However, our weight doesn't usually cause our PCOS, nor does it cause the hormonal imbalances in the first place. It exacerbates them, yes, but doesn't cause them (otherwise, thin people wouldn't have PCOS), and in fact, it's usually the other way around -- the PCOS causes the weight gain.

If I could hug ya Dragonwolf I would!

haha! I agree, Dragonwolf has given us lots and lots of good information and places to research ourselves in the few months ive been here. I love reading her posts as I always learn something new!

Thx Dragonwolf!

I took a bunch of tests and the only thing i was told was that my testosterone is a little high. I guess i am probably insulin resistant considering he asked me to get back on metformin, but it does nothing for me AND the symptoms are terrible for me. I was also tested for cortisol but that hasn't come back yet. I feel like I have constantly heard that line because doctors don't really have the answers to this particular disorder. I hear it from every doctor i've been to. I've gone through a lot of them this year and fired quite a few (one insisted I was diabetic because i'm fat) so I want to give him a fair shot since he has been listening to me so far.

Thank you for all your help and I will be trying this now!

I know I am not diabetic and have been tested for it many times. That isn't something that has ever been an issue with me. Maybe my problem is that I just don't know enough. I don't know if I am insulin resistant or if the weight gain only/mainly came from a unbalanced hormones. I think that has been what is holding me back from losing weight or losing then gaining it right back. So far I reduced my carbs and it has REALLY helped. Instead of 50 percent I changed it to 40% on my profile to see if that will help. So far so good so thank you!

I do agree with the low carb high protein like Dragonwolf suggests I find it so had to do I can only do it so long then I feel like I will go carb crazy but doing that is what got me to loose the 44 lbs that i lost along with circuit training with kettle bells but now I have been stuck for months I got a heart rate monitor that says I burn 700-900 calls during my hour workout & i do that workout at least 4 times a week its so frustrating

I do agree with the low carb high protein like Dragonwolf suggests I find it so had to do I can only do it so long then I feel like I will go carb crazy but doing that is what got me to loose the 44 lbs that i lost along with circuit training with kettle bells but now I have been stuck for months I got a heart rate monitor that says I burn 700-900 calls during my hour workout & i do that workout at least 4 times a week its so frustrating

No, no, no! Not high protein! Low carb, high fat, moderate protein. Protein is not fuel, carbs and fat are. If you lower your carbs, you must increase your fats in order to stay healthy. Otherwise, you risk protein poisoning (aka "rabbit starvation") and nutrient deficiencies. That's probably why you can't sustain it and end up with cravings that only fat or carbs can sate.

Here's what I generally recommend:

Protein - about 1g/lb (.5g/kg) of lean body weight
Carbs - an amount that works for you and your goals. If you want ketogenisis, then you'll want to be under 50g or so (or 20-30g net carbs). For general low carb, I recommend aiming for a cap of 100g total (which is pretty easily attainable if you stick with non-starchy vegetables as your main carb source). You don't need a ton of carbs, even if you're active. Your performance will likely suffer for a short while, until you're adapted to the new level of carbs. Give it at least a solid month at your chosen carb level, then adjust if necessary (ironically, going into ketosis might actually do better than higher low-carb levels, as your body would be adapted to using ketones as a primary fuel source).
Fat - fill in the rest, but should be at least .45g/lb of total body weight. If you can't get that without dropping your carbs to 0 (or less if it were possible), then you're probably not eating enough in general. Yes, that means it's going to look like a scary high number, but that's okay. Fat is not the devil, not even saturated fat, not even if you've been told you're at risk for cardiovascular disease (it's carbs that raise triglycerides and lower HDL, by the way, particularly the refined crap). Get your fats from high quality sources, and get them mostly as monounsaturated and saturated fats, some polyunsaturated fats are fine, but make sure you get ample Omega-3 fats (most polyunsaturated fat sources are very high in Omega-6, which, while essential, is counterproductive beyond 2:1 Omega-6 to Omega-3; seed and nut oils, to compare, have ratios starting at about 25:1 and some as much as 5000:1, if they have Omega-3 fats in them at all). The minimum amount is what's needed to support hormone balance and nutrient absorption.

If you decide you want to try low carb, it's very important that you give it a solid month. Do not quit after a day or two, because it's hard, especially if you were eating in the ballpark of 300g of carbs a day (I've seen people do this, it drives me up a wall, because it continues to reiterate the myth that this isn't sustainable -- it very much is, if you take the time to adjust). There's an adjustment period, it's well-documented, called "carb flu," "keto flu," or "induction flu." Carbs, particularly refined ones, follow pathways similar to that of opiods, and triggers serotonin release. You're basically going through withdrawal, not unlike the withdrawal you get from caffeine. For most people, it will last a week, sometimes two. If you're seriously overhauling your diet (ie - from Twinkies and Big Gulps to Whole 30), then it might last longer and may take nearly the full month to get through it. Stick it out, though, because it's very, very worth it. During that time, I also recommend not trying to eat at a deficit. Instead, eat when you feel the need to, but give your body good foods and plenty of fat. The stress of the transition, coupled with the stress of cutting calories can be overwhelming. It might be a good idea to track, just to make sure you're eating enough. I know, it sounds insane, but eating this way has a suppressive effect on the appetite, and life will be far easier if you're eating enough food during this time. It's also good to track to reset your calorie gauge. It may seem like you're eating a ton, but you're probably eating far less than what you thought.