[NDupler]

Hi. I am new to this forum. I was diagnosed w/PCOS/IR in 1998. I had lost about 45lbs. about six years ago (going from 315 to 270). My periods were coming 28 days apart every month, I was ovulating, everything. And then, about a year and a half ago I started gaining the weight back. I have gained back the 45 plus another 30!! I now weigh 345lbs.!!! I am soo scared! I have developed sleep apnea also which is terrifying to me. I just need someone who has had REAL success losing weight to tell me it is possible. It feels so useless! No matter what I try, it doesn't work, and every time I fail, I gain more weight. I am scared to keep trying, because my health can not afford to fail again! If there is someone out there that has lost a significant amount of weight, can you please share your secret to success

Thanks in Advance

[HeatherAngel]

Hi NDupler -

I'm sorry you feel so helpless at this time - in order to not feel helpless (which we have ALL felt before we changed our lives!) you must take your own destiny in your OWN hands, and make good choices every single day. Eat less. Move more. START SMALL.

Eat less sugar this week, maybe, and keep a promise to yourself to walk for fifteen minutes every other day.

Next week, start counting your calories (this works for many people - you may prefer to try some diets and find one that works for you) - try looking at The Daily Plate or FitDay - these are wonderful resources for tracking what you eat. Don't be silly and start out at 1200 calories a day - you'll end up hungry, and more importantly, with nowhere to drop your calories to as you lose weight.

Drink more water on week three.

READ POSTS HERE. There are lots and lots of little, easy changes you can slip into your life that will help you to feel better, slimmer and more in control of what you eat and how you live your life.

There is no 'secret to success' - it is a combination of dedication, determination, and consistency.

Read people's stories in the Goal and Mini-Goal forums - these are SO inspirational - and every one of those people will tell you the same thing: if they can do it, YOU CAN DO IT.

And you CAN.

Post here with questions and read lots - you'll soon find what works for you and remember: time will pass whether you lose weight or not - so why not start right NOW, and not lose another day??

Good luck - keep posting and telling us how you are getting on!!

Heather

[irisheyes213]

I haven't been able to lose a significant amount of weight but I can tell you that you have to keep trying for your health.

The trick is that you have to be willing to tweak things when they may not be working or may stop working.

You have to want it.

We will be glad to support you along the way but you have to be willing to do the work.

Good Luck and I hope that you find your groove!

[Vanessa M.]

ND: Do you consider 77 pounds significant? If so, I can attest to the possibility of losing a lot of weight....
It CAN be done and you CAN do it!

In my experience, it's not rocket science. It's really hard work, that's true, but I was finally able to tell myself that I was willing to do the hard work. After 77 pounds, I still have to ask myself on lazy days if I am willing to do what it takes. Every time, I have to answer yes. I can't just accept myself as overweight and miserable for my whole life. I'm not ok with it.

Heather has some really great tips about getting started. Honestly I can't really even add to it. Starting slowly is a great idea. One of my first baby steps was to freely give bites of my meals to DS or DH. Lol! Before then I would actually tell them that I wouldn't give them a bite!

Start slowly, but make sure you start. Your health is already suffering and, to be frank, your weight has the potential to kill you. Please love yourself enough to help yourself get better!

[Nicoyaangel]

NDupler - I am right there with you. I need that push as well. I say we can work together and give each other that push

We can do it!!!!

[MarinePrincess]

I've been at this for about 8 weeks so far and I've finally hit my 10 pound mark. It's hard to lose weight with PCOS. But, like others have said, you can do it.

Find something that inspires you...something that makes you close your eyes and say, "Yes, I can do it because I want ____ that bad." For me, it's the USMC Ball this year (see ticker below). I paid a lot for money for a nice dress and I want to look good (well...better than last year at least!) in it.

Pictures. Pictures are huge for me. I have one celeb I look up to. Pictures of her are my screensaver. I took Before pictures of me and put them on the fridge. Old pictures of a thinner me are around the house to.

One more then I'm done, I promise! Some doctors will help you if you tell them you want to lose weight. They can send you to a dietician (which I think is important for PCOS since our bodies like to hold onto carbs/sugar); they can prescribe medicine to help control your body's funky patterns; they can work with you to develop a feasible, non-intimidating plan.


I hope I helped you find something you can relate to!