that I have PCOS. I went to the doctor today, and he said I have it. I went after and had blood work done, and I will have definite answers on April 1st. I have suspected it for 2 years now, but had no insurance, so never got checked, but I have all the symptoms, weight gain, no cycles (every 9 months I get one), no ovulation, crazy hair growth on face, lose a lot of hair, but thankfully its still thick, I crave sweets! (not chocolate, but fruity sweets), etc. I have read ur stories, see ur results, but I need some advice on sticking with low carb. I have tried it, over and over, but after a week I give up. Now that I know what my problem is, I think its easier to say I'm going to do it, hubby and I would like to TTC sometime this year, my baby girl begs for a baby sister or brother, and we would like to have one more, so I have my determination. However, are there any pointers on making it work?? Any good recipies? What to avoid?

Jamie

This is a radical suggestion, so many people will not agree with it for a variety of reasons, but if you can't seem to tolerate low carb induction, or extreme low carb diets, you might consider gradually reducing carbs until you find the best number that work for you, rather than cutting them down to almost nothing and gradually adding them in.

I know induction is supposed to "detox" you from carbs, and get rid of cravings, but I've done it both ways now, and didn't notice any difference in cravings. My husband had to do it "top down" so to speak because he is diabetic on insulin, so he couldn't cut carbs drastically, and had to reduce them gradually.

I think the biggest difference for me was that reducing gradually does not give the psychological boost of getting a substantial weight loss in the first couple weeks. In some ways this is an advantage, because you don't keep comparing your loss to weeks 1 & 2.

I'm so sorry to hear that you have PCOS. I have never done the low carb thing, so I don't have any advice. I just wanted to lend my sympathies.

-Liz.

I think KAPLODS advice is very wise. I did the lower carb thing many times too; couldn't stick to it long-term, and I got really sick (losing hair & sugar problems) becuz I already had a Vitamin and mineral deficiency problem that runs in our family, so I am now eating a more balanced plan.

I would suggest taking a Vitamin with *Minerals* with a good amount of Vitamin B; just try it and see if it helps. After I upped my intake to two a day plus a Vitamin B complex (50), my hair all grew back in and has stayed that way. It is important to eat in a balanced way esp if you want to have more children ... consider it a preparation phase.


ROSEBUD

I've done the low carb thing to the extreme of like...cutting out everything but fruit and it either didn't make a difference or I gained the weight back. Now I'm doing moderately low carb, but more importantly I pay attention to glycemic index. I also work out 6-7hrs a week. I wouldn't advocate cutting out carbs that much simply because I don't think (for me, anyway) it's sustainable long term. The idea with PCOS is to manage your insulin levels and your blood sugar and you don't have to eliminate carbs to do that. I would just advise you to steer clear of processed carbs and refined sugars and always pair any carbs with a protein (my pre-gym snack is like an apple and a handful of almonds for example). Also, if you're the type who needs to eat something right before bed I'd advise against carbs then. Sometimes I have string cheese or some turkey if I'm hungry.

The weight loss is slow, but the scale keeps going down and that's all I can ask for. The way I'm going now feels sustainable long term and that's why I like it. The other good news is as you lose weight all those symptoms will get better. Has your doctor talked about maybe putting you on some kind of medication for treatment once you get confirmation? I never got my period and once I got my diet under control and went on metformin I started getting them every 4-8 weeks.

I'm sorry about your diagnosis, I know that's upsetting On a better note, a large study showed that exercise was more important to controlling PCOS than diet (carbs) and many people lose weight successfully on an average diet as long as plenty of exercise was included.

Good luck!

I'm really really starting to believe the excersise thing I've had 3 Dr's tell me low carb but I get so ill on it I can't tolerate it. My brother who is educated in nutrition put me on a diet 2 weeks ago and has me working out with weights and I'm losing weight for the first time in years and don't feel miserable.
He has me eating grains but low glycemic whole grains. I can have bread everyday my lunch is always a sandwich and it's whole grain. I'm also doing Weight watcher's points with it.
I never thought I'd be finally losing weight eating bread? I still have set backs like an oreo attack today but I'm finally starting to learn it's a process.

I think an hour of activity a day is a great goal to aim for. I didn't see if you mentioned if (and if, how much) you were working out before but I've read enough research to suggest that an hour six days a week should be sufficient. What you need to bear in mind though - especially with PCOS - is that you need to keep challenging yourself. Once the hour of walking feels comfortable pick up your pace, maybe try a few jogging intervals or workout DVDs or something. I was jogging 45min - 1 hr 6 days a week and not losing a pound because I'd been doing it for so long. Not to overwhelm you or anything, it's just something to be aware of. Every month or so I ask myself if I'm getting too comfortable with my routine and find ways to mix it up a little. Plus, I get bored really easily...lol.

Personally, I think going with a moderate intake of complex carbohydrates is the best. I certainly couldn't have gone the rest of my life without a bowl of cereal or toast or a sandwich...anything that feels like deprivation isn't something you're going to be able to do forever.

Keep us posted!

I'm on the same boat except that last september I found out I was diabetic. :-( All my doctors knew I had this and all they did was put me on birth control. So I went to a new doctor and thats when they told me I was diabetic. Hopefully when I lose the weight the diabetes goes away and I have a normal pregnancy. my bestb advice is that if they put you on any medication take it correctly but don't let them throw you on birth control. When I found about my diabetes I was at 13 percent as of december I was at 10 percent. I started the Extreme Fat Smash Diet today if you like I can keep you updated on my progress and you can update me on yours. I tried the original Fat Smash Diest and it worked but i got so excited that I stopped and gained the weight back. They both work if you follow them to the T.

Thanks for the support! I got my results today! Yes, PCOS, so, I am taking Provera to make cycles come normally, last one was in July!, and I am also taking Metaformin, once/day, then twice/day, then on to 3/day. This is every 7 days add another one, and I won't go back to Dr. til July to see how things are going. He told me to focus on losing 20lbs, but I want to aim for more! I want to lose the weight b4 getting PG, I know some ppl think its pointless to lose that much, the TTC, but I want to. So, I will be posting, as I see how the meds are working, we also decided to do low cal, moderate carbs. I want something I can stick with, and not fail with, and i always give up with low carb b/c u are so limited to what u eat and I know there are bad points to it too. So I'm focusing more on being healthy than skinny. I will be happy going down to 150lbs.

"I want a baby ASAP', keep me updated, lemme know how its going! Hope it works for ya!

"Rockstar", I don't work out right now, other than normal house cleaning and errand, but I am going to get started! My little girl has been sick, so has the baby I babysit, so the walks in the park haven't started up, but I am planning on going tomorrow morning! Thanks.

'Carrie', yes, my Dr focuses on tellling me to workout than diet, so I'm thinking the excercise is the main part of it all! Your diet doesn't sound bad, I mean, being able to eat normally and still have progress is awesome! I know whatcha mean abou sandwiches, I love my chicken salad! Lol

THANKS for all the helpful advice ladies! I am starting my new healthy lifestyle tomorrow! Hubby is even going to support me, he came with me to get the results today, and I think being there and hearing the Dr alk about the weight loss kicked him in the bum! He has always SAID he would help and support me, but he always slacks off, then I have bad days and give up, I think this time he is serious!

Well at least you know what your dealing with now. I 've been reading this book call A patient's guide to PCOS by Walter Futterweit, M.D. In the books that I've read weight loss is basically the trigger to fix PCOS except that the PCOS makes it hard to lose the weight it's like a catch 22. I think your off to a great start. I'm starting the gym today again :-). Keep me posted!