I realise that i have already posted this on the health board but it got no replies which surprised me so here it goes here too...
I was diagnosed with PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome) 3 years ago. Just wondering if anyone else has this condition and how it affects their weightloss. I have only just joined cc today, but started a change in my lifestyle a few months ago and have to date lost 35lbs but still have some way to go. Anyway i have a lot of weight around my lower abdomen and as i loose weight, it's quite annoying that my lower abdomen just looks bigger than ever. Any hints, tip etc....
The best advice I can give you is to get involved, check through the forums and try to make some friends on here. You pick up the best tips and stuff from random forums and conversations! Also you'll see so many people going through similar problems, and sucesses!
My sister in law has PCOS and finds the best thing to help her dietwise is to avoid large portions of carbohydrates all at once.
I know what you mean about your tummy too, mine looks bigger than ever though technically it should be smaller! I hate my thighs too, I'm sure they were firmer a few pounds ago.
And try to keep smiling, you're doing well and will do even better!
Good luck. 
Hey I have PCOS. I have the classic body too, which is so frustrating- a lot of fat accumulation around my abdomen. My doctor is wonderful and really understands PCOS- She prescribed some medication for me that helps with my insulin resistance (a common symptom) as well as my sugar cravings. I have lost about 24 pounds so far, but I still have about 89 or so to go before my goal weight. My husband and I really want to have another child, but I had so many weight related problems with my daughter that my husband doesn't want to put me or another baby at risk. Also, because of my weight we are having fertility issues- good reason to lose weight, right?
It has been very difficult for me to lose weight without medication (of the 24 pounds, only 5 were lost since February without medication- the rest have come off in about 10 weeks). Just because I'm on it though, I can't eat whatever I want- it is no wonder drug. I started on CC because I needed to track what I"m doing and what I'm eating-- and the journal feature is really nice too.
As far as eating goes, I have several PCOS friends that have lost significant amounts of weight by following a "low" carb diet. Lots of fruit and veggies, 2 vegetarian meals a day, low fat protien, and she cut out potatoes (not sweet potatoes), corn, pasta, white rice, and most breads- essentially, she ate nothing "white". I am a bread fanatic and it is taking me a while to change my eating pattern, because I'm SO tired of losing and gaining and losing and gaining. I am really trying to change how I eat through small changes- not doing it all at once and not really learning how to eat.
So, sorry for the long post, but best of luck-- PCOS can really make it difficult to lose those pounds!
Anyway, I was diagnosed and met with Dr. Glueck, he pioneered the treatment with Metformin. I met with a dietician and she gave me a "PCOS diet." That die is in myprofile if you are interested. I lost a ton of weight very quickly. Unfortunately, I couldn't maintain that diet long-term and ended up gaining the weight back plus another 30'ish lbs. Last year I started counting calories and using the overall principles of the diet and then joined calorie count. I have lost about 85 to 90 lbs (was 90, gained a bit back.) The principle behind the diet is low carb. Not no carb, I could have 4 servings of carbs per day. The other important part was lots and lots of veggies, that is what I fill up on. So with combining it with calorie counting, I eat a couple extra carb servings than the diet calls for. I lose weight just as quickly at first, but as time goes on, it does get harder. I take the medication too to hopefully avoid other complications like developing diabetes and endometrial cancer.
Everything is in my profile, I had infertility as well.
I think I'm going to try the PCOS diet that twindaze has posted on her page to see if that will help me jump start my weightloss.
Speaking of which, I stupidly did not use birth control through my 20s. I was in steady relationships, not getting pregnant and not wanting to but convinced I was sterile (and in a way, I was). Believe me, I get it now but then I was oblivious. Anyway I did get pregnant at 29 (but Im sterile) and had a healthy daughter. Got on the pill for a few months and stopped, without getting pregnant again. The funny thing was I always claimed to be too young to have a child - even at 29, so I had no problem thinking I was sterile but after having a child at that age, I realize how lucky it was after 9 years of no birth control that it actually did happen. I wonder though had I married and tried to get pregnant, how much earlier I'd have discovered the PCOS.
I discovered the PCOS just a few years ago. I knew I wasnt diabetic but also knew I reacted to large doses of sugar, like a big bowl of sweetened cereal, sometimes within an hour or two getting the shakes. Maybe youve had them were you become completely weak and faint, plus inside your body feels like its tremblling uncontrollably but not on the outside. Anyway, my doctor who identified the PCOS suggested Southbeach due to the low healthy carbs. Im on it know and the carb control has done wonders for me.
Ive learned the weight connection and feel that quitting smoking is at the root of weight gain (and not addressing it, my responsibility). I did know that when I wasnt heavy, I had to diet and exercise so much more then my girlfriends even though I was taller then them. I remember thinking how can I do southbeach - protein and vegetables are the foods I dont eat but its been very kind to me and controlling hunger. Introducing carbs back is a slow process because it causes me to get hungry quicker despite how filling it can be but Im working through it. Dont hear much about folks with PCOS though. Ive really enjoyed reading everyones stories.
I have PCOS and am now (finally) 9 weeks pregnant with the help of a fertility clinic (clomid, HCG). I went from 124lb 2.5 years ago to 173 after two foot surgeries and no exercise for about a year. The fertility doc said "you need to lose 35 pounds" I said "HOW?", because, like, I'm not trying??? He responded "Jenny Craig since it takes the thinking out of it". that is when I started counting calories since Jenny Craig is just a calorie count program with portion control.
When you have PCOS your body metabolizes food differently than most other people. Exercise also affects your body differently than most other people. It is not just an excuse that "I'm watching my calories and exercising 5 days a week with no results"...even though people think that you are "cheating". Your body functions differently. You hang on to fat with greater propensity. Your body more easily turns sugars and carbs into fat. You have to work harder when you exercise (longer duration and higher intensities...more consistently) to see results. Doctors do not fully understand the pathologies behind PCOS. Part genetics, part environment (including stress), part diet and exercise habits throughout life.
At least in the past 9 months I have not gained anything more, but that is because I count everything I eat (even when I am being bad), and I exercise 5 days a week for at least an hour (40 minutes running or aerobics class and 20+ minutes stretching, pushups, situps, weights). The formula I have not figured out yet is the loss part of it...on paper, I'm doing everything right. I'm not trying to lose any weight while pregnant-just maintain my good habits.
My advice on PCOS-it is more about the food but exercise helps as well: restrict sugar (honey, fructose, sucrose, artificial sweeteners-these are all metabolized by your body as if they were table sugar). Restrict most "white" carbs. Brown rice OK, whole pasta OK, whole wheat bread OK in moderation-the key is lots of fiber to balance out the sugar high. Maintain a constant blood sugar by eating frequent and small meals throughout the day (I eat about 7 times a day-but one meal might be a pear and a 2% mozzerella cheese stick). Balance each meal and snack with some form of protein (like 3 slices of turkey or 1/3 c 2% cottage cheese). South beach and Zone are good templates.
Good luck-I know you can do it! We can do much to overcome our genetics.
I too have PCOS and won't burden you with my personal story, but I want to encourage you to keep going after being a healthier you.
I don't know what exercises you may be involved in but to help with the lower abdomen size I would recommend anything that targets your core muscles. I prefer "The Firm" but I know others enjoy Pilates, yoga etc. Find a routine that works for you and go for it!
There are lots of personal stories already, but I think it might be helpful for me to add my own.
I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 22, and I don't know how long I had had it for as I was on the birth control pill since I was 18. I only found out as I was getting stomach pains and went for an ultrasound, where they found lots of tiny cysts. I was quite scared.
I got angry at my family doctor as she told me not to worry - when I wanted to know how to get rid of all these tiny cysts. At this point I didn't have any other symptoms - but was more scared when my doctor told me that I was at high risk for diabetes, hair loss, and weight gain.
I went to a naturopath, who told me she has cured a woman with PCOS via acupuncture and exercise, and I followed her plan for a while.
But at this time I was finishing my undergrad and starting my Master's degree, and found the appointments too much. It was also the stress of my anxieties with school, and my parent's divorce that probably (definitely) contributed to my PCOS. I also tried acupuncture and chinese herbs - I sound a bit crazy, but I really thought these alternatives would work, esp. as I was getting such little support from my GP.
Now I am 25. Last summer I got up to a high of 139 pounds (I should weight 124 for my frame and height - 5'6"). I felt lethargic and didn't even want to go out with my friends - partly bc. none of my clothes fit me, partly because all my friends are very slender. I have also lost a lot of hair, perhaps because I have curly hair and straighten my hair a lot, plus it's damaged and I break off the broken bits when I'm stressed (a terrible habit). I also have developed tons of spider veins that are completely unattractive and embarassing, and lots of cellulite. I am down to 129 pounds (but it fluctuates) but I really don't feel like myself.
I have a total sweet tooth, which goes in bouts, but I am going to try more earnestly to not eat any sweets - even honey which I love! And not pull my hair. And exercise almost every day more vigorously - it's almost as if you can't not exercise with this disease.
And I wish everyone to get better and gain control of their PCOS!
I do wonder what medication people are taking? I have been put on the birth control pill again - I think this is what may have caused me to get this syndrome in the first place?
