PCOS and mother of 2 year-old= mission impossible?

Losing weight with a 2 year old and PCOS is very hard. I'm in the same boat! I'm a 30 year old single working mother of a 2.5 year old boy. I've been working on losing weight for about 10.5 months and am down about 32 lbs (50 lbs still to go). My best advice:

Find the diet that works for you. Sometimes with PCOS a low carb diet works really well (especially if you are insulin resistant) and I've heard that the South Beach diet is also really great. I don't do any specific diet, but I have read up on the glycemic index and glycemic load and have switched to high fiber, lower net carb foods (whole wheat pasta, high fiber whole wheat wraps, etc.). I have cut out a lot of refined sugar (but not completely - I still indulge in treats). I switched to natural peanut butter with no added sugar and I try to only snack on fruits, veggies, nuts, and protein instead of crackers or chips or other carb loaded items. Just experiment and see what works with your body and your lifestyle.

Baby steps. Don't expect yourself to totally stick to your calorie goal right away, or to always work out 6 days a week, or to suddenly eat a perfectly balanced nutritious diet every day. Tackle one small change at a time. Once you have that change worked into your lifestyle/diet/routine, then make another change, then another.

EXERCISE. I can't emphasize this one enough! I read that exercise helps reset your muscles insulin sensitivity, so the more muscle mass you have and the more you exercise the lower your insulin levels will be. When your insulin levels are lower, you will have an easier time burning fat and getting your body out of storage mode. If you can, lift weights - heavy weights if possible. Don't have time, money or babysitter for the gym? Get a jogging stroller. Start walking. Maybe start a couch to 5k program (it's been the best thing I've ever done!). Do an exercise video at home while the kiddo is napping, or in the morning before the kiddo wakes up. Or strap the kid into the high chair in the living room for breakfast while you do the exercise video. No time for a dedicated workout? Get a pedometer and try to get in at least 10,000 steps every day (roughly the equivalent to walking 5 miles a day).

Stop worrying about the scale. Forget about the scale. Maybe only weigh yourself every couple weeks unless you can learn to stop living and dying by the numbers. Strive for health. Focus on 1) sticking to the ballpark of your calorie goal 2) getting in some kind of exercise most days 3) making small, incremental changes in your diet to make it healthier and 4) set a fitness goal. I loved the couch to 5k goal because it gives me something concrete that I can work for and it's something where I can see progress daily and weekly, thus keeping me motivated. Plus it burns lots of calories.

Be patient. Don't give up. It may take you longer and you may have weeks or months where the scale refuses to budge (been there!) but if you just keep trying to be healthier and fitter the weight WILL come off. You can't fail unless you give up and stop trying.

Consult a doctor. Many women find it easier to lose weight when they take Metformin, which helps increase insulin sensitivity. I only recently started taking this, so I lost about 30 lbs without any medication (it can be done!). Metformin can have some really awful side effects when you first start taking it, but most people feel better within a couple of weeks (I only felt yucky for about 9 days, and only the first 2-3 were really bad). BUT, if you can get your hormones under control you will have an easier time losing weight.

Be committed. You are worth it. You will be a better you and a better mom if you are healthier and more energetic. You deserve it and your family deserves to have the best you. If that means they have to sacrifice a little of your time right now, it is worth it. You just have to make it a priority.