Weight Loss Tips?

[racermom]

Hi, I am 42 years old. I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 34. I felt like all I have done is gain weight. I don’t know what to do. I would like to loose weight, for my health and myself. Do you have any tips or answers?
Thank you so much for you time.

[drheather]

Hi, I am 42 years old. I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 34. I felt like all I have done is gain weight. I don’t know what to do. I would like to loose weight, for my health and myself. Do you have any tips or answers?
Thank you so much for you time.

Dear Racermom,

I am delighted that you found our forum and decided to write in! :)

As you may have read on our website, the underlying cause of PCOS in most cases seems to be insulin resistance. With insulin resistance, the body becomes insensitive to the insulin it produces, which leads to elevated circulating levels of insulin. This in turn leads to hormonal imbalances such as increased testosterone and other androgens (male hormones).

The increased testosterone contributes to the formation of cysts in the ovaries in part due to the hormonal imbalances and also because the ovaries are highly sensitive to the influence of insulin. In women with PCOS, the ovaries are over-sensitized to insulin’s effects.

The weight gain associated with PCOS is intricately related to insulin resistance. Losing weight helps to improve insulin sensitivity, and vice versa: becoming more sensitive to your insulin helps you to lose weight. Unfortunately, people who have insulin resistance have a very difficult time losing weight, as you have experienced.

I hope this information is helpful for you! There is amazing support at Insulite Labs for our customers; we are here to help you through this healing journey. Please don’t hesitate to contact us again if you have any other questions or concerns. We are here to help out and want to make sure that the Insulite System works for you.

[BLG1007]

Hi, I am 42 years old. I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 34. I felt like all I have done is gain weight. I don’t know what to do. I would like to loose weight, for my health and myself. Do you have any tips or answers?
Thank you so much for you time.

Racermom,
I have the same issues as you seem to be experiancing with weight gain. I signed up for fitness classes with my local community college. It was easier in my mind to have a scheduled time of exercise than joining a gym and having to find time during the day to go (which often times excuses not to go arise!). Plus its a good way to socialize, and don't worry about being in a class full of little skinny mini's whom think they are fat! The classes are cheaper than getting a personal trainer and the classes that I am in are full of either seniors or middle aged men and women. I hope this helps!

[racermom]

Hi {BLG1007},

Thanks for the idea about joining the gym. I have been thinking about it, but as you said, I can see excuses coming up quickly about not having time to go. I do like the idea of classes. The thought of planning it into my schedule might work..

Take Care,
Racermom

[BLG1007]

Hi {BLG1007},

Thanks for the idea about joining the gym. I have been thinking about it, but as you said, I can see excuses coming up quickly about not having time to go. I do like the idea of classes. The thought of planning it into my schedule might work..

Take Care,
Racermom

Racermom,
About working the classes into your schedule, some classes are offered before you have to be at work. I go to a 6 am water aerobics class that everyone in it has to be at work by 8 or 9 in the morning. Just something else to look for.
Take Care
BLG1007:D

[drheather]

Racermom,
I have the same issues as you seem to be experiancing with weight gain. I signed up for fitness classes with my local community college. It was easier in my mind to have a scheduled time of exercise than joining a gym and having to find time during the day to go (which often times excuses not to go arise!). Plus its a good way to socialize, and don't worry about being in a class full of little skinny mini's whom think they are fat! The classes are cheaper than getting a personal trainer and the classes that I am in are full of either seniors or middle aged men and women. I hope this helps!

Hi,

As you can see you are not the only who struggles with weight gain. Research shows that 50% or more of women with PCOS are overweight/obese. And as you know it can seem that no matter what you do, weight increases.

I think joining a gym or finding some local classes is a great idea. I can honestly tell you that if I did go to the exercise classes that I go to, I would not be as motivated on my own. I am a person that needs a schedule and a routine.

What I also recommend to my patients is to ask a friend to be your exercise buddy and have planned times when you can both walk together or go to a yoga class (sometimes taking a friend to class is easier since it may be new to both of you). If you do this, find a friend that would also like to exercise and one that will hold you accountable. This is really helpful when something else might come up. You can support each other and push each other and realize that if one doesn't go it is easier for the other to stay at home and say I will take the day off. It is also a nice stress release.

