PCOS

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pinkluckyhair
pinkluckyhair Posts: 4
in Health and Weight Loss
Do any women suffer from pcos? If so, what is your tip to losing weight, besides following low-glycemic diet? Very frustrated!
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Replies

  • jb_sweet_99
    jb_sweet_99 Posts: 856 Member
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    Honestly, just keep plugging along. I know it's frustrating, I've lost about 17 pounds since April, but I've gained and lost so many of those pounds over and over and over. Just try not to get bothered by others results, when someone says they've lost 20 pounds in a few months that's just not something that is possible for us. I've been put on Glumetza for PCOS and I'm hoping it will help.
    Good luck, feel free to message me if you have questions, I've done a lot of research :bigsmile:
  • DrBorkBork
    DrBorkBork Posts: 4,099 Member
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    I have PCOS, but don't follow any diet other than eating "smart" (cover all your major food groups-- fruits, veggies, grains, and protein), and stay within my calorie limit. Just take each day as it comes and commit to yourself to getting exercise done, even if it's just going for a walk!
  • Hannah_Banana
    Hannah_Banana Posts: 1,242 Member
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    Hi there! I don't necessarily follow a strict low-GI diet, but I do count carbs in addition to calories. I never have more than 30/meal and 15/snack and never more than 90/day. I limit fruit to one serving a day of something low in carb like berries...

    For people with PCOS who are prone to insulin resistance, exercise is VERY important, since it boosts insulin production. Cinnamon (in medicinal doses) will also help to control your blood sugar levels.

    Other than that - just eating healthy, clean and moving regularly. Weight loss is definitely harder for us, but NOT impossible. Best of luck to you!! :flowerforyou:
  • Hannah_Banana
    Hannah_Banana Posts: 1,242 Member
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    Honestly, just keep plugging along. I know it's frustrating, I've lost about 17 pounds since April, but I've gained and lost so many of those pounds over and over and over. Just try not to get bothered by others results, when someone says they've lost 20 pounds in a few months that's just not something that is possible for us.

    Tell me about it. :sad: I've spent the last 12 months experimenting with different formulas (nutrition percentages, exercise, carbs) etc. And I've gained and lost roughly 20 pounds. I think I've FINALLY discovered something - what I said above - that works for ME, and I couldn't be happier.

    Here's to you ladies finding out what works best for you!! :drinker:
  • kelbel
    kelbel Posts: 10 Member
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    I honestly have never thought about the type of diet I do. I struggle, but I just eat healthy and am trying to exercise. I find counting calories is making the biggest difference and making sure they're healthy calories and not from junk.
  • kelbel
    kelbel Posts: 10 Member
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    I honestly have never thought about the type of diet I do. I struggle, but I just eat healthy and am trying to exercise. I find counting calories is making the biggest difference and making sure they're healthy calories and not from junk.
  • pinkluckyhair
    pinkluckyhair Posts: 4
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    I have exercised in the past, but was unable to lose more than 20lbs. At this point i have started the diet and am working out. Im gonna switch doctors because mine is saying that there isnt a real way to treat me because i have normal sugar levels. Thank you everyone, Im gonna keep doing this!!
  • tracey7
    tracey7 Posts: 7
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    I would definatly see another Dr. I went to a new one and all my blood work came back normal...she doesn't even think I have PCOS...grrrrrr!
  • guamchar
    guamchar Posts: 100 Member
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    I'm glad to know that there are other women out there with PCOS on this site. I don't follow a low glycemic index diet. However, I try to eat healthyish meals. I am an incredibly picky eater who doesn't like many vegetables or meats. All that leaves is carbs. It's really hard to make myself not eat many carbs and to try to incorporate veggies into my meals. However, I have found that when I counted calories, it made a difference. I lost 20 pounds in 6 weeks. I stopped counting calories for about 8 months, and I'm doing it again.

