PCOS Weight Loss Stories! Success stories, and before, during and after pics! - Page 8

Taisiya · 03-03-2005, 09:15 PM

Cookie Monster!! That is so awesome!!!

Joseph...

I too thought that there was something very very wrong with me. I exercised, ate low carb and took metformin and still wasn't losing any weight. Or so I thought.

I do have to admit...it was really really slow!!! But in about a year I have lost 45 lbs. But most importanly...

I HAD TO STOP CHEATING!!!!

Now, I'm not saying your daughter is doing that, I can only share my experience. My body has had to adjust and it's dropped the weight at a very slow pace. But what usued to happen was I would go 2-3 maybe even 4 weeks and there would be no movement on the scale, so I'd get frustrated and eat stuff that is totally not good for us with PCOS. Thinking what the heck!?!?!

What I learned now, is that if I am patient and eat 3 healthy meals a day, the weight will come off.

I still have 35 lbs to go til I get to goal. But I have also given away 45!!! WOW!!! It still amazes me because I swore I COULD NOT LOSE WEIGHT!!!

I have also undergone laser for my facial hair and am hair free, I have had normal periods again!!! I just got a new haircut, and I tell you, I am not the same person I was 1-2 years ago!!!!

It takes time, but it will happen!!

joseph77 · 03-03-2005, 09:37 PM

Taisiya.......
Thanks for responding. I know anything is possible, but I really don't think she is cheating. This has been something that she is so desperate to overcome and in the early stages I would think the same thing. She would look at me and say...."Do you think I would go through all of this and then cheat? I know what she eats most days and it is not that much. She is so afraid to eat anything like a treat. She was told by her dietician that once a week have something she really wants, like fries, chocolate,......anything she wants. I have yet to see her indulge.
How long were you on Met before you saw any changes.? How often do you exercise and what type of exercise do you do? I know Christyz said it took about a year for Met to kick in. It's just so hard to keep her spirits up when she sees NO changes on the scale when she works out really hard with her trainer. Maybe her new gyno will have some advice. One can only hope.........
Thanks

Joseph 77

CookieMonster · 03-03-2005, 09:54 PM

does she eat fruits and vegetables?

Taisiya · 03-04-2005, 03:55 PM

Joseph!!

I feel her pain!!! I did the same thing!! I started taking Met around Christmas time of 2003. So I have been on it for awhile.
I can kinda tell you what I did.

My first 15lbs, I went on the fat fast that Atkins describes in his book to jolt my system. I have to tell you it's not the easiest thing to do. Then I got stuck because I bought into the whole frankenfood net carb hype. I eventually as I stated before, started cheating on the weekends and gained 5 lbs back!!

In May I found a support group on the internet for low carbing. www.lowcarber.org and I also started logging my food in www.fitday.com both of these sites helped tremendously with support being able to look at what I was eating. At that time I also joined Curves. I would go 3-5 times a week and the 30 minutes wasn't enough so I would stay there for about 1 hour. Even with no cheats and exercise I would lose anywhere from 3-5 lbs a month!!!! This was very very frustrating for me, I even posted here asking if anyone else had such slooooooow turtle weightloss. When you think your food is right on and your exercising this can be a pain in the butt!! I eventually got a membership at a gym with more amenities. I would go to the gym and do cardio for an hour and still the scale was barely budging. Considering all the work I was doing I would get angry and cheat here and there. Figuring what the heck, I'm not losing anyway!!!

What changed for me I have to say, is I went to OA. This was after a really bad holiday binge. Now this is not for everyone!!! But for me, I had issues with my food. There I got a food plan and
and I started to weigh and measure my food. Within 2 months I lost over 20 pounds!!! I might add that I have not been to the gym AT ALL in those 2 months!!!

My secret is this:
I eat 3 meals a day, with nothing inbetween but lots and lots of water!!! What do I eat for those 3 meals?

