PCOS Message Board - Diet & Exercise

Exercise Question (personal)

freckles314 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:11:37 GMT

I have been changing my lifestyle to a more healthy one. Since July 2008 I have lost around 60lbs. April 2009 I started Clomid as dh and I are TTC. I stopped the clomid after 3 unsuccessful rounds. Last month, dh and I completed an IUI which also failed. But since starting Clomid, EVERY TIME I exercise vigoriously I start bleeding vaginally. Sometimes it's like spotting, others it's nearing full flow, but stops pretty quickly.

I have talked to my doctor twice. The first time he pretty much dismissed my concern and said that exercise was incredibly important and I needed to continue, and the second time, he said that I wasn't responding well to the medicine.

Well I have ANOTHER doctors appointment in a week and a half, to discuss this. But I was wondering if anyone else had ever experienced this?

THANKS!!

I cant stop eating!?

pzsept06mama — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:22:15 GMT

I know this sounds ridiculous... but I can't... I can feel my full mark but I keep thinking I NEED to eat more... what do I do!?!?!?! I feel horrible. Today other office staff were ordering out so I made the dumb move of ordering out as well... Crispy chicken pita - ugh white pita and deep fried chicken. Ive felt horrible ALL afternoon. :(

How can I cut my portions in half and STOP and not go back for 2nds... help!!!

Soy Milk???

Weeza — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:21:51 GMT

I recently heard that Soy Milk mimics estrogen and I decided to buy it and try it out because I thought it might help considering I have higher testosterone levels and all of the high testosterone related symptoms of PCOS. But now I'm confused because when I try to do research on it, there are no concrete answers. Half of what I read says it's good for you and helps you and the other half says to stay away from it. Can someone please shed some light on this? Has anyone had any PCOS improvements by drinking soy milk?

Work Out Music

Jenn29456 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:34:16 GMT

I need suggestions for an awesome workout cd and or songs. I am trying to load my Ipod for my new adventure at the gym.

TIA

I need a whole LOT of motivation

octoberlightning — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:52:40 GMT

Ever since I found out I had PCOS I've lost 28 lbs. (it's been at least 5 months) but that was only at the start when I couldn't eat hardly anything while I was taking spironolactone. I stopped that medicine, and thankfully I didn't gain the weight back, but I want to lose more than just that amount.

I have no self-esteem what so ever b/c of PCOS and my weight. I constantly eat junk food and fast food...mainly b/c I still live with my parents and that's all they buy (just so you know, both of my parents are considered very obese for their height...so you can see where I'm coming from). I even started drinking Dr. Pepper again when I stopped for at least a month and a half whenever I lost all that weight.

How can I work on losing weight if all the motivation I got around my house is "what do you want to eat" (from some fast food place)? I need a little help from buddies around here to help me get some motivation to bug my parents to buy healthy food for me and start exercising with me...I use to walk 20 min. a day, 3 times a week...now I don't even do that anymore. And I need motivation myself to get back to eating decent food & not drinking so many carbonated drinks & to exercise again.

Slim in 6 + Me = slimmer me???

socaldevildoc22 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:45:33 GMT

Exactly a week ago I bit the bullet and used some of my savings to buy the Slim in 6 system. I work as a nurse so I work crazy hectic hours with never a set schedule except typically my late nights are free so I wanted something I could do from home. Also I hate gyms. I feel so self conscious there. You see all these buff hot men and skinny bitty women and its like they are looking at you the fluffy one and judging you. Plus its not like in my small town we have a 24 Hour Fitness Center on every other corner so typically most facilities are closed by the time I get back across town. I am going to start it Monday. I didn't buy all the extra pills and garbage they try to sell with it. I just wanted the CD's and Resistance band. You can always upgrade the band cheaper through a sporting goods store ya know. And I figure that is exactly what I will do. Keep doing the system with a band that offers more resistance after the initial 6 weeks. I have my multivitamin and herbal supplements that I take so I figure that ought to be good enough for me. I just wanted to say I was trying it out and I am going to start a weight loss journal and see where I end up 6 weeks from now. Cross your finger's gals!!

I need some motivation...

StarBlaze — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:45:00 GMT

Ok I have been doing really well for the past month and a half with my walking. I have been walking for about an hour each day with my dogs... up until a couple of weeks ago. I had to have my boxer euthanized on October 30th because he had a cancer that ruptured and caused 7 pounds of fluid to fill his abdomen. I have taken the other two walking once since then, but it was so hard because it just brought back memories of Tyson. So I have found myself making excuses to not walk since then, and I can really tell it is making me fall back into old habits. I had a total munch day this past week, and I have been sleeping more and just generally being more listless. I've done well too, because I have dropped a pant size and a belt notch since I started walking. Any one have suggestions on how I can get past this? I really need to get back at it.