Most people say that they want to exercise but don't follow through because, well, there is a lot that people have going on and often all of the other stuff comes before the extra stuff such as exercising. I would encourage you to make yourself and your health a priority. Often once people get into it, they become more productive in other aspects and find that it may not have been as hard to add it into the mix.

Also, once people start exercising they tend to make better dietary choices, increasing vegetables and fruits. They feel that since they exercised they don't want to ruin the work they put in that day. Of course, this depends on many things.

Since you do have PCOS, it will be important to cut back on carbohydrates.

I recommend that you take a look at the Insulite PCOS System as this might be very appropriate for you. It is a comprehensive approach to addressing PCOS with nutritional supplements/diet/exercise/support by treating the underlying cause, insulin resistance. You can read more about it at http://pcos.insulitelabs.com/.

I do hope this helps and that you let us know how you are doing.

[mcqueen]

I have bean on the system for 1 month and have seen improvement in excess hair.

I have not seen a change in my weight.

I excersise up to 2hrs a day(treadmill, weight resistance).
My diet mainly consist of fruit, vegitables, and chicken. I drink only water.
Do to allergies I can not eat: wheat(celiac disease), milk(lactose intolerance), sugars, peanuts, caffeine, fish, and high in starch foods.I choose not to eat any meat but chicken.

My gaol is to lose 30-40 pounds to weigh what I did a year ago.
Is there anything you could suggest to help me reach my goal.

Thanks:)

[drheather]

I have bean on the system for 1 month and have seen improvement in excess hair.

I have not seen a change in my weight.

I excersise up to 2hrs a day(treadmill, weight resistance).
My diet mainly consist of fruit, vegitables, and chicken. I drink only water.
Do to allergies I can not eat: wheat(celiac disease), milk(lactose intolerance), sugars, peanuts, caffeine, fish, and high in starch foods.I choose not to eat any meat but chicken.

My gaol is to lose 30-40 pounds to weigh what I did a year ago.
Is there anything you could suggest to help me reach my goal.

Thanks:)

I am glad that you wrote in for support.

A couple things came to mind when I read your email. First, it is still pretty early on in the process. We know that weight can come on quick but tends to be a more stubborn when it comes to taking it off. I do feel that as you progress and as the insulin resistance is reduced you will start to see changes in this area. Keep in mind that we know that the System is working as you are seeing a reduction in hair. Have you had any other changes since beginning (energy, sleep, moods, menstruation, etc.)?

Also, have you starting to keep track of your daily intake of carbs? As you know we recommend between 60-80 grams. However, with your limitations and what you sent, it seems that you should be close to this. But that will depend on how much fruit and other grains you eat. I would recommend that you keep a food diary for 3-4 days with 2 weekdays and 2 weekend days and keep track of all your food/fluid intake and amounts. This can help give an accurate amount of carbs. The website www.fitday.com is easy to use for entering foods/quantities to give you daily calories, carbs, protein, fat, etc.

With having celiac, have you removed all wheat and gluten grains and products?

In addition, are you eating enough calories throughout the day to support weight loss? If they are too low below 1000-1200 calories it can make it more difficult. With PCOS, because of the insulin resistance the carb intake will be most important. Keep in mind that I understand that high calories do not promote weight loss either but in your case eating a balanced diet is best with adequate calories, healthy fats and proteins, lots of veggies moderate fruit intake.

The amount of exercise you are doign is a lot. Have you been doing this level for a while? If so I would recommend varying your routine, not by increasing time but intensity. This can give your metabolism a boost.

Let me know what you think. I know you are anxious to see changes and I do think you will but it can take some time.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

[mcqueen]

I do have more energy.

My celiac disease is pretty severe so I defidently do not consume any gluten or wheat.(I've had it for 4yrs).

I have exercised like this long before I had or was diagnosed with PCOS. I have always considered it more a hobbie than a chore. I defidently break a sweat. My thoughts are if your going to exercise for that long you better make it worth while other wise its just alot of time wasted. I usually do weight resistance for 1-1 1/2hrs(I dont rest but for 30sec between reps) and up to 40min of treadmill(I run and use incline).
I do try to mix it up so my body doesnt grow acustom to the rutean.
I defidently have visible muscle but like most my stomach is huge.

Out of all honesty I probablly eat up to 5 raw fruits a day. Do you think this could have something to do with my weight not budging.(mostly apples)

I have in the past calculated my calories(my eating is very similar only now I eat more fruit) and it was always between 800 to 1000. I assume I'm around 1250 a day. I will start to keep track though.

