I have pcos and its so hard to diet

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  • oBirdieo
    oBirdieo Posts: 148
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    I have PCOS as well (but am not on metformin) and, for me, a low-GI (nearly identical to phase 2 of the South Beach Diet) is what works for me. I lost about 60 pounds on South Beach a few years ago and am now hovering between that and low-GI.

    Basically, we need to eat slow release foods that don't trigger a fast rise in our blood sugar (because that will trigger cravings for bad carbs and result in us storing glucose as fat rather than using it as energy). That means our diet needs to consist of lean meats, low fat dairy, nuts, pulses, fruits, veggies, and wholegrain breads. I see a lot of people going on about LOW carb being the way to eat, but it's more that we need to eat GOOD carbs.

    I'd suggest picking up a copy of The Idiot's Guide to PCOS and/or The PCOS Diet book. Both have been a tremendous help to me in understanding the syndrome.

    You're also welcome to look at my diary to get an idea of what I'm eating. Keep in mind I'm only 2 1/2 weeks into this, so I'm still stumbling a bit (see yesterday's potato chips!), but I am losing and, more importantly, I FEEL so much better! I'm not tired during the day and am finding the energy and motivation to exercise a few times a week, which is unheard of for me! I'm still eating out a time or two each week but am trying to make better choices as I'm really looking forward to changing my attitude toward food and am trying to make the best possible choice whenever possible. I'm saving money as well because it's so much cheaper to NOT eat out multiple times per week!
  • ResilientWoman
    ResilientWoman Posts: 440 Member
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    Diagnosed with PCOS at 22, now at 44 I have the ultrasound pics to prove I am completely healed, even the scars are gone! After almost 2 decades of infertility, I have a beautiful daughter, age 5 1/2 years. I am less than a year from my ideal body composition and an athlete for the first time in my life. Check out my profile and friend me if you need support. If I can do it, anyone can.
  • katesxxo6391
    katesxxo6391 Posts: 12
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    thank you everyone for helping! i think its amazing that you have great people to relate to! i am so happy that i joined this website! :)
  • nicolek1009
    nicolek1009 Posts: 6
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    I also have PCOS and can relate to all of you. I am 1500mg metformin. I also have hypothryrodism and high levels of prolactin. I have an appt with an endo in July :mad: He is the only one in the area. We are currently TTC. However, I would like to lose at least 20lbs. my goal is 50lbs but as long as I get a BFP I dont care!!! I found this website and it has held me accountable which something new for me.
  • lilsweetslol
    lilsweetslol Posts: 68 Member
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    I started the metformin last week- I've had PCOS over a year now and gained about 30lbs ( i'm only 5'4 so it shows big time). i've managed to lose about 13 lbs since January.. but its SOOOO SLLLLOOOWWWW. and frustrating with all the "other" symptoms.
    I'm tolerating the Metformin ok. I literally take it right in the middle of eating my breakfast ( a combination of egg and whole grain product) and dont have any GI problems.. mild headaches on occasion..

    I guess i'm wondering HOW LONG before this pill helps out with weight acne, hair growth. blaaah
    I am toning up everywhere but my stomach right below my bellt button looks like i have a lil bun in the oven.. I dont. and wish people would stop asking if i was pregnant.. : (
  • heniko
    heniko Posts: 796 Member
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    Dietary changes are much safer and effective then Metaformin. I took it for 6m and I can tell you it doesn't nessasarly help with any of those. Only when I went on a diet to control the IR did these improve!
  • wildcatsteph99
    wildcatsteph99 Posts: 1 Member
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    lilsweetslol-

    Metformin only helps with the insulin resistance, not the acne and hair growth. Speak to your endocrinologist about options to control these other symptoms (they are usually caused by high testosterone levels or possibly thyroid). Medicines usually prescribed for these issues are spironolactone or yasmin.
  • lucisept61
    lucisept61 Posts: 20
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    I have PCOS too and I noticed on the yahoo PCOS group I joined that it seemed like many of the PCOS women did much better on a gluten-free diet. That means you avoid wheat, barley, rye, etc., and watch the glycemic index of the grains you do choose to eat. I haven't been dieting all that long, so I don't know how well my body is going to take to weight loss now that I have PCOS, but I know that I have to eat proteins with every meal/snack and keep all simple sugars out of my diet.

