PCOS- What works?

rhiannondream
rhiannondream Posts: 11
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello all!
I hope not to sound silly on this topic as I have yet to be officially tested for it, but I was wondering what women with PCOS have done to break through and lose weight. I have delayed the testing as I've been afraid to hear it, among other things, but I have the symptoms- inconsistent/irregular periods, embarassing hirsutism all over that seems to get worse as the years go by, fatigue, and fat that just doesn't seem to want to go away. At my peak I was nearly 200 lb and am down to 166 lbs through exercise and low carb dieting...however I seem to be stuck at this weight for over half a year now. I'm starting to feel hopeless and impatient that I will not be able to shed these last 20-30 lbs to be at a healthy bmi.

I would like to naturally try to continue to lose fat before I get diagnosed and possibly have to take medication- I'm not fond of the idea but if it will help, I will consider it...I'm not sure if it's possible to reverse it or if I have a "mild" case of it if there is such a thing. I had terrible, painful, acne and was extremely fatigued before I lost some weight so I am wondering if other symptoms will lessen if I can manage to lose more fat. After a period of feeling down about no progress, I started to do more cardio, HIIT, and pilates for 1 hr, 6x a week...after 2 weeks I have lost about 1.5 lbs which I think is supposed to be healthy...

So...what has helped you? Any diets, foods, macros, exercises to suggest/avoid?
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Replies

  • zivasak
    zivasak Posts: 88
    you are doing great!

    I would top up the HIIT with lifting weights 3 times a week (very good for weight loss and important for hormonal balance)

    Keep your anxiety and cortisol under control. You will see a change promise. Hang in there!
  • AlwaysInMotion
    AlwaysInMotion Posts: 409 Member
    I have PCOS. If there's a "normal" for PCOS, I was probably it. I had many of the classic symptoms. My diagnosis was confirmed via ultrasound. I agree that it's just tougher to lose weight with PCOS, but there's nothing truly unique as far as our weight loss objectives & methods go. We just have to work a bit harder and it's a bit slower...

    What worked for me... I just maintain a modest calorie deficit (gotta be consistent), I try to eat a balance of 40% carbs, 30% fat, and 30% protein, and I get plenty of regular exercise (both cardio and strength). I've lost 120 lbs and have kept the bulk of it off for nearly 10 years. I gained back about 35 lbs over the last 3-4 years (due to plain old complacency) and am working to get back within 10 lbs of my lowest weight now. I couldn't realistically maintain my lowest weight for long, so now I'm just shooting to be within the normal BMI range. FWIW, I noticed that my PCOS symptoms lessened once I got my weight down.

    Hope that helps. If you are curious, there are some PCOS groups here on MFP, too!

    Edited to fix my percentages that didn't add up! Oops.
  • albertabeefy
    albertabeefy Posts: 1,169 Member
    PCOS causes you to be insulin-resistant. As such the HIIT is one of the better exercises for it. As-is weight-training (which, really is a form of interval-training). As the above poster mentioned, insulin-resistance improves as weight comes down (mostly due to a reduction of visceral bodyfat.)

    As far as diet goes - the superior choice for the insulin-resistant is a low-carb / high-fat / moderate-protein diet. This works extremely well with PCOS, and you'll find most of the successful PCOS dieters have at the very-least eliminated (or severely restricted) both refined-carbohydrate (flour, sugar, white rice, etc.) and gluten from their diets.