Article: Rev Up Your Metabolism

februarystar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:32:14 GMT

(note... it doesnt mention PCOS... but it does mention genetics and how you can overcome a 'slower metabolism'!)

From Mindfood

Some people are blessed with a speedy metabolism and a svelte-like figure to boot. However, through diet and lifestyle changes you can make your body work better for you.

She�s the envy of every woman. The svelte, reed-like nymph who eats chocolate, cakes and takeaways with gay abandon  � and never gains a single ounce of weight. And then there�s you, who just looks at a piece of chocolate cake and says goodbye to wriggling into your jeans forever. Do you ever wonder what the difference is between the two of you? While genetics definitely influence our tendency to gain weight, it�s, thankfully, not all about genes. How readily we gain weight is also influenced by our metabolism, and in particular our basal metabolic rate or BMR.

Metabolism is the name given to myriad chemical reactions that occur in every cell in our body, changing energy from food into energy used to power every aspect of staying alive and moving. At any one time, thousands of different metabolic reactions are occurring in your body.

The basal metabolism is the greediest of these metabolic processes. The BMR is the amount of energy your body requires to perform all its basic �staying alive� functions, such as beating the heart, breathing, keeping your brain alive and warming your body � it is your kilojoule requirement at rest, doing nothing but the biological tasks of staying alive.

Your BMR accounts for around 70 per cent of the kilojoules you burn every day. The rest of your metabolic energy is used for digestion and assimilation of nutrients; and physical activity.

If your body is able to perform its basal metabolic functions efficiently, burning through a minimum of energy, it means that your total daily energy requirements are likely to be low. Combine a low BMR with a love of chocolate cake and little exercise, and you have the perfect recipe for weight gain. The skinny overeater you envy probably has an energy expensive body, requiring lots of kilojoules to simply perform the biological tasks of staying alive.

A person�s BMR is influenced by a multitude of factors. Genetic inheritance is top of the list, with wiry, thin parents likely to breed similarly thin children with a high BMR. Gender influences our metabolism too, with men generally having a higher percentage of lean muscle and thus a higher BMR than women.

Ageing slows down metabolic rate, so that by the age of 55 the average person needs 150 fewer calories a day, than they did at age 35. Living in a cold climate increases our metabolic rate as the body works harder to stay warm. Chronic anxiety, feeling edgy and wound up stokes the metabolic fires. Our dietary habits can also alter BMR, and skipping meals, fasting or undereating will slow down the BMR as the body goes on red alert to maximise its efficiency to stay alive in the face of a seeming famine.

Through dietary and lifestyle changes, it is possible to increase your metabolic rate and lose excess kilos.

MOVE AND GROOVE
The absolute best way to boost your metabolic rate is through regular aerobic exercise combined with resistance training. This combination will reduce body fat and increase your lean muscle mass. As muscle requires more energy than fat to �stay alive�, the more muscle you can amass, the faster your BMR will be. Aerobic activity also directly boosts your metabolic rate for four to eight hours after completion. Choose either walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, dancing or vigorous yoga or Pilates workouts, and aim for 30-45 minutes daily. If you can�t find a solid block of 45 minutes in a day, try splitting activity into three or four shorter blocks of 10-15 minutes each. Park further away and walk the extra distance to work; power around the block in your lunch hour and walk back to the car at the end of the day, and you�ve painlessly reached your exercise target.

CHECK YOUR THYROID FUNCTION
An underactive thyroid will slow your basal metabolic rate and cause weight gain or difficulty loosing weight. Hypothyroidism is especially common in women and is often overlooked as a cause of poor health. Common symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, mood issues, poor immunity, menstrual problems and sensitivity to cold. See your doctor for thyroid screening tests.

BREAKFAST LIKE A KING
Contrary to the beliefs of many dieters, skipping breakfast will not shift the extra kilos. After fasting all night, your metabolic rate slumps, and by eating a healthy substantial breakfast you will restoke your metabolic furnace. Choose from low-GI carbs such as porridge, wholegrain unsweetened muesli or wholemeal toast, and combine with a protein such as nuts, acidophilus yoghurt, or low-fat cheese or fish.

EAT LITTLE AND OFTEN
Resist the temptation to skip meals due to work or time pressures. Instead, become a grazer, eating five or six small, healthy meals each day. Regular intake of protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats will keep your metabolic rate elevated.

NUTRIENTS COUNT TOO
Ensure that you are eating a nutrient dense diet to keep cellular energy production high, as well as safeguarding thyroid health. Take a high-quality multivitamin/mineral formula daily to ensure you are getting a full spectrum of nutrients.

