weight

[Daisy425]

hi I’m 25 and have recently been diagnosed with PCOS and insulin resistance. I have been trying so hard to lose weight but I can’t seem to despite working out four times a week and seeing a nutritionist. My endocrinologist wants me to take weight loss medicine but I’m very afraid of the side effects and I don’t feel like I’m even that big. I’m 5’4 and weigh 175. I know I could lose weight. Last year I lost ten pounds but immediately gained it back with no change in diet or exercise. Not sure what happened. I do take metformin to help with the insulin reistence but idk if it’s doing anything. I’m just so frustrated and upset with my body.

[halfamo]

Hi Daisy425

Firstly I have great sympathy for what you are going through, and I appreciate how frustrated you are feeling.

I am now 60 and I have been fighting all the things that come with PCOS since puberty. PCOS definitely does not disappear when we reach menopause, so it is a lifelong journey.

I have found that life changes had a massive affect on my weight, but at the time did not realise it. I was always overweight as a child, but none of my siblings were. I left school at 16 and within 2 years I lost the weight I had been carrying, but had not done anything consciously. When I was 25 I moved in to my first house and within the next few years my weight increased dramatically. Looking back I was probably eating more convenience food than at home, so it would have been full of carbs and inflammatory. At 37 I did go to see a nutritionist recommended by my consultant and again managed to lose the excess weight in just over 3 years. Kept this off for about 10 years and then crept up, but this accelerated during lockdown and due to menopause issues.

I have tried to lose weight since the beginning of 2022 currently take Metformin (1500mg) slow release for insulin resistance and see an endocrinologist every 6 months. I tried the same methods which had helped me lose weight previously, but they did not appear to be having much if any effect, so the endocrinologist persuaded me to try Metformin again. I had tried it many years ago, but didn't feel It had any benefit. I have been taking it for about a year now. Previously the endocrinologist tried to persuade me to use Orlistat, but the side affects can be particularly unpleasant.

I have currently lost about 33lbs, but I have moved to intermittent fasting, so unsure as to how much effect Metformin has had on this loss if any.

If my insulin resistance was improving I was also hoping to see improvement on my facial hair growth, but that has not been the case.

Previously the endocrinologist tried to persuade me to use Orlistat, but the side affects can be particularly unpleasant.

The issue with exercise is that it raises Cortisol, which is a stress hormone and affects insulin levels. This in turn can make your insulin resistance worse. It is not unusual for people with PCOS to see no benefit from vigorous exercise. Cardio exercise has never been a factor when I have lost weight in the past. A walk after eating can be more beneficial as this helps to regulate insulin levels, but keeps Cortisol lower. Another form of exercise is to do some slow weight exercise (you do not need to become a body builder) as this can also improve insulin levels. When you increase muscle in your body this helps take up the excess insulin.

My advice would be have a look at trying intermittent fasting, and this does not have to be in the strictest form. Even delaying breakfast for 2 hours can have a benefit.

Take a look at nutritional information on food packets as this can be an eye opener to the amount of hidden carbs in many foods that are otherwise considered healthy. Look at information about how supplements such as vitamin D and fish oil can also improve insulin resistance.

There are many interesting videos on Youtube, instagram etc which give a good insight in to the affects of insulin resistance. I wish this information had been available when I was diagnosed.

You can only try your best with what is available to you. It is just as important to just enjoy your life.

Good luck

,

[Hidden]

Hey! Think me and you are in the same boat

I would suggest low carbs and weight training (loads of PCOS friendly workouts on YouTube)

Cardio causes you stress level to rise which makes you levels all out of whack … so I would suggest low cardio but more weight training

[VL2812]

Which weight loss medicine did your endocrinologist suggest?

[Lindzih]

What halfamo said intermittent fasting and less intense exercise is a good. I was similar height and size to you followed 5:2 sometime ago when it first was tried by Michael Moseley, and felt much better for it. Now I try one day a week too reduce calories and a couple of other days to reduce eating window, so aim start late finish eating early. In beginning if I felt a craving on a fasting day I went to bed, as it's usually those late night ones that get you. Try to do a briskish walk few times a week, I found when away last year walking after dinner for around half an hour really did help and wanted to bring that into life back at home but it's not worked out that way. Best of luck

[SupportPCOS]

Safe and effective treatment options for weight loss in PCOS exist!

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