PCOS and the uphill weight loss battle!

I just took the time to read a success story where the member shared about a struggle with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). I too have PCOS and it makes weight loss even more of a struggle. I'm just starting my weight loss journey but I'd enjoy some company especially from any other PCOSers who might be interested in sharing their stories and providing each other support through this along the way. Hope to hear from some of you soon!

Kay

Hi Kay: I have PCOs too. I am currently on South Beach. I have lost 22 pounds since starting the week before Easter. My weight plateaued for a bit and that was hard. But then suddenly I lost three pounds again.

I have my physical on Thursday. I spoke to my DR last week  when my sons had an appointment and she is happy about the weight loss.

Southbeach is what works for me! I am starting to feel good in a swim suit again. ( except for my thighs!)

I am also making better food choices.

Suzanne

Yeah, low GI type diets are supposed to be good for cysts. When I watch my bad carbs I feel a lot better, otherwise owie they hurt. I wasn't diagnosed with PCOS but I have a couple of big cysts on each of my ovaries the little bastards. They hurt

Oh the fun if one ruptures. I was curled on the bathroom floor puking, but that's probably for another forum

Hey Kay,

I'm a fellow PCOS.  Four years ago, I had to have surgery due to PCOS coupled with complications from endometriosis.  The surgery sent me for a loop.  I took me forever to feel "normal" again, and I still don't because I gained a lot of weight through the ordeal.

Two weeks ago, I embarked on my first serious effort to loose tbe weight (need to loose 60 lbs).  So far, so good!  I'm following the 1200-1300 calories and the 12 week exercise plan outlined on CC.  But my doctor forewarned me that it was going to be a long and tough battle.  She said I'll have to work twice as hard for the same result, but that it would be worth it to regain my health and my energy to do things.  My mantra is "It's tough, I'm tougher."

I'll be watching this blog for motivation and advice.

hello all,

Have you looked at http://www.pcosnutrition.com/. The site has pretty good information about PCOS and weight loss. All the best to everyone.

Hello there Kay! I'm with you on the PCOS, and right there with Rockenfels with the endo/PCOS. Our uteruses hate us! haha. I've recently started the weight loss jouney too. We should like.. form a group!

I've started recently with a change in diet and lots of exercise.. and taking that dreaded medicine like I'm supposed to. Ugh, it makes me sick and cramp so bad. I usually eat around 1500-1800 calories a day and walk around 4 miles.

My mantra is "where there's a will there's a way". I find it amusingly ironic because sometimes I will think it in my head as "weigh" instead of "way", if that makes sense at all?

I have a lot to lose, my goal weight is around 160 right now. I've never been that thin in my life. Well. Maybe when I was 12. I don't remember that far back. I like to block out the painful memories, savvy? My weight... is.. gah, I still have trouble saying it. Anyway, I come in at a current of 290lbs. It's always easier to say "current", it's like it crosses out the old 314.

Ctrl-D'ing this thread!

Also, has anyone else noticed CC's lack of a listing for PCOS/ENDO in the settings? I thought that was odd. I've noticed a lot of people have it.

I have PCOS to, it totally can be done.

I've gone from 122kg to 83.5kg (269 to 185pounds) in a year.

My doctor put me on Orlistat for a little while and i had to come off them because the side effects were, very unpleasant to say the least. So i've just stuck to Low cal/lots of excercise common sense.

I still have a bit to go

I'm 5ft10 and i think i want to get to about 160

All the best xxx

Hi Ladies! I'm so glad to know that I'm not alone and super glad that you guys found this post and took the time to reply and share. I'm like most of you...I've been on meds to help (I was on Metformin, which I think is similar to Orlistat) but I never remembered to take it...I guess because I didn't like the side effects either. LOL...I agree with you guys about our uterus/ovaries "having it in" for us. This isn't my first serious attempt at losing weight but it is my first attempt to do it the right way. I've done weight watchers in the past and managed to lose weight but I never incorporated exercise into the program. This time around, I'm using CC to manage my food intake and I've finally committed to an exercise program...I HATE TO EXERCISE!

Cucumberlube - I'm shooting for the same goal weight as you! I keep trying to visualize myself at that weight and all of the sexy clothes I intend to buy (lol). And, I'd have to say the same thing...I can't remember ever being 160 but I'm sure it was some time during my middle school years because I spent the majority of my high school years in the 200's.

Leahtroy - thanks for the website...I'm going to check it out.

Suzanne - Congratulations on losing 22 pounds! That's majori... I tried the South Beach before but I guess I didn't have enough discipline. Please tell me how you stayed focused.

Spirochete - I'm trying to follow the low GI program now. It just makes sense to me especially since this PCOS causes issues with insulin resistance. Typically I shoot for foods that are 50 or lower on the GI index.

Wake Up Clean - Wooooohoooo for you! You are so right. It can be done. Matter of fact, as I was reading everyone's posts/mantras I tried to figure out what my mantra is and your post reminded me of what I tell myself every morning when I drag myself to the gym...like the little engine that could..."I think I can...better yet, I know I can and I will".

Ladies, you made my morning...Today is a new day...Please be encouraged, stay focused, and make the most of it!

Kay

Kbarley

What a great post! so positive. When you visit the website, check out the references section. It's chock-full of information and articles, etc. 