    Check out some of the PCOS groups on MFP:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3070-p-c-o-sis
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3300-pcos-and-low-glycemic-eating

    and the low-carber group which is also often-followed by ladies with PCOS:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-group
  • rhiannondream
    rhiannondream Posts: 11
    Thank you so much all! I have to take a break from heavy lifting since I had to quit my gym (very tough decision, but it closed too early for my new job hours...). I'm actually trying to put a barbell system up in my garage though, so that's exciting. I really love lifting. I had read that HIIT helps, which is why I started to do this sort of training more often in the meantime, so here's to X'ing fingers that this weight loss isn't just my body weirdly fluctuating again... I do have muscle definition showing through which is supposed to help burn fat, right? So maybe extra cardio/resistance based training won't hurt for now... :)

    I know it's not on my log yet (I took a long break after screwing up for a weekend.. there are a few logs from 3 weeks ago which is typically how I eat every day and I was using a scale and trying to be as true as possible). I do not usually eat gluten, grains (occasional quinoa), dairy (except greek yogurt), or starches and I eat mostly lean proteins and good fats like avocados.... I do have ONE cheat treat/meal a week though so I don't go binging completely. I've tried being more crafty with tending to my sweet tooth by eating low amounts of natural sugar or just using stevia.... I am hoping that I am not too terrible with my diet and that I just needed the extra, consistent exercise...I did read some women found success with upping their exercising.

    Thank you so much for the group suggestions and support. Seeing your success gives me hope. Now I just need to cook for myself more often so that I can measure and log more accurately. More success stories are welcome! :)
  • tmaryam
    tmaryam Posts: 289 Member
    If your thyroid is affected, make sure it's being treated. If you're insulin resistant or pre-diabetic, ask about Metformin if you're not already on it. Yasmin birth control pills cured all my other symptoms (or at least greatly reduced them to minor annoyances). Low to moderate carb works best for PCOS "cysters" and my Endo says the belly fat usually responds well to cardio. (Mine does.) Best of luck! :flowerforyou:
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    I have PCOS and am also hypothyroid. What works for the thyroid issue is taking my meds. What works for PCOS, is exactly what works for "normal" women: eating less, exercising more :)
  • Carnivor0us
    Carnivor0us Posts: 1,752 Member
    What works for women with PCOS is low carb, higher fat, and moderate protein diet. Have reversed all symptoms with this diet. While monitoring calorie intake is important, a PCOS patient has to consider macronutrients as well. What works for normal women will NOT usually work for those with this condition.

    Also, I recommend weight lifting.
  • smr630
    smr630 Posts: 1
    This thread is comforting to me. I was recently diagnosed with PCOS and I am really bummed. I want to have a child, but I definitely have to get down to a healthy weight/BMI in order to do so....
  • tmaryam
    tmaryam Posts: 289 Member
    This thread is comforting to me. I was recently diagnosed with PCOS and I am really bummed. I want to have a child, but I definitely have to get down to a healthy weight/BMI in order to do so....

    Welcome. :flowerforyou: I'm hoping to try for another one myself, but I'll be using Clomid this time. Best of luck reaching your goals!
  • AlwaysInMotion
    AlwaysInMotion Posts: 409 Member
    What works for women with PCOS is low carb, higher fat, and moderate protein diet. Have reversed all symptoms with this diet. While monitoring calorie intake is important, a PCOS patient has to consider macronutrients as well. What works for normal women will NOT usually work for those with this condition.

    As I understand it, one of the primary culprits behind weight loss difficulties for PCOS women is the underlying insulin resistance. That's not unique to PCOS. What works for "not normal" PCOS women works for just about all "normal" overweight people.
  • tmaryam
    tmaryam Posts: 289 Member
    What works for women with PCOS is low carb, higher fat, and moderate protein diet. Have reversed all symptoms with this diet. While monitoring calorie intake is important, a PCOS patient has to consider macronutrients as well. What works for normal women will NOT usually work for those with this condition.

    As I understand it, one of the primary culprits behind weight loss difficulties for PCOS women is the underlying insulin resistance. That's not unique to PCOS. What works for "not normal" PCOS women works for just about all "normal" overweight people.