Breakfast
1 fruit
1 protein

Lunch
1 4 oz protein
1 cup cooked veggies
1 cup raw veggies (salad)
1 T oil or salad dressing

Dinner
1 4 oz protein
1 cup cooked veggie
2 cups raw veggies (salad)
2-3 T oil or salad dressing

On occasion I have to admit I have fruit with a lil protein in the evening(apple and 1oz cheese or 1 T peanut butter). This contrary to many beliefs regarding low carb, has not hurt me at all!!! I eat no sugar or flour or grains of any type. My food is all fruit, veggies and healthy proteins. I can have milk as my protein, which most low carbers don't do either. Funny is that my meals are HUGE and FILLING, yet according to Fitday my calories are usually 1000-1200. I get plenty of nutrients from all my foods and don't lack for anything. As many may think of low carb/no carb food plans. I had to eat this way because, when I did the Atkins plan, my already bad cholesterol had gotten worse!!!

That's my secret and I am never hungry. I eat breakfast around 10am, lunch at 2pm and dinner at 6pm. If I eat the snack, I do so at 8pm.

The weight has been falling off!!! I really hope this help in any way. After all, we are all different, but this is what has worked for me. I have now lost 45 lbs and still have 35 to go, so I'm still far from a success story. But wow!!! I'm amazed at the leap I have taken in 2 months compared to over a year of trying to struggle!!

elicha · 03-18-2005, 01:15 PM

I wanted to thank the moderator for that list. I saw it yesterday and my doc. recommend the South Beach Diet this week when he put me on Met., but I didn't feel that it was for me. I read through the list of success stories and their chosen diets and I keep seeing IR. But I had no idea what that is. I was actually getting irritated that I had to search for almost 20 min to learn what IR was. For all you other ladies, IR is Insulin Resistance Diet. So, I learned about it yesterday and went to the bookstore and bought the book on it. I am officially on it and I am so excited about it. Who would have thought I could eat my same foods and just change what I eat with them! I just again wanted to thank you all for being a wealth of information!

Maddy · 03-18-2005, 03:16 PM

Hello Elicha

If you check out the diet information sticky here you will find tons of information on the IR diet - it's the last diet on the post so scroll right down to the bottom and you'll find it all

Good Luck with it and let us know how you get on - and don't forget to post your own weight loss success story when you get to goal too!

Dreamy · 04-07-2005, 08:43 AM

Well I suppose it's time I typed this in here lol

All the pictures you see of me from being a child to a teenager you would say I was a young girl with big bones. I wasn't 'fat' but was never skinny or slim either. I was always the biggest person in the crowd I would hang about with which always made me feel fat. I was an only child till I was 10 and spoiled rotten, even after my sister came along. It was weird, because my Mum was really very thin for her height and could and would eat like a horse and not put on a pound. My Sister seemed to be the same as my Mum and well my Dad just ate whatever he liked, but worked long hours so managed to burn it off ... then there was me, eating what everyone else was eating but beginning to pile the weight on. Not to excess though, we just lived on good old hearty meals. Mince and tatties, stews, homemade pastry pies ... all with veg of course. By this time I had met my husband when I was 16, (I remember shaving my top lip, thighs and tummy at this stage) things at home between my Dad and I weren't good and my hubby and I spent most of our time out in his car. He was another one who could eat like a horse and get away with it. So that was chocolate and fizzy drinks for a few years till we got married when I was 19. I was married in a size 16 dress weighing about 154lbs. I fell pregnant with my first about 10 months later and got up to 182lbs with him, then 10 months later I was pregnant again and ended up being 198lbs with him. And I never lost it. Through various things, PND, deaths in my family and friends, I just never bothered getting the weight off.

When I was trying to get pregnant with my first, I never had any periods at all in that time. My periods were erratic since the day they started when I was about 12 so it was 'normal' for me. So erratic that when I went to the doctor to discuss it all, if he has just examined me, he would have found out I was 3months pregnant already! I was 4 months before I took the test because I was so used to having no periods anyway. Conceiving my second son seemed to be no problem. I came off the pill and was pregnant with him within 2 weeks.

So after I had them and time went on I just grew fatter and fatter though I was eating healthier and led an active life with nursery etc. I became a playgroup leader working all over town most days a week. But yet the weight was still creeping on me. I tried the usual 'diets' they bored me and I wouldn't last very long. The hair on my face was getting to be more noticable, my mood swings were getting really bad! Boy was I a moody woman lol I just felt that then everything was getting on top of me. My doctors used to tell me to lose weight then they gave up. They never mentioned it so it came as a surprise to my Doctor when I spoke to him about things that were really getting me down and stopping me from having a life. By this time my confidence had hit rock bottom and I had left my job as a creche assistant for the very reason that I felt I was too fat to be out there. Awful I know, but it happened in my head.

