New to PCOS

[circlen]

So after years of trying to get my weight sorted, battling terrible facial hair and confidence, self esteem and depression, I finally saw a doctor (for something else) and he told me I had PCOS.

So to give some better background, I have been battling my weight for years and years. I have had a series of unfortunate times during puberty which saw me on steroids for 6 months for asthma, followed by 3 years on and off crutches for a complicated ankle injury. I have tried several diets over the years, Atkins, 5:2, cut out fat etc. I have always been as active as I can.

Now, since moving from London, I am at my most active and what I consider to be healthiest. I play rugby, I've joined a gym and am doing the couch to 5k. My diet is full of veg and low GI stuff (call me mad but I adore brown rice), I am very active at work. I drink 2 cups of coffee each weekday and yet nothing has shifted. Infact I have put on half a stone since September but that might be the jiggle in my thighs turning to muscle (love that cos my legs look great). I want to lose the belly, and my arms are toning up nicely, but it is so frustrating.

So my question is this, as this is news to me (I was not told of the diagnosis) are there anything that I can be doing to help myself? Or anything I have missed? I am due to have a contraceptive check so will be discussing it then

[greengreen]

Hi

With exercises and playing sport such as rugby I'm sure weight gain is purely natural as you are making muscle.

Ideal to may be speak to a personal trainer in that sense.

As for having PCOS

Its great go read books such as woman code or it starts with an egg. They are not only for women who are trying to conceive but are full of information in PCOS and how to manage it.

You might also want to get tested incase you are deficient in any nutrients.

Do hope you get your answers soon

[circlen in reply to greengreen]

Thank you.

[AHar18]

I’m waiting to be diagnosed with PCOS but having spoken to friends and done reading, it seems the key is to eat foods that are low sugar and regular (4/5) small meals a day as people with PCOS foods are more insulin resistant, leading to weight gain.

As I said, this is only what I’ve found from talking to friends with the condition and reading over the last few weeks... but I don’t know, maybe give it a try?

[circlen in reply to AHar18]

Thank you, our diet at home is surprisingly good. We tend to stick to brown rice and pasta, I don't do bread and have changed up what I eat at work. I just find it so frustrating that everything I do has seen no difference. Even portion sizes have changed... Maybe this is one for a food diary and the doctor. On a brighter note, I surprised myself yesterday and did the couch to 5k week one run (have been unwell so starting again) and did an extra 3min run on top of it. This was after cycling to the gym.

[Hols969]

Oh the lovely belly fat that is impossible to shift ..... look at theanswertopcos diet as it is the only diet I have lost weight on and maintained it pretty well for 10 years. I am a stone more than I was in my 20s which I am happy with so I no longer have huge belly fat just a bit (but it is face or waist in my opinion now as I am nearly 50 so a bit of extra weight helps!)