My name is Katie, and I have PCOS

Hi Katie!! Welcome to MyFitnessPal I was just like you..when I was 15 I was diagnosed with pre-diabeties and PCOS. My pill intake range from 1 to 4. Taking 4 was a lot to me and frankly my doctor said if I don't improve I will eventually have to take birth control pills. In 2012 I went cold turkey and I've been doing fine since then. PCOS-Free I was so desperate that I wanted to try Nutrisystem but i was underage (15).

Here's what I did:
-Lots and lots of research on nutrition. Learn how to read nutrition labels. By utilizing the calorie counter of MFP, you can see your fat intake, sodium, sugar, cholesterol, etc.
- Eat more veggies and fruits. I shop at Fresh & Easy a lot. I go to Subway here and there when I'm away from home.
- Most importantly, EXERCISE. It's like the cherry on top of the sundae. Have fun with it too! Play your favorite sport, learn a new sport, go on a hike, walk with friends or family after a heavy meal or just to have a chat. BE ACTIVE. Being active burns extra calories: for example, I don't sit when I use the computer..I stand and depending on the music, maybe dance ahaha

But in all seriousness, I was in your shoes and it all takes time. It took me approximately 3 or 4 years to lose 70 pounds. Healthy eating, exercising, and MFP helped me a lot

I wish you nothing but the best in your weight loss journey. If you need anything or anyone remember that you have me and MFP community

Sincerely,
Sharmaine

It's harder to lose weight with PCOS, but it CAN be done! For me, cutting down/out white carbs (flour, sugar, potatoes) and balancing carbs with protein, fat, and/or fiber at every meal was key. Also, cardio will help with blood pressure, but strength training helps your muscles become more insulin sensitive, which will help burn more calories.

Four things have to be in place for me to lose:
1. log my food consistently and keep to a lower calorie range (1200-1500)
2. balance carbs with protein
3. exercise
4. be patient

bumping because I have PCOS, have lost almost all the excess weight, had babies, and want to offer you some support and share my story

Hi Katie ! I've lost 75 pounds with PCOS, so don't lose hope ! My diary is open, so feel free to take a peek. I agree with another poster about exercise - it's very helpful. But I think because of hormone imbalance and insulin resistance, you need to look into naturally balancing out your hormones through diet and exercise. I started out low carb (not Atkins or keto, just lowER carb), and kept my carbs complex - like oatmeal, flourless bread, sweet potatoes. I cut out entirely white rice, bread, pasta and drastically reduced my sugar intake. All these things helped cut my symptoms immensely. I have since upped my carbs back up to 40% of my daily calories, but that is only because now I am doing weight training.
Have you spoken with your doctor about some medication you can take for PCOS that would regulate your hormones? If you've honestly tried that ard to lose weight and in two years you've only taken off a measly pound or two then you might have a very severe case and medication might help.

Hi Katie,
I have PCOS too. I've had it all my life since becoming a teen, but wasn't diagnosed until just after giving birth to my 5th (and last) child. I always thought something wasn't right with me, and it was a mixed bunch of feelings to find out that I was right. I also suffer from emotional eating, and am a classic worrier, so life was throwing me a 1-2 punch right in the weight department. It went up and up and up, with me trying to drop it, but never doing all that well. My heaviest was 16+ years ago, weighing in at a whopping (for my 5' 3.25" frame) 235lbs.

Once I was diagnosed, I was put on Metformin. That helped me drop down to the 200lbs/210lbs range and stay there, depending on how stressful my life was, for several years. In the last 3 years I have slowly changed how I eat, switching from processed foods to fresh, healthier foods. That helped me feel better, but the weight wasn't moving.

What really has worked for me is to be bluntly honest with myself. This happened when I signed up with MFP. Welcome to the site, by the way! Here, I can log my food and my calories burned. What an eye-opener logging the food can be!! I strongly suggest that you weigh your food before recording it here as much as you can. Weight is more accurate than using measuring cups. It is what made a huge difference for me. That, combined with kicking my own butt in the exercise department. I have a heart rate monitor that I wear while exercising that is fairly accurate. When I really set out to make a difference in my weight and body, I wasn't too hopeful at first. Having tried and failed so many times over the years had me set to expect failure yet again.

That didn't happen this time! Following MFP's calorie suggestion, and eating back most of my exercise calories has allowed me to go from being morbidly obese to a healthy, "normal" weight. It was not easy. For my body, I find that weight loss happens when I push myself hard for at least an hour, 6 days a week. I had to work up to that, but it is what works for me.

My diary is open if you would like to get an idea of how I eat. I have no food allergies, but to avoid experiencing diverticulitis again, I must aim for approximately 50 grams of fiber a day. That has a nice side effect of helping me to not feel as if I'm starving all the time, as well.

I wish you all the best of luck.