    I think she is referring to glucose control. Anyone can achieve weight loss with a calories deficit, but women with PCOS/IR have to watch their blood sugar like diabetics do.
  • Lizabelle1212
    Lizabelle1212 Posts: 252 Member
    I've also been finding success with the lower carb/moderate protein/high fat approach. Sounds like you are already doing a lot of it correctly though! I don't have much knowledge to offer, but feel free to add me if you'd like =) Most of the ladies on my MFP friends list also have PCOS. It's awesome being able to have support from people who are in the same boat! Good luck to you :flowerforyou:
  • albertabeefy
    albertabeefy Posts: 1,169 Member
    As I understand it, one of the primary culprits behind weight loss difficulties for PCOS women is the underlying insulin resistance. That's not unique to PCOS. What works for "not normal" PCOS women works for just about all "normal" overweight people.
    What you may not understand is the level of insulin-resistance with PCOS is very similar to that of a type II diabetic. Not all "normal" overweight people are diagnosed diabetics. Many don't even get diagnosed with pre-diabetes or even metabolic-syndrome... (even though, yes, they may have some insulin-resistance ... just not as much as someone with PCOS.)

    As such the dietary restrictions for healthy PCOS lifestyle and weight-loss are different than for "normal" overweight individuals.
  • AlwaysInMotion
    AlwaysInMotion Posts: 409 Member
    As I understand it, one of the primary culprits behind weight loss difficulties for PCOS women is the underlying insulin resistance. That's not unique to PCOS. What works for "not normal" PCOS women works for just about all "normal" overweight people.
    What you may not understand is the level of insulin-resistance with PCOS is very similar to that of a type II diabetic. Not all "normal" overweight people are diagnosed diabetics. Many don't even get diagnosed with pre-diabetes or even metabolic-syndrome... (even though, yes, they may have some insulin-resistance ... just not as much as someone with PCOS.)

    As such the dietary restrictions for healthy PCOS lifestyle and weight-loss are different than for "normal" overweight individuals.

    Actually, I understand this condition rather well. I have a degree in healthcare (nursing, not MD), and since I also have this condition, I studied it at length for my own personal education.

    And in regards to the statement "not all overweight people are diabetics"... That's true! But not all PCOS women are either.

    I actually get what you are saying... but I don't want women to think that they need to chase down a special "PCOS lifestyle" diet. We still have same anatomy as "normal" women (short of having a hysterectomy/oophorectomy), it's just that some of our organs and hormonal pathways are sub-optimally functioning... And a lot of overweight people, diabetics/prediabetics, and those with a host of other endocrine disorders (ex: hypothyroidism) are in basically a similar boat when it comes to weight management.

    I'm mainly trying to assert that what works for us will work *really well* for the general overweight population - and I'd like to emphasize that to my fellow PCOS ladies. We know our dietary restrictions aren't really unique. Sure, in order for us to lose weight, our diets will have to be a bit more strict than that of someone with no other underlying health problems, but a good diet is a good diet. We both know that what's good for a PCOS female would also be really good for an overweight/obese male (no polycystic ovaries) - kinda like you, Mr. AlbertaBeefy. Simply because it's sound lifestyle advice!

    And, on the bright side, it is possible to significantly improve the insulin issues with weight management and exercise. In addition to PCOS, I had 4/5 signs/symptoms of metabolic syndrome at my highest weight. Once I got the weight down to the normal BMI range, greatly improved the overall quality of my diet, and started exercising religiously, my glucose numbers have been *optimal* for over 5 years straight and several of the S/S of PCOS and metabolic syndrome are reduced or eliminated. (PCOS itself, as in what's going on at the ovary level, obviously doesn't go away. And I do grieve for that reality.) PCOS, as well as metabolic syndrome, can greatly improve with just the weight management aspect.

