Ugh, more weight loss drama for me!

[Cheyenne_08]

Hey ladies! I just found out today that I have PCOS! So, losing weight is going to be harder for me than I had hoped. It has always been hard for me to lose weight (now I know why) but I am considering the South Beach Diet. Anyone have good luck with that diet? I already work out, so now I just need to make sure my diet is in check. I have been counting calories and staying under 1300 but I don't think that is going to be most effective for me now that I know that i have severe PCOS. Doc told me that my testosterone level was high, even for a man!! So, as a woman, that didn't make me feel too great lol Anyways, just wanted to post and say UGH!!!!

[Cheyenne_08]

Doc wanted me to start off at 1,000mg a day, but decided to let me take 500mg a day for 35 days and then go to the 1,000mg pill. I just feel like c.r.a.p and its not cool! lol but I will survive!

[Barb135]

I've never been on metformin, but I've read that if you start out taking only 1/2 the prescribed dosage, the side effects aren't so bad.  Might be worth a try.  

Good luck and have a Merry Christmas.

[Cheyenne_08]

Ugh, I spoke too soon! One of the side effects just kicked in!

[Skailark]

Hi! I am sorry to hear about the condition...but hey let that not stop you from waht yopu want to achieve! This is a great place for you to get motivation and share information.
Keep going and know that we are all here for you whenever you need us!

[Cheyenne_08]

Thanks guys! I was put on Metformin yesterday and took my first pill last night. Hoping I don't get any of the bad side effects!

[msniki412]

Did your doctor give you metformin? iI too have PCOS, and was put on metformin and birth control pills. I have lost 34lbs since 9/14. Good luck with your diet. Losing just 5 to 10% of your body weight can improve the signs of PCOS.

[Ranaesheart]

Sorry to hear you have PCOS but you can still lose weight with it; albeit a little more difficult.  I have had PCOS throughout my life and lost weight on 1,300 to 1,400 calories a day and ate healthy and a lot of food and managed to stay relatively satiated and full most of the time.  

I've not tried the "true" South Beach diet but have bought and eaten some of their products, which I found to be quite tasty.  For me, I found that eating more proteins kept me feeling full longer and selecting whole grains and complex carbs helped as well.  Of course, fresh fruits and vegetables helped along with low-fat dairy.

Have not always found high testosterone levels to be such a bad thing .. and know you can do this in spite of PCOS.  We're all here to help.

Barb always is a wealth of information and has much great advice to share.  Hope you both have a wonderful holiday .. we'll be kicking off the new year and have some great things planned for everyone to support us throughout 2009 .. like a year long challenge.

Holiday (((Hugs)))
Ranae

[khendrick]

Sorry to hear about the PCOS.  Did they put you on any medication?

My friend tried the south beach diet and lost 15 pounds.  She liked the diet.  I don't have the willpower to cut carbs like that lol.

[Barb135]

There are some in this community who have been/are on the South Beach diet and from what I hear it's worth trying.  I'm considering it for myself.  

I've also read quite a few articles that say some doctors prescribe metformin for PCOS and that helps them lose weight.  Metformin is a drug typically used for type II diabetes, but apparently works well for PCOS as well.  I also know a couple of people who are on it for diabetes or pre-diabetes and they've lost a lot of weight also.  Might be worth checking into.  

At any rate - continue to eat healthy and exercise - you will need that no matter what med you might get.  

Good luck and come back regularly.