Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Hi girls, I have PCOS too. It's recommended that your intake of carbs is very low when trying to lose weight with PCOS - somewhere between 60 and 100 grams per day and that you get rid of all refined carbohydrates from your diet. So no white bread, white rice etc. Check out PCOSchallenge.com for some great support from other women going through the same thing. Also, the best exercise for a woman with PCOS tends to be interval training so something like the 30 day shred would be a good place to start.

I have this also. I work out almost every day, and have cut a lot out of my diet. I have noticed though that most people on here seem to be dropping pounds like crazy! It such a struggle for me to lose, maybe PCOS is part of the problem.

Dont know about metformin, but last time i saw my Dr. and he saw my weight loss, he swears its due to the birthcontrol i am on.
mostly i think i was over eating and blaming my weight on PCOS before i started MFP. Hit rock bottom when i had to have surgery to remove a 12 cm cyst (not fun at all). i havent done anything special, just stay at 1230 cals a day and exercise 5-6 times a week... keep fighting it girl... PCOS sucks

I was diagnosed with PCOS in January. For some of the other issues I have that go with it, my doctor has told me to cut out added sugar (which is so incredibly hard for me), dairy as much as possible, and go crazy on veggies and fruit. She also suggested exercising AT LEAST 3x a week, though I do 6-7x, and toggle between 1100-1200 calories a day. I'm also on Metformin, 1700mg/day. Everyone is different though, but this has worked for me as I'm down 22lbs

I thought PCOS owned me, but turns out I own it! Best of luck to you!

I also have PCOS and take 1000 mg of metformin a day. I got up to 197 lbs about three years ago. I was frustrated and depressed and nothing seemed to be working. I finally found that eating more often throughout the day was something that worked for me. I used to eat two meals a day, now I keep snacks at work and eat 3 meals and two snacks every day. For snacks I try to have a fruit or vegetable and protein together, like grapes and string cheese or carrots and yogurt. I keep low calorie meal and snack choices handy at work and at home, and I have increased my exercise. I had a friend who used to tell me I didn't eat enough, and I thought she was crazy, but something about eating throughout the day really works for me. I lost 66 pounds in 9 months, and kept most of it off for the last two years. I joined myfitnesspal.com back in January because I had gained a few pounds back and had a friend who wanted to try it out, and I have really found it helps me to keep track of all of my calories and keep me from splurging too much. I am currently at 133 lbs. I just saw my endocrinologist on Monday and he said all of my tests are looking great, so I am pretty happy about that. I know that PCOS makes it difficult, but it IS possible! Don't give up!

It is recommended that women with PCOS live a Low Glycemic Lifestyle, to help reduce the amount of sugar that spikes the systems and not exceed 120 carbs per day.

However, I have found that eating Low Glycemic is not effective for me. I just had this argument with my nutrionist as she wants me at 120 carbs per day, and for my body it does not work. I need to be under 75 grams of carbs 80% of the time in order to see any significant weight loss. I've done many experiments with my eating - and THIS is the only way for me.

Also are you strength training? As this helps reduce the sugar in the blood.. and helps reverse symptoms of PCOS as well as help significantly with weight loss.

Also have you had your thyroid checked? Last year I worked my butt off for 8 months and only lost 30lbs, discouraged and unmotivated I went to see the doctor and turned out I had Hypothyroidism, which was preventing me from losing the weight. It took two 6 week treatments to get my dose right and I am now sitting at 1.9 (which is great).

Combined with the LC eating, working out 5-6 days a week, I've been able to lose 6lbs in 3 weeks.

Do you mind if I ask what birth control you are on?

not at all my friend... i am on the generic version of Yaz.. its called Gianvi

I have PCOS and lost 130 lbs with it! I really had to watch what i would eat! I cut back on carbs.

inspiration.. it CAN happen, thanks for posting this...

I also really recommend a CD for weightloss from CircleandBloom.com I find it really helpful.

http://www.circlebloom.com/get-started/pcos-for-health/

Refined carbs and sugar is what really hurts us, even people without metabolic problems! It's important that we monitor the kinds of carbs and sugar we are eating. I lost 16lbs in about 2 months with PCOS and IR by cutting out processed carbs and sugar. I am not taking BC or Metformin either.

I went 11 months last year without a cycle. One finally appeared in December with the usual heavy flow. Nothing in January. In Feburary I cut out processed carbs and sugar and got my cycle. March, same thing. In April I got my cycle for the third month in a row, but this was much LIGHTER and I didn't have bad symptoms either. I look forward to my cycle every month, because it means that my body is happy and healthy.

I have PCOS and when diagnosed I decided against the medicine and tried a more natural outlook. The first time I tried losing weight I did Weight Watchers and plenty of cardio (lost 43lbs). Now that I am using MFP I've looked more into measurements than the scale. I have taken fried foods out of my diet, I no longer cook with pork or beef (I stick to turkey, chicken, and fish). In addition I have taken a lot of sugar out of my diet and try to eat as natural as possible. For example instead of buying an instant maple brown sugar oatmeal; I take plain oatmeal, smash a banana into it and had blueberries. I eat a lot of whole wheat breads, brown rice, and whole wheat pastas instead of the regular stuff. The biggest thing I can recommend is to not give up! Everyone is different and has to find the healthiest way that works for them. Good Luck!

Hi I have beaten this women issue! I did get pregnant with clomid medication. Becareful this condition makes you suseptible to diabetes. My PCOS got so bad and ended with endometriosis on my ovarys. I can relate to all you women dealing with this! Friend me!

My wife has PCOS and she's lost 98 pounds in 11 months. I wouldn't really say she's watching her carbs other than we've cut out all refined carbs (exchanged white rice for brown, wheat bread, using splenda, etc)


It's not an impossible hurdle to get over, it just takes some work. Good luck!