I sat in the doctors chair and said to him, "I want to discuss excessive hair, lack of periods, hair loss and acne ... oh and can you refer me to a dietician too please." He nearly fell off his chair and asked what had made me want to see a dietician because he just never expected it. My answer was simple, I was fed up being someone I didn't want to be, I wanted to be the confident woman I once was again and the only way I could do that was to work on my self-image. He then said to me ... I think you have PCOS we'll do the hormone profiles to find out, which will also explain a lot of your weight gain. I mean ... you spend years telling these people you eat ok and stay active and you just know they don't believe you. The fact he sat there looking as though he finally understood me just brought me to tears. I finally had a reason for feeling this miserable! It wasn't just me, it wasn't just all in my head, there was a proper reason for it. I was over the moon!

The tests came back that yes, all levels were high etc, so he put me on metformin and referred me to the dietician. I saw the dietician weighing in at 231.5lbs. The highest I had ever been. Through normal healthy eating, 3 meals a day, calorie counting I have now lost .... 100lbs! Wow, I can't believe it myself. It's not always been easy, mentally it has been hard work for me and it still is but I am sure it will balance itself all out soon. But it's been worth everything! My confidence is well and truly back, I have a new job as a receptionist .... no more hiding for me. I am addicted to clothes shopping and for once in my life I can actually say, I look great! (with clothes on lol the saggy skin is an issue right now).

Apart from losing weight, this journey has taught me loads about myself and the person I am. It's taught me that if I put my mind to it, I can actually do anything. I have the will power and determination and now the confidence too.

My PCOS symptoms aren't all gone, maybe that's because I don't follow the IR woe, but I am managing them and coping with it. My periods did return to monthly cycles, the acne is gone and the mood swings are thankfully just once a week on PMS week. But the hair is still the major issue with me.

So now I am a size 8/10 ... I used to be 20/22 ... my bra has come down from a 42DD to a 34C, my waist is now 27" and my hips are 36". I feel great now, no more hiding in baggy tshirts. No more wearing joggers or stretchy trousers ... and I promise myself never to go back to it either

I sometimes wonder if PCOS did me a favour? Did it let me discover the woman I actually am? Or was it the cause of the woman I once was? Swings and roundabouts right enough with PCOS.

If you managed to read this far, well done! lol Thanks for reading

Maddy · 04-07-2005, 09:30 AM

Fabulous to read your story Dreamy! It's about time you added it to the success stories!

One of the things I love about your weight loss journey too is that you didn't have to go low carb to do it but used calorie counting instead - I think that gives a lot of hope to those cysters who just feel they can't go on a low carb diet!

Congratulations! 100lbs down! I can't even imagine it!

Dreamy · 04-07-2005, 12:40 PM

Thanks Maddy. I've been very lucky with my weightloss and I am just so pleased I didn't need to go the low carb route as it really would never have held my attention long enough.

Calorie counting has been a god send to me with the only problem being, I don't think I will ever stop counting them but then ... that's not such a bad thing really.

Thanks again Maddy

nobimbo · 04-07-2005, 10:47 PM

Dreamy, your story is wonderful and inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing it!

I'm curious: How many calories do you usually eat daily? Do you exercise? You lost quite a lot of weight in a relatively short period of time!

Linda

Dreamy · 04-08-2005, 05:47 AM

Hi Linda and thank you

My calories a day are between 1000 and 1500 with two days a week being about 2000. (curry nights lol) I find this works for me and I remain in good health.

Yep I work out, usually about 4 times a week and I walk lots too. My workouts vary from 40mins aerobics to 30 mins cardio and 30 mins weights at the gym.

Talking of curry, I need to work lastnights off today lol

christyz · 04-11-2005, 04:28 PM

Quote:

It's taught me that if I put my mind to it, I can actually do anything.

It was nice to read your story, Dreamy! I can totally relate..KYBluegrass and I have talked about that. It's like the world opens up to you when you realize what you are capable of when the heat is on and you focus. It's a wonderful gift. A new internal kind of confidence slowly emerges.

