[Familyof5]

Hi all! I went to my ob/gyn about 1 month ago and was told that I probably had PCOS and she started me on birth control pills. I have since started my period again, but when I started my healthy eating and exercise on the 1st, I notice that I am not losing weight. I have kept track of calories and fat and am right under 1800 calories a day, and I have only lost 2 pounds so far. Now, I am a big girl (284 pounds), so I would think my first week would show higher numbers, but even now the scale isn't budging.

I have contacted my regular doctor in hopes of having lots of blood work done, especially since reading that PCOS causes weight gain! I have also read that South Beach Diet works for many of you, but will just normal cutting down on calories and fat also work? Are there any suggestions on what I should ask for when having blood work done? I am already having my thyroid re-checked as I am taking medication for that, but I think it's okay because I am not having any symptoms in that area.

Thanks for any advice and suggestions that you may have!

[LegendaryZelda]

I think PCOS'ers tend to have high blood pressure and other heart-related issues (my cholesterol was through the roof until I started on meds for it)

They will probably do the whole blood chemistry, but they would probably look at your fasting glucose levels and your a1c, which may tell them whether you're hinting at diabetes/insulin resistance. When I was first diagnosed, I had to take a glucose tolerance test, which was pretty awful. (It's also the typical 'gestational diabetes test') You have a fasting blood and urine sample taken, then you drink this sickeningly sweet "Glu-cola" (liquid glucose) then they test your blood again an hour later. If your glucose is too high, you may have a glucose intolerance/insulin resistance/diabetes.

I think this tendency towards diabetes and the like is why most of us do better on the low-refined-carb diets.

[grumpybear902]

I tried simply cutting calories and it didn't work. My doctor recommended still staying low on cals but opting for whole wheats only, no starches and no sugars. Insulin resistance is a symptom of PCOS and chances are, you have that to. If that is the case, your body does not know how to properly break down sugars and white starches. So I would suggest trying sugar free products that are also low cal and low fat and switching to only whole wheats. I've found that helps for me.

[strawberry199819]

Hi I am new but I wanted to post on here. I also have pcos, I found out becuase it was taking us forever to get pregnant and I didn't get my period very often if at all. I tried WW many many times with no luck didn't matter how "good" I was it never made a difference. Then I was put on Metformin to help with my PCOS and getting pregnant since the Fertilty drug clomid that I was on wasn't working alone anymore after my m/c. as soon as I was on it and on WW I lost almost 20lbs in about 2 1/2m. I was finally seeing results. I would have your insulin resistance tested and talk to your DR. about Metformin/ Glucophage cause it works wonder with PCOS

[PhatPhoenix]

No two PCOS-ers are alike. I gained weight horribly on South beach (followed it to the letter too!) But have lost weight calorie counting and doing a low fat diet. Met - like any drug - can have serious side-effects so I also went down the route of self-medicating with herbs and supplements, and that has worked for me. Whilst I'd read and take in everyones' advice, be aware that you're different and what works for some may not work for you. But - something will! The other thing to bear in mind is with PCOS we can't 'diet' - we have to change our way of eating forever. If you can low carb forever - it's worth doing. If however, you're planning on following it to goal weight,, then stopping - be careful as you will regain the weight! As we have to be more careful than most women, it's worth finding a diet that works for you but you can live with - for good! (On maintenance once you reach goal but of course all diets have restrictions even on maintenance). I'd take a slow weight loss if I felt happy and could sustain that way of eating indefintely - rather than starve myself eating boring or unhealthy things, only to hit target weight for a few weeks!

PhatP x

[thecatlady]

Yep, my first thought was that you're probably IR too like me. I have to eat carbs with proteins, fruits with protein and lower amounts of sugar in order to keep it all in balance or else the scale doesn't budge and it all turns to fat. (And my blood sugar goes freaking haywire and my moods are awful...)

[emjayah]

I spoke to my doctor about it, and he suggested the low-carb option, but not to cut them out altogether, because you still need to eat carbs, as part of a balanced diet. He said to me that I could do one of the 'popular' diets if Iwanted, but he usually just recommends watching carbs, eating wisely & exercising regularly...