Hello, I am a first-time poster on this site. I've been treated for PCOS for years now, several with my present medications, and yet my waistline keeps g-r-o-w-ing. Weight is high but reasonably stable in low 200s. I eat regular food, try to eat more whole food and less processed, as well as less sugar. I exercise 3-4 days a week at the gym, usually about one hour of low-cardio exercise, nothing too vigorous, sometimes modest weight training thrown in. Even when I lose weight, my waist seems to stay HUGE compared to my hips. Of course buying clothes is a nightmare, and something I have to do alone because I get so peeved. I happen to have a very full chest as well, and the resulting look is...well, not normal.
All I want to say is WHAT THE HECK! Does anyone have advice for what I can do about this? I want to have a waist like regular people! P.S. my endocrinologist is slender (mmhmm) and he just smiles and says "Your numbers look fine, you will have to lose weight to be smaller." Arrrgh!
if you don't mind may i ask your age... or age range... the older you get the harder it is to lose that area that you are talking about... some women slim down and lose a large amount later on in life but can never get that area around their waist to slim down as much...
All I want to say is WHAT THE HECK! Does anyone have advice for what I can do about this? I want to have a waist like regular people!
Welcome!
This pattern of weight gain happens because of PCOS, because of our hormonal profiles. We gain weight in our middles rather than our hips and thighs. The pear shape is more typical of women with a healthy estrogen dominant hormonal profile. And our apple shapes...the tummy problem...that's the whacked hormones, especially the testosterone.
Your endocrinologist is right in a way, it's only getting our weight off and keeping it off, AND getting our hormonal profiles back to normal that will allow us to have smaller waistlines. We can't stay at a higher weight and have the hormonal imbalance and keep an hourglass shape.
__________________ "I knew I had a problem when I put my underpants on backwards and they fit better..."
Age 46
Obesity, very mild hirsuitism now almost gone with age and met, seriously thinning hair. Regular cycles on met.
Diagnosed with diabetes 8/2003
Does anyone have advice for what I can do about this? I want to have a waist like regular people!
I agree with a previous poster - as soon as you lose weight you'll see the inches dropping around your waist.
I was at my dietician (she works with my endo) and also complained of my tummy - but bec i was feeling bloated eventhough AF wasn't near visiting or me having eaten something. She (dietc) sayd that being IR also means that you lean towards retaining water and esp in the tummy area. But again losing weight will fix that problem too!
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~I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once~
This pattern of weight gain happens because of PCOS, because of our hormonal profiles. We gain weight in our middles rather than our hips and thighs. The pear shape is more typical of women with a healthy estrogen dominant hormonal profile. And our apple shapes...the tummy problem...that's the whacked hormones, especially the testosterone.
Your endocrinologist is right in a way, it's only getting our weight off and keeping it off, AND getting our hormonal profiles back to normal that will allow us to have smaller waistlines.
Ditto ^that^!
If you're physically able, you might want to consider increasing your workouts to 5 to 6 days per week, and SIGNIFICANTLY up your strength training. Strength training will go far when it comes to improving your hormones.
Take a look at this article. It's not about strength training, but about the positive effects of lifestyle intervention - EVEN WHEN WEIGHT LOSS DOESN"T TAKE PLACE: http://www.insidepcos.com/articles/6...-Syndrome.html
Quote:
We conclude that lifestyle modification without rapid weight loss leads to a reduction of central fat and improved insulin sensitivity, which restores ovulation in overweight infertile women with PCOS. Lifestyle modification is the best initial management for obese women seeking to improve their reproductive function.
In other words, the scale doesn't have to change for fat to be gone in the mid-section.
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Hey, SoulCysters! Need to eat more veggies, but can't find recipes??
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Hello again. Thank you all for your input about reducing waist/belly size. I will consider upping my exercise regimen and adding more weight training. For the one who asked, I am 33 yrs old. single with no children. Fortunately I get my period once a month, so I can't complain about everything.
I have that problem, too. My body is disgustingly out of proportion, it drives me mad. People ask if i'm pregnant and I just want to cry.. it's soooo embarassing. It's the only part I have that's fat, no matter how many sit ups I do. I'm about 5'1 and 115lbs (all the fat is in my stomach.. i'm fairly thin everywhere else)
I can't TAKE IT ANYMORE!!
Incredible Expanding Belly 
