PCOS & Weight Loss

[MonicaGB]

I've been looking for a PCOS support thread in weight loss, but I can't find one. So if there are others out there with this entirely frustrating condition, maybe we can support each other with our more restrictive weight loss achievements. I find reading the weight loss threads for people without PCOS to be totally disheartening as there is no way I could lose 4-5-6+ pounds in a week. Even though my diet is low calorie I'm lucky to get 1/2 pound a week .

If there is a more appropriate thread (although not about conceiving as I'm not interested in that side) please send me in that direction .

I am on the same page as you. Always struggled to lose weight. I have managed to lose weight with low carb diet and exercise in the past. But then I am not able to lose weight after pregnancy. My baby is a year old and I still can't shift my weight.

I did hear about intermittent fasting but read there are conflicting opinions about it, particularly for people with PCOS. If anyone has had success with it, please let me know.

Also I was recommended Metaformin the first time I was diagnosed with PCOS. It helped me lose weight.

I have this OP and the only thing that's helped me lose weight is metformin from the Drs but it makes you feel really sick even the extended release I've found. I went from a size 18 to a size 12-14 on that. I had to buy all new clothes the lot as I couldn't keep jeans up, everything was hanging off me.
The best diet for this is low carb by far and I'm a vegetarian so its not that easy. Also I've found that people don't understand the condition and just think you are lying and being greedy on the sly.I'd give the metformin a try OP, if the G.P doesn't know what they are on about get referred to Endocrinology, they know.

I've tried metformin in the past but it didn't do anything for me, other than making me feel sick. I suspect I'm going to have to go low carb, but that in itself it's going to be hard.

I tried the 16:8 intermittent fasting last week and stuck to 1400 calories every day and lost a grand total of 0 pounds. Very disheartening.

I just hate the fact that everyone assumes I consume masses of food, when in reality I have quite a reasonable diet.

Unfortunately exercise is limited for me as I also have ME/CFS. So I just a double whammy of shit illnesses.

I once did a soup diet for 3 months and 1 hr cardio 4 days a week and lost 10 lbs. But I don't think I can do it again. I think our best bet is to follow a low carb diet.

I am waiting to go back to work to try out the 16:8 diet. I just can't stay hungry when am staying at home .

I have PCOS. I’ve lost 18lbs since June 5th with low carb (well, ketogenic low carb) and eating one meal a day to a maximum calorie intake of 1400. Some gentle cardio and weightlifting.

Happy to stay on the thread. I’m also a pescatarian.

Weights are supposed to be good for people with PCOS,could you do this OP? You can get cheap weight sets online like at Argos if you cant get to the gym. Well done to the lady above who has lost 18 pounds.

Amazing on the 18lb loss .

I do have some weights, and at least one of the benefits of pcos means I do build muscle easily. Hadn't thought about that. At the moment basic gardening and keeping the house clean is tiring me out, but I would like to build up my stamina more when I have my "well" phase.

I struggle with lunches for low carb as a quick roll with some form of protein is easy to do in the morning before work. The keto diets I see online seem to be such a faff for lunch. I've cut my carbs a bit but I'll see if I can trim some more off.

@ThierryEnnui, congrats on the weight loss. When you say 1400 cal, is it 1400 cal - your exercise burn out or do you eat a larger cal intake and then subtract the calories you burn to make it 1400 cal?

I am stuggling to maintain 1300 cal every day and burn atleast 200 cal. I can't go to the gym. So I do some yoga and tabata workouts at home. Also take 1 hr walks on most days.

Hello,

I also have PCOS and am losing weight. I have lost 16kgs in the last 6 months. I did start out with low carb high protein but found it wasn't super sustainable and there was some blogs online that said that low carb with PCOS isn't that effective. I am currently using a low GI diet instead as PCOS tends to come with insulin resistance and low GI is what they recommend for diabetics. I think its working though its still a slow 0.5-1.5 lbs in a week not the big 4-5-6 type numbers. Its a slow slog towards better.

I found Metformin somewhat helpful but I don't think in the way they intend it. In that eating potatoes, anything fatty/greasy or certain foods while taking metformin gave me series stomach problems so I would avoid those foods to avoid the stomach problem. So it worked in keeping me away from some really unhealthy foods. I'm not sure that is how its supposed to work but that's how it worked for me. The appetite suppressant aspect did sort of help but I discovered I am a stress/emotional eater so have to really monitor myself to keep moving forward with usually good (but not always) success.