    Edited to add: After reading your profile, Albertabeefy, and it sounds like you already know/share in the benefits of the lower carb, higher protein & fat diet... And we can safely presume you don't have PCOS. It's refreshing to see a well-informed man's viewpoints on women's health and wellbeing topics.
  • tmaryam
    tmaryam Posts: 289 Member
    Maybe he shares a profile with his wife? lol :bigsmile:
  • AlwaysInMotion
    AlwaysInMotion Posts: 409 Member
    Maybe he shares a profile with his wife? lol :bigsmile:

    Ooooh, good point! Actually, he/she/they sound pretty smart, regardless of the chromosomal arrangement going on there! :bigsmile:
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    What works for women with PCOS is low carb, higher fat, and moderate protein diet. Have reversed all symptoms with this diet. While monitoring calorie intake is important, a PCOS patient has to consider macronutrients as well. What works for normal women will NOT usually work for those with this condition.

    Also, I recommend weight lifting.

    Weight loss happens at a calorie deficit. PCOS or insulin resistance does not make one an alien:
    calories burned > calories in means weight loss
    It is impossible to not lose weight when at a deficit, regardless of whether you are eating 50% carbs or 20% carbs, PCOS or not.
    Weight loss results in controlling PCOS, exercise results in controlling PCOS. Whether a low carb diet will help with the insulin resistance itself is up for debate and probably research (lots of conflicting info out there, most drs do not demand a low carb diet for this).
  • teddiebare
    teddiebare Posts: 46 Member
    The best thing you can do for yourself is to find a doctor that you like who is on your side. I lost 42 lbs, and then hit a wall. I continued to eat at a defecit, restricted my carbs to 150 a day, and worked out 6x a week for over a year and a half - and gained weight. So to say that anyone anywhere can lose weight with a calorie defecit is flawed at best. There are a lot of other underlying issues that can affect weight gain/loss, and insulin resistance is a huge part of how your body handles weight.

    I finally found a doctor who I liked, and it turns out my insulin resistance is much worse then I thought. I also am having some extreme hormonal issues. My thyroid is pretty much the only thing that is still functioning OK. 150 carbs a day just isn't low enough for me to lose weight. I lowered mine to <50 a day, per my doctor's recommendation, and I started losing again. He also put me on metformin and progesterone. I still lose much slower than most people, and will struggle with my weight for my entire life, but I finally feel like I'm back on track.

    I lift 3x a week and run/HIIT 2x a week. I also walk 10,000 steps a day, and track all of my food. I was diagnosed in November and finally got treatment in January - I've lost 13 pounds since then. You will start to feel better as you lose more weight, but the underlying issues won't just magically go away. It's also much easier to regain lost weight, so you'll have to be vigilant with your diet and exercise.
  • PaleoPath4Lyfe
    PaleoPath4Lyfe Posts: 3,161 Member
    As I understand it, one of the primary culprits behind weight loss difficulties for PCOS women is the underlying insulin resistance. That's not unique to PCOS. What works for "not normal" PCOS women works for just about all "normal" overweight people.
    What you may not understand is the level of insulin-resistance with PCOS is very similar to that of a type II diabetic. Not all "normal" overweight people are diagnosed diabetics. Many don't even get diagnosed with pre-diabetes or even metabolic-syndrome... (even though, yes, they may have some insulin-resistance ... just not as much as someone with PCOS.)

    As such the dietary restrictions for healthy PCOS lifestyle and weight-loss are different than for "normal" overweight individuals.

    Thank you for saying this in the manner you did................I was not going to come off as nice saying the same thing.

    Some people fail to realize the amount of damage that PCOS does causing Metabolic damage. A lot of people are merely overweight and that is why they can eat the same way as they did, just smaller portions and lose weight just fine.

    The rest of us that are damaged in the way of hormonal imbalances from IR / T2 Diabetes, Thyroid issues and then the female hormone issues from PCOS are a totally different story.
  • PaleoPath4Lyfe
    PaleoPath4Lyfe Posts: 3,161 Member
    What works for women with PCOS is low carb, higher fat, and moderate protein diet. Have reversed all symptoms with this diet. While monitoring calorie intake is important, a PCOS patient has to consider macronutrients as well. What works for normal women will NOT usually work for those with this condition.

    Also, I recommend weight lifting.

