PCOS weight-loss input..

I had PCOS. I started taking Spironolactin. I took it for a year and a half and my cysts disappeared. I have been off itnow for two years with no cysts and the weight is finally coming off.

You know I find the whole PCOS thing utterly bewildering. I came off Yasmin 3 months ago and since then my weight has rocketed to it's highest ever point. I exercise hard- am averaging 15,000 steps a day plus kettlebell workouts etc. I eat well- whole grains, lot's of veg etc. Makes me so cross as I am now under physio from numerous over training related injuries!

I joined a research project at the local hospital but was put in "control" group. This means I have to carry on for a year whilst the other group get education into complete lifestyle changes and I don't get such advice. I have had every test and visceral fat, insulin levels etc are good so I guess I can't moan too much but I would LOVE to know what this miracle complete lifestyle thing is. I simply don't want to just look at a bit of chocolate and put on half a stone!

Why does nobody, except those who have it, take this illness seriously?!

Once I uncover the "miracle" I will post again!!

KatieMae I will read that book so thank you. I have so many darn books I am thinking of starting a PCOS lending library...............

btw......despite these battles I have 2 lovely children (following a year of metformin treatment) so nobody with PCOS should EVER give up. The very fact that we are all on this board means we are all "triers"!

With Metformin - it didn't help me lose weight but it did seem to stabilise my weight so at least I had stopped putting on weight.
Only with exercise have I started to shift some of the PCOS midriff...!

I've been diagnosed with PCOS since the later part of high school. I didn't do anything about it because as a teen, I didn't think it was a big deal. I was on and off of the pill and Metformin. After college, I decided to get on track and get it under control. Now I'm on 500mg Metformin ER and am under a nutritionist's guidelines for "diet" of sorts. Limiting carbs to 30g per meal and 15g per snack. I can do without starchy carbs (bread, crackers, etc.) but I always get caught up with carbs in fruit. I love fruit! I'm hoping to lose a total of 60 pounds, but right now am aiming for 15% (30 pounds). Looking forward to getting tips from all of you! I'm also doing gym workouts 5 times/week with at least 30 minutes cardio and 20 minutes strength. Hoping to up that time in the coming months.

Yes, diagnosed in '85! I exercise just about daily, strength train, eat limited processed
foods. No canned foods or frozen meals. Raw and grilled veggies. I cut out so much
carb by eliminating rice,pasta,potatoes and pasta unless I make allowances. eat under
38% carb per day. Drink a lot of water .. I take a vitamin 'milk thistle'. I try and get plenty
of rest & hydration. None of these things were part of my regimine when my pcos/T2D
were their worst. Adopt a plan and stick w/it! Best of luck to U.

my pcos flares...to the point that I gain hundreds of pounds.

What you say? yes. I think the max is 120 pounds in a year.

Then, I'll add back in water, exercise, sleep (still not well obviously), and low carbs- or simply more vegetables- and the weight will come off.

Honestly, exercise has always been my biggest key.

I wasn't diagnosed until my mid to late 20s and always wondered what the heck was wrong with me...

Just looking at the amount of weight people in this thread have lost has inspired me to stop moping and try again.

I lost 20lb a couple of years ago with a low gi diet and lots of exercise but I have been lazy and it has all come back. I'm off all my medication at the moment for a couple of months so I can get new blood tests done and my acne etc is awful. So embarrassing. Has weightloss helped anyone with hair, skin etc problems? (When I lost the weight I tried coming off meds but acne and hair growth got really bad again despite running 5-10km a day and having a Bmi of 21, so I gave up).

Please post more inspiring stories.

What works best for me is portion control and to remove all sugared/caloric drinks (besides alcohol)

Be patient, which, with me is really hard. I've hard PCOS since I was eleven, my highest weight was around 370, and it's taken me THREE YEARS to lose 100lbs. I recommend a ton of fruits and veggies, I really don't eat much processed food anymore, even though I love it... Hardly ever any soda, and every now and then, I do a fruit and veggie week. Nothing but fruits, veggies and nuts/seeds that are not salted. I also eat a lot of beans. I used to lift, and that helped, but now I'm mostly running & walking. GOOD LUCK, LOVELY!

PCOS victim since 15 y/o

needed to have my ovaries removed at 20 y/o

Hi all,

Thanks all for sharing! This is really inspiring knowing that I'm not the only one dealing with this. And to read that others have lost as much as 180 lbs with PCOS just motivates me more! So thank you for that!

I also have PCOS and am about 180 lbs overweight. I'vebeen trying to lose weight for months now with no such luck (other than about 5 lbs). I have chaged my diet drastically, have green smoothies daily, quit smoking and do 5 mile bike rides 2-3 a week. I am not on Metformin but will be asking my doctor about it next visit. I'm thinking I might need to bump up the exercise and further restrict my diet.

My question to those who have cut sugar from their diet, how severe did you go with that? Did you just eliminate desserts and candy? Or did you get rid of rice, fruit and breads (even whole grains)?

Thanks!

Wow, it's nice to know there are so many women on here! I seriously don't eat much, but kept gaining weight. I was diagnosed in March of this year. And started Metformin in May. Now I'm trying to really get serious about what to do.
It's hard for me to do serious cardio exercises because I have severe shin splints where even walking for too long hurts. So that means I have to either join a gym to use an elliptical machine or join my local aquatic center. Both of which are not in the budget right now. I can do strength training though. From what I'm reading, adopting a low carb or low gi diet seem to help.

Metformin has been my life saver. I am struggling with PCOS and yes it is very hard to get the weight off, but if you go by a PCOS diet, it helps a lot.

PCOS is a crazy cluster of a beast. Depression, weight issues, unwanted hair, and acne. An then of course all of the health related issues with high propensity towards heart health, diabetes, and infertility. According to womanshealth.gov, 1 in every 10 females live with PCOS. On the Wikki, I discovered that the earliest record of a woman presenting with PCOS-like symptoms could be found in Italy in 1721. We are not alone and this monster has been haunting women for centuries.

I was diagnosed with PCOS as a teen in high school. I remember being in the school play at the same time my body invited a visit from the flo 2-3 times a month. I just thought I was stressed out. My took me to the doctor where blood was draw, my frequent periods maps, and questions about my sexual behavior and underparts came rapidly. I remember having that alien looking scope inserted inside me while images of the black string of pearls appeared on the screen. From there I was sent to an endocrinologist, an old school doctor, who informed me that I must keep my weight in check and avoid the "axe handle-wide rear end syndrome". My Doctors treated me by putting me on BC and spironolactone and sent me on my way. This entire time there was no mention of PCOS; I didn't have a name to affix to this beast inside me.

It was only years later, while in college, that my GP attributed my odd menses to my PCOS. And with a bit of research the light when on. All of the struggles I had with my body fit nicely into this new package. It finally had a name.

As I've gotten older I've seen an increase in the hirsutism and weight gain. I'm now on 2000mg Metformin and 100 mg Spironolactone daily. The Spiro is a new addition after having been off it for a decade or so. With PCOS each time you life changes, so to does your medication. Relationship status, income, change in location and practitioner. So I cannot remember why Spiro was missing from my life for such a long time, but I'm glad she's come into the fold again.

Realizing that my birthdays keep coming and someday soon I would like to have a family of my own, I went to see an Endocrinologist for the first time since high school (I'm soon to be 35). This time she was female and sensitive to my concerns and need for information. She understood my frustration with acne, facial hair, and ongoing struggle with weight. She had labs done and suggested I add Spironolactone to aide in PCOS treatment. I have since experience a decrease in appetite and no longer have strong cravings for starch, all an added benefit.

This spring I will become and aunt for the first time. And I want to be ready. A healthy, happy, and a stronger aunt. So I am posting publicly my plan for the next 6 months.

1. Fitbit my way to 10k a day or more (I love my Fitbit!)
2. Listen to 2-3 books a month while walk, feeding my body and my mind
3. Twice a week gymbershiping (that friendship that won't let you say, "not to day" ) with my friend Sarah
4. Continue to record what I eat with MFP and keep within a healthy calorie intake
5. Continue soda-free (2 months and counting)
6. Set goals and reward myself along the way
7. Bring my lunch to work along with an afternoon sweet-tooth snack
8. Celebrate every success and learn from every misstep

LOW CARB!

I have PCOS and Insulin resistance and low carb has been the only thing to help me. I was diagnosed with both in April of 2012 and started following a "Link and Balance" diet where I learned how to properly proportion and what to eat. I stick to a 7 protein to 15 carb ratio that doesn't exceed 15 protein to 30 carbs at any meal.

I was also put on Metformin during this time and if you do not follow low carb, metformin will make you so sick.

By my 4th month of my life style change, I had cured my Insulin Resistance and became fertile again.

PCOS is not a death sentence but you really need to watch what you eat. If you need any information or food ideas, please feel free to add me as a friend.