No weight loss after 3 months

[erinio]

I purchased a 3 months supply of the PCOS Insulite supplements in January and have taken them religiously for the past 3 months. Never have I been so good about taking pills, in fact, I would regularly miss my BCPs when I was on them in the past. But I was determined to kick my PCOS to the curb!

Already, I was eating a low carb/low GI diet and was basically on par with your dietary suggestions. I also work out at least 5 hours a week (and have been doing so for three years now). Running, serious strength training and yoga.

Now, my pills are running out and I haven't lost a single lb. My weight gain (about 15-20 lbs) from the onset of my PCOS after stopping BCPs is at least stable, but it was that way before the pills. I do think I ovulated once during the past three months (a first for me in a long time), but my cycle is still irregular (+40 days).

I'd like to continue with the system because I'm hopeful with having ovulated once, my cycles may finally be on track, but the fact that I have not had any success with weightloss and the cost of the system, I'm tempted to give up.

What do you think? Should I continue on the pills?

[drheather]

I purchased a 3 months supply of the PCOS Insulite supplements in January and have taken them religiously for the past 3 months. Never have I been so good about taking pills, in fact, I would regularly miss my BCPs when I was on them in the past. But I was determined to kick my PCOS to the curb!

Already, I was eating a low carb/low GI diet and was basically on par with your dietary suggestions. I also work out at least 5 hours a week (and have been doing so for three years now). Running, serious strength training and yoga.

Now, my pills are running out and I haven't lost a single lb. My weight gain (about 15-20 lbs) from the onset of my PCOS after stopping BCPs is at least stable, but it was that way before the pills. I do think I ovulated once during the past three months (a first for me in a long time), but my cycle is still irregular (+40 days).

I'd like to continue with the system because I'm hopeful with having ovulated once, my cycles may finally be on track, but the fact that I have not had any success with weightloss and the cost of the system, I'm tempted to give up.

What do you think? Should I continue on the pills?

Hello and thanks for writing in. Hmm, I would have expected to see some weight loss. But if you came off of the birth control in the last couple months this can be affecting losing weight.

You said you are doing well with exercise and are following the nutrition recommendations. Are you within the 60-80 grams of carbs a day? You can send me a diet diary of a few days to see if there are changes that may help. Or you can enter your food intake into www.fitday.com to see if you are within the guidelines.

In addition, the System is still helping to control the hormone imbalance even though it is still not on a 28-32 days cycle. I would encourage you to continue. The hormones can take time to change. We often recommend a minimum of 6 months. In some cases, women see changes quicker and others, 3 month is not long enough.

There are a few ways to tell whether or not you may be ovulating. One is the presence of regular menses. Other signs of ovulation include a shift in the basal body temperature and the presence of fertile cervical fluid (also called "egg white" mucus or spinnbarkeit). You can read more about how to monitor your fertility signs by reading the book “Taking Charge of Your Fertility, 10th Anniversary Edition: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement, and Reproductive Health” by Toni Weschler. I highly recommend reading this book because you will definitely gain a better understanding of your body and optimizing your chances of becoming pregnant. You may also want to check out the following website regarding the Fertility Awareness Method: http://www.ovusoft.com/libr /primer002.asp

One way to track your progress is taking your basal body temperature. By doing this you will be able to see if you are ovulating or not. To do this take your temperature under your arms each morning BEFORE rising from bed with a basal body thermometer. Approximately midway through your cycle, depending on how long your cycle is, you should see a rise (around 1 degree F) for 3 days. If so, this is an indication that you have ovulated. Which is great news, because ovulation means you are releasing an egg to be fertilized for conception!

I will be looking forward to hearing from you so that we can help you reach your goals.

[LamiaZafrani]

I was having similar problems, but to be honest, ive just had a rough 3 months with regards to stress and illness of my younger sister, as well as university related stress, so my gym workouts went out the window over the last 2 months, so i wasnt expecting to have any weight loss plus i have a normal bmi of 23 (but want to lose the 14lbs i have put on in the last 2 years) so again i wasnt expecting miracles in terms of weight loss!, but I have been taking them for 3 months, and generally i feel better and my acne and hair thinning have improved! I know that something must be working slowly, so i would carry on. You seem to have it bang on, eating right, taking them properly and exercising, hang in there:)

[LamiaZafrani]

In addition, the System is still helping to control the hormone imbalance even though it is still not on a 28-32 days cycle. I would encourage you to continue. The hormones can take time to change. We often recommend a minimum of 6 months. In some cases, women see changes quicker and others, 3 month is not long enough.

I was just wondering, can you have a longer than 32 day cycle and be normal hormonally?

[drheather]

I was just wondering, can you have a longer than 32 day cycle and be normal hormonally?

Hello,

Thanks for your support and contributions to the forum.

Yes, some women have a longer cycle and have normal hormone levels. But if you have PCOS, likely if your cycle is longer than 32-34 days, there is some imbalance.

Now, there can be variation from month to month. Some women with no hormone imbalances can have a month every now and again, can have a longer or shorter cycle.

I hope that this helps. Please let me know if I can help further.