    Good luck with this challenge. It's not easy.
  • lucisept61
    lucisept61 Posts: 20
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    for my PCOS symptoms I use Progesterone Cream to help balance my hormone during the second half of my cycle.
  • katesxxo6391
    katesxxo6391 Posts: 12
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    lucisept61- thanks for the advice! ive considered going on a gluten free diet but im so afraid of the crash that i will get from not really having too many carbs.. this week ive been really sticking to low carb diet and have been controlling my cravings and have been exercising and drinking plenty of water, but i mean i really cut down on the carbs and right now im like crashing lol.. i just wanna sleep!
  • heniko
    heniko Posts: 796 Member
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    If you are thinking to go low carb or gluten free, please the join the No Grain No Pain group and the Paleo group Kate ....I've gone Primal which is a lower carb lifestyle and in a few months much of my PCOS issues are gone. So worth a try!
  • jude666
    jude666 Posts: 231 Member
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    I have a hormonal issue and it stinks. I have an issue called PCOS also known as PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome. And because its an insulin problem my doctor tells me that the only way it will get somewhat better is if I diet and exercise. I am already hypoglycemic to begin with and one of the only treatments that I can take is Metformin which is a diabetic medication that decreases your blood sugar and I have to take it 4 times a day 300 mg. It stinks because I have to eat a feast with it. I find it so hard to diet because I need a certain amount of carbs in my diet and certain amount of protein in order for my headaches to go away.. but I just don't know what I should be really eating and how much, and its really hard to lose any of the weight. Anyone have any advice?

    I have PCOS to, i was diagnosed when I was 17 and was told to lose weight to keep my symptons under control. I have had great success following a low GI diet. I lost a couple of stone and went from a size 18 to a size 12 (UK). Stick to wholegrain/whole foods and avoid sugar as much as possible. Or, for example, if you have a banana which is high in sugar, have a handful of nuts at the same time, this will balance your sugar levels out.

    Simple things like this keep my PCOS under control. I know exactly what you're going through. I've heard about Metformin but I haven't been prescribed it. What exactly is it and what is it supposed to control? chin up girl, i know how you feel and its rubbish x
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
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    Make sure you are eating lean meats like chicken and turkey, watch what kind of carbs you eat. Make sure you focus on whole grain pasta and breads. Also try finding a healthy peanut butter. Its very filling and gives you protein.

    Actually being someone that has PCOS grain carbs are among the worst we as PCOS'rs can eat.

    Our carbs should be coming from fruits and vegetables............Grain carbs and starchy carbs are the worst and should be eaten sparingly.
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
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    lucisept61- thanks for the advice! ive considered going on a gluten free diet but im so afraid of the crash that i will get from not really having too many carbs.. this week ive been really sticking to low carb diet and have been controlling my cravings and have been exercising and drinking plenty of water, but i mean i really cut down on the carbs and right now im like crashing lol.. i just wanna sleep!

    It's not a crash your experiencing it is withdrawal and detox from the carbage.............

    If your experiencing no energy eat a bit more fat with your vegetables and protein. You may not be eating enough.

    come join us on the no grain, no pain topic!!!
  • jude666
    jude666 Posts: 231 Member
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    I started the metformin last week- I've had PCOS over a year now and gained about 30lbs ( i'm only 5'4 so it shows big time). i've managed to lose about 13 lbs since January.. but its SOOOO SLLLLOOOWWWW. and frustrating with all the "other" symptoms.
    I'm tolerating the Metformin ok. I literally take it right in the middle of eating my breakfast ( a combination of egg and whole grain product) and dont have any GI problems.. mild headaches on occasion..

    I guess i'm wondering HOW LONG before this pill helps out with weight acne, hair growth. blaaah
    I am toning up everywhere but my stomach right below my bellt button looks like i have a lil bun in the oven.. I dont. and wish people would stop asking if i was pregnant.. : (

    I've never been prescribed Metformin.... I try to control my PCOS symptons through diet and exercise alone (other than the pill to have regular periods). Since losing 2 stone I'm certainly more under control of a lot of the symptons.
  • zudleymarie
    zudleymarie Posts: 100 Member
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    Another PCOS girl here....diagnosed at age 16. I worked out like a fiend before my wedding for a year and did not hardly lose anything. Was told years after I was diagnosed that Metformin would help me control my blood sugar, so I am using that and a lower carb-lower fat diet. Metformin does not bother me unless I eat simple sugars...and then we all know what the bad consequences of that are! Darn my lazy pancreas!!!!! You can add me as a friend if you want a fellow cycter. :)
  • acmassey
    acmassey Posts: 3
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    i was diagnosed 10 years ago in September. I was put on MetXR but even that screws with my stomach and I can't take it.

