PCOS & Metabolic Disorder

I have struggled with loosing weight all my life.  I have polyp cystic ovarian syndrome and a metabolic disorder that makes it even harder to do so.  I limit foods, excercise as much as I can and nothing ever happens.  I have lower back problems (2 prior surgeries) and left knee problems (2 prior surgeries).  Any suggestions for me on this journey to try new things that might help would be greatly appreciated.  I am new to calorie counter.  I do not have a lot of support at home and am looking for good information to follow and support that can help me through this journey.  Thank you for your time in reading my story.  Hi!

It's notoriously difficult to control your weight when you have PCOS, metabolic syndrome and the accompanying insulin resistance.  It's been found that changing 'what you eat' as well as 'how much you eat' is most effective...  Weight-loss is still slow but is more do-able.

A book I'd strongly recommend you get hold of is 'The Low GI Guide to Managing PCOS' by Jennie Brand Miller.  In that, she explains exactly how various foods make the condition better or worse and how they will help or hinder weight-loss.

In essence, rather than simply counting calories, doing exercise and creating a deficit (which is obviously still essential), the PCOS sufferer benefits by keeping their insulin and blood glucose levels in control in the same way that someone with Type II diabetes might be advised to do.  Simple tweaks to the diet are all that is required.  The biggest change is to remove all sugars and simple carbohydrates/starches... and replace them with complex carbohydrates, fats and more protein.   A really simple example is to replace white bread (simple starch) with wholegrain bread (complex carbohydrate).   Regular light meals and snacks are another way to maintain stable blood glucose levels. 

I've been eating this way for four years now principally for general health reasons and also for weight control.  I don't have PCOS.   My whole family from kids to grandparents eat the same way although they've never actually spotted they're on a special diet they just think the food's improved....    I've known several people with metabolic issues and PCOS that have adopted a Low GI Diet and found many advantages in terms of health, symptom alleviation and weight-control.   Good luck.

I recently (about 3 months ago) found out that I also had PCOS, which answered a lot of questions about no being able to lose weight for me.  I have found that controlling my sugar intake has really helped how I feel, I haven't really lost much weight yet, but I definitely feel a lot better.

I haven't quite gone the Low GI diet route, but I am also on metformin to control my blood sugar levels, so this is probably why I can get away with it.  I do, however, actively try to not eat refined sugars, and I get a lot of recipe ideas from diabetic websites and magazines.  If you are not on any medication for it, it would probably be a good idea to give the Low GI diet a try. 

Most important is to have a plan for healthy eating.  So few of us can be trusted to only eat healthy foods and only when we are hungry and only in reasonable portions.  I'm not one of them, so having a plan is important.

I am on Metformin as well.  Don't see what it does but they said to take it.  Have been on it for about a year now.  I eat high fiber foods because I have had a colon resection due to diverticulitis.  I eat more wheat, multigrain, etc.  I have never really learned what the "healthy" things are to eat.  I grew up on that good ole southern cooking.  We all know what I mean by that.  I am trying to get acquired more with the fruits and stuff.  Also learning new ways to cook and limit portions.  I already love my veggies... lol.  I got a steamer for Christmas and it is becoming my best friend.  Thank you for the replies.  I will take everything into consideration. 

Sorry to hear that you also have PCOS.  I have been diagnosed with it since I was 14.  I was lucky enough to have a beautiful daughter at 28 though.  It has been up and down all these years.  I make the  best of it... and don't let it get me down.  Except... I cannot break the weight loss chain it has on me.  But, I will not give up.

Thanks!

Given the various medical problems you have would you have access to dietician services via your doctor or privately?  When you're not sure about healthy eating sometimes a session with a professional is a good way to get the ball rolling.  

I used an online company to work out my diet plan for several weeks and immediately could see where I'd been going wrong all these years!   Basically, my idea of a 'small portion' was much bigger than theirs   They helped me balance my diet better as well so that I could eat fewer calories but maintain the bulkiness of what was on the plate....  by adding a lot more vegetables in every dish.  It was a good learning process that I've taken up ever since

It's great that you're not a quitter!  But it would be so nice to match the determination with better results... Good luck

I will have to look into that.  If you know of someone to suggest that would be nice.  I can prob pick a name but referrals are always nice.  At least then you have someone that has experienced it and is familiar with the person and whether or not they would suggest them.  I appreciate everything!

Original Post by aam0727:

I am on Metformin as well.  Don't see what it does but they said to take it. 

 Metformin is used to control blood sugar.  It was developed for diabetics, but in the last couple of years they have found it to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in women with PCOS.  PCOS is linked to insuline resistance, and comes with a 1 in 2 chance of developing type 2 diabetes before the age of 40.  When taken properly, metaformin (some other blood sugar controlling drugs) can reduce the added risk of type 2 diabetes back zero (I say "added risk" since everyone is at some risk of type 2 diabetes).  You may not notice a physical difference, for me, I still have really intense pelvic pain related to PCOS on an almost daily basis, but the drug isn't really there to help with the physical symptomes of PCOS, although it may.  My doctor said that another patient he has, who has been on metformin for about a year, had no cysts when he did an ultra sound after a year on the drug, that it helped to clear them completely.

I have done a lot of reading on the subject, so most of this info comes from websites and the rest from my doctor, but I don't have any specific sources on hand to list.

I was always curious why he put me on metformin.  I have never had issues with blood sugar... even when I was pregnant.  Must be doing something right... have not had pelvic pain in quite some time.  Thanks.

aam0727-  To find a qualified Registered Dietitian in your area that does out-pt counseling go to www.eatright.org and click on the "find a nutrition professional" tab. You will be able to do a search by state and zip code. You may also ask your physician if they can refer you to someone.

As an RD and Diabetes Educator, here in Alabama, I counsel alot of patients with very similar health profiles as you. I understand what you are going through, but, believe me the help is out there.

Original Post by gddrdld:

aam0727-  To find a qualified Registered Dietitian in your area that does out-pt counseling go to www.eatright.org and click on the "find a nutrition professional" tab. You will be able to do a search by state and zip code. You may also ask your physician if they can refer you to someone.

As an RD and Diabetes Educator, here in Alabama, I counsel alot of patients with very similar health profiles as you. I understand what you are going through, but, believe me the help is out there.

 Thank you.  Will look into that.

I was diagnosed with PCOS back in 97'and had a full hystercectomy due to pain and cysts from that and endometriosis back in 01'. I have just started on a 1300 calorie a day diet on Jan 2. I was losing about a pound a day. I was sticking to my diet like clockwork. This was with no excersize. I started doing a 20 minute workout video from Jillian Michaels 2 days ago. Now instead of losing more I have gained almost a pound a day for the last 2 days. Any ideas why and what I may need to do? Very confused by this and now not very motivated to continue. I know I need to lose the weight but feel like all the hard work i just put in the last week has not paid off. Any ideas are greatly appreciated......