Like you, I came to CC to get my food intake under control, unlike you, I love working out. I've even signed up for a triathlon. So I'm swimming, biking, lifting and jogging ... and look forward to it everyday. (Just in case you are ever interested, I got a workout program from  www.beginnertriathlete.com.)

Changing the workout everyday is a big help for me because I get bored easily and the program starts you out easy and builds up. Even with all this working out, I think food management is the biggest factor in weight loss.

All the best

http://caloriecount.about.com/soul-cysters-g1 635

SoulCysters! I was a member of the PCOS group, but it wasn't very active. So.. I kinda made a new one! How about y'all come on over and we'll chit chat there?

Hi Kay:

South beach is hard. I had one day a week where I could moderately cheat.

I chose Friday night and or Saturday ( movie night). On one of those nights I ate a small bowl of air popped pop corn with either a table spoon of olive oil or Bacel margarine on it. For pep, I put some cumin, paprika, and or some cajin ( sorry can't remeber the spelling for that word) on it. Also chilli pepper was great. I also snacked a quarter of cup of sunflower seeds  twice a week. I buy the ones in the shells because it takes longer to eat them. Due to removing the shells.

I drank gallons of fruity herbal decaf tea. I made sugar free jello popscicles. ( just make the jello regularily and freeze it in the holders over night in stead of putting the liquid into the fridge. I also ate sugar free pudding pops one or two a day.)

Yogert with unsweetened cocoa and slenda, made a nice dessert.

I am in phase two and the weight loss has slowed. I eat only one type of breakfast cereal, which is slow cooked rolled oats, a half a cup for breakfast a few times a week, because I get tired of eggs.

On cheat day, I make whole wheat pancakes. I eat one with diabetic syrup.

We also eat stir fries with lots of low calorie veggies. I make home made soups two pots a week on average. My 11 year old says:" We eat more cabbage than anyone I know."

My stuggles are I love salt and of course CHOCOLATE! ( that is why I need those pudding pops, cocao coffee and salted sunflower seeds!)

I make a very nice cocoa powder, decaf or coffee substitute( gormet Cinnamon coffee) We drink one every night while watching the news! It is good over ice.

I will share the recipe next time I am on line with you.

Suzanne

Hello all

This is an excellent thread, and I have joined the 'soul cysters' group. I am nearing the end of my weight loss journey (132 pounds lost, 18 to go....) but I think maintenance will be just as hard. It's taken quite a long time (over 2 years) but I'm nearly there.... It's sooo hard to get the last few pounds off!

I tend to follow a low fat diet of approx 1500 cals, and limit my starchy white carbs to once a week (pasta/potatoes/rice) and eat lots of veggies, salad etc. I exercise 2-3 times a week (walking/jogging/swimming/weights etc).

It is hard but I'm living proof it can be done!

Original Post by laurabow:

. I am nearing the end of my weight loss journey (132 pounds lost, 18 to go....) but I think maintenance will be just as hard. It's taken quite a long time (over 2 years) but I'm nearly there.... It's sooo hard to get the last few pounds off!

 Laurabow...CONGRATULATIONS!!!!  You've lost 88% of your goal (and a BIG goal at that).  That is a huge accomplishment, and a big testament to what your hard work and discipline has done.  I'll be a big cheerleader for you as you near the finish line of what must have felt like a marathon.  And I'll keep cheering for you as you settle into the daily jog of maintenance afterwards.

Thank you for chiming in.  Those of us earlier in the journey, are just looking for those who have been able to stick with it. 

Hi Ladies,

I hope everyone has had a good, productive day and will rest easy tonight knowing that they are one step closer to their goal. 

I too joined the soulcysters group because I need all of the advice, guidance, and support I can get my hands on (thanks for the invite Cucumberlube). But I'm also really glad that this thread has kept its momentum .

Suzanne - I agree, South Beach is hard! But it seems to be "the ticket" for you so I commend your dedication to it. Hey, whatever works! So, keep on keeping on. I also think it is super smart of you to build in a day to cut yourself a break. I imagine that will keep you from feeling the need to cheat. And please do share recipes! As far as the sunflower seeds go...I'm ROFL because I used to be a sunflower seed-a-holic! And of course it had to be the ones in the shell so it would take me forever to eat them. And when it wasn't sunflower seeds it would be pistachios.

Laurabow - Hats off to you! WAY TO GO!!! I can only hope to demonstrate the same level of commitment and will power you have. Please keep us in the loop as you wrap up your marathon (I like that concept) because I want to join Rockenfels on the sideline cheering you on. What do you plan to do once you've crossed the finish line? I ask that because once I reach my ultimate goal I'm going to find the sexiest bikini I can and I'm going swimming (even if it's the dead of winter ).

Well, I'm off to have a fudgepop for a mere 60 calories and rock my little on to sleep.

TTFN!

Kay

kbarley & rockenfels

Thank you for the compliments! I am proud of myself. I am actually having surgery next week to get rid of my excess skin on my abdomen. I'm having a tummy tuck combined with lipo, which i have waited a long time for and am well prepared- and excited! It's gonna hurt but bring it on :o)

I fluctuated so much, and was obese for a looong time so there was no way my muscles and skin would 'snap back' after losing 130+ pounds. I pretty much knew after losing 90 pounds that this would need to be done and it's the icing on the cake.

Happy friday!