    Weight loss happens at a calorie deficit. PCOS or insulin resistance does not make one an alien:
    calories burned > calories in means weight loss
    It is impossible to not lose weight when at a deficit, regardless of whether you are eating 50% carbs or 20% carbs, PCOS or not.
    Weight loss results in controlling PCOS, exercise results in controlling PCOS. Whether a low carb diet will help with the insulin resistance itself is up for debate and probably research (lots of conflicting info out there, most drs do not demand a low carb diet for this).

    Obviously, you have no clue as to the extent that hormones play in weight loss and weight gain.

    Yes, most Dr's do demand a low carb approach to control the symptoms of PCOS along with metformin and / or other diabetes drugs if the woman has T2 Diabetes and not just Insulin Resistance.

    Yes, it is impossible for a woman to lose weight eating a high amount of carbs, even at a steep caloric deficit. I have been there and done that.

    Your not an Endocrinologist so stop trying to simplify what you have no clue about.
  • HappyStack
    HappyStack Posts: 802 Member
    I have PCOS & IR. I've stated this many times, but you don't have to go low carb, I never have and I've had tremendous success just following a calorie-controlled protein-focused diet whilst exercising.

    Choosing your carbs more wisely (less refined, more whole) is a general given, but it's also a general given for all people from a purely nutrient-density POV.

    You don't need a special diet with straightforward PCOS & IR.

    What you may find is that low carb, if you choose to go that route, particularly in the first 3-4 weeks is extremely fatiguing and easy to give up on. If you're going to do it - and you by no means have to, to see success - be prepared for this and plan for it accordingly.

    I will also tip my hat towards taking up some resistance training (the heavier the better) and some interval training. You can start off light with the intervals.

    Another good tip is vitamin D supplements. These have been shown to possibly delay the onset of metabolic syndrome in women with PCOS, and it will also help with any general fatigue. I take one 5,000IU capsule a day, 3-4x a week.
  • wamydia
    wamydia Posts: 259 Member
    I strongly advise you to go ahead and get tested now. Most doctors will want you to start taking a birth control pill or progesterone in order to get your hormones into balance. This is very important for health reasons -- women with PCOS have higher risk for uterine cancer, high cholesterol, stroke, heart attack, and type II diabetes due to how out of balance our hormones are. Taking a birth control pill or progsterone to help put things back in balance can reduce your risk. And it can help reduce the hair growth, which is a huge plus in my opinion.

    Keep in mind that just because a doctor wants you to take a med, you don't have to do it. So if your doctor wants to prescribe metformin (which is common for PCOS) or some other medication for metabolism, you don't have to actually do it until you decide that you want to. You could continue on with trying to lose weight without medication as you have been. But even if you decide against a med like this, I still think it's really important to address the hormone issues in order to reduce your risk of other health problems.

    As for losing with PCOS, it would help you if you knew for sure whether you are insulin resistant. Women with insulin resistance struggle more and sometimes have to try things like reducing carbs in order to lose. Most absolutely have to exercise in some way and cannot lose easily just by cutting calories. I'm incredibly lucky to not be insulin resistant and I find that the best way for me to lose weight is to make sure that I'm eating enough and getting plenty of exercise. Otherwise I eat a balanced diet of all things in moderation and try to take it easy on processed sugars. The truth is that many women with PCOS do have special considerations when trying to lose weight. It is a health condition that impacts that simple calorie in/ calorie out equation that everyone so loves to throw around on this website because of the major role that hormones play in everything from fat burning and sugar transport to hunger signalling. You need to see a doctor to assess how severe your PCOS and/or insulin resistance is and do what you can to improve your health condition first and then start worrying about the best way to lose weight with it.
  • HappyStack
    HappyStack Posts: 802 Member
    Yes, most Dr's do demand a low carb approach to control the symptoms of PCOS along with metformin and / or other diabetes drugs if the woman has T2 Diabetes and not just Insulin Resistance.

    Doctors are not dietitians (RDNs), either.