The 60 pounds I lost wasn't listed in the original thread, although I think I posted here when I had lost 40 or so. It's so neat to read everyone's progress!

Hobbit81 · 04-13-2005, 06:07 PM

In December I started on a low Glycemic Index diet, read about it in The new Glucose revolution, Guide to living well with PCOS. The weight started coming off with in a week or two, just a pound here half a pound there, but it was a constant downward. Then in Febuary I got on Metformin, which didnt make the weight come off much faster, but helped relieve alot of other problems. But now since December I have lost 20 1/2 pounds. I feel great, I can fit into my wedding dress again (I am getting married in June, I bought it last may, and tried it on in June of last year, it fit, then i gained a BUTT load of weight, thanks PCOS). The best part about this diet, is that You really dont have to give up anything, its not really low carb, its good carb vs bad carb. The book I got it from does a great job explaining what you should eat and what to stay away from, but not nessacarally (sp?) give up. If you think low carb is too harsh for you ie, can't give up bread this is for you. Whole wheat multi grain breads are a contant in my diet, so is pasta, I try for wheat pasta when I can, but it doesnt have to be wheat all the time. Its really a good life style change that I made. The only food I gave up gave up, was potatoes, and believe me I LOVE potatoes, I do eat one french fry every now and then when my fiance has them, or a small bite of mashed potatoes here and there, but i might have one of these 'treats" once a week, if that. My favorite thing to eat on this new diet, is peanut M&Ms, I love em, well I really like chocolate so this gives me a way to eat chocolate! Hope this give someone the courage to try it! It worked for me!

jennifer424 · 05-10-2005, 10:31 AM

On November 24, 2002 a transformation came about in my heart. I weighted in at about 300 pounds and I was extremely miserable with myself. I had no idea at the time I had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. I got a great desire to begin studying the Word of God. During my study I realized I had an issue with food, I was addicted to it terribly. I was an emotional eater. One night I was complaining about my brother's lack of discipline and self-control, the Lord gave me Proverbs 25:28, "A man that lacks self-control is like a city that is broken down and without walls" (Paraphrased).

After I was given that scripture in my heart a change came about. I radically amputated the sugar and pop from my diet. I also began a meager 30 minute walk a day for the first year. From 2003-2004, I had lost around 70 pounds! From 2004-2005, I had lost around 60 pounds! The Lord gave me a 130 pound weight loss in a two year period! On May 16, 2004 the gynecologist told me I had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome after doing a pelvic ultrasound on me. I had no idea what the condition was or what it meant for me.

I began research and discovered women with PCOS have insulin resistence and several other health issues. After I had my last physical, my stats on my health dropped to healthy levels!!!!! I praised God for my weight loss and still do. I look at all my fellow cysters and see their suffering and I know that they have complications from the PCOS they have. PCOS is like a curse to most. I am hoping after reading my testimony you will see it as a reason to get healthy and get active! I don't see my PCOS as a curse. I see it as a reason the Lord allowed the weight loss to begin with. I am a walking miracle of God's grace and mercy! I am nothing, what the Lord worked in my life is something.

Many ask me how I lost weight, they want the fastest answer possible. PCOS shouldn't be a death sentence or a crutch to waddle around on for why you are overweight. I used several excuses for remaining overweight, PCOS would have been another. I decided that when I was diagnosed that it wouldn't keep me from losing the weight. The Lord has blessed me so much. There are several women out there who can't lose weight no matter what, take heart and know that it will happen you just have to change inside and out by eating healthier and getting active.

Thanks for listening to me!

jagged1 · 05-19-2005, 11:55 AM

Hi
I will share my story...
I was diagnosed with PCOS at the age of 17, up until than I was quite skinny (5'8 @ 115lbs). All of a sudden the weight starting creeping on...
It came slowlly though, so I didn't notice it as much. I still ate the same as I did before, lots of junk and didn't watch what I ate at all.
After I married my high school sweetheart, the weight didn't really bother me much, I guess I was in denial and didn't realize I was as big as I was...
My "moment" came when I had my family over for a BBQ and my little cousin asked me if I was pregnant... I was soooo embarssed!
That weekend my neighbour and I were talking and she mentioned Weight Watchers. So we decided to give it a go!
What a SHOCK when I weighed in at 194lbs. It was slow coming off (1-2lbs a week) