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PCOS suffer, 220 pounds and not failed to loose weight
Hi
I need some help here. I was diagonised PCOS in March, i was put on Metamorfin - a drug that is given to obese diabetic patients - i have read every where and the Dr. told me that the drug helps with loosing weight but my weight isnt shifting. I started an exercise routine way back in December - i have been off any fizzy drinks (Coke, packed juice, etc), off processed sugar plus white bread, cakes, cookies, candy, chocolate, name it. I limit heavily my carbohydrates and i do step aerobics 5 times a week. I drink 8 glasses of water everyday.
Apart from my body being toned - am still weighing 220 pounds - what am i doing wrong?
I live in Africa and almost all the food is fresh - organic.
I need some help here. I was diagonised PCOS in March, i was put on Metamorfin - a drug that is given to obese diabetic patients - i have read every where and the Dr. told me that the drug helps with loosing weight but my weight isnt shifting. I started an exercise routine way back in December - i have been off any fizzy drinks (Coke, packed juice, etc), off processed sugar plus white bread, cakes, cookies, candy, chocolate, name it. I limit heavily my carbohydrates and i do step aerobics 5 times a week. I drink 8 glasses of water everyday.
Apart from my body being toned - am still weighing 220 pounds - what am i doing wrong?
I live in Africa and almost all the food is fresh - organic.
I'm 15 and I just recently got told i have PCOS. I weigh 255lbs and im 6 foot. Im not lazy or eat crap foods and i keep going up. My weight gain started when i was 12 when i got my period. Or what people call a period. I just got put on provera and metformin and i'm kinda nervous. PLEASE tell me anything i need to know before about PCOS or the metformin/provera.
I am 33. I have PCOS. I too have been incredibly frustrated with weight gain (272 lbs at my highest, 135 is my normal), excess hair growth, infertility, and much more. It seems that I have tried every way to try to lose this weight. However, this last year I decided to take a different approach.
I decided to do everything I can to learn everything I can about PCOS. I decided that I would go with the mentality of "I have PCOS, but it doesn't have me!" I am not great with discipline with food. I like the fizz of soda and the taste of white pasta! :) If I cut them out I feel deprived. So, I decided the best way for me to lose weight was to find out exactly what these things, that were suppose to be bad for me, were doing in my body that was so bad. To me KNOWLEDGE BECAME POWER! I studied about sugar and artificial sweeteners. It was a choice for me to stop with the soda, etc. Also, I went to our local YMCA and talked with a trainer. I couldn't afford the normal training, but she was amazing and totally willing to work out with me anyway! She was a blessing to me. She taught me to work hard, enjoy the feeling of being uncomfortable while working out, because of the benefits and the release of the endorphins. I TOTALLY became addicted to that feeling! She also taught me NOT TO WORKOUT TO LOSE WEIGHT. Yes, it can be an added benefit, but when I stopped working out to lose weight I actually started to LOVE working out (and I used to hate it). It was something I did for myself. My payoff was that working out made me feel REALLY good! That's why I did it! When you work out to lose weight, there will be times when the weight loss doesn't seem like enough, considering the work you are putting in. However, if you workout to feel good, the pay of is ALWAYS there! It is always worth the work you put in. By feeling good that way, I learned that I have more motivation to feed my body the right kind of foods, because I want to progress in my work outs.
I have to tell you that the best thing I have ever found and something I tell EVERYONE with PCOS to get is The PCOS WorkBook. Here is the link to it: http://www.amazon.com/PCOS-Workbook-Complete-Physical-Emotional/dp/0615217842/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1298743585&sr=8-1. You may have to copy and paste that.
This book is totally interactive and the best source I have found. It is motivating and makes PCOS feel so much less overwhelming. These doctors have spent so much time getting to know every part of PCOS. It will honestly change your life! They teach you what to eat, and what it does in your body. What not to eat and why. They give you a list to take to your Dr. of bloodtest to have done. I did. I was SHOCKED by my numbers! I was totally surprised to learn that the worst part of PCOS, outside of the worries of the appearance side of it, is the inflammation. We are at such a high risk of Heart Disease. The inflammation around our hearts is off the charts! THIS is a reason why I have decided to stay off any sort of "miracle pill" or "Miracle solution" to weight loss. I am sticking to the facts. The logical side. YES, it is slower for me, but I have worked hard to LOVE myself just as I am. There is so much more to me than what you see on the outside. People notice a difference in me because I think they see the confidence before they see my weight gain. Even if they don't....their loss. I am totally not saying this in an arrogant sort of way. I just have really learned that my value, or anyone elses, for that matter, doesn't ever come from the outside.
Since working out and then following the advice in The PCOS Workbook, I have lost over 40 lbs in 5 months. It isn't the miracle "25lbs in 30 days", but it IS permanent weight loss without side effects, other than feeling WAY good and a total lack of fear from gaining it all back!
Within just one week of consistent excercise there is some sort of feeling that takes over and makes it all seem so much more attainable. Just focus on working out as a treat to yourself! You are a lot stronger than you think you are!
I decided to do everything I can to learn everything I can about PCOS. I decided that I would go with the mentality of "I have PCOS, but it doesn't have me!" I am not great with discipline with food. I like the fizz of soda and the taste of white pasta! :) If I cut them out I feel deprived. So, I decided the best way for me to lose weight was to find out exactly what these things, that were suppose to be bad for me, were doing in my body that was so bad. To me KNOWLEDGE BECAME POWER! I studied about sugar and artificial sweeteners. It was a choice for me to stop with the soda, etc. Also, I went to our local YMCA and talked with a trainer. I couldn't afford the normal training, but she was amazing and totally willing to work out with me anyway! She was a blessing to me. She taught me to work hard, enjoy the feeling of being uncomfortable while working out, because of the benefits and the release of the endorphins. I TOTALLY became addicted to that feeling! She also taught me NOT TO WORKOUT TO LOSE WEIGHT. Yes, it can be an added benefit, but when I stopped working out to lose weight I actually started to LOVE working out (and I used to hate it). It was something I did for myself. My payoff was that working out made me feel REALLY good! That's why I did it! When you work out to lose weight, there will be times when the weight loss doesn't seem like enough, considering the work you are putting in. However, if you workout to feel good, the pay of is ALWAYS there! It is always worth the work you put in. By feeling good that way, I learned that I have more motivation to feed my body the right kind of foods, because I want to progress in my work outs.
I have to tell you that the best thing I have ever found and something I tell EVERYONE with PCOS to get is The PCOS WorkBook. Here is the link to it: http://www.amazon.com/PCOS-Workbook-Complete-Physical-Emotional/dp/0615217842/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1298743585&sr=8-1. You may have to copy and paste that.
This book is totally interactive and the best source I have found. It is motivating and makes PCOS feel so much less overwhelming. These doctors have spent so much time getting to know every part of PCOS. It will honestly change your life! They teach you what to eat, and what it does in your body. What not to eat and why. They give you a list to take to your Dr. of bloodtest to have done. I did. I was SHOCKED by my numbers! I was totally surprised to learn that the worst part of PCOS, outside of the worries of the appearance side of it, is the inflammation. We are at such a high risk of Heart Disease. The inflammation around our hearts is off the charts! THIS is a reason why I have decided to stay off any sort of "miracle pill" or "Miracle solution" to weight loss. I am sticking to the facts. The logical side. YES, it is slower for me, but I have worked hard to LOVE myself just as I am. There is so much more to me than what you see on the outside. People notice a difference in me because I think they see the confidence before they see my weight gain. Even if they don't....their loss. I am totally not saying this in an arrogant sort of way. I just have really learned that my value, or anyone elses, for that matter, doesn't ever come from the outside.
Since working out and then following the advice in The PCOS Workbook, I have lost over 40 lbs in 5 months. It isn't the miracle "25lbs in 30 days", but it IS permanent weight loss without side effects, other than feeling WAY good and a total lack of fear from gaining it all back!
Within just one week of consistent excercise there is some sort of feeling that takes over and makes it all seem so much more attainable. Just focus on working out as a treat to yourself! You are a lot stronger than you think you are!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Don't worry about the misspellings and grammatical errors-- it's the message that counts.
I've not done a lot of research on PCOS, so I don't really know what causes it; but I do know that it's often associated with thyroid issues and/or insulin resistance (pre-diabetes). I'm surprised that metformin didn't help you because we've had several other members in the past who had good luck with it. I wonder if they gave you the proper dosage(s)?
In addition to that, I'd like to say that it's not unusual for the "standard" thyroid tests (TSH, FT3 and FT4) to come back normal and the person still has thyroid issues. I have an auto immune thyroid disease, which can very well be present with normal standard tests. You would need to be tested for antibodies to find out if you have it. AND much as I hate to say it, a lot of doctors only look to see if your results are within the lab's ranges and some labs use outdated ranges, especially for TSH; and depending on where in the range your FT3 and FT4 fall, you could still have hypothyroidism.
