Anyone have experience with PCOS?

I am just beginning to count calories.  I would like to lose approximately 40 - 60 lbs.  I am 40 years old, 5'4", 192 lbs. 

I am wondering if anyone out there has lost weight while having poly cystic ovarian syndrome?  I have had this condition since I have been in my mid 20s and have always heard that it makes it difficult to lose weight.  I have never been successful everytime I have attempted to lose weight and give up after very little success within a few months.  I have weighed around the same weight for about 15 years. (Right now I am on the high end, usually I am around 175 lbs.)

Thanks.

I have PCOS and have lost 14 lbs since mid-December. I too have read that it can be difficult to lose weight. I am giving it a shot, and if I have any real trouble, I plan on going back to my doctor to talk about what I should do about weight loss since I have PCOS.

A lot of people swear by following the South Beach Diet, for people with PCOS. I try to follow what TSBD says (I eat whole grains, lean meats, and a lot of veggies) but I don't follow it to a T.

Good luck!

Thanks for your reply hgielrehtaeh!!!

It is inspiring to me to hear of someone with some success.  I think I may have used it in the past as somewhat of an excuse.  I will keep you informed of my progress, although I don't plan on weighing myself until March when I have my annual check up - its too discouraging for me to keep checking the scales.  I will know in how my clothes fit and how I feel!

I have PCOS along with type 2 diabetes and I've lost 25.5 pounds since the end of November.  :)

I only get my period a couple times a year.  I've just started treatment (glucophage/metformin) and so far have not seen any difference (nor have I had my period), but I haven't been on it long.

As long as you count calories and eat healthy, I don't think it should make a difference.

twindaze is one of my cc-friends and her doctor has her on a special diet for weight loss for PCOS.  You may want to make her your cc-friend.  Here is a link to her profile:

http://www.calorie-count.com/calories/view_pr ofile.php?userid=183340

I have PCOS and losing weight with or without this condition is hard.  You are correct, though, that there is scientific data on the difficulties women with this problem have with weight.  I have found with this condition and trying to lose weight at the same time I finally have an idea of when my period is coming just by looking at my weight.  It can be discouraging, but you have to stay in the mindset that weight is just a number.  I know that is hard, but keep checking out your clothes and your inches.  That is where it really counts.  Not to mention I am sure you have gone to the dr. with something that doesn't seem right and they relate it back to your weight.  Once you have lost the weight to their standards they can never shut you down again and you can finally get the answers you deserve!  Good luck on your weight loss and know that there are many women like you out there and we are all ready to support you! 

btw... 32 years old, PCOS since 14, 160lbs, down 55lbs in over a year. It can be very discouraging, but it can be done!

I saw that Redrock already linked to the PCOS diet my doctor gave me.  Thanks.  : )  Anyway, I have lost 62 lbs since the end of June last year and I'm still plugging away.  My main focus is to eat a lot of veggies, 6 to 8 servings per day.  That and avoid the junk food.  Once I eat all those veggies I'm only hungry for a small amount of carbs and proteins.  I'd definitely look into trying Metformin.  It has made my cycles completely regular, even before losing a lot of weight.  Although I've noticed that I have switched from 5 week cycles to 4 week, so the weight loss is making a difference.  It's too bad they didn't have this treatment way back when I was trying to conceive.  I had to do IVF when all else failed.  I probably would have had a real chance of conceiving on my own on this regimen.

Jenny

twindaze...that is so great!  I never get a dr's help with this stuff and the infertility thing is definitely something I know about.  For me, I had to take birth control pills for two months and then go off and see if I could get pregnant that month, if not, then back on again.  I have four too!  I am a proud SAHM to two boys, two girls.  A question, though, why so low on the dairy?  My dr. told me to add.  Does that include daily multivitamin calcium amounts?  Very curious.  Never heard of a PCOS diet and now very excited!! Thanks for sharing. 

I was diagnosed in my mid twenties with PCOS.  I was seeing a fertility specialist and she put me on a strict 800 calorie a day diet.  However, I saw her and a nutrionist every week for two months-the period that I was on this diet.  It was very high in protein and fibre.  I do not recommend this diet-it was incredibly difficult, both mentally and physically.  The fact that I was monitored weekly, tells you how dangerous the low call diet can be.  When I finally was told to increase it, I could only do it in 100 cal increments, one week at a time.  I honestly can't say there was a dramatic weight loss, and I certainly didn't fall pregnant during that time.  It was only after I started with shots and Chlomid did I fall pregnant.  That was 9 years ago and I haven't been able to conceive since.  I am once again seeing a specialist and a nutritionist, and am on a 1000 cal diet....high in fibre and protein...along with many vitamins.

I am not promoting a low cal diet, but stating how dangerous it is, there are a number of people here that feel if they lower their calorie intake they will lose weight quicker.  Maybe, maybe not, but if I am on 1000 cals a day and still need be monitored, tells you something doesn't it.

Good news is, I am losing weight this time around, the fertilty specialist feels its due to my age and hormone levels.  Your body changes (as we all know) and settles down-generally (everyones different) once your past your thirties.

bmg, I assume that the dairy is low because it has a fair amount of sugar.  I believe that the recommended intake is 3 servings per day, so it's only one below that.  Plus, this diet is intended to lead to weight loss, I assume that at maintenance you could eat 3 servings.  I do supplement with calcium citrate, especially since I don't actually eat 2 servings per day because I really don't like milk and cheese (only ice cream LOL.)

And thanks!