PCOS - please advice re cutting out carbs and working out. SO stressed.

[ProudStork]

Just need some advice really. I’ve been on a health kick for two or so months. Lost weight without glp 1s. Feel so much better in myself.

BUT as I have PCOS I have made the choice to go no carb and no dairy. A lot of online pcos influencers recommend this. I have seen amazing results re weight. So think it works for me.

The only thing is I always feel weak when I strength train. But so many people online advocate for maintaining a very low carb diet for pcos/insulin resistance. I’ve also cut out all refined sugar. Eat keto mostly.

I had the weekend off my diet for my birthday. Ate loads of carbs - pasta, cake, pastries etc. Didn’t go over calories though so was in a deficit. And I just felt 1000 x stronger when working out on Monday. I was lifting much more and my cardio was far easier.

Just looking for advice really. Should I just focus on diet and sack off working out? But I just don’t have the energy for it tbh. Working out has really helped my anxiety though.

Posting for traffic. Mumsnet always gives me amazing advice re pcos (newly diagnosed).

When you are on Keto, and really doing low carb, you need to up your overall calories because your body is using energy differently. Take a look at what you are eating: are you getting enough fat?
If you are feeling you have not got enough energy you need to eat more, which is easy to do on keto!
If you want the science read The Case for Keto by Gary Taubes. Or take a look at LOw Carb Down Under YouTube channel.

Thank you!

It's also worth reading The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Performance

Surely you're not cutting out all carbs? You need to be including veg/salad and (some) fruit in yur diet.

And as PP have asked, are you eating plenty of fat? A low carb diet is a high fat one - this will give you the energy you need.

Ab, I came on to recommend https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/the-art-and-science-of-low-carbohydrate-performance-book-volek-rd-jeff-s-9780983490715?sku=GOR004940183&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17428061960&gbraid=0AAAAADZzAIAnWSZ5ejNIIMD6_MWeQfeeQ&gclid=Cj0KCQjwi8nRBhDhARIsAHZf_pZUMj5RwkopldIIK_c8f1n1vtbkEp_-ZolDy76-vMOm8xVQZlhNltYaAgRmEALw_wcB

only to see @BIWIgot there first.

Hope it continues to go well for you. You might find the low carb threads useful, too.

Thank you for commenting. I’ve been eating a lot of stuffed chicken with cheese and ham. Then salad. I do tend to avoid veg that aren’t ultra low carb. Ie no onions. Living off Skyr also. Probably not eating enough fat. Hate the taste of olive oil which is nt helpful

Appreciate you sharing x

Low carb all the time doesn't work for me, it leaves me too lethargic as well. I have to exercise as I have serious hypermobility so I need to maintain muscle. What works for me is 1) counting calories and 2) low carb brekkie and low carb dinner but always a carby lunch (after my workout). However you really have to calorie count as it's easy to eat way too many calories like this.

I have pcos and weight train, and I know how you feel. I have so much more energy if I eat some carbs. I try and limit the amount of carbs rather than cut out completely. Things like sweet potatoes, small portions of normal potatoes, jumbo oats, fruit, rice and root veg all seem to digest quite well for me and give me good energy for workouts, while helping me maintain weight.
I try and limit bread / pasta and sugar to only occasional.

@Mum2Boys74822 the beauty of eating mostly leafy green rather than starchy carbs for me is that when my blood sugars are perfectly balanced I just don’t get hungry, and no long find myself experiencing the blood sugar drop which makes my brain cream for more food.

Running on fat rather than carbs is a much more peaceful way of life for me, I find myself energised.

of course, It may be different for others.

I have to say day to day I feel absolutely fine low carbing. If not good in fact. It’s only when I workout does it feel unsustainable.

I tried non dairy for ages but reintroduced it fairly recently and noticed no difference.

But when I eat very low carbs I don’t get those energy crashes like I used to. Just feel very weak the second I go to the gym though

@FinallyHere I don't disagree, I feel less hungry when low carbing. However, I have to work out a lot and lift weights and I just can't do it properly when low carbing. I have tried it, and there is a very stark difference in my energy levels.

I’ve done the sweet potato bowl thing but it just totally slows down weight loss. Gahh but I think when I maintain I will incorporate it back in the diet.