P.C.O.S (sorry if its been done)

Options
TahliS
TahliS Posts: 52
in Health and Weight Loss
Hiya ladies,

Am looking to get a little advice/suggestions etc from P.C.O.S sufferes who are making this work for them. While I am loosing I havnt been able to hit the switch of consistent loss. For eg I can go up and down 5 pounds in a week. I am not sure im eating the right kind of foods. I fell off track over Christmas and really need and want to get back going in the direction now. Thanks for any thoughts, comments, suggestions.

ETA Im 5 7 and am looking to loose around 25 kg more (65ish? pounds)

Replies

  • sandy2006
    sandy2006 Posts: 483 Member
    Options
    Hi I have pcos. I can also gain weight really fast and it takes a long time to get it off. I really dont have anything to offer you except what I do and here it is.. cut out sugar and processed foods, exercise very regularly. Concentrate more on strength training and be true to your food diary! Drink plenty of water. I take fish oil and cinnamon everyday. So far its working for me. good luck
  • mistresseeyore
    mistresseeyore Posts: 717 Member
    Options
    The nutritionalist told me that to get PCOS in order not to eat above 45 carbs a meal, have snacks in between meals that aren't more than 30 carbs. It helps your body get on hormonal balance and insulin will not be rejected and stored as fat.
  • TahliS
    TahliS Posts: 52
    Options
    Thanks! Will start making a conscience effort to nibble more, cut out processed food and make sure im hitting my 8 glasses of water. It is SSSOOO frustrating watching so many others do this so easily while we continue to struggle. Ive managed to get a lot of weight off quickly as an 18 year old.. but did it un healthy. I think I just have to accept that I cant loose as fast as Id really like to :((
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    Options
    The nutritionalist told me that to get PCOS in order not to eat above 45 carbs a meal, have snacks in between meals that aren't more than 30 carbs. It helps your body get on hormonal balance and insulin will not be rejected and stored as fat.

    My Endocrinologist has me on a 40g per meal/120g daily, 1600 calorie per day restriction for my unique PCOS situation....

    Unfortunately I have a food-elimination list due to an EXTREME case of Insulin Resistance/Metabolic X situation... it got so bad that I almost went into Insulin Shock and my liver was a screaming case of Hepatitis because it couldnt handle the bucket loads of insulin my pancreas was dumping.....


    Tahli S - I would highly suggest you meet up with a specialist and/or RD who specializes in working with PCOS patients to get a more individualized plan that might work better for your individual situation....

    The "cleaner" the better...
  • TahliS
    TahliS Posts: 52
    Options
    Tahli S - I would highly suggest you meet up with a specialist and/or RD who specializes in working with PCOS patients to get a more individualized plan that might work better for your individual situation....

    The "cleaner" the better...
    [/quote]

    Thanks sweets! Im going to start looking for a new GP while I am at it. I have spoken to my GP many many times about P.C.O.S and he has no idea.. Ive seen dieticians who've said eat 6 times daily.. no mention of carbs, sugars and so on. Im glad to see it can be done!
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    Options
    Tahli S - I would highly suggest you meet up with a specialist and/or RD who specializes in working with PCOS patients to get a more individualized plan that might work better for your individual situation....

    The "cleaner" the better...
    Thanks sweets! Im going to start looking for a new GP while I am at it. I have spoken to my GP many many times about P.C.O.S and he has no idea.. Ive seen dieticians who've said eat 6 times daily.. no mention of carbs, sugars and so on. Im glad to see it can be done!

    The problem with General Practice and Primary care... and they will definitely agree with this... and so did the PCP's I used to work for....

    When they go to Medical School.. they only touch upon the subject... they never get the full synopsis on PCOS, proper tests, diagnosing, treatment, the different varieties..... It is often left in three or four specialists' hands: Dermatology (for hair and skin issues), Endocrinology and OBGYN (for those trying to conceive, they are supposed to collaborate with Endos).... there are times an Allergist is brought in as well because of food allergies and sensitivities....

