Halfway to my goal (pics)

michelle_mareshfuehrer · February 2012

In May 2009, I gained 50 lbs. in a VERY short amount of time, my muscles ached so badly that it felt like my fiance was grabbing me forcefully when he was gently rubbing my shoulders, and I had a hard time walking from my apartment to the parking lot without my legs killing me and my chest hurting. I was NOT the thin professional dancer that I used to be although I had not changed ANYTHING (still exercised, still ate healthy) about my lifestyle.

After a month of tests, I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and insulin resistance. The undetected PCOS caused IR, which basically functioned as prediabetes and led to all of my pain. My doctor prescribed 500mg of Metformin for me and put me on a 1200-calorie low carb diet. I started at 186 pounds at this point--a far cry from the 135 I was before this happened.

I've finally lost half of the weight I gained and am starting to feel more like myself. I have another 28 lbs. to go, so I wanted to put a photo at 186 lbs (highest weight) and two at my current weight (163) side-by-side to celebrate just how far I have come.

Here's to losing another 28 ASAP.

papastu · February 2012

great job, you look amazing . Keep it up

sarahh1992 · February 2012

wow you look amazing

such an inspiration

good luck with the rest of your journey!

DietPep1978 · February 2012

Wow you look amazing! Way to go!

Did you find that metformin helped? Or was it the diet change that helped? Hard to tell? I'm currently in the process of getting an answer/diagnosis for PCOS. I always hate to say I find it hard to lose weight because I tend to think I'm not trying enough. I do find I see more movement on the scale when I am eating less carbs and add in weights. And I have to be SUPER good 100% of the time, no little slip ups or "treats" even if it fits in my day.

Anyway...you look fabulous! Cheers to the last bit of it coming off!

michellebd1980 · February 2012

In May 2009, I gained 50 lbs. in a VERY short amount of time, my muscles ached so badly that it felt like my fiance was grabbing me forcefully when he was gently rubbing my shoulders, and I had a hard time walking from my apartment to the parking lot without my legs killing me and my chest hurting. I was NOT the thin professional dancer that I used to be although I had not changed ANYTHING (still exercised, still ate healthy) about my lifestyle.

After a month of tests, I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and insulin resistance. The undetected PCOS caused IR, which basically functioned as prediabetes and led to all of my pain. My doctor prescribed 500mg of Metformin for me and put me on a 1200-calorie low carb diet. I started at 186 pounds at this point--a far cry from the 135 I was before this happened.

I've finally lost half of the weight I gained and am starting to feel more like myself. I have another 28 lbs. to go, so I wanted to put a photo at 186 lbs (highest weight) and two at my current weight (163) side-by-side to celebrate just how far I have come.

Here's to losing another 28 ASAP.

You look fantastic! I have PCOS and I know how painful it is... Not to mention embarrassing! Well, the symptoms I have are. Feel free to add me, you've inspired me!

1CALIJIBARO2 · February 2012

U LOOK SIMPLY MARVELOUS ! ! ! FANTASTIC JOB ! ! ! :flowerforyou:

michelle_mareshfuehrer · February 2012

@1CALIJIBARO2; @michellebd198; @sarahh1992; @papstu: Thank you all for your kind words!! You all keep me going!

@DietPep1978: What I have found is that the Metformin lets me have those little slip-ups without gaining weight. I think of it like Metformin keeps me from gaining and gives me energy, but the exercise and low-carb lets me lose the weight. For example, over Christmas, I went to Nebraska to visit my fiance's family and there was literally nothing to eat up there but beef and potatoes and bread--I forgot to take my Metformin and, in 2 days, I had gained 3 lbs. I got back to Texas, got back on Metformin and started eating healthy and exercising again and lost the weight I put back on. One week later, we celebrated my mom's birthday and we literally had 2 days of pizza and fast food and I didn't gain a single pound.