Wanted: PCOS/Low GI Diet support

NumbrsNerd
NumbrsNerd Posts: 202 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hi, folks! I have been inspired by the recent "adopt-a-noob" posts to put a request out there: are there any women with experience with PCOS, and lowered carb/GI weight loss success (or men with just the latter) willing to take on a mentor role for someone newly diagnosed? I have an open diary and blog, and I'm open to advice on sound nutritional and fitness topics as well as discussions about treatment meds.

I have struggled with yo-yo dieting since my teenage years; however, my PCOS diagnosis is brand new. FINALLY - a lot of things regarding how I gain/lose weight make sense. I'd love to get rid of these pounds for good!

I know there are PCOS-specific boards; however, I am just looking to pick up a friend or two for a more personal guidance experience.

Thanks so much!

Replies

  • AB4u
    AB4u Posts: 57 Member
    I added you as a friend. I have an open blog and an open diary as well. I post lots of stuff about things i've read or researched on about PCOS. I also have a diagnosis of Insulin Resistance (Pre-Diabetes) so I'm working around that too!
  • sharjo83
    sharjo83 Posts: 7 Member
    I am adding you as well. I'm just starting out and want to lose 60lbs. I have started a blog on here to follow my efforts. I have PCOS, am 30yrs old and want to get pregnant! I am using a low carb plan called 17 Day Diet that is balanced and changes every 17 days to add variety.

    So I hope to be a success story in the future, but for now would love to support and be supported by all you other ladies!
  • Dragonwolf
    Dragonwolf Posts: 5,600 Member
    PCOS veteran here (been diagnosed for about six years now), and follower of a low-GI diet.

    I don't track my food much these days for mental health reasons, but I'm fairly active in the social parts of this site, so feel free to ping me about questions or whatever, and I'll do my best to answer them, and of course, feel free to add me.
  • kenzietate
    kenzietate Posts: 399 Member
    I am friending you now. I am a PCOS vet but fairly new to the low carb eating. I have been under 100 carbs for the around 3 years but just figured out last June that I have to be lower to lose weight. But within three months of dropping my carbs, I had lost 12 lbs, I had started ovulating on my own and I got pregnant so at the moment I am just tracking enough to keep an eye on where my carbs are and trying to keep them under 120 most days. As soon as I give birth though I will be back at it to lose the baby weight.
  • MrsD1986
    MrsD1986 Posts: 14 Member
    I've also just been diagnosed with PCOS and would love some support. I want to lose around 50 pounds to be at my "base-line" weight, be healthy and be able to get pregnant.
  • toad_allyinlove
    toad_allyinlove Posts: 39 Member
    My doctor is pretty sure I have pcos but I don't have the money to get tested for it. do any of you take medicine for it. I heard medicine can help with the weight loss
  • Skarlet13
    Skarlet13 Posts: 146 Member
    I also have PCOS and celiac disease. As soon as I went gluten free, my period returned. I don't do low carb though.
  • Dragonwolf
    Dragonwolf Posts: 5,600 Member
    My doctor is pretty sure I have pcos but I don't have the money to get tested for it. do any of you take medicine for it. I heard medicine can help with the weight loss

    A lot of women take medication for it, usually Metformin and/or Spironolactone ("Spiro"). Metformin is an insulin-reducing drug, and Spiro is an androgen-reducing drug. Some take one or the other, while others take both (the complement each other, so often even when one alone doesn't work, both combined work wonders).

    Even if you can't afford the ultrasound (which isn't actually necessary for a PCOS diagnosis -- not all women with PCOS actually have cysts), you should at least get the bloodwork done (which should be covered by your insurance) and test for fasting insulin (this is very important, because insulin and glucose are two different things and your fasting glucose could be normal while insulin is still on the high side) and androgen levels. Getting those tests done will open you up to the different options based on your numbers (ie - whether you could do it with just a low-GI/GL diet, or whether Metformin or Spiro might help you).
  • huntabug
    huntabug Posts: 1
    Check out Sara Gottfried's book "The Hormone Cure". There are some natural over the counter remedies for getting your hormones back into balance without Metformin and Birthcontrol. She also has a questionnaire to help you figure out what is going on with your hormones without all the expensive testing. At some point the testing may be helpful, but it can be fairly ambiguous. http://thehormonecurebook.com/
  • lep_623
    lep_623 Posts: 193 Member
    I too have PCOS and have been diagnosed for about 6 years now, but never had an ultrasound, just blood testing. I am attempting to following a low GI/low carb diet. I lost 60 lbs about 2 years ago before my wedding but have gained it all back and now my husband and I are trying to have a baby so I am trying to get it off again and it seems to be more stubborn now then it was then. I would love some Cysters to help in this journey with advice and motivation so feel free to add me!!

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