    I had the testing via Allergist.... and WHOA.... it wasnt pretty.
    I had testing through the Endo recently.... Yup, the Allergist was spot on AND - my blood tests came back with GORGEOUS results as a result of changing my dietary habits... In three months, my triglycerides alone went from 225 to 112..... all relative to food changes....

    I have, now, maintenance visits with a Dermatologist as Im slowly growing back the hair on my head, and I no longer have male-patter hair-growth anymore!!!!
  • rissadiane
    rissadiane Posts: 355 Member
    Options
    My RE has me doing a diet where I only eat carbs in the morning (so I can work it off during the day) and a high protein dinner. Fresh vegetables and fruits. No processed/fast foods. She told me that if I can keep up with that and exercise at least 30 mins a day 3 days a week I don't require any additional medication besides my BCP! I just got diagnosed so I'm not sure if it'll work yet or not, but feel free to add me! :flowerforyou:
  • DreamerNicole
    DreamerNicole Posts: 3
    Options
    I also suffer from PCOS and I bought a few books to help me understand what it was and how it worked--with your body being insulin resistant you should treat eating habits like type 2 diabetes. low carb low sugar.

    I use this site a lot for low carb meals and when I stick to it I lose weight pretty steadily. I have been off it three months and I gained back almost 20 lbs. so I am back to sticking to it. Its really easy to follow and make leftovers or make too much to have everyday for breakfast or lunch. so its not too expensive either. but yeah just stick to low carbs :)
  • pcarbo3
    pcarbo3 Posts: 16 Member
    Options
    Hi girls --

    Fellow PCOS sufferer here (surgery to remove ovarian cyst once already, again in 2 months -- awful). The best thing that I do is low-impact cardio. The stationary bike, walking outside or on a treadmill, light jogs -- all of these have kept my blood sugar at an even level and helped me lose weight. Anything that keeps me moving and releases some of my stress!

    I've also been seeing an endocrinologist regularly as the PCOS is starting to cause problems with my insulin production. I'm currently taking Metformin - helps regulate my insulin. One "side effect" is weight loss, but obviously I DO NOT suggest you take this unless you have a blood sugar issue from PCOS or diabetes.

    I know it sucks that we can gain weight so fast and struggle so much to lose it -- but it can be done! even though i've only lost 12 lbs while using MFP, I've actually lost 36lbs since I started my struggle with PCOS. I got way too big way too fast and I'm way too young to be that heavy! So, it's time to get to work.

    Hang in there -- and the advice and support here has been really great! Keep your head up!

    --Trish
  • TahliS
    TahliS Posts: 52
    Options
    ohh ohhhhhh thanks for mentioning metformin! I had completely forgotten about that. I was taking it and then we moved overseas and i had completely forgotten about it. Will be making an appt shortly with GP to get back on it. Thank you all so so so so much for all of the tips and advice! Ive felt like ive been beating my head against a brick wall. So frustrating! Will keep carbs low, protein higher, stick with my bike (which i love because I dont have to go anywhere and dont need a nice day to do it), keep up the water and make sure I eat as clean as I can at dinner. I feel so much better for getting a bit better of an understanding as to where i am going "wrong". Thank you all heaps and heaps! Renewed vigour not to be defeated by a set of scales.
  • sandy2006
    sandy2006 Posts: 483 Member
    Options
    Metformin does not = weight loss. I hear lots of people say this but it does not always work for everybody. I was on it for 6 months and never lost a pound. I also know other women who were on it and never lost any either. Maybe it helps some women but its not a gaurantee weight loss cure.
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    Options
    I'm currently taking Metformin - helps regulate my insulin. One "side effect" is weight loss, but obviously I DO NOT suggest you take this unless you have a blood sugar issue from PCOS or diabetes.
    Metformin does not = weight loss. I hear lots of people say this but it does not always work for everybody. I was on it for 6 months and never lost a pound. I also know other women who were on it and never lost any either. Maybe it helps some women but its not a gaurantee weight loss cure.