You might take a look at the thyroid forum and read some of the posts for more information.
I've not done a lot of research on PCOS, so I don't really know what causes it; but I do know that it's often associated with thyroid issues and/or insulin resistance (pre-diabetes). I'm surprised that metformin didn't help you because we've had several other members in the past who had good luck with it. I wonder if they gave you the proper dosage(s)?
In addition to that, I'd like to say that it's not unusual for the "standard" thyroid tests (TSH, FT3 and FT4) to come back normal and the person still has thyroid issues. I have an auto immune thyroid disease, which can very well be present with normal standard tests. You would need to be tested for antibodies to find out if you have it. AND much as I hate to say it, a lot of doctors only look to see if your results are within the lab's ranges and some labs use outdated ranges, especially for TSH; and depending on where in the range your FT3 and FT4 fall, you could still have hypothyroidism.
You might take a look at the thyroid forum and read some of the posts for more information.
Hello All, I am a 24yo healthy female with the exception of this "PCOS" I was diagnosed some time ago and since then I have been on a series of birth control; all forms i.e...the patch,nuva-ring,depo-provera, and just about every pill you can think of. Not only did they not work but they caused the worst side effects and I am not allergic to anything. I have been controlling my diet for some time now watching my carb intake and was on glucophage for a while with no results. I have irregular periods sometimes a year on and a year off and extremely they are usually heavy and painful. I have hirsutism"abnormal,male like hair growth" which is so embarrasing and of course fertility issues.I have been steadily packing on the weight for a few years now and cannot loose for the life of me. my tsh,t3,t4 always come back in normal range. Since iam no longer on birth controll i have elevated testosterone levels. I have done excersize programs and yes its good and all but it's not painless to cary around 220 lbs! The doctors all they say is loose weight and that pcos while linked to obesity is not the cause. I do not beleive that at all. however their solution is always birth control,diet,glucophage(metformin) and good luck"if you loose the weight your symptoms will subside and your risk of type 2 diabetes will be gone and as for fertility well... come back when you are serious about getting pregnant and we will dicuss some pills that will help with that ok...we will cross that bridge when we get there." does anybody elese see anything wrong with this picture? i have been to so many doctors and np's and it's always the same. I have spent hours upon hours online doing research and have not found much. Not only am I a sufferer of pcos but I have also been in the med feild for years and am studiying to be a doctor and it just does'nt add up! this is becoming an epidemic people! everywhere I look there is some one either with pcos or talking about it or knows someone who suffers from it. So hear this I have found many bariateric patients that have had significant weight loss with pcos have not been cured or even shown greatly improved symptoms and most definately not shown any improvement in the fertility department; not to say that their are not some but the majority dont show a significant change. Now with that being said I myself am considering bariatric aka weight loss surgery but as a tool to help me loose the weight that I have been unable to loose on my own but this is not even a cure not by a long shot However, it is something to consider. Now for every one that is reading this, think about this, what is causing the pcos? is it the chemicals in our food or in the water? is it our life styles? do so many women of different ages cultural backgrounds,health histories, and basic demographics really have so much in common as to indicate that weight is the main common factor and diet the solution?when so many women including my self report never having "serious" weight issues untill after the onset of the pcos.
no one knows! so educate your selves and try to make the most informed decisions for yourselves if what your doctors are saying does not make sense call them on it and dont stop looking for a cure ladies I know I won't.
P.S
please forgive all of the misspellings and grammatical errors
no one knows! so educate your selves and try to make the most informed decisions for yourselves if what your doctors are saying does not make sense call them on it and dont stop looking for a cure ladies I know I won't.
P.S
please forgive all of the misspellings and grammatical errors
COMMUNITY LEADER
I've had a lot of people tell me that they had thyroid tests and all is "fine" or "normal", but when I quiz them about the results, I actually find that even though they are in the "normal" range, they aren't "fine" for that person.
If you care to send me your lab results, I will try to help you more.
Are you using a food diary? That's a good way to tell if you are getting the right # of calories and/or the right "kind" of calories. It will also let you know if you are cutting calories too much -- don't forget that if you don't take in enough calories in a day's time, your body will think there's not enough food and will go into "starvation mode" - which means it will hang onto fat that is already there.
In addition, I'd suggest that you use the exercise tracker, in which you log your exercise -- it will tell you how many calories you actually used -- maybe you didn't use quite as many as you thought?