Ive had everything from a tumor and an ovary removed at 24, to bloated and tired at 29. Found out I had a cyst, yeah right. I don't want kids so about three months ago I had a hysterectomy. Turns out I had 20 plus cysts and severe endometriosis (don't trust an ultrasound) Anyway, I take a tiny estrogen pill once a day and am completely recovered and couldn't be happier.
I have PCOS too.
I had pretty irregular periods, bad acne, hair thinning after puberty. But it wasn't until last year, where I didn't have a period for 6 months, that I went and found out. I had follicular cysts, high insulin, and high testosterone. PCOS oh joy!
I go to a ND (naturopath), and she has me on a supplement developed specifically for PCOS. It caused my period to start immediately.
Now for weight... I gained about 100lbs in the course of 2 years. It is largely around my abdomen, and though I am sure I helped it along by , um eating crap, it happened suprisingly fast. I also am sensitive to sugar, where large amounts of sugar can give me the shakes or leave me ravenous.
When I am good ;) I dont seem to have issues loosing weight. However I have also heard both from MDs and NDs that low carb is recommended because of insulin resistance.
My girlfriend has PCOS.
She has managed to lose lots of weight by basically cutting out junk food, eating clean and going to the gym 2 to 3 times a week.
I posted her story here a couple of weeks back.
To 'tortoisewins', which supplement did your naturopath put you on? I'd definitely consider taking this. Thanks!
I was diagnosed with PCOS shortly after my daughter was born, about 3 years ago. My doctor didn't do anything about it and just recommended that I go onto birth control since I was only having 2-3 periods a year. Recently I've been feeling really unhappy with my appearance and decided to research more into PCOS. What I found really surprised me.
It appears that the root of PCOS is the insulin resistance. The excess insulin throws off your hormones which causes the estrogen supression. I've been taking D-chiro-inositol (DCI) for about a month and a half now. I've had two normal periods in that time and can tell the difference in how my body reacts when I don't eat for a period of time (low blood sugar) and when I have a lot of carbs.
Metformin does basically the same thing as DCI but, as those of you who are on it can probably tell us, there are side effects. DCI is supposed to be present in your body so there are zero side effects. It's a long complicated explaination but the short story is, pinitol is in many of the foods we eat and it gets converted in our bodies into DCI.
But it appears that some people are genetically predisposed to not being able to make this conversion. The DCI is suppose to help your body process insulin and if you can't convert it then you start showing all of these PCOS symptoms. It is also thought that some Type 2 diabetics also have this conversion problem.
I have only been able to find DCI on the internet at two sites. I ordered from both and was not happy about the customer service I received at one so I recommend chiralbalance.com.
Please remember I am not a doctor so discuss all of this with your doctor before starting anything new. I did talk to my doctor before starting but she had no idea what I was talking about. But since it is in the niacin family she thought it couldn't do me any harm and gave me the green light. It's not cheap but with a note from my doctor I am getting my flex plan to reimburse me.
I was just shocked that there have been multiple medical studies showing that this dramatically helps PCOS and this has been known for years. Why isn't it more widespread and why didn't my doctor know any of it? I'm still early on in the process, they actually say that full benefit wouldn't be seen until 6-8 weeks later. I'll keep everyone updated!
My sister-in-law has PCOS. She was very thin when I met her, then suddenly gained a lot of wait. It's especially frustrating for her because she and my brother want to get pregnant. Her doctor put her on a low carb diet because of the insulin problems associated with it. My brother, who's always been pretty toned (we always joke that he got all the good genes in the family) has enthusiastically supported her and diets with her. She also walks often, and last I heard was taking bellydancing classes and doing really well with her weight loss. I'm unaware of whether she's on meds, but your doctor may be able to prescribe some to help you.
It wouldn't hurt to just ask what's available, and ask if a low carb diet might work better for you - from what I've been told by my sister-in-law, that type of diet usually works better for women with PCOS (according to her doctor). She counts both calories and carbs, and tries to make sure her carb choices are healthy ones. I actually just gave her some South Beach cookbooks, because while the no carb portion of the diet isn't healthy, they actually include a lot of dishes with low and/or healthy carbs and they're also usually low fat.
Her sister was also diagnosed with PCOS, and was also frustrated in her attempts to have a baby. She and her husband went through the same thing - low carb diet and excercise - but she's now lost the weight, her reproductive system has kicked back into gear, and she's currently expecting her first child. So I know you can do this!
As for the large abdomen thing - unfortunately, I've noticed that one of the first places weight loss really shows for me is in the breasts. But as they shrink, my abdomen looks larger by comparison. It sounds like you have a similar problem. It's really annoying, but it will definitely go away eventually. Just consider it a transition stage and try to avoid clothes that emphasize that region.
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