Help!!! PCOS and Weight Loss

[skifter92]

I have been trying and trying to lose weight. I have PCOS and am taking clomid. I am eating carefully and exercising, but nothing is working. The scale won't budge!!!
Any advice??
I am so frustrated, and I don't know what to do.

[poppan]

Are you seeing an RE? Many REs will prescribe Metformin for PCOS patients. Metformin is a diabetes drug and helps regulate your insulin and blood sugar, which in turn may help you lose weight.

Have you had your thyroid checked? Your metabolism could be a problem as well.

[bettyboop22]

Hi hon....
I agree with poppan...I would ask your MD about Metformin. I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2003....I started taking Metformin at that time....last March..I started Weight Watchers/exercise....and I'm now approaching 100 pounds lost. I've gone from 255...to 158...I really think the metformin helped me to lose weight. I have insulin resistance and that's a big part of pcos (for some) and a big part of "holding on" to weight. Good luck and again..I would definately ask your doc about metformin.

Hugs,
Liv

[Chanteuse]

Metformin helped me a great deal..so did swimming 5 hours a week. I watch my diet and exercise and have lost over 100 pounds.

[rachel_va]

My sister has PCOS. The only thing that helps her loose weight (regardless of exercise) is cutting carbs--no whites" no sugar, no white flour, no pasta and increasing protein (eating 1/2 your body weight in grams of lean protein). The South Beach is also known as "the fertility diet" by a lot of RE's. Dr. Zouvres (in CA) recommends it and a friend of mine lost 30 lbs before her last IVF cycle.

Many endocrinologists also recommend metformin or one of the similar insulin sensitizers for PCOS patients. You might want to talk to an endocrinologist or your internist.

[AZKris]

I went for my yearly check up today. The Doctor suggested that I drink 16 oz water before and after each meal. Don't put anything on my plate larger than my fist and don't eat anything out of the package unless it is on a plate! I know the battle of the bulge - i'm exercising 6 days a week 2 days with a personal trainer and the weight doesn't want to come off easily sometimes it feels at all. Keeping a daily journal of exactly what I eat helps a lot! It is easy to forget those extras that have already been consumed for the day! Best wishes for success! You can do it one lb at a time! 204 & 60 lbs to go!

Take care!

[honee34]

Hi Skifter,

I also have pcos and insulin resistantance. I weighed 216lbs and am 5'7.5"
I tried just about every diet out there and nothing really worked for me so I know your pain and struggles. I also suffer from hirotism (pretty sure I spelled that wrong lol) err facial hair. OK the only diets that have worked for me are weight watchers and scarsdale. I just got married a week ago and I couldn't fit into my wedding dress so I alternated between the scarsdale 2 week strict diet and weight watchers and I was able to get down from 216lbs to 197.5 lbs in about 3 months. I love weight watchers because its so easy and you can eat anything you want and its a slow gradual weight loss which is good. The Scarsdale diet is more rapid but can only be done 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off. The problem with pcos is that we can gain the lbs lost back plus more in those 2wks off if we don't know what to eat. I like scarsdale the best because it keeps you motivated I also take metformin. I hope that helps you some. Good luck....Honee34

[JPruitt]

I was wondering was Scarsdale was too. Never heard of it.

I agree that one of the biggest things that helped me lose weight before was keeping a journal of every single thing I put in my mouth. And don't cheat! It really helped me realize how much fat I was putting in my body unnecessarily. Then the next week I'd look back and see what I could have substituted all the fatty stuff with. Plus it just makes your more concious of healthy eating habits you should be forming at all times.

[honee34]

Hi Goldie,

It's fairly easy to do actually. And not as strict as you think. When you cook your foods just eat as much as you want until your full. I cook with all the seasonings I would normally use on my foods (even though it says not to lol) and I still lose weight with it. I usually lose any where between 10-15lbs in 2 wks when I do it and thats with cheating lol! On the days when I do cheat I make sure I stay between 1100-1600 calories so I still lose weight. If you decided to do this diet I would suggest getting the book. It has the complete information on this diet. The first time I tried it I was 212lbs and went down to 185lbs. I combined it with Beachbody's Slim in 6 and weight watchers. I'm starting it up again this week. I gained a few pounds since my wedding and I want to get them back off and then some. My goal is to get down to a fit 160lbs. I don't want to be super model thin I just want to be healthy and feel good about me. As always before trying any diet you should always check with your doctor. Mine suggested I do a lowcarb, lowfat diet. This is the one I chose after trying Atkins, South Beach, Cambridge and some soup diet lol. If you want more info on this diet let me know and I'll send you some links or give you the plan that I have. What do you have to lose.......except a few pounds.

[honee34]

Hi Goldie,

You can substitute grapefruit with 1/2 cup of pineapple. It must be canned in its own juice no added sugar or syrups. Also you can use frozen pineapples (again no sugar or syrup added) I personally love the frozen kind. It's like eating a icee for breakfast lol. I usually eat the grapefruit for breakfast (more filling) and on the days when you eat grapefruit with lunch or dinner I eat those little pineapple cups from dole or frozen pineapples. Plus I usually keep frozen fruit in the freezer at all times. I love to snack when Im on the computer and usually late at night. It takes alot longer to eat frozen peaches, strawberries, grapes, pineapple and melon than it takes to eat potato chips or cake. Oh also you can substitute grapefruit with a slice of melon. I don't remember if i was 1 slice or 2. I love this diet because it's so easy and I love the foods. I look forward to the steak and fruitsalad day or the lamb chop day lol. And I had never had lamb chops til this diet and I LOVE THEM now. Oh well good luck and as always if you need more info or just want to chat I'm here.....Honee