PCOS - I can't lose weight (but I can't exercise...)

I have PCOS. I don't exercise other than walking. I'm 5ft2. I started at 182 and am currently 158. Since January. So yep you can lose weight without exercising. I have 1480 calories a day and lose 1lb a week. I find protein and fat are my friend. My carbs I make sure are more veg, brown rice, brown pasta based etc.

You can lose weight. Find your TDEE, create a 500 calorie deficit and look to lose 1lb a week. Track everything you eat. I will bet a dime to a dozen you are eating more than you realise and/or burn off.

Good luck!

PCOS often comes with insulin resistance. Most Dr's will have you on a carb restricted diet with higher fat and moderate protein along with metformin.

I recommend a book written by a couple of Mayo Clinic Dr's called "The insulin resistance diet. " I have PCOS and this *really* helped me.

Hi I don't know what PCOS is, but I strongly agree with the recommendation that you see an endocrinologist. I tried everything to lose weight, logging here to make sure I stayed under 1400 calories a day, exercising like mad. I participated in two challenges, the 6 month Curves challenge, and a "biggest loser" thing at the YMCA that involved hundreds of sit-ups and push-ups and stair runs and weightlifting, five days a week for 20 weeks. In both cases most people lost around forty pounds. I lost....nothing. Four ounces in the Curves challenge, gained two pounds at the Y. Well maybe it's that muscle weighs more, was the typical explanation. In the meantime my blood sugars went crazy so my doctor put me on more and more insulin and added fast-acting insulin. I asked for a referral to a diabetes clinic and a dietitian. (Dietitians, sorry for next bit). The dietitian told me what every overweight person already knows by heart, suggested I eat less and exercise more, blablabla. Everyone will tell you this and secretly accuse you of cheating and lying if you don't lose. After all, THEY lose when they cut out Coke and park further away. It is so frustrating. Finally I got in to see an endocrinologist who told me that insulin will cause weight gain and prevent weight loss. I have been dropping a pound a week, using half the amount of insulin and lowering it steadily, all while not exercising or dieting, other than keeping under the 1450 cal target recommended by myfitnesspal. I am going to get back on the fitness wagon next. My point is: if you are making good faith efforts to lose weight and it's not happening, see an expert. Your family doctor and your dietitian and your personal trainer may be wonderful people and wish you well and give you advice that works for other people, but they don't know everything. Good luck.

clarenewman wrote: »

Ok I've filled in my diary from yesterday so you can all see (I'm pretty sure it's open) and I'm filling it in from today. I've done all the calculations - that "you could weight 161.4lbs in five weeks" thing is like a daily kick in the gut tbh. Because it's never come true.

I'm just completely exhausted by all this. My whole life is dominated about the amount and kind of calories I am consuming. It's taking over everything and it's depressing me. I hate the way I look, the fact one of my clothes fit me, and all these attempts to eat the right things are coming to nothing. I could cry.

No, you aren't going to get there in five weeks, but you will get there as long as you keep slowly moving in the right direction. If you give up now, there will just be more work to do later.

My prediction usually puts me at my goal weight or 10 pounds below. If I had a normal metabolism, I would be there already. I don't though, and it's just the reality that has to be faced.

clarenewman wrote: »

How do I get to see an endocrinologist - and what do they do? Sorry to sound thick lol!!

ask your dr about seeing one. with most insurances you will need a referral from your family dr,an endocrinologist studies endocrine disorders and things like metabolism,insulin resistance,thyroid disorders,etc.

I also have PCOS and have been able to lose weight just by being very honest about everything I put in my mouth. I dont think there's any other "one simple trick" to losing weight, metabolic abnormalities or not. What can be influenced by a metabolic abnormality or by "one simple trick" is what mentally satisfies you at your caloric maintenance/loss. Some people find fasting 16 hours then having big meals satisfying and others prefer many small meals spread through the day. Some find a keto or paleo style diet filling and others need carbs for mental clarity.

It sucks, but there is no one size fits all solution for everyone because everyone's got a different situation. Try playing with your macros, your portions, and your meal timing until you find the right fit for you, physically, mentally, and emotionally.