Thanks for the reply

[drheather]

I do have more energy.

My celiac disease is pretty severe so I defidently do not consume any gluten or wheat.(I've had it for 4yrs).

I have exercised like this long before I had or was diagnosed with PCOS. I have always considered it more a hobbie than a chore. I defidently break a sweat. My thoughts are if your going to exercise for that long you better make it worth while other wise its just alot of time wasted. I usually do weight resistance for 1-1 1/2hrs(I dont rest but for 30sec between reps) and up to 40min of treadmill(I run and use incline).
I do try to mix it up so my body doesnt grow acustom to the rutean.
I defidently have visible muscle but like most my stomach is huge.

Out of all honesty I probablly eat up to 5 raw fruits a day. Do you think this could have something to do with my weight not budging.(mostly apples)

I have in the past calculated my calories(my eating is very similar only now I eat more fruit) and it was always between 800 to 1000. I assume I'm around 1250 a day. I will start to keep track though.

Thanks for the reply

Hello,

Yes, I do think that the amount of fruit can have something to do with the lack of scale changes. Apples can range depending on type and size but can be up to 30 grams per apple. A medium apple is about 20 grams of carbohydrates. If you are eating 5 a day you have consumed about 100 grams just from fruit. We recommend about 2 servings of fruit a day and the lower glycemic fruits, of which apples fall into.

1250 calories a day is a good target. Let's see if reducing makes a difference and also determining your daily carb intake.

I look forward to hearing from you.

[mcqueen]

I've cut back my fruit to 2 1/2 to 3 a day. keeping track of my calories I've been between 900 and 1200 and for that weak I put on 6lb.

I'm not exagerating when I say I work out alot and I'm not exagerating when I say my calorie intake.

I'm at a loss. I'm very frustrated because I am willing to do anything to lose the weight. I'm not intimidated by hard work. But I just cant do it.

Any sugestions.

What I eat in a day-

5:30 am
2 eggs
2c red leaf lettuce
1 slice onoin
1 slice tomato
red wine vinegar
apple

9:30 am
6 slices raw cucumber
1 stalk raw celery
1c raw broccoli
red wine vinegar
lemon pepper

12 noon
1c red leaf lettuce
1 sl onion
1 sl tomato
2 eggs
red wine vinegar
(on occasion about 20 almonds)

3:30 pm
3oz skinless boneless chicken breat(baked)
2c veg (usually steamed cabbage or broccoli and cauliflour)
apple
(occasionally seasoned salt)

7:00 pm
apple
(occationally 8oz milk)

I drink about 40oz of water a day
I eat the same thing every day

[drheather]

I've cut back my fruit to 2 1/2 to 3 a day. keeping track of my calories I've been between 900 and 1200 and for that weak I put on 6lb.

I'm not exagerating when I say I work out alot and I'm not exagerating when I say my calorie intake.

I'm at a loss. I'm very frustrated because I am willing to do anything to lose the weight. I'm not intimidated by hard work. But I just cant do it.

Any sugestions.

What I eat in a day-

5:30 am
2 eggs
2c red leaf lettuce
1 slice onoin
1 slice tomato
red wine vinegar
apple

9:30 am
6 slices raw cucumber
1 stalk raw celery
1c raw broccoli
red wine vinegar
lemon pepper

12 noon
1c red leaf lettuce
1 sl onion
1 sl tomato
2 eggs
red wine vinegar
(on occasion about 20 almonds)

3:30 pm
3oz skinless boneless chicken breat(baked)
2c veg (usually steamed cabbage or broccoli and cauliflour)
apple
(occasionally seasoned salt)

7:00 pm
apple
(occationally 8oz milk)

I drink about 40oz of water a day
I eat the same thing every day

Hello,

I know it can be frustrating but your body will take time to adjust. Since you decreased the fruit intake, you may start to see some changes. If not, I would try to get it to about 2 small apples a day, or take one medium apple and have half during the day and half later with some protein.

Try to be more consistent with the calorie intake and around 1100-1200. I would also try to add in some additional protein as it seems to be lacking with snacks with the apple you may eat at night. You can add some low fat cheese with the apple. You can add in some nuts throughout the day or turkey, hummus, yogurt (plain) at lunch.