    I've found some success with the IR Diet which is linking. Basically you eat protein EVERY time you eat carbs. Your goal is 7g of protein for every 15g of carbs and to not have more than 30g in a 2 hour time period. That is all the counting they encourage I highly recommend it I have the book and I'm trying to get back into the swing of it. I lost 20 pounds in a couple of months the first time I did it.

    We are also TTC so right now I'm trying to lose weight and get healthier so we can get and stay pregnant. :)
  • lucisept61
    lucisept61 Posts: 20
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    Lots of the advice here is great. Definitely look over a list of Glycemic Index food (GI) because it's amazing what foods will raise your blood sugar... foods like corn, beets, peas, bananas, potatoes, ... y'know, all that stuff our mothers told us to be sure and eat! I am not worrying about fat right now. I have just started dieting again and I decided to worry about fat grams when I am MUCH closer to my goal weight. Right now I want to get past the sugar cravings, and I do that by eating lots of protein. I've been off of wheat and gluten for about 6 years now, so that part I have down pat. I never was willing to spend a lot of money on the gluten-free breads and pasta and such, so I don't have so much of that to kick back out of my diet. I would advise cutting out the high-carb foods first, THEN after a month or so of success with that, go gluten-free, and after a month or so of that you can try to cut back on fats. Remember that we need some fat and heathy carbs (veggies and fruits) to keep our brains functioning!

    Really, though, for your PCOS, please look into Progesterone cream. Dr. John Lee (I think it's John R. Lee, but not certain) wrote several books about balancing the female hormones (and PCOS is a hormone problem) by supplementing with this cream. My doctor prescribed the book to me and told me where I could find the cream (my local health food store - now even WalMart carries it, but I don't like the cheap cream Walmart carries) and my doctor let me take it from there. I had gone a whole year without a period and suddenly I was having periods right on time every month! It was like a miracle! The cream is simple, you just rub it into your skin once a day (or twice a day, depending on whose advice you prefer) for 14 days a month. Almost no side-effects... it makes me feel sleepy, so I rub it on just before bed... and any other symptoms are the ones I always associated with my period anyway and I was so glad to be cycling regularly again I even liked the old symtoms, too!

    As for health benefits, I feel SO MUCH better now that I am off of sugar - and am eating healthy foods again. Even my eyesight seems to be improving and my skin feels great (could be all that water I'm drinking) and I am thinking more clearly. No matter what you do, try to keep in mind that there are no quick fixes for a condition like PCOS, but it's not the end of the world if you keep working at it.
  • lilsweetslol
    lilsweetslol Posts: 68 Member
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    Wow- thanks ladies for everyones input. I am the type of person that will give everything a chance. I dont expect overnight results on anything as this weight has come on over two years now.

    I'm doing ok with the metformin so far. The only reason I tried it because the diet/calorie/working out was not producing the results i needed. I had actually been working out since I was diagnosed but kept gaining and gaining no matter what. My ObGyn told me to go this way to get cycles back on track and might help with weight loss.

    I also am following a low carb, low sugar and more proteins of course. I thought that it was ok to eat a whole grain once in a while?? but everyone seems to be about going gluten free with PCOS.. i'm starting to wonder if the wheat group is my enemy.
    I've been reading up ALOT on Paleo/Primal and I am highly interested.

    I do need more support from fellow PCOS ladies so please add me- it sucks loggin in and seeing so many ladies ( non PCOSers) who keep loosing every day and not me. i log a weight loss maybe once a month : (
    it might seem mean and i'm sorry if it came across that way, but i feel that having this condition, (unless you have it yourself)You have NO IDEA the struggles on a daily basis and the emotions. etc.
    Not that each one of those ladies doesnt have their own struggles. I just feel it easier to not give up with the support of fellow "cysters"
    thanks ladies :heart:
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
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    lucisept61- thanks for the advice! ive considered going on a gluten free diet but im so afraid of the crash that i will get from not really having too many carbs.. this week ive been really sticking to low carb diet and have been controlling my cravings and have been exercising and drinking plenty of water, but i mean i really cut down on the carbs and right now im like crashing lol.. i just wanna sleep!

    That only lasts for a short time, your detoxing from the crap. Eat more green veggies and eat more fat - there you will find more energy.

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