lifesaver along with eating a clean low carb diet and cycling with a ketogenic diet. I got down to 129lbs and looked amazing, I reversed my PCOS and got pregnant(something I was told would never happen)!

Unfortunately my pregnancy through all of my hormones put of whack again and I am struggling, trying to find that determination I once had. I got up to 206lbs during my pregnancy and I. Down to 178 but I still have a long road ahead of me.

I do know that it can be done because I have done it before and will do it again!!!

Ruthb1212 · May 2013

I too have PCOS and weight has been an issue since I can remember. Try cutting down on the carbs and talking to your doctor about getting on Metformin. It's hard, but not impossible!

kazzsjourney · May 2013

I have PCOS and have managed to lose 188 pounds...heres my pics (I obviously still am not at goal...still about another 35-40 pounds to go)

Before:

Current:

cinderwolfeh · May 2013

May I ask what PCOS stands for?

Lupercalia · May 2013

It can be much more difficult, but it's not impossible. I have PCOS and am also insulin resistant. Controlling my diet and lifting heavy weights has really turned it around for me. As the weight comes off, my symptoms lessen.

sararab · May 2013

May I ask what PCOS stands for?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
There's lots of information about it online if you'd like to learn more, it's very common

I also have it and I have lost 24lb in the past 6 months just from counting calories and doing regular exercise (with a few cheat days). I thought it was impossible too but i'm 14lb from my goal weight and so ready to get there!

(this is my first ever post, how exciting haha. Long time reader though!)

super_J73 · May 2013

I was diagnosed with mild PCOS in 2004, had my daughter in 2006. It's not as bad as it was, but I still have a few symptoms. I've lost 53 pounds in 16 months. You can add me if you like :-)

losethechalupa · May 2013

WOW Amazing Kazz!!

LeopardPrintedLove · May 2013

I have PCOS and I am down 20 pounds so far! Don't listen to whoever is telling you it's harder-- that is a lazy mindset of someone who has already given up before they've gotten started! Pay attention to this website-- do as others have done and you will have success! This is the best place to be, I think! You can lose weight, and you will. So wipe away your negative thoughts and get to movin' girl!! Note: For PCOS patients, exercise is just as important as what you eat, so do something, do ANYTHING! Volunteer to do big jobs you wouldn't normally do-- paint a house, run a race, whatever it takes! The gym can be your best friend! So can swimming laps. Whatever you do-- just remember, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING. No questions....No if's, no and's, and no but's!

StephanieE3456 · May 2013

I have it too. I follow a very low carb diet ( < 20 g./day) and workout 6 days a week. I strength train for 3 days and run 3 days. I'm down 77 lbs in 10 months. I eat 1200 calories a day. If I eat more then I don't lose. So yes, in that respect I have to work harder than someone without PCOS by keeping my calories low. However, when I'm in ketosis, hunger doesn't enter the picture and I'm fine with eating that amount of calories.

skyekeeper · May 2013

I started my journey in March 2012 and have lost about 135 pounds. I know everyone's bodies are different. I have tried different programs for years and nothing worked. I have also struggled with hypothyroidism and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). Finally, I just did it on my own and changed my diet and am learning more and more about exercise and it seems to be working. Just one day at a time. I just always pray it continues to keep working and I can keep it off. Feel free to add me if you want, anyone.

SmashWhite85 · May 2013

I had no idea about the added lower belly fat being a side effect of PCOS until looking into it today. I feel like I understand so much more about my body and shape, now... Wow.

Looking for motivated friends!

ldrosophila · May 2013

you can do it. dont expect miracles be happy with the small loses. In general, I eat slightly less carbs about 40-50%, portion control, and dont drink anything with calories (besides alcohol).

nooraltareif · May 2013

I have PCOS too. I got diagnosed when I was 15 but have struggled with my weight since I was about 9. It gave me the push to lose about 14lbs but then i yo-yo'd for a couple of years. Now I'm 20 and completely determined that this time will be the last time. I've been leading a healthier lifestyle with MFP for 2 and a half months and have lost 16 lbs. I've been watching my sugar because I'm insulin resistant but I still have 1-2 squares of dark chocolate almost every day and it's been working well. Some tactics that people without PCOS use to lose weight don't work for me, for example when I first started eating clean and exercising I found that I was burning off too many calories through exercise to the point where I couldn't eat enough to get out of starvation mode and lose weight. Lots of people I know compensated by having one cheat meal a week that shocks your metabolism. I tried that once right at the beginning and had a disaster where I had to work off all the weight I'd gained for the next week. So I think it's definitely harder for me and I have a tendency to put on fat very easily but I don't let it stop me. The upside is that while I can't have a massive treat meal, I can have very regular little treats because they don't adversely affect my weight loss. I tend to stick to dark chocolate and it works for me. As long as I keep an eye on my sugar I'm okay and feel so much better in myself for eating healthily, working out and losing weight! I have another 24 lbs to lose to get where I want to be but through my weight loss so far I'm almost symptom free which I'm very happy about.

