Any Ladies with PCOS

[liveyb]

Do any of you ladies have PCOS? If so, what have you found to help you deal with it?

[LyssieDoll88]

I have PCOS. I was morbidly obese so I did it to my own body really. Since losing 180 lbs and getting more into bodybuilding I do not get my monthly party anymore (which is a great switch from horrible, mind numbing, crippling cramps) and it is a bit harder to lose the extra fat that clings on like a bad date. I don't have too many other side effects anymore. I keep my diet very basic and the dr. said that that helps as well.

What kind of symptoms are you experiencing?

[liveyb]

I don't have that many symptoms luckily just the odd day of moodiness/being depressed, and not getting my monthly party which i don't really mind! Even in the past when i got my monthly i never got severe cramps or anything luckily.

For your diet what are you doing?? I've been trying to find the right foods to eat and the correct exercise (my doctors are useless right now and i've seen a specialist) I know about having a low GI diet but it doesn't seem to be working for me or i'm missing something, i don't know. I'm just over 180 lbs at 18 years old which is depressing because i'm so active but this fat just doesn't want to come off

[LyssieDoll88]

It is really important to be very honest about what you are eating. A lot of times we don't even realize the things we let sneek into our mouths during the day or the things we rationalize in our own heads.

Track EVERYTHING you are eating.

What works for me is eating little and often. I eat lean proteins, dark greens, fats like coconut oil, olive oil and avocado oil. I use almond milk instead of regular milk. Once I phased out artificial sweetners and dairy (heavy cream and cottage cheese) as well, my body didn't feel as bloatey all the time. If I am going to have carbs which is usually only on saturday when I have a bit of a re-feed I'll do quinoa, sweet potato or steel cut oats maybe some dark berries.

It is ALL trial and error to see what works best for your body. I guess you could call it "paleo" type foods seem to work better for my body and don't cause me too many issues. I have seriousl bowel issues but that's a bit of TMI and those have gone away once i found this balance with my diet.

The most important thing I can stress that totally changed my life is to recognize what your downfalls are, figure out a way to slowly phase them out and to be very honest with yourself about what you eat, what you shouldn't be eating and the changes you know you need to make.

Please feel MORE than free to PM me if I can help at ALL

[angieurban]

It is really important to be very honest about what you are eating. A lot of times we don't even realize the things we let sneek into our mouths during the day or the things we rationalize in our own heads.

Track EVERYTHING you are eating.

What works for me is eating little and often. I eat lean proteins, dark greens, fats like coconut oil, olive oil and avocado oil. I use almond milk instead of regular milk. Once I phased out artificial sweetners and dairy (heavy cream and cottage cheese) as well, my body didn't feel as bloatey all the time. If I am going to have carbs which is usually only on saturday when I have a bit of a re-feed I'll do quinoa, sweet potato or steel cut oats maybe some dark berries.

It is ALL trial and error to see what works best for your body. I guess you could call it "paleo" type foods seem to work better for my body and don't cause me too many issues. I have seriousl bowel issues but that's a bit of TMI and those have gone away once i found this balance with my diet.

The most important thing I can stress that totally changed my life is to recognize what your downfalls are, figure out a way to slowly phase them out and to be very honest with yourself about what you eat, what you shouldn't be eating and the changes you know you need to make.

Please feel MORE than free to PM me if I can help at ALL

WOW Chica -- you look amazing and are an INSPIRATION. Thanks for the wealth of knowledge also. I too suffer from PCOS among MANY other female problems.

[amiaow]

I have it too but don't have any of the metabolic symptoms, which is fortunate. I also get a fairly regular period and can get pregnant but miscarry a lot. PCOS comes in all shapes & sizes.

If you're having trouble losing weight, or you're overweight, chances are the problem is that you're insulin resistant. Most doctors prescribe Metformin for this. You can test your insulin status by taking a 2-hour Glucose Tolerance Test + insulin measurements, which your Dr can arrange for you.