    I took metformin for awhile, and it didn't help at all (with losing weight or with controlling other PCOS symptoms). I know exercise is important, but I have a difficult time making myself exercise. Good luck!!!
  • pinkluckyhair
    pinkluckyhair Posts: 4
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    I was also on metformin for about a year to see if that helped. But recently i found out that i was on such a low dose, it wasnt going to help anyways. My cousin also has pcos and she is on a special birth control to alleviate painful cysts, she has a little pen for shots (and she had normal sugar levels) , and takes 8 pills a day for control of other symptoms. Her bloodwork was very similar to mine, she said the only way she got help was to see an endocrinologist. So that would be my advice for other women also. Wish me luck, im making my appointment tomorrow!!
  • DrBorkBork
    DrBorkBork Posts: 4,099 Member
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    Good luck, pink! Personally I would also make an appointment with a reputable nutrition specialist. They can be a big help on the journey to weight loss as well!
  • DEBDOUGLAS
    DEBDOUGLAS Posts: 54
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    Hello pink! I have pcos also. Excerise and counting carbs and calories is your answer. I finally discovered that carbs are not your friend!!!!! I am counting both and have lost 13 pounds since october. Plus the fact that mfp is a wonderful site for support and advise. Good luck on your journey! I wish you all the success:smile:
  • pjthomas
    pjthomas Posts: 6 Member
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    I saw a nutritionist a few months ago. After hearing my history she speculated that I may have PCOS. I've since seen my GP who's sending me for U/S and Bloods to confirm/rule out the diagnosis.

    Anyway, the nutritionist basically told me to eat Low GI, cut out sugar and anything white (sugar, flour.)

    Her recommendation for me was to eat 6 small portions (half a palm) of protein/day. She also suggested 6 servings of low GI veggies/day. They can be eaten with the protein or I can bulk them up more, say have 2 or 3 servings with supper or lunch.

    There were also a few supplements (vitamins) she recommended for me after getting all of my history.

    If it's possible for you, I'd try to meet up with a nutritionist or someone similar. GP's know (or are supposed to) what they're doing when diagnosing but I don't consider them experts in all aspects of health care, so feel free to see someone more specific.

    I've lost a bit of weight so far, about 10 lbs since I made a conscious effort. It's difficult to eat low GI sometimes but what I do know, is how much better I feel when I do eat Low GI. A million times difference! I cheated and had a pizza meltdown last night and I feel like absolute crap today. I don't feel like that when I eat low GI......

    Good luck with the endocrinologist, let us know!
  • Emilydmo
    Emilydmo Posts: 101
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    First I just want to say - DON'T LOSE HOPE. I have PCOS and I have lost 81 pounds so far with exercise and calorie counting. I have hit a plateau recently and someone recommended MFP as a source of information and support. I've never experimented with counting carbs because, well, I love my carbs! :laugh: I'm lucky if I hit half my protein goal and usually hit 1.5 times my carb goal, but I also work out A LOT. It's funny, I know PCOS can really affect weight loss but I've never really thought about lowering carbs in my diet to break out of this plateau. I think I'm going to start eating low glycemic foods and see if that can help :) It's awesome to see all of these great suggestions and support for other people suffering from this. Anyways, just know that it is possible! I've never taken any medications for my PCOS (well, my gyn has me on Yaz to help control symptoms), but I seriously think exercise is the best medicine for this syndrome.
  • Emilydmo
    Emilydmo Posts: 101
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    Also, speaking of low carbs, does anyone know of any diets/resources for tips and information? I don't even know where to begin to cut them out of my diet! Help!
  • leavinglasvegas
    leavinglasvegas Posts: 1,495
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    I'm glad I stumbled upon this thread. I was just given the official diagnosis on Thursday. I started seeing an endochrinologist in December after I got rough with my family doctor. He just didn't see the need to write the referral. But he finally did and the endo doc has been wonderful to me. He suggested PCOS, but has been taking things one step at a time. First he put me on a thyroid hormone and suggested I see a gynocologist. My family doctor thought is was all a crock. He said PCOS is just a blanket diagnosis that some doctors use for insurance purposes and the only way to know is if you have an ultrasound to see if there are cysts on the ovaries. So I went to the gyno on Thursday and she laughed at my doc, she said cysts are a side effect of PCOS but not the main rule in diagnosing it. She did an ultrasound in her office just to stiffle my doctor and sure enough. I had both ovaries cover in cysts!

    Anyway, she gave me a birth contrl to try and metformin. I haven't started it yet because I'm seeing the endo tomorrow. The thyroid medicine has helped! I'v lost 10 pounds this month! He also put me on a medical diet that wasn't reallt any different than what I was doing, but it is lower carbs. I've done the south beach diet in the past and found it helpful and very tasty to be honest! The endo said south beach is good but he wants me on his because it involves calorie counting while SB doesn't.

    Good luck to you and I hope you find what works for you! If you have access to an endochrinologist, you should definately see one! This man has been a miracle worker for me! He understood everything I said I didn't even have to go into detail like with my family doctor. And when I leave his office I feel heard, rather than like I'm a psycho hypochondraic!

    Holly
  • AMPayne1115
    AMPayne1115 Posts: 4 Member
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    I have struggled with PCOS for years, and so has my mom and sister. (It is hereditary). There are medications that you can take, like the others have mentioned, to regulate your menstrual cycles and resume ovulation, which would be important if you want to become pregnant. I didn't want to be on any medication, though, so I decided to read about the syndrome to learn more. I am now back in school to get my license as a dietitian, with the hopes of counseling women with PCOS.

