How to Lose Weight with PCOS.

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It can be frustrating having Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome but it's not impossible to manage.

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PCOS actually affects about 10% of US women and almost half of those women also have insulin resistance. Together this can make it MUCH harder to lose weight and much easier. People don't take PCOS into consideration when they say calories in/calories out and talk about how simple it is and how it is the same for EVERYONE.

No it isn't. If you have PCOS you may have noticed irregular weight gain even though you are eating within your calories and staying active. Especially gain around the belly. It can also cause male pattern hair growth, hair loss or thinning, lower libido, and irregular periods. If you suffer from some of these things please check with your doctor. Many women also have no symptoms so it's a good idea to get yourself checked out regardless.

For us, it IS NOT that simple. I originally gained quite a bit after I got IC because I had to stop being really active like I had been before but I eventually realized it was also due to PCOS. Eating carbs and refined sugar with PCOS will make you gain weight EVEN when you are eating maintencance calories because our bodies doesn't know what to do with them and converts them straight to fat. Combine that with the possible insulin resistance and ergh....it can be very frustrating.

Be honest with yourself about your diet.

There will probably be a stage of denial. I continued eating carbs and having the occasional beers and putting sugar in my tea but eventually when I was 200lbs!! I had to admit something needed to change. Over the past few weeks I cut out almost all carbs. Not entirely. I had a little pasta on a few days but most days are carb free and I have already lost 11lbs. So am now in the 180s! Never thought I would be happy about that but I was really getting to an unhealthy weight so seeing it steadily decline is awesome. You just have to really commit to low carb and low sugar and really maintain calories.

DON'T worry about healthy fats!

Seriously, these are not an issue for PCOS. I eat nuts and avocado and olive oil every day. Healthy fats are GOOD refined fats are bad. You also do want to avoid fried foods. ( ._.) I haven't had stir-fry since changing my diet and used to have it every day. But a bit of olive oil on your food is healthy!

Checklist.

• No carbs or low carbs!

• NO ALCOHOL!

• Cut out that sugar. I know it's hard. Try liquid stevia!

• Stop eating fried foods.

• Try to majorly cut down on overly-processed foods.

To help naturally regulate your hormones:

• Eat healthy fats!

• use holy basil.

• Up the ginseng intake!

• Balance your omega 3 and omaga 6 intake!

• Improve your gut by eating anti-inflammatory foods.

(I'll do a blog on this soon)

• Get more physical activity!

• Get more sleep!

These are all the steps I took. I also happen to be vegan but that actually makes it harder because instead of lean meats and fish I have to use beans for protein so if you are pescetarian or stick to lean meat you will notice much weight loss! I also had to cut out soy when I realized it really is an IC trigger. :O So, I will have to order mega protein powder, hemp hearts, and nutritional yeast to compensate.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race!

Even though my first 10 pounds dropped fast I am actually eating up to 1,500 calories a day and only planning for a 1 pound loss a week. I was shocked at how much I lost! It is probably just because I was obese. My weight loss will slow down when I get closer to my healthy weight. Just keep being patient. If you hit a rut maybe try working out in a new way. If you are disabled and can't much work out -like me- perhaps just accept the 10 or 15 over your IDEAL weight. I used to try to get back to my 21 year old weight. I was wearing like a size 4. I don't do that anymore. My body just doesn't want to be there. With PCOS 145 seems to be my new ideal weight. And it even looked good on me. I just am not going to be 125 and that's okay.

Your appetite will regulate!

At first it was REALLY hard. I had headaches and hunger pains. Now if I even attempt to eat portions like I used to with a lot of carbs omg....I can't do it. My appetite has totally changed and now I am satisfied with my 3-5 smaller healthy meals a day. I actually feel much better than before! Less sluggish and heavy feeling. I was consistently eating until I was FULL but we really just need to eat until not hungry. Satisfied is different than stuffed. Stick with Satisfied. Although every 10lbs of weight loss I let myself have a carby delight. :)