Otherwise, I have personally found that changes to my body come with all of the usual things- good diet, training, enough rest!

[Lonegirl]

Do any of you ladies have PCOS? If so, what have you found to help you deal with it?

I was diagnosed about 4 years ago but have clearly battled this since puberty. In 99 I lost 100lbs and became a personal trainer. I worked my butt off quite literally. For me the only way I lose weight is with tons of exercise. I worked out a min 2 hours a day plus martial arts 2 days a week for 2 hour classes. I ate well (6 small balanced meals a day). Then came 2006 when I fell pregnant. I still worked out a min 5 days a week for a good hour plus each time, and still ate very well.....yet I gained nearly 100lbs!! Ack! People thought I was just letting myself go. I was frustrated and didn't know why I piled on the weight. Well, it was still a very healthy pregnancy and I had a very healthy baby boy. Fast forward a couple years while trying to conceive for over a year and at 37 thought I should see someone about it...I was diagnosed with pcos.
Fast forward again to now. My weight is staying, sadly static....but for the past 3 weeks I have been truly committed to the gym again, although I can't put in as much time as I would like at least I know I am making myself healthy even if it is going to take me twice as long as last time.
I find, for me, with pcos I work twice as hard and see 1/2 the results of women without pcos....this is not a "woe is me" but a true observation I made.

[icequeen33]

I have it too, I was diagnosed when I was 14-15 years old..Right now my PCOS is somewhat dormant after having my 2nd child (both were conceived with fertility treatments)..my PCOS seems to be in check, I have gotten my period on my own which I hadn't in almost 20 years!..body hair was taken care of with laser hair removal. Weight has never been a huge issue, I just make sure I eat clean & exercise regularly. Like amiaow said it comes in all shapes and forms. Good luck to you

[coconuttree2009]

I got tested for PCOS and whilst waiting for results read up quite a bit about it.
It seems that the major issue is the difficulty to lose weight that can be helped with low carb diet, lean protein and healthy fats and if necessary Metformin.

[r0ckpink]

I was diagnosed late last year, put on metformin and I am on a lower carb. diet to help with my insulin resistance. I notice that when I do that I am able to lose weight easier than before. I am still struggling but I am beginning to find a balance. I had 2 surgeries this year to help with fertility and removing Endo. I just keep at it every day

[amm12705]

I have pcos, I was diagnosed at 14 because my mom noticed that my period never normalized. I'm not the first person on either side of my family to have it, but I am the first overweight one. It's hard to lose weight and keep it off, but I know I need to if I want a healthier future. While I dislike being fat, my main worries come hirsutism and infertility. Any advice on how to open that can of worms with a significant other?

[tiffany2]

I was diagnosed with PCOS about a year ago and it really helps explain why it has been really hard for me to lose weight. But since I started taking the right birth control I've been able to lose 20lbs and I feel a lot better. Cramping far less and my periods are far more regular. I've also made a point to make my diet a healthier diet and to not eat as much processed foods as before. really has helped.

[mzjaquino]

I also have PCOS, since 2011.

My weight has been up and down. I am also insulin resistant, so low gi diet for me and diabex xr. Been on this diet since end of December and lost 6kgs. It's getting there slowly. But now no longer have periods since Feb this year, so for 5 months no periods.

I've been heading gym at least 5-6 times a week, which is the only thing keeping my head up. My partner knows what I'm going through and is supporting me but starting to struggle and have motivation as I want to start trying for baby number 2 but having no luck.i just need to focus I guess on myself and lose some more weight and body fat.

[torieeab]

I too have PCOS. I've been struggling with it for the past 2 years now, and am currently only taking BC to help with hormones. I'm not obese, but I do suffer from the missing periods, some (but not too much) hair, and I break out a good bit. I have gained a good bit of weight, about 30 lbs in the past 3 ish years. I'm really awful at learning how to cook new foods, and how to incorporate only low GI foods/no sugars/ etc. I'm 22, so I'm definitely still learning "/