I'm wondering if there are any here who have controlled their insulin and pcos with diet and exercise alone? Not to exclude natural remedies, but definately excluding medications? Right now I'm desperate to drop the Metformin and increase my exercise and take whatever supplements I need to stay off Metformin. I guess I'm just wondering, can we stay healthy with the right levels without the use of medication? Any advice and tips very, very welcome.
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While no one can predict that you can control 'all' aspects of pcos without meds, it's safe to say that you can certainly make some VERY dramatic changes with a solid diet program and a solid exercise program.
If you're going to 'sort of eat better' and 'kind of workout 2-3x a week', your chances are slim, but the cysters at FitCysters.com are losing weight and coming back with 'normal' lab reports from their doctors because they're really doing what needs to be done.
If you're ready workout regularly in a 'no excuses' environment, come on over to FitCysters.
(We keep 'diet' chat here at Soul Cysters, but there really isn't much to be said about diet: Pick a healthy one, count your calories, stick to the program)
I'm ditto-ing everything Katt just posted. I managed to get normal labs with just diet and exercise (though I did have to do a round of provera this January to reset my cycle since I was having some irregularities and lemme tell you, provera=no fun).
You can find a link to my story in my signature (it's posted on www.fitcysters.com and you'll have to register to read it... it's a GREAT site and a wonderful source of support for cysters looking to get fit).
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I haven't managed to get 100% normal lab results yet, but my lab results have definitely gotten better. My insulin is now fine, but my androgens are still on the high side, which is why I take Yaz.
I think even if you can't resolve your insulin 100% your body will still be a lot better off with an increased exercise regime.
Absolutely. But like Kat said you have to be committed. I tried for a long time exercising just 2-3 days a week and semi-following a diet...it doesn't work. I tried metformin in the beginning but I didn't stick with it. I did lose weight, but only because I was either pooping or so nauseated and when I did eat, I had to run straight to the bathroom. No thanks! Most of my symptoms have subsided with my lifestyle change in what I eat and exercise.
I tried for a long time exercising just 2-3 days a week and semi-following a diet...it doesn't work. I tried metformin in the beginning but I didn't stick with it. I did lose weight, but only because I was either pooping or so nauseated and when I did eat, I had to run straight to the bathroom. No thanks! Most of my symptoms have subsided with my lifestyle change in what I eat and exercise.
While I've never had blood sugar issues or been IR, I did get my hormones completely in check by following a strict diet and exercising. When I was dx'd with pcos 12 years ago, I was 75 pounds overweight, had multiple cysts of all sizes on my ovaries, had not had a cycle in over 2 years, my testosterone was very high, and my estrogen and progesterone levels came back in the "menopausal range." The only remedy that was talked about for treatment for me was bc pills, which I took for about 6 months. I hated the way they made me feel and I was gaining even more weight. So, with encouragement from my parents (I was 18 at the time), I started a new eating lifestyle program that was offered through my church at the time. It was very, very strict in both type of food and calorie restriction. I had always been active so I wanted to incorporate exercise into it, and it helped that I worked at a fitness center and was able to get a good exercise program together. I lost about 50 pounds with that program and then switched to WW as I felt it was more manageable as a long term way of eating. Up until I started fertility treatments in 2006, I maintained a 54 lb weight loss and was cycling on my own. I did go on metformin for awhile as it was the protocol for women with pcos ttc in my RE clinic, but I never stayed on it for long. When I get down to a certain weight and am consistently exercising, my body does start cycling on its own and my hormones are in check. I participate in a "bootcamp" exercise program through my gym (I've been doing that since last August).
Sorry, that ended up being very long-winded
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Thanks so much everyone for your replies! Its just what I needed to hear. I love working out and I'm committed to it but I'm adding in another 30 minutes a day starting this week and revamping my diet. I went today and got cinnamon, chromium picolinate, flax seeds and a better multivitamin. I'm LOVIN FitCysters.com, total kick in the butt. I'm supposed to go back for repeat labs in Seeptember, so I'm looking for improvment. Thanks everyone! The articles are so helpful.
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as Kat and others have said...you've GOT to be committed to both diet and exercise...you really have to have the right mindset underpinning it all to convince yourself that it will work and that you can stick with it. And you have to be willing to make permanent changes. And remember that it takes some time to get started and to see results. But, let me tell you, once those results (physical and otherwise) start showing up you'll be so motivated you won't be able to stop! You'll get hooked like I am...I'm training for a marathon right now...234.5 pound to running 26.2 miles...go figure!
(I was just at the doctor - I lost all of my weight without meds of any sort and just diet [horray NutriSystem!] and a whole lotta exercise [don't forget weight training]- and all of my levels are in the low healthy range. The best part, though, was when the nurse took my pulse and my resting pulse rate was 46. I was a little alarmed that it was so low but she just looked up at me and said 'you're a runner, aren't you?')
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I've hit my goal (er, passed it up a bit!) - 102.5 pounds lost thanks to following Nutrisystem and exercising...and sticking with it!
I'd been overweight since adolescence and I've maintained my weight loss (current weight: 135 pounds) for 2 years and am (finally!) officially used to being thin.
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The best part, though, was when the nurse took my pulse and my resting pulse rate was 46. I was a little alarmed that it was so low but she just looked up at me and said 'you're a runner, aren't you?')
That's awesome, Julia!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by julia_sometimes
...you really have to have the right mindset underpinning it all to convince yourself that it will work and that you can stick with it.
So true!
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Hey, SoulCysters! Need to eat more veggies, but can't find recipes??
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Promise, I forgot to mention that when I initially lost 90 pounds following my pcos diagnosis, I didn't do it on 'no meds'. I was on flutamide (an anti-androgen) for several months.
But I wasn't on bcp's or any metformin (I hadn't even heard of metformin until years later.)
While flutamide probably had zero impact on my weight loss (compared to what I was actually 'doing' on a daily basis), there's some research to suggest that flutamide might have impacted the amount of visceral fat (ie belly fat) I lost. See the links here: QUICK LINKS: PCOS and Losing BELLY FAT
Years later, I gained 50 pounds (after a job and lifestyle change) and that time I took the weight off with no meds.
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Hey, SoulCysters! Need to eat more veggies, but can't find recipes??
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hey guys, I'm back. sorry to hijack this thread but the OP said she went and bought Chromium. I dont want to go back on Metformin ( Endo is telling me to because i have put on 15 pounds since i got off it) but i asked my dietician if there were alternatives and she suggested Chromium. Any thoughts?
[quote=Belini;1889957835I dont want to go back on Metformin ( Endo is telling me to because i have put on 15 pounds since i got off it) but i asked my dietician if there were alternatives and she suggested Chromium. Any thoughts?[/QUOTE]
See the BOTTOM of this thread for additional alternatives to met:
Julia--how long each day and how many times a week do you run. I just started walking. I walked 7 miles today. I'm thinking that is too much. Maybe I should be walking less and running for weight loss?
Can it be done with NO MEDS? 
