PCOS ... is weight loss doable?

robinmalone1020
robinmalone1020 Posts: 4
in Introduce Yourself
I have several health issues that needs to be addressed. I have PCOS for one, which makes it almost impossible to lose weight regardless of what I do. I get very frustrated when I kill myself with exercise and eat the proper foods for this disease and still don't see the scales budge. But I'm giving this one more shot ... if it doesn't work this time, I'm going to look into having gastric bypass surgery done as a last resort. I also have type 2 diabetes and hypertension. The hypertension is being controlled with medication but the diabetes is not. I'm taking two medications for it and still the numbers are not down to where it needs to be. I also have a Vitamin D and potassium deficiency, but I take supplements for that. I need to lose a total of about 100 lbs. I have very little energy and my hips, butt, and legs hurt most of the time and the pain goes all the way down to my feet and ankles. It feels like I have sprained them when I haven't, but it is so severe that I have to sit down because putting any weight on it makes things worse. I'm hoping the potassium supplements will help alleviate this. I have a bachelors degree in Nutrition Science, so I know the proper foods and portion sizes to eat for my condition and I try to stick with it as best I can, although once in a while I treat myself to a little carbohydrates, but not very often. It's the exercise I have trouble getting in on a regular basis, mainly because of the pain in my lower extremities and frankly there is not many exercises I enjoy doing. I usually walk, when I am able and I enjoy hot yoga. Hot yoga classes can be very expensive, but I am going to try and budget it in each month. Wish me luck! Any suggestions from anyone who may suffer from PCOS but have had success losing weight would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading my post.

Replies

  • alissa_wilson2
    alissa_wilson2 Posts: 1 Member
    I also have PCOS and am trying to lose more than 100 pounds. I'm not really seeing a big difference yet on the scale, but definitely in inches and clothing fit. I'm also considering bypass surgery (specifically sleeve), but want to change the way I approach my eating first.
  • lisajsund
    lisajsund Posts: 366 Member
    There are PCOS groups on here as well.
    I have lost 20 pounds give or take, in the last several months.
    On the quest to lose another 15-20!
    Yes - it's doable!
  • lisajsund
    lisajsund Posts: 366 Member
    I find low carb works very well.
    When I'm watching like a hawk, I'm below 30% daily.
    With a calorie goal of 2200.
  • lisajsund
    lisajsund Posts: 366 Member
    Sorry for the quick responses -
    I've sent both of you FRs. Yay!
    Weight loss is 80% nutrition, 10% exercise, and 10% genetics.
    (You must make sure you are eating enough - or you will potentially gain fat, and lose lean tissue - the body's version of starvation mode.)
  • cebreisch
    cebreisch Posts: 1,340 Member
    I have several health issues that needs to be addressed. I have PCOS for one, which makes it almost impossible to lose weight regardless of what I do. I get very frustrated when I kill myself with exercise and eat the proper foods for this disease and still don't see the scales budge. But I'm giving this one more shot ... if it doesn't work this time, I'm going to look into having gastric bypass surgery done as a last resort. I also have type 2 diabetes and hypertension. The hypertension is being controlled with medication but the diabetes is not. I'm taking two medications for it and still the numbers are not down to where it needs to be. I also have a Vitamin D and potassium deficiency, but I take supplements for that. I need to lose a total of about 100 lbs. I have very little energy and my hips, butt, and legs hurt most of the time and the pain goes all the way down to my feet and ankles. It feels like I have sprained them when I haven't, but it is so severe that I have to sit down because putting any weight on it makes things worse. I'm hoping the potassium supplements will help alleviate this. I have a bachelors degree in Nutrition Science, so I know the proper foods and portion sizes to eat for my condition and I try to stick with it as best I can, although once in a while I treat myself to a little carbohydrates, but not very often. It's the exercise I have trouble getting in on a regular basis, mainly because of the pain in my lower extremities and frankly there is not many exercises I enjoy doing. I usually walk, when I am able and I enjoy hot yoga. Hot yoga classes can be very expensive, but I am going to try and budget it in each month. Wish me luck! Any suggestions from anyone who may suffer from PCOS but have had success losing weight would also be greatly appreciated.