I would also aim for at least 2 liters of water a day.

One other consideration is to try to vary your diet a little. It may be that your body would do better with more variety. There are many great resources. One that I think is great is a book by Nancy Dunne, ND and the name of the book is The Natural Diet Solution for PCOS and Infertility. It has some great food lists and other information that is in line with our program.

Have you ever been tested for food allergies? This can sometimes affect attempts at weight loss?

Lastly, are you having regular bowel movements? With the high foods you are eating you should be having bowel movements at least once a day if not 2 or more.

Despite the lack of changes on the scale, you are doing a great job with diet and exercise. There are changes that are happening and that is what we want to see and what we want to continue to see. Please don't give up on this.

I will be looking forward to hearing from you.

[mcqueen]

Thanks for the reply I'll try your suggestions

[mcqueen]

so I went 3 days without fruit and gained 3lbs thats a pound a day. In the last 10 days that makes a total of 9 lbs gained.

I'm pretty sure something besides PCOS is wrong with me. I do have a huge hump on the back of my neck . The hump started when I was very thin so I know its not from fat. I did my own reshearch and found that cushings can have this. I made doctors test me and came back negative. Although it took 4 different blood test to finally show I had PCOS.

I'm not sure what to do 9lb in 10 days is alot of weight.

Do you think I'm doing something wrong or could something else be wrong.

[drheather]

so I went 3 days without fruit and gained 3lbs thats a pound a day. In the last 10 days that makes a total of 9 lbs gained.

I'm pretty sure something besides PCOS is wrong with me. I do have a huge hump on the back of my neck . The hump started when I was very thin so I know its not from fat. I did my own reshearch and found that cushings can have this. I made doctors test me and came back negative. Although it took 4 different blood test to finally show I had PCOS.

I'm not sure what to do 9lb in 10 days is alot of weight.

Do you think I'm doing something wrong or could something else be wrong.

Hello,

You are right this is unusual and I do think that it is a good idea to have further evaluation. It doesn't seem to me that you are doing something wrong with regard to the nutrition/exercise and the supplements.

The weight that you have gained is most likely water weight but none-the-less showing up and pretty quickly.

Also, I won't be able to tell you if the PCOS is the cause or if there is another reason for what is going on. Ultimately, you and your doctor will have to determine the cause based on your symptoms and appropriate testing.

Are you having regular bowel movements?

Have you ever had your thyroid function tested? This is done by looking at thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), T3 (active thyroid hormone), T4 inactive thyroid hormone. This can cause an increase in weight, and other symptoms similar to those in PCOS.

You already mentioned Cushing's disease and I am sure that you saw that this also can share similar symptoms as PCOS. One of the symptoms is a hump on the back of the neck, it is a fat deposit and it is called a buffalo hump.

What test did they do to rule this out? Often in addition to a person's symptoms, the initial tests done include blood cortisol/urine cortisol. If these come back elevated a dexamethasone suppression test is done to confirm the diagnosis of Cushing's disease or to rule this out. If you had a dexamethasone suppression test, certain drugs may affect the result and include birth control pills and spironolactone. I mention this because these are commonly used in the treatment of PCOS.

This hump on the back of the neck can also be associated with some medications, obesity and if a person has osteoporosis that can lead to the spine curving more and making a hump more apparent.

These are two conditions that can lead to weight gain but there are others to consider.

Do you have any other new symptoms such as shortness of breath, feeling your heart beat, cough, fatigue or feeling faint, change in urinary habits? These can be related to your heart and kidney and if you have these, I would contact your doctor. Your doctor will most likely ask you questions about these symptoms since rapid weight gain can be a sign of more serious conditions.

I think it is a good idea to contact your doctor regardless to see if there is anything else going on that is causing the weight gain.

With that being said, I have worked with women with PCOS that have gained weight more rapidly due to water retention. PCOS alone can cause this. But since it is new to you, it deserves attention.

Please let me know how you are doing and if anything changes in the next week or so. In the meantime, I recommend that you continue the supplements and the nutrition and exercise aspects.

Also, if there is anything I can do to support you, feel free to let me know.

[mcqueen]

I would like to say thank you so much for being concerned about my symptoms.

when I was tested for cushings it was a 24hr urine collection. Doctors never mentions my birth control or spirolactine I take could interfere.

