Exercise and Diet Have Not Helped Me

[RachelNguyen]

I have been working out 5 days a week for an hour a day for the past six months and have gained a total of 6 pounds. I have been watching my diet as well over this time. I am 194 pounds and believe that I should have lost a significant amount of weight over this time. While I have gained some muscle, it is not enough to account for the weight gain or the fact that in this amount of time I haven't lost any weight. My clothes are not fitting any looser and I am not seeing a difference in my body shape. I am beyond frustrated. My weight of 194 lbs at 5'4" puts me almost 20 lbs into the "obese" category, yet my healthy lifestyle over the past 6 months has gotten me no where. My doctors are little to no help, as they recommend "eating right and exercising".

I believe that I may have PCOS (I haven't had a period in almost 2 years, I have unwanted hair growth, depression, and my weight gain was rapid and unexplained). From the information I have been reading online, it seems as though there is not much of a solution for people with PCOS, as many doctors advise patients to eat healthy and exercise. One of the main symptoms of PCOS is that weight is extremely hard to lose.

How do I deal with this? I feel like I am in a terrible situation (a 'catch 22'?) concerning the PCOS and that my diet and exercise have proven to be worthless. I am very tempted to take diet pills, but I am afraid that any weight lost will come back on and then some after I quit taking them.

Any help at all is extremely appreciated!

[Ineke1981]

HI Rachel

I get that your upset , I also had such a bad time losing weight.

First you need to visit your doctor right away and tell him you think you have PCOS.
He will do blood test to confirm and send you to the OBGYN.
Then you need to ask if you have PCOS For them to put you onto METFORMIN.
This helped me allot as the sugar in foods make people with PCOS fat - so all carbs make you fat - all white rice , white break and pasta that is white , So no more cookies ect , you need to be eating - fresh veg and meat and brown whole wheat stuff and not too much rather eat more salad and veg and meat then the carbs.

Any and all sugar will make you gain weight so stay away , get vitamins to help you with your cravings, zinc and vitex chasteberry , fish oil , nac , ovablend , saw palmetto , carnitine , inositol powder , d - pinitol ...

Take vitamins and exercise like you do now , and you can still enjoy food but 6 smaller meals a day where you eat meat and veg and salad ...

Good luck

Ineke

[donjoe341]

I was diagnosed with insulin resistance after many years of being unable to loose weight through diet and exercise. I to suffer from PCOS and never had a problem with it until a few years ago. I was never told my cysts were from PCOS and that it could cause a blood sugar problem. It has turned my life into hell. My edocrinologist put me on metformin to help with this problem. I hope it isn't to late because I already show signs of being pre-diabetic. You need to get diagnosed as soon as possible to avoid any complications like mine in the future.
Keep in mind that they will test your glucose and insulin levels for this problem but blood work isn't very accuate.
Good Luck, Donjoe341

[mangoaddict]

try to change your diet. Focus mainly on fruits and vegies, some carbs and mainly plant type foods. I am doing that and feeling more energy and feeling better.

[dancindaisyangel]

Sounds like PCOS....try to reduce your carb intake.

Also, if you have not had a cycle in two years whatsoever you need to get to the doctor and get checked out.  It is extremely important for a woman to have her cycle, it sloughs off the   lining and if this doesn't occur and continues to build it can possibly cause cancer.

www.pcos.northwestern.edu is a website that I have found to be extremely useful and anything you don't understand GOOGLE! ;)

Briefly:
PCOS patients most of the time have insulin resistance;
the Metformin is supposed to regulate the insulin resistance
which in turn can regulate the hormones
which in turn can restore ovulation
which in turn can restore menstration

[Jenny5]

You can ask your doctor to put you on metformin. It is a medication that PCOS patient take. It help on losing weight and also regulate the hormones. You might also get your perods back. ASk you doctor

[maggs809]

Hi, when I was going to the gym and alot, alot slimmer I gained weight at first.  It is probably because you are building muscle and of course muscle weighs more.  That is what happened to me.  I had a weight gain but then the weight just dropped.  Hang in there.  I am sure you will  see results very soon.
Maggie