    I have managed to lose 70 pounds, although it has taken me about 3 years. Women with PCOS lose weight differently and more slowly than others, so you have to be determined and motivated to stick with it. The GI Diet is extremely confusing and hard to follow since so many factors affect a food's glycemic impact. For PCOS, a diet low in simple carbs and sugars is essential -- sugar seems to be the "fuel" for PCOS, and cutting it out has made a huge difference for me. Some of you say that you "just can't do low carb," but that's because your body is addicted to them. Simple carbs give your brain a similar "high" as alcohol or heroin, just not as extreme. Think about it...if the thought of limiting the carbs in your diet makes you instantly feel like you just won't make it...that's addiction!!! You can do it, and when you do, you'll be glad.

    My cycles have become completely regular and I continue to slowly lose weight, and I'm not on any medication at all. With a serious commitment to a healthy diet, you can take control over PCOS instead of letting it control you. I have some books I can recommend if you're interested. Good luck!
  • godblessourhome
    godblessourhome Posts: 3,892 Member
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    I'm glad I stumbled upon this thread. I was just given the official diagnosis on Thursday. I started seeing an endochrinologist in December after I got rough with my family doctor. He just didn't see the need to write the referral. But he finally did and the endo doc has been wonderful to me. He suggested PCOS, but has been taking things one step at a time. First he put me on a thyroid hormone and suggested I see a gynocologist. My family doctor thought is was all a crock. He said PCOS is just a blanket diagnosis that some doctors use for insurance purposes and the only way to know is if you have an ultrasound to see if there are cysts on the ovaries. So I went to the gyno on Thursday and she laughed at my doc, she said cysts are a side effect of PCOS but not the main rule in diagnosing it. She did an ultrasound in her office just to stiffle my doctor and sure enough. I had both ovaries cover in cysts!

    Anyway, she gave me a birth contrl to try and metformin. I haven't started it yet because I'm seeing the endo tomorrow. The thyroid medicine has helped! I'v lost 10 pounds this month! He also put me on a medical diet that wasn't reallt any different than what I was doing, but it is lower carbs. I've done the south beach diet in the past and found it helpful and very tasty to be honest! The endo said south beach is good but he wants me on his because it involves calorie counting while SB doesn't.

    Good luck to you and I hope you find what works for you! If you have access to an endochrinologist, you should definately see one! This man has been a miracle worker for me! He understood everything I said I didn't even have to go into detail like with my family doctor. And when I leave his office I feel heard, rather than like I'm a psycho hypochondraic!

    Holly

    isn't it great when your doctor makes you feel heard, instead of like a nutjob? :)
  • MMLong3996
    MMLong3996 Posts: 31
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    I am 33 and have struggled with PCOS since I was about 15 - diagnosed at 19/20. Not being able to conceive was the first clue, but my sudden weight gain, non-existant periods, etc. added to the list. The ONLY way I've ever been able to lose weight was to follow a low-carb plan. However, it didn't work for me after my 2nd child was born - I gained 10 lbs. instead. I've tried following WW, gone to the local weight loss clinics, etc. But now following MFP and finally being in control of my daily intake, I've lost 12 lbs. and it's the only time I've done it since Atkins.

    I was finally able to get to an Endo this past January and am now on 2000 mg. daily of Metformin. I have zero side effects from it and I know it's contributed to my weight loss. I am not on the Pill, as it didn't do anything for me as far as controlling my periods, or helping my PCOS symptoms subside. I currently only have 1-2 periods per year so I'm hoping the Metformin will balance that as well.

    2010 is MY year to balance my body and finally take this PCOS weight off! I wish you all great luck as well!!!
  • July24Lioness
    July24Lioness Posts: 2,399 Member
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    Hello pink! I have pcos also. Excerise and counting carbs and calories is your answer. I finally discovered that carbs are not your friend!!!!! I am counting both and have lost 13 pounds since october. Plus the fact that mfp is a wonderful site for support and advise. Good luck on your journey! I wish you all the success:smile:

    This is true..........

    Also, most grains are not good for women with PCOS. Most women that have PCOS their bodies process the grain as an allergy and that is why it is so hard to lose weight when consuming a considerable amount of grains.

    It is best for women with PCOS to eat a very natural and unprocessed eating plan. Moderate amounts of protein and fats along with a lot of veggies and a small amount of fruit. Nuts and seeds are good to snack on..............

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