KristyAnn81 · May 2013

I have PCOS. It sucks. It's a struggle to lose weight, but the best thing I found is to count carbs and eat every few hours during the day. As long as the insulin stays in check, the weight is easier to come off, for me. I have tried EVERYTHING else. Counting calories alone, fad diets, pills, etc, countless hours at the gym. It wasn't until I was pregnant (after 4 years of trying) that I found out I had gestational diabetes and had to carb count. Weight started to fall off of me (and I didn't think I ate bad at all, even when pregnant) and I realized if this works while pregnant, it will work when not! Lost 30 pounds the year after I had my son with carb counting alone. Got off track, gained about 10 back, but now I'm here, counting carbs and calories and exercising 6 days a week!

(feel free to add me for support!)

bookyeti · May 2013

I'm also a PCOS'er, with insulin resistance and hypothyroidism to boot. Probably the "perfect storm". Sigh.

It certainly does make losing weight extremely difficult, but as others have said, it's not impossible... it just takes a bit of extra hard work and patience (we often lose more slowly than most people).

For years I tried "eating less, moving more" - I counted every single morsel that went into my mouth, and exercised for hours at a time, daily. The result? I kept gaining weight, especially in my belly area. My doctor and I were confused, and I was so discouraged!

The only thing I've found that works for me personally is to keep my carbs considerably low <--- this is especially true if you have insulin resistance. Coupled with portion control and regular daily exercise (especially HIIT), I'm *finally* seeing results. Of course, it's not easy, because I *love* whole grains - but I've realized my body can't process them as they should be. I treat it like a food allergy because, in a way, it is. People with insulin resistance, including most women with PCOS, have a reduced capacity to tolerate carbohydrates.

PCOS is a syndrome and so it will affect everyone differently. Some women with PCOS don't have weight issues, while others do. You can have PCOS without having insulin resistance as well. Keep in mind, what works for someone else may not work for you. Also good to know that there are 5 different types of PCOS, each with it's own 'hallmark': http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php/129677-5-Types-of-PCOS

I hope you find what works for you and find success! :-)

TexasDarling09 · May 2013

Its definitely a struggle but I've managed to lose almost 80lbs! add me if you want

kmash32 · May 2013

I too have PCOS. I was just recently diagnosed and am 40 but it sure explains why I have always had problems losing weight. I went to a nutritionist and have had success over the the last 4 weeks. I do find that really limiting my carbs is a big key. Like someone else said I try to stick to no more than 100 in a day and 120 max. Because I also don't have a thyroid (it was removed 8 years ago because of cancer) I have a double whammy as my metobolism does not work right so I have to be very careful with my calories as well. I try to stay around 1200 in a day and if I go over or no I am going to well then I have to make sure I get my butt up and exercise.

I am finding it is possible but I have to be very diligent and if I do slip I have to not let myself give up like I have in the past and get back on the horse the next day. I hate exercising so am really trying to find some methods I like as well as join some sports.

daniellebstcyr · May 2013

I have PCOS, and I have found that my body very easily slips into starvation mode if I don't eat small meals/snacks throughout the day to keep my blood sugar regulated. This has the added benefit of keeping me feeling full, since I can almost always eat when I am hungry, not when the clock tells me to eat. I have been slowly but steadily losing weight since I joined about 2.5 months ago (down 22 lbs). I do get some regular exercise, but it is a goal of mine to increase my exercise and add weight training, as I have learned that will also help with some of the other PCOS symptoms.

It can be done, don't let anyone tell you it can't!

mona_patty · May 2013

I've been diagnosed with PCOS since 2002?? Yes, it's is a bit harder especially if you eat too much wheat (breads, cereals, etc) also milk is suppose to be bad for us, But anything is possible if you exercise and eat healthy. No matter if you lose weight or not, keep exercising..... Never lose hope. I have not yet completed a year....... still few more months to go.

I was overweight in my 20's,,, finally @ 33 I have been focused on fitness and nutrition. Here is a pic on my progress..... I achieved my 40 lbs in April (before my vacation)

DISCLAIMER: MY TICKER SAYS 36 LBS,,,,, I WAS IN VACATION FOR 2 WEEKS LOL

EmmarrD · May 2013

Thank you all so much.
I'm going to start cutting out carbs and making sure I eat small snacks throughout the day. It is so encouraging to read and see the results you have all had!

Ladies with PCOS success stories!

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