I do have new symptoms. I have alot of skipped beats with my heart or it feels as though its slows abruply. I have developed a cough that feels deep in my lungs, I find I have to go to the bathroom more often and I am defidently short of breath. I feel as though somedays when I even get changed I feel winded.

I have been to 2 different specialist in endocrinology and both said if I am exercising like I am and eating what I say I would weigh 80lbs so I must be lieing( thay would not listen to me they had there minds made up). I went to a nutritionist (specializing in PCOS) she would only see me every 4months. I have seen about every family doctor in my area and all say the same thing I must be lieing. ( even though they all know I have PCOS). Ive also seen a gynocologist and her responce was whats the big deal 1 in 10 women get PCOS so theres nothing to worry about.

I was the one that discovered an add in a magazine about PCOS my doctors just stuck with the your fat cause your eating to much. When I showed the doctors they wouldn't even concider it. It took months of my persistenc for them to test me and after being tested 4 times it came back positive. And still they feel its that I eat to much.

My point being I'm at the end of a rope no one will believe me. I have no doctor to go to. I've had several doctors suggest I should see a phyciatrist or ask if I have ever had mental problems.

I wouldn't even know were to go for help. I know theirs something wrong but just no one to help me.

Any suggestions?

[drheather]

I would like to say thank you so much for being concerned about my symptoms.

when I was tested for cushings it was a 24hr urine collection. Doctors never mentions my birth control or spirolactine I take could interfere.

I do have new symptoms. I have alot of skipped beats with my heart or it feels as though its slows abruply. I have developed a cough that feels deep in my lungs, I find I have to go to the bathroom more often and I am defidently short of breath. I feel as though somedays when I even get changed I feel winded.

I have been to 2 different specialist in endocrinology and both said if I am exercising like I am and eating what I say I would weigh 80lbs so I must be lieing( thay would not listen to me they had there minds made up). I went to a nutritionist (specializing in PCOS) she would only see me every 4months. I have seen about every family doctor in my area and all say the same thing I must be lieing. ( even though they all know I have PCOS). Ive also seen a gynocologist and her responce was whats the big deal 1 in 10 women get PCOS so theres nothing to worry about.

I was the one that discovered an add in a magazine about PCOS my doctors just stuck with the your fat cause your eating to much. When I showed the doctors they wouldn't even concider it. It took months of my persistenc for them to test me and after being tested 4 times it came back positive. And still they feel its that I eat to much.

My point being I'm at the end of a rope no one will believe me. I have no doctor to go to. I've had several doctors suggest I should see a phyciatrist or ask if I have ever had mental problems.

I wouldn't even know were to go for help. I know theirs something wrong but just no one to help me.

Any suggestions?

I am sorry to hear about your experience in dealing with the medical profession. I can't tell you how many times I have heard from women that their doctors told then to stop eating so much or that they don't believe that they are not overeating. This is not acceptable. Remember, it is your body and it is important to listen to it and if you think something is not right, then you need to find a doctor who is willing to get to the bottom of it.

One place that may provide some information on doctors that specialize in PCOS is the PCOS Association. They have a "professional directory" on their web site that lists various health care providers that have shown a commitment to PCOS. These doctors should have a better understanding of PCOS and the risks that are associated with it. They are listed by state: http://www.pcosupport.or/membership/professionals.php

I would encourage you to not give up in finding someone to help. I think with the new symptoms, it is important to be evaluated.

Please keep me posted and let me know if I can help further.

[mcqueen]

The web site you gave me is no longer avalible. Do you have another site that could help.

Thanks

[drheather]

The web site you gave me is no longer avalible. Do you have another site that could help.

Thanks

Sorry about that. I am not sure what has happened. I could not get there either and checked and rechecked. I am going to try to contact them and see if there is a problem with their site. I will also see if I can find another resource for you as well.

I will be in touch ASAP.

[drheather]

Sorry about that. I am not sure what has happened. I could not get there either and checked and rechecked. I am going to try to contact them and see if there is a problem with their site. I will also see if I can find another resource for you as well.

I will be in touch ASAP.

Hello,

I hope that you had a nice weekend. I just wanted to follow up with you regarding the link. We contacted the association and yep, having some website issues that they are working on. We are hoping that they are remedied soon. Please check back in a few days if you don't mind. I am not sure of another listing of PCOS practitioners at this time.

Sorry for the inconvenience.