Just suggestions to help keep track of what's going on. Many of us have been where you are.
If you care to send me your lab results, I will try to help you more.
Are you using a food diary? That's a good way to tell if you are getting the right # of calories and/or the right "kind" of calories. It will also let you know if you are cutting calories too much -- don't forget that if you don't take in enough calories in a day's time, your body will think there's not enough food and will go into "starvation mode" - which means it will hang onto fat that is already there.
In addition, I'd suggest that you use the exercise tracker, in which you log your exercise -- it will tell you how many calories you actually used -- maybe you didn't use quite as many as you thought?
Just suggestions to help keep track of what's going on. Many of us have been where you are.
i had my thyroid checked twice. same results...it's normal. i just can't figure out why i can't lose the weight. i've curbed my eating habits tremendously and i'm still the same weight. i don't know what to do
COMMUNITY LEADER
A lot of people who suffer from PCOS also have hypothyroid issues. You should have your thyroid tested -- TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 to start with.
if i suffer from PCOS as well. i gained 30 pounds in 2 years. i always lose 3-5 pounds then gain it right back! i work out twice a day and stop drinking soda and eating sweets, etc. nothing works! i can't fit my clothes anymore :-( And no one can figure out why i keep gaining weight! i feel like crying!!! please give me some input!!
I was diagnosed with pcos four years ago. my weight has been up and down about 20-35 lbs since. i have hair on my chin which is depressing. i have no period sometimes. The doctor put me on the pill and i lost thirty lbs but i gained weight after they changed the type of pill it was because i weighed too much for the normal one. metformin didnt work for me either. i went from 155 and now i am pushing 180! This condition even affects your emotions which affects your weight.
i will give the foods and other things that are mentioned above a go and see what happens
Hi everybody
My name is Rachel and im 20 and have recently found out i have PCOS i have put on 30kg in a year and am very down about mysef . have just been put on metamorfin which i hope will help me in some way. I excersise and eat properly but am losing NO weight.. if anyone can help me out with some ideas and things that help you fellow PCOS suffers with weight problems please let me know because i just want to get better!!!!!! and the doctors are not really helping me out enough and expaining things thoroughly!
thanks guys
My name is Rachel and im 20 and have recently found out i have PCOS i have put on 30kg in a year and am very down about mysef . have just been put on metamorfin which i hope will help me in some way. I excersise and eat properly but am losing NO weight.. if anyone can help me out with some ideas and things that help you fellow PCOS suffers with weight problems please let me know because i just want to get better!!!!!! and the doctors are not really helping me out enough and expaining things thoroughly!
thanks guys
Hi,
I have taken long to reply sorry.
- I have a bowl of Oatmeal for breakfast or African tea sweetened by honey and brown bread. Weekends i have a boiled egg or omlette.
- A cup of African tea (Skimmed milk and honey) with Brown bread 2 slices for break OR a fruit bowl that contains pineaple and Papaya or a cup of youghurt.
- I have fruit salad for lunch - water melon, papaya, pineaple, sugar cane, jack fruit OR a chicken sandwich with brown bread or i have grilled chicken and vegetables.
- Supper i have Steamed potatoes or brown rice or cassava with beef or fish or chicken or beans or peanuts, or peas and vegetables (Cabbage or cauliflower or french beans, etc) and unsweetened fruit juice.
- I drink water through out the day.
I do limit my portions e.g i have 1 medium sized potatoe , 1 small piece of meat, etc.
I have taken long to reply sorry.
- I have a bowl of Oatmeal for breakfast or African tea sweetened by honey and brown bread. Weekends i have a boiled egg or omlette.
- A cup of African tea (Skimmed milk and honey) with Brown bread 2 slices for break OR a fruit bowl that contains pineaple and Papaya or a cup of youghurt.
- I have fruit salad for lunch - water melon, papaya, pineaple, sugar cane, jack fruit OR a chicken sandwich with brown bread or i have grilled chicken and vegetables.
- Supper i have Steamed potatoes or brown rice or cassava with beef or fish or chicken or beans or peanuts, or peas and vegetables (Cabbage or cauliflower or french beans, etc) and unsweetened fruit juice.
- I drink water through out the day.