Whoops also forgot to mention I work out regularly. At least twice a week but often more. I do recommend that you concentrate on weights. While cardio does help with weight loss in general, building muscle (don't worry it would take you ages to build bulky muscles) building muscle means you are burning more calories at all times of day rather than just while doing cardio. Plus I like feeling strong and that can be very motivating to keep going.

I do 1400 in total. Any exercise I do I don't add on in addition as I just see that as a bonus. I'd like to be able to do more exercise but unfortunately if I did I would end up bed bound, so I really have to balance things carefully.

I could lower the total calories eaten but I was concerned about eating too little and my body going into starvation mode and my metabolic rate being even more screwed up.

I'm having an I'll day today and I have eaten more carbs and sugar as I've needed them to boost my energy. I'll have a sensible dinner though to counteract it.

Hi OP, I have ME as well as Pcos like you. I don't have much appetite due to ME. I feel crap all the time and can't be bothered to eat as well. Today I walked my kids to the park and back after school, 5 mins each way and that's put me in bed completely shattered and feeling wretchedly ill. I'd rested all day to prepare for it too. If like me you can't do many steps-- usually I do 1000 or less a day- it is a challenge to lose weight. Just wanted to say you're not alone

I'm vegetarian and have PCOS and found low carb a nightmare. I've tried becoming more plant based - basically a lot less ready made processed food and it does work, as long as I keep an eye on portion size for wholemeal grains, pasta etc

@gotmychocolateimgood I sympathise on having both conditions. Unfortunately I get ravenous when I'm not well, so I end up eating more carbs at that point to try to feel a bit better. I can generally do 2000-3000 steps as long as I'm not ill but I do have to plan my energy quite a lot. I just find that the carbs are the only thing that keeps me functioning, so it's either do something about my weight (i.e. exercise and carbs) or have some semblance of a life as my ME is not horrendous.

Just hoping someone comes up with a miracle cure for one or both :)

So delighted to see this thread.

Me too.

How did you get metformin from GP?

What about liraglutide - anyoe tried that? I really feel like I need some support to drop a couple of stones so I can MOVE more easily.

It's so depressing. I have HPB and am a size 20 when I eat really pretty well. Like, our diet. Not what I eat when I binge to console myself for being so fat and rubbish.

Just ask the G.P for it. If they say no or don't know the correct dosage for PCOS then say you want to be referred to Endocrinology at the hospital.They'll know.

What about this: www.nice.org.uk/advice/es14/chapter/References

anyone tried it? Sees to have a higher success rate.

Just thought I'd do a little progress update. Over the last couple of weeks I have lost 3 pounds, which is actually quite good for me. The 16:8 diet combined with calories between 1200-1500 a day seems to be working. I know other, equally fat people but without pcos would be extremely disappointed in these figures but as we all know, that fat just doesn't want to leave. It clings on kicking and screaming, so 3 pounds is an achievement .

Cut gluten out your diet as a trial for a few weeks and see how you go! It's all to do with the insulin levels and how gluten reacts and brings them up etc. Worked for me! It's eases my symptoms a lot too.

Gluten is the devil

Well done OP!
If my weight creeps up I keep a pair of shorts hanging on the outside of my wardrobe. They are the size I want to be. After my morning shower before I get properly dressed I try them on, if they are too snug it helps me make better food choices through the day.

And try get out for a few fast walks each day.

2 stone since jan and my skins cleared right up too!

Interesting point about gluten. I had a blood test for coeliac which came back as normal, but apparently an intolerance won't show up on the tests and can still be there. I love cake and bread but it makes me so tired.

That's great roothyb!
Off to make a gluten free lunch now! 🍽️

I was tested too and it came back as negative. I read all about the anti inflammatory diets and tried them, still had crippling pain, couldn't lose any weight, was absolutely shattered all the time. They kept telling me it was IBS-y type symptoms etc. Read a lot into the effects of gluten and pcos and gave it a bash and my energy levels soared about 2 days in.

I think I'd struggle doing gluten free, especially lunches at work. I normally just take a roll with some king of protein as it's quick to do. Not sure how that would work gluten free.