    Sorry but she never said Metformin equals weight loss... In fact she is correct, for some it CAN help with weight loss because it helps regulate not just insulin but blood sugar as well, and how the body is capable of digesting foods.

    Most people cannot stomach metformin because they are not taking it with food.... Others who are originally prescribed often will have the preliminary 'reactions' of the bathroom variety because they have never been on it thus needing to build up a threshhold.

    Metformin has GREATLY regulated my blood sugar and insulin in conjunction with weight loss...and continues to help.
  • sandy2006
    sandy2006 Posts: 483 Member
    Options
    I never said she said metfornim=weight loss. I was simply stating a fact...
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    Options
    Hiya ladies,

    Am looking to get a little advice/suggestions etc from P.C.O.S sufferes who are making this work for them. While I am loosing I havnt been able to hit the switch of consistent loss. For eg I can go up and down 5 pounds in a week. I am not sure im eating the right kind of foods. I fell off track over Christmas and really need and want to get back going in the direction now. Thanks for any thoughts, comments, suggestions.

    ETA Im 5 7 and am looking to loose around 25 kg more (65ish? pounds)

    PCOS means either your also diabetic or have insulin resistance at the very least.

    You should be adhering to a controlled carb lifestyle to get healthier and lose weight.
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    Options
    The nutritionalist told me that to get PCOS in order not to eat above 45 carbs a meal, have snacks in between meals that aren't more than 30 carbs. It helps your body get on hormonal balance and insulin will not be rejected and stored as fat.

    Wow, there is major diffferences in dieticians, nutritionists and such. I am (was) limited to 50 grams or less per DAY.
  • carolann_22
    carolann_22 Posts: 364 Member
    Options
    I had chips and salsa and a mini- eclair on New Year's Eve, gained three pounds, and STILL haven't lost them. GRR.

    My RE has me on 25 g net carbs a day, only non-starchy veggies, nuts, and seeds as the carb sources.I'm also on 1500mg Metformin. It was working really well - in December I've lost 15 pounds till the darn chips and salsa - now not sure what's going on, but I've been good on my carbs since Jan 1 so hopefully this weekend I'll see some scale movement.
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    Options
    The nutritionalist told me that to get PCOS in order not to eat above 45 carbs a meal, have snacks in between meals that aren't more than 30 carbs. It helps your body get on hormonal balance and insulin will not be rejected and stored as fat.

    Wow, there is major diffferences in dieticians, nutritionists and such. I am (was) limited to 50 grams or less per DAY.

    And rightfully so on the differences! Every woman is different, with varying PCOS issues and how involved they are.

    Thats why it is VERY important NOT to believe "well, my nutritionist said this..." and "my nutritionist said that...." because the advice they are talking about was given to them based on their individual situation.... Any advice given from an RD/Nutritionist is just like medical advice.... it is advice given to the individual based on their individual situation....
  • pcarbo3
    pcarbo3 Posts: 16 Member
    Options
    Sorry, I definitely wasn't trying to pump Metformin as a weightloss tip. Just saying that I take it, because I NEED it, not because I'm trying to lose weight. And weight loss is a listed and well-documented side effect, but should NOT be the reason to take this medication. A lot of women with PCOS find themselves on something like Metformin when they are having glucose/insulin issues. That's all I was saying, sorry for any misunderstanding.
  • agentscully514
    agentscully514 Posts: 616 Member
    Options
    Just FYI, there is a PCOS group on MFP you can request to join.

    I have PCOS and try to eat 100g carbs a day or less. I have found that nutritionists seem to allow FAR more carbs than the endocrinologist wants me to eat. Lots of resistance to low carb diets even when they are medically required, apparently.

    I also take 2000mg metformin a day. At first it did help me lose a lot of weight, which unfortunately crept back. I attribute the re-gain to poor eating habits.

Categories