PCOS/IR need weight loss advice

HoldBackTheDawn · December 2018

Any PCOS/IR sufferers who have found weight loss success that is not Keto or OMAD
Details appreciated

GottaBurnEmAll · December 2018

I'm not either of these things, but I know there are ladies on these boards who haven't done either keto or OMAD who have had success.

I think that the idea that it's harder to lose weight with PCOS stems from conflicting research suggesting that one's BMR is lowered if you have it. Some studies suggest that women with PCOS have lower BMR's, some studies don't. I'm going to guess it's within the realm of possibility that some people who have PCOS are just possibly *also* statistical outliers and this confounds matters.

Nevertheless, the only way to ever lose weight is through a calorie deficit.

Is this your first time trying to lose weight?

Start where you are. Just log everything you eat. Use this as an opportunity to learn how to log accurately. Buy a food scale!

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1234699/logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide/p1

Keep notes in your diary. Note foods that left you feeling hungry, foods that left you feeling satisfied. Look for ways to see where you can save calories.

When you have accurate logging down, and a good idea of what foods keep you feeling satisfied and some idea where you can start saving calories, go into your settings, click to update your diet and fitness profile, and select a reasonable weight loss goal.

If you don't see results as expected after six weeks (give it time, weight loss isn't linear), adjust your intake because it's possible you might be a statistical outlier. I should also note that while you don't have to go keto, an overall lower carbohydrate diet (less than 150 grams) benefits those who are IR. Look especially to limit refined and processed carbs and increase vegetables, fruits like berries, beans, and whole grains.

Additionally, I believe that exercise, especially weight lifting, is beneficial for women with PCOS/IR since exercise increases insulin sensitivity.

Good luck!

ShayCarver89 · December 2018

I have PCOS and have had success in the past with Keto. Like a 75 pound loss success. But I gained it all back (my fault!) and have currently lost 32 pounds just watching what I eat.
The only thing I can really say is that PCOS...the hormone tummy doesn't want to budge. I'm losing weight everywhere but my stomach. Which is very common with women with hormone imbalances. So just be aware that your tummy might give you a lot of trouble!

me0231 · December 2018

I have PCOS and IR and I needed a fairly aggressive calorie deficit to see a steady loss but I lost just counting calories.

I've done IF and keto and that worked too but in my experience any deficit works. My results were slower than expected for my deficit. So I think there's some truth to a lower BMR or something but at the end of the day a deficit will do the trick regardless.

nvmomketo · December 2018

I went keto to treat IF; lower carb intake equals lower BG and insulin. Weight loss was a happy side effect.

Low carb (under 100-150g may be enough to help with your IR. Higher carb diets do not help as much with IR as lower carb diets do, over the short term without weight loss.

anfmusicgrl · December 2018

I had success with just a normal diet. The main thing I did cut though was artificial sugars... sodas, drinks, etc.

My carb intake was and is a little lower only bc to have more filling meals and still stay within my calories, I tend to opt for more proteins or fats. Or, if I want seconds I go for meat, etc.

I lost 140+ lbs between 2011-2012.. I then had twins and lost what I gained plus 20 more! (-160lbs). I drank soda and all that crap and gained back some.... but still was 100 less than originally... and this past year have taken my good old time losing back the 30.

During these years I have found that my BMR is a bit lower than others and what the apps would calculate. I never can eat back much of my exercise calories. However, even with those losses, etc, ive not found that eating or cutting carbs sped up my real losses. I lost the 140 lbs and the pregnancy weight at equal rates... the pregnancy weight I lost on not as healthy of foods and not as much exercise... but same pace. (Between work, babies, and other things I didn’t track like I did before or now)

The big curveball though is that my metabolism and bmr and weight loss were more efficient and WAY closer to normal when I took metformin for my pcos. I’ve not been on it this past year... and I lose the same if I’ve had a good week where I eat really clean... or I eat half my calories in junk for a week. Hasn’t mattered... as long as the deficit is there.

Lifting weights is a HUGE factor for my metabolism though.

PCOS/IR need weight loss advice

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