Weight loss and PCOS.

[mampam]

Have had blood tests and am awaiting the results, I also have been referred for a scan to see if I have PCOS.

It's a strong possibility that I do have it as I have the classic symptoms: spots, unwanted hair, irregular periods. My GP also mentioned that the reason I find it hard to lose weight could be due to PCOS. I have been going to weight watchers for 5 months now and have only lost 10lbs. Nothing I do seems to have any effect on my weight loss.

What I want to know is, if there are any other sufferers of PCOS that have been overweight and have successfully managed to lose weight and how did they do it??

low GI, combined with moderate exercise (30 minutes three times a week), and expect it go go very slowly .

how overwieght are you - you might find metformin helps weightloss, try talking to your GP about it.

and tbh I'd be looking at a lot more exercise than that - moderate yes - wlaking for example but if you are going to do moderate exercise it needs to be for longer - I would suggest 45 minutes at least 4 to 5 times a week.

Walking is ideal, low burn for longer is what you need.

WW isn't that great for PCOS IME. I went for a year, stuck to the points rigidly, weighed all my food and I still only lost about a stone and a half (I had lots to loose).

Metformin has helped a lot, especially initially. It has also made quite a huge difference to my periods, I have regular periods now that last about 5 days and I used to have about 2 periods a year with minimal blood loss but lasting about 3 weeks.

I'm about 5 stone overweight. I don't particularly eat very much. I don't seem to lose weight very easily. I could put on 2 lbs in a week by eating very little or put on 2 lbs by eating loads. There's no rhyme or reason to it really.

I've been walking now (after never doing exercise before) for 2 weeks and it has had no effect at all on my weight loss. I'm very frustrated. In a weird sort of way I hope I am diagnosed with PCOS because then I would have a proper reason as to why I find it hard to lose weight. I've been on numerous diets and have been told by one GP that I've seen about it that the only reason people are overweight is because they overeat on things like cakes, crisps and chocolate. Even though I told her that I didn't eat things like that.

If I am diagnosed with this then maybe my current GP will take my bid to lose weight more seriously.

So a low GI diet is the way forward? I do try to eat low GI but will try to do it more rigidly. Rosemary Conelly diets follows the low GI, has anyone tried this?

Also, does anyone else have other symptoms than the 'classic' ones for PCOS? I.e. feeling emotional, mood swings?

Walking does make a difference IME. Not so much that it causes weight loss but it stops weight gain. I really noticed a difference when DS changed school, in his old school I used to walk home after drop off and walk there to pick him up quite often (25 mins each way) whereas his new school I have to drive. Try to walk as part of your routine rather than going for a walk, it doesn't seem so much of an effort that way. Walking will also help with insulin resistance and keep your blood sugars under better control, the risk of type 2 diabetes is much higher if you have PCOS.

Do you work or live in a building with stairs and a lift? If so try to take the stairs, going up and down a few flights several times a day is good for getting a bit of a burn, and it doesn't really take any longer than waiting for the lift.

Colette Harris has written several fairly definitive books about PCOS, including a diet book. I found them very useful.

Thanks bran. I have started to walk to school in the afternoons to fetch the children from school. It's about a 20 minute walk each way. I think you're right though because it hasn't made any difference to my weight. Unfortunately I don't work where I would be able to use stairs but I am on my feet and racing around alot so hopefully that will help a little towards my fitness.