I do limit my portions e.g i have 1 medium sized potatoe , 1 small piece of meat, etc.
the meal plans are wonderful.. it weens (not sure about spelling) you off the carbs.. slowly. For example instead of having 2 pieces of bread with your pasta.. have one piece and a salad.. it recommends you eat a lot of greens. each week you reduce your intake of carbs by 5% which isnt a lot.. and increase your greens by 5%. Also, I have found after taking the vitamins, i actually crave green foods.. like salads, celery, etc. its a really easy plan to follow, and it tells you to eat the things you do enjoy, just monitor the amount you eat them. I actually dont count my calories.. but I know just to watch the carbs.. hope it helps.
it sounds like you have done a great job at eliminating the worst
offenders in your diet. How many calories do you consume each day?
Would you post an example of your meal plan?
offenders in your diet. How many calories do you consume each day?
Would you post an example of your meal plan?
I too was diagnosed with PCOS... and was perscribed metformin that was "supposed" to make my weight go down. Didn't work!! I also have been finding it hard to loose weight. The dr.'s keep telling me to loose some but I couldn't find way until I came across natural vitamins that is supposed to reverse PCOS. You should definantly visit www.insulitelabs.com. A year of diet and exercize and I only lost 1 pound. I have been on the insulite system for only a week now and have lost 5 pounds!! It's some amazing stuff!
Hi,
Thanks, those are words of encouragement!
Yes exercise is good - i feel good with myself.
I will not give up!
Hey there. I have a friend with PCOS so I know what you are going through. She has been trying to lose weight with no results. The only thing that makes her lose weight is not currently available because it's not legal. Her doctor prescribed it to her back when the drug was legal because there was nothing else that could work.
Perhaps there is something else but I honestly do not know. You should know PCOS is not easy to deal with when it comes to losing weight. It seems as though you are not doing anything wrong. How long have you been exercising? Sometimes you do not see results in 2 weeks or even a month. The good thing is that you are not gaining. Some women with this syndrome find it hard to stop gaining weight. Keep doing what you are doing and always try to increase you exercise level. Challenge yourself. If you could run it'd be great. Try to do at least one hour, no less than that. I always go for 1 hour and 45 minutes to two hours. The one thing that has helped me is running. I started running for just 1 minute. Now I run for an hour which is almost 6 miles. I still wish to go more than that and I think that you should do that, you should always try to push yourself and be up for challenges. Try doing the HIIT, it's always a good work-out.
Regarding the foods that you eat, if your doctor or nutritionist knows what you are eating and they are ok with it then you are good to go.
Good luck!!!
Perhaps there is something else but I honestly do not know. You should know PCOS is not easy to deal with when it comes to losing weight. It seems as though you are not doing anything wrong. How long have you been exercising? Sometimes you do not see results in 2 weeks or even a month. The good thing is that you are not gaining. Some women with this syndrome find it hard to stop gaining weight. Keep doing what you are doing and always try to increase you exercise level. Challenge yourself. If you could run it'd be great. Try to do at least one hour, no less than that. I always go for 1 hour and 45 minutes to two hours. The one thing that has helped me is running. I started running for just 1 minute. Now I run for an hour which is almost 6 miles. I still wish to go more than that and I think that you should do that, you should always try to push yourself and be up for challenges. Try doing the HIIT, it's always a good work-out.
Regarding the foods that you eat, if your doctor or nutritionist knows what you are eating and they are ok with it then you are good to go.
Good luck!!!
I am sorry for what you are going through, I can only imagine how you feel.
With that said I have gone through an interesting time resently. In feb. my husband and I decided to get off birth control ( depo- provara) NOT to get pregnant just so I can get off and him taken care of. Well what happened was I ended up gaining weight even with following my normal diet and exersise routine. I even started doing 30 -45 mins of cardio at night and was still gaining 1-3 pounds a week. Now while I was on depo my testaterone droped and so did my estrogyn so I had to start supplementing. The reason I am telling you this is because I got back on the depo and am starting to loose weight. you might want to ask you gyn if the depo might help you. Just a thought. I wish you well. Even if you don't loose weight exersise is SO good for you so keep it up. :) :) :)
With that said I have gone through an interesting time resently. In feb. my husband and I decided to get off birth control ( depo- provara) NOT to get pregnant just so I can get off and him taken care of. Well what happened was I ended up gaining weight even with following my normal diet and exersise routine. I even started doing 30 -45 mins of cardio at night and was still gaining 1-3 pounds a week. Now while I was on depo my testaterone droped and so did my estrogyn so I had to start supplementing. The reason I am telling you this is because I got back on the depo and am starting to loose weight. you might want to ask you gyn if the depo might help you. Just a thought. I wish you well. Even if you don't loose weight exersise is SO good for you so keep it up. :) :) :)
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