    A dietitian will have more and better information on controlling or reducing the symptoms of PCOS through diet than an endocrinologist or a doctor would.
  • AlwaysInMotion
    AlwaysInMotion Posts: 409 Member
    PaleoPath4Lyf, you don't need to be disrespectful. Your quote "Your not an Endocrinologist so stop trying to simplify what you have no clue about" is a prime example.

    People do not have to have a MD/DO degree in order to be well informed regarding medical topics or to discuss them here in a public forum. The forums aren't to be used for giving official medical advice, but that doesn't prevent people from talking about their own viewpoints or experiences. You are welcome to disagree, but you shouldn't attempt to shut others out or kill the discussion.

    It's OK to talk about PCOS from *all* perspectives - and that should *include* those who also have diabetes or insulin resistance, as well as those who do not or no longer do.

    I'd like to politely remind folks that Diabetes Mellitus is not actually included in the diagnostic criteria for PCOS. It's a separate diagnosis. Some PCOS women have DM, but many do not. I've pasted the most recent medical definition for PCOS below. (I used Rotterdam, 2003, because it's a wider definition than NIH.)

    In 2003 a consensus workshop sponsored by ESHRE/ASRM in Rotterdam indicated PCOS to be present if any 2 out of 3 criteria are met:
    1.oligoovulation and/or anovulation
    2.excess androgen activity
    3.polycystic ovaries (by gynecologic ultrasound)

    Please take note of what's NOT listed - insufficient pancreatic function/activity. Diabetes, insulin sensitivity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome are separate conditions. Yes, they are *often* present in women with PCOS. PCOS women *may* develop insulin resistance. They *may* develop diabetes. They *may* develop heart disease. Or they *may* not. Yes, the likelihood is there. Yes, we should be very concerned. And yes, we should do something...

    We should also acknowledge that there isn't a ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL solution to such a multi-faceted problem like PCOS. We also need to remember that even the scientific/medical community hasn't fully figured out PCOS yet.
  • albertabeefy
    albertabeefy Posts: 1,169 Member
    Edited to add: After reading your profile, Albertabeefy, and it sounds like you already know/share in the benefits of the lower carb, higher protein & fat diet... And we can safely presume you don't have PCOS. It's refreshing to see a well-informed man's viewpoints on women's health and wellbeing topics.
    Yes, I know well the benefits - I've done considerable research on it. I had to as it went against the conventional wisdom and everything I was taught in my advanced education. And thanks for the edit, glad you're understanding.

    FYI from what I read it sounded like you were suggesting any diet/weight-loss plan would also work for PCOS women ... and while it may help insulin-resistance, once the visceral bodyfat comes off, it doesn't take care of the immediate issue of glycemic control - which an LCHF diet can.
    I'm mainly trying to assert that what works for us will work *really well* for the general overweight population - and I'd like to emphasize that to my fellow PCOS ladies.
    "general", yes. Most of our overweight population, especially in N.America is dealing with excess visceral bodyfat which causes the same kind of insulin-resistance that those with PCOS deal with. Which was also the point I was trying to make. =D
    And, on the bright side, it is possible to significantly improve the insulin issues with weight management and exercise.
    Yes - recent research is showing that any form of interval exercise - whether strength/resistance training or HIIT seems to have the most-positive benefits in increasing sensitivity. And more-and-more research is showing the same benefits from reduction in visceral bodyfat (which comes with both diet and exercise...) When you add to the low-carb/high-fat diet diet along with regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, you've got a great prescription for glycemic control.[/i]
  • albertabeefy
    albertabeefy Posts: 1,169 Member
    Maybe he shares a profile with his wife? lol :bigsmile:
    LOL, nope. I most definitely don't have PCOS ... nor does my wife. The only annoying thing she has to deal with is 3 kids and me.
  • AlwaysInMotion
    AlwaysInMotion Posts: 409 Member
    Agreed on all points up ^^^ there, AlbertaBeefy. Thanks for the response. I think we are actually on the same wavelength now. Or darn close!

