Help From PCOS Ladies

I was recently diagnosed with PCOS....and I'd like some info too. I have lost 17 pounds in about 2 1/2 months, but I haven't been doing anything special. Basically, I just make sure to stay within my calories with whatever I'm eating, which probably isn't the best way to go...and to be honest, I dunno how I'd do with a low-carb diet haha

Hello,

I was diagnosed last June and been on this site since last September. So far I have lost 18lbs so definitely recommend that you keep on using this site. I have made some changes to my diet like eating wholewheat and low GI foods for some things like pasta, rice, bread & wraps. The other thing is to drink plenty of water as I think that really does work too.

I know the same thing may not necesarily work for everyone but my periods have become more regular and I have put it down to the changes I have made to my diet and the weight loss (although I was not obese when I started but was very wobbly around my middle which has now mostly gone)

I would like us to be friends too as I don't currently have any friends with PCOS and it would be nice to know someone who understands what it feels like.

My metformin at 1500 seemed to really make a difference for me. I'm almost 57 lbs down at this point since starting last year. Trying to stick to low GI as well and cutting out sugar (including natural sources like most fruits & dairy). Making it a diabetic diet almost. Also, I try and focus more on resistance exercises vs. cardio because I've read studies that say that cardio alone doesn't help all PCOSers (so my exercises of choice are aquafit, resistance bands, pilates and yoga)

It's hard to describe low GI foods, but you can look them up online and there are lists of them. a great example is instead of making mashed potatoes with a white potato, cream and butter, make it with a sweet potato & light cream cheese. A few things that have really kept me going.

1. If you're going to have a high carb food, make sure you're getting adequate protein at the same time: i.e. never just eat an apple, make a peanut butter dip to go with it. The protein helps change the way your body absorbs the sugars in the fruit so that you don't have a sugar high and elevate your blood sugars (it's a trigger for some of the hormonal stuff going on).
2. Make sure the fats you're consuming are good fats (fruit oil like olive or coconut vs. nut/vegetable oils or avocados or peanut butter) - these will help regulate
3. Eat something every 3-4 hours. Don't let yourself get too hungry.
4. Balance your plate properly. Half of your plate should be reserved for veggies, quarter of it for your meat/proteins and the last quarter for your high fibre, unrefined starches. Keep this balance in mind for snacks too.
5. Eat enough and drink enough water. You should be getting about half your body weight in oz (So I'm 234, so I should be drinking 117oz - That's about 15 glasses of water). Make sure you spread that out over the day - I have a 3 glass water bottle and do 1 in the morning/drive in to work, 1 before lunch, 1 with lunch, 1 after lunch/drive home, 1 with dinner and 1more before bed. Don't go from 6 to 15 in one day, you'll make yourself feel horrible.

The internet is packed with great resources. Everyone is different though - so find what works for you through trial and error.

For me, I gained 60 lbs once I went on the pill! So, I am not doing that ever again.


Also, this is more to just say not actual advice....lol.....I LOST weight with both pregnancies. I actually lost about 35 lbs with my first pregnancy. There is something about being pregnant that helped me with my hormonal imbalance.

I actually just started reading a new PCOS blog. People might be interested. http://divapcos.wordpress.com/ I really agree with her approach to the complete change in lifestyle. It's not enough to rely on the medications, but the types of food you're eating. I'm getting a lot of great natural remedies on here and I'm really excited to use some of them. It's not for everyone, but I think it's going to work for me.

Have fun!

for me, eating low carb is key! i try to stay under 100 grams (or 25%) a day. i have lost 30 pounds this way (only 7 more to go).

I have PCOS and a whole host of other things to deal with. Just last night I posted a blog of everything I'm doing. Feel free to read all the tips I posted. They're simple to do.

I haven't read through the other post as I'm leaving work and am rushed.

I was just diagnosed with PCOS at the end of last week. I was put on metofirm (sp?) (500 mg for the first week than bump up to 1,000 mg a day week 2 and on) I was also put on a low carb diet, dr. recommend South Beach and I've been on it since Sunday.

3 days into it I'm loving it, feel great and am already down .6 lbs since Sunday.

I followed Ann Louise Gittleman's Fat Flush Plan, I have no symptoms of PCOS. I worked on salvia hormone balancing and followed her "rules" for hormone therapy and it's been a wonderful result.