TURN OUT THE LIGHTS EARLIER
Getting eight hours sleep every night is vital to keep your metabolic rate high. Inadequate sleep reduces our ability to metabolise carbohydrates and reduces sensitivity to the hormone insulin, leading to weight gain.

Even if your genetic heritage has kept you just the wrong side of a healthy weight, by making some small changes you can influence your metabolic rate. In short, sleep like a baby for eight hours every night; build muscle, and exercise aerobically five to seven times a week; banish simple carbs from your diet and replace them with small, frequent meals containing protein, slow-burn carbohydrates and healthy fats, and watch the excess kilos melt away.

VIDEO: The Battle of the Diets

Kora — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:00:30 GMT

I saw this on academic earth's website and thought it was interesting so I'm sharing! :D

Quote:

The case for low-carbohydrate diets is gaining weight. Christopher Gardner, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, has completed the largest and longest-ever comparison of four popular diets using real-world conditions, which he discusses - the lowest-carbohydrate Atkins diet came out on top.

academicearth.org

You Tube

So how many of you can relate?

BooNaeKar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:03:37 GMT

Ugh, so I always beat myself up over trying to lose weight. It's a never ending battle with me (as I'm sure it is with all of you as well)! I KNOW I need to lose weight, I KNOW what I need to do to get started, but I have zero motivation. So today I'm on Facebook, I've found tons of my old high school friends on there, and I love it because most of them didn't move away and I did, and I miss them all. They have all seen my photos on there, but I didn't mind too much because I'm not the only one who has gained weight. Well, today I go on and another old friend of mine has joined, but this time it's THAT GUY from high school (who still looks amazing by the way), the one I had a crush on the whole time I was in school with him. So we "friend" one another, and I sent a hello to him. He writes back, saying that he can't wait to go on my profile and see what I've been up to, and to look at all my photos, and to be expecting a comment from him later tonight. All of a sudden, I'm a nervous wreck, and I totally want to erase all my pictures now! I feel like the biggest looser, and I don't want him to see any picture of me! Isn't that crazy that suddenly I care so much what someone thinks?? I just keep thinking, if only I would have lost weight sooner...........ugh!! I feel like putting on a disclaimer before my photos, "Sorry I'm so huge, I have PCOS so please don't hold it against me!" LOL! Please tell me that some of you out there have felt like this before? Sorry, just needed to vent a little! :)

Instead of sitting in front of the tv...

bebes516 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:28:47 GMT

...on the couch, last night I set up an excercise bike in front of the tv. There is always at least 1, hour long show that I watch a night. My new plan is to pedal through it instead of sitting on the couch like a blob. I start tonight during 90210 (yes, I watch, I admit)

I hate that it gets so dark so early now. I don't feel comfortable walking at night in the dark even though I live in an extremely safe neighborhood.

Where do I start?!

Merc — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:57:00 GMT

I don't know how to take the first step, I have tried every diet known to man, I start exercising only to stop after a month. I just bought ice cream and felt so guilty with every bite I ate. I am in serious need of so help......advice.....I am so ready to get this weight off, yet I have a problem with things like ice cream and chocolate!!!! Other wise I feel I eat pretty well balanced meals.

I just want to know what some of you did to get yourself on a roll!!!!!

IR Diet?

jtcochran07 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:42:06 GMT

Any one have some tips for eating healthier with IR. I am tryng to keep it in check while also on weight watchers to lose weight. Help please

Low Glycemic / Higher Caloric Snacks for ACTIVE CYSTERS

Paola — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:11:21 GMT

Anyone have any good recipes for snacks only that are low glycemic / higher caloric ?

I'm getting more and more active and I'm looking for snacks that can keep me satiated a good 3 or 4 hours.

Anyone with recipes, ideas, please post here.
Thanks !!

:tiphat:

Food, Inc

Talla83 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:47:38 GMT

If you have not seen this movie - watch it!
I watched it the other night and thought it was really an eyeopener. I can't say that I ever gave much thought to where my food came from. But, this movie gives a little bit of background as to how the food industry has changed over the years and how money over product safety is the main goal.
I took a few things away from this movie - 1) I will not eat meat again. (I already gave up red meat and really only ate chicken, but I think I will give that up too). 2) I will definitely be shopping at my local farmers market a LOT more. And when that's not feasible I will buy my products organic. 3) I'm not sure how this is related to the movie - but it made me think I should really put more effort into bringing my reusable shopping bags with me.
Now, my 3 goals are things I've always done half-heatedly. I've tried giving up chicken before, and then though "what's the point". I occasionally buy organic just because its there. So, I don't know that the movie will affect everyone as it did me, but - everyone should know what they're putting into their bodies.