    Edited to add: As you probably figured out, I don't support all weight loss plans. In fact, I only support very few... as you pointed out, it has a lot to do with glycemic control. And not all diets address that... some even make it worse. I'm a big fan of the lower carb diets just for this reason (ie, glycemic control). I've personally observed that when both my boyfriend and I follow a very similarly balanced diet (balanced mostly for my macro needs... and because I cook all of it!), he sees waaaay better results than I do, but I don't begrudge him that!
  • kristafb
    kristafb Posts: 770 Member
    The only thing that has ever worked for me & I was diagnosed almost 25 years ago now, has been super low carb. No SUgar! and exercise & lots of it. sucks, but it works.
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    What works for women with PCOS is low carb, higher fat, and moderate protein diet. Have reversed all symptoms with this diet. While monitoring calorie intake is important, a PCOS patient has to consider macronutrients as well. What works for normal women will NOT usually work for those with this condition.

    Also, I recommend weight lifting.

    Weight loss happens at a calorie deficit. PCOS or insulin resistance does not make one an alien:
    calories burned > calories in means weight loss
    It is impossible to not lose weight when at a deficit, regardless of whether you are eating 50% carbs or 20% carbs, PCOS or not.
    Weight loss results in controlling PCOS, exercise results in controlling PCOS. Whether a low carb diet will help with the insulin resistance itself is up for debate and probably research (lots of conflicting info out there, most drs do not demand a low carb diet for this).

    This is actually not true. Having IR makes it extremely difficult to lose weight. I have it myself and my endocrinologist has told me time after time that I most likely will not lose much weight unless I am eating 500-800 calories a day. Which is something he would never recommend for me because I only have 40 lbs to lose.

    He is right. I didn't lose weight eating 1200 calories and I didn't lose weight eating 1750-1840 calories (recommended for my weight/height). The only time I lose weight is when I am eating less than 800 calories a day due to being sick and unable to tolerate much food.
  • albertabeefy
    albertabeefy Posts: 1,169 Member
    Weight loss happens at a calorie deficit. PCOS or insulin resistance does not make one an alien:
    calories burned > calories in means weight loss
    It is impossible to not lose weight when at a deficit, regardless of whether you are eating 50% carbs or 20% carbs, PCOS or not.
    FYI weight-loss happens at a caloric deficit, yes... and with the weight-loss comes improvements in insulin-resistance... That's true.

    It's important to note, however, that 20-25% of women with PCOS are lean, and don't need weight-loss. The majority of them still have some level of insulin-resistance and can have problems with glycemic control. Current research shows that insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia appear to be linked to PCOS independently of obesity. http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v67/n8/full/ejcn2013116a.html

    Regardless of whether someone with PCOS is lean or overweight, glycemic-control is considerably improved with a low-carb/high-fat/moderate-protein diet. Hyperglycaemia that's experienced UNTIL the insulin-resistance is improved can be damaging the body in many ways.
    Weight loss results in controlling PCOS, exercise results in controlling PCOS. Whether a low carb diet will help with the insulin resistance itself is up for debate and probably research (lots of conflicting info out there, most drs do not demand a low carb diet for this).
    Actually, there is no conflicting research on whether a VLCKD helps PCOS suffers. All currently-available research concludes it does.

    FYI physicians don't "demand it" for the simple reason that it's not currently an established primary-care protocol for PCOS. Just like a VLCKD diet is not yet an established primary-care protocol for diabetes mellitus. Though in both cases the research is clear that they are beneficial - and any physician that cares to invest the time to research the diet will come to the same conclusion. The problem is that unlike my own case (I work in research - and was on disability when I did my own research), most don't have the time.

    My medical school spent about 25 hours on nutrition, and most still teach the prevailing wisdom of the lipid-hypothesis and diet-heart hypothesis ... Even though no research has ever proven either hypothesis, and considerable research concludes the opposite.

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