    I have PCOS and, like you, have struggled with my weight seemingly forever. Having a degree in nutrition science will help you.

    I was in the same boat as you - if it didn't work this time, I was going to have lap-band surgery, and had gone so far as to see a surgeon about it, was working with his dietician, going to a therapist, etc. They wanted me to lose 90 pound before they'd do the surgery. They recommended that I start logging on MFP.

    I don't know why it's different this time, but it is. As of last year at this time, I'd lost 115 pounds, and had a rough year last year. I'm up almost 30 pounds, but am back on track this week. I can't wait to weigh in on Monday!!

    I've also joined Weight Watchers, and convert my MFP numbers to points. MFP helps me see the breakdown of what I'm eating, and all in all helps me make wiser choices. Somehow it clicked. More protein, more fiber, and it usually results in less sugar, less fat, less carbs, and I've been losing weight.

    I get Chocolite Protein bars to help get in fiber and protein. (www.healthsmartfoods.com)

    Here's my most recent blog in case you're interested.... http://baysweightloss.blogspot.com/2014/02/seriously-mia.html
  • Lizabelle1212
    Lizabelle1212 Posts: 252 Member
    Yes, it is doable! I have PCOS also, and my doctor has me on Metformin, which is helping a lot. Have you talked with your doctor about maybe starting Metformin? I know it's a common medication for PCOS and helps with weight loss. I also hear low carb and watching your gluten intake is helpful for people with PCOS!
  • AmyZ46
    AmyZ46 Posts: 694 Member
    Yes , I have it also and also take Mteformin . I too used to hurt all over my back hurt so bad I was only able to walk 10 minutes at a time but I did that three times a day . My feet hurt and my legs but comeon, I was carrying 270 lbs of course they hurt . I hated every minute of exercise I did for about 3 months then I didn't ahte it .I felt better I was starting to look better .It's all about what you will accept to be who you want to be .I was going to have a gastric sleeve surgery too but I didn't I stopped drinking cola and started eating healthy .

    Good luck
  • robinmalone1020
    robinmalone1020 Posts: 4
    Yes I took Metformin on and off for PCOS since 2008, but it stopped working for me. At first it was great, I lost around 15 lbs without even trying but the longer I was on it the less it worked. I ended up gaining the weight back plus more and my insulin resistance finally turned into type 2 diabetes in October of last year. I had a lot of side effects from Metformin and can no longer take it. Now I am on 2 different diabetes medications, Januvia and Actos, and my doctor keeps adjusting the milligrams because it''s not getting my glucose numbers down enough, but at least I'm not having any side effects from them.
  • phillrn
    phillrn Posts: 338 Member
    It is hard..but it is doable:) good luck!
  • robinmalone1020
    robinmalone1020 Posts: 4
    That is wonderful cebreisch, congratulations on losing 115 lbs! I will have to try the Chocolite Protein bars and see if it helps. I tried Weight Watchers several times over the years and was never able to lose weight on their plan, but I know a lot of people have great success with it. Good luck to you on losing the remainder of the weight. I know it is hard for anybody, but especially for those of us with PCOS.
  • establishingaplace
    establishingaplace Posts: 301 Member
    A few years ago I lost about 20 pounds with a combination of reasonable diet, weight lifting, and medication. To be more specific, I lost 5 inches from my waist and 4 from my hips., so I don't know how many fat pounds I lost or muscle pounds I gained.

    I gained some weight back and then gained and lost the same 5 pounds for awhile, going on and off the wagon due to external circumstances, health stuff, etc. etc.

    Weight lifting really supercharges my metabolism, so I would suggest trying that. I also had success dropping soy from my diet (not obsessively, I just don't cook with it at home) because I'm hypothyroid. I don't know if any ingredient elimination would be useful to you or not.

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