Hi, my name is Jennifer and would just like to say that I was estactic to fall upon this website. I was acctually trying to find out how long it would take for my dog to have her puppies and this website came up in the search. The letters PCOS which unfortunatly I have become acustom to in the last 4 years stood out like a sore thumb.
I have been overweight my whole life. The first time and last time I ever had my period naturally was 14. I went untill 22 till I had my next period and it was induced with Provera. I have yet to find a Doctor that knows a whole lot about it. I live in a small town in a small state, which probably contributes to that. I take metformin, and provera every three months like most of you probably do, and had given up on weightloss until my doctor told me she would'nt help me get pregnant unless I lost at least 50 lbs.
Well I was just married to the most wonderful man in the world, 4 months ago, and after a very bad childhood and alot of struggle I am able to go to college now. ( at 27 ) So alot of things are really happening to me that I thought never would, and now I refuse to give up and not have any children. I also refuse to give up and not lose at least 50 lbs. As i figure it I will have my AA in two years. So I have 2 years to lose at least 50 lbs.
My problem is I have no idea how to do that. Nobody seems to understand that my weight problem is not from excessive over eating, its not from not being able to control my portions, I do all that. And I'm still fat.
I do however do not get enough exercise, that comes with giving up.
Will I ever have children, is it possible to lose weight with PCOS, what can I do. HELP!

Sweetheart, I know where you are (mentally). A few suggests for you - if you haven't exercised in a long time, the two best bets that I was able to find are walking (even if it's only a couple of blocks to start with) and mild weight training. It's easier than you think. Even if you don't have weights, a couple of mildly weighted bottles out of your pantry will work just as well. Alot of lifting techniques can be found on-line. The more muscle tone you have, the more weight you burn at rest, so that helps. Weight training also helps reduce cholesterol and increases insulin receptors on your cells
If your cardio system is as ragged as mine was when I started this whole process, than running and jogging is pretty much out of the question, I'm guessing (tell me if I'm wrong), but walking is actually better for you and kinder to your joints.
As far as nutrition goes, I think you probably know by now what's good for you and what's not. You probably know all about portion control by now, since you do the research. Just stay with it.
I think the best help anyone trying to lose weight can give themselves is to drastically reduce stress. Not an easy task to accomplish, but if you can find a way, you'll be amazed at how much faster the pounds will melt off.
If all else fails and you feel like you just really need some support, we're all in the same boat and here for you

Exercise will make all the difference in the world to your weight loss! Especially if you are insulin resistant - us IR folks NEED exercise and lots of it. If you exercised an hour a day, you'd see a big improvement! New government guidelines have been issued reflecting the same thing for everybody, not just IR. Like Anasazee says, start slow and move up and you'll get used to it. Try some Walking Away the Pounds videos. Those are what got me started. I'd highly recommend joining a gym, but if you aren't able to, you can start lifting weights at home with Kathy Smith Lift Weights To Lose Weight and a few pairs of dumbbells.

This is so doable for you! This is actually very exciting to read your post because you're doing almost all of the right things, and you have a determined attitude. You're just a click away from success!

I LOVE my walk away the pounds videos! I am also convinced that when I dropped weight the last time, I got pregnant with my now 1.5 yo son. I am in the process of losing weight again in the hopes of having #3. I finally have a doc who knows what he is doing and I am actually losing weight a healthy way!

Jennifer,
I was n't dx with PCOS until after my hystro. So I had to give up my dream of having children...but God knew I needed to be a mom so he gave me the wonderful blessing of my daughter through adoption. I have heard other say to me..well it probably isn't the same since you didn't give birth to her, nope instead I went through 2-1/2 years of "hard labor" getting our adoption done. She is not your "real" daughter. I say she is very real at 5 when she gives me attitude.....just like her mommy. LOL LIke I said I am very blessed.

As far as exercise, you don't need to spend a lot of money. Walking is wonderful and you just need to put one foot in front of the other. If you want the gym expierance, some Y's let you volunteer a night a week and give you a membership. Find a bike at a garage sale and ride it to work. There is many ways to get exercise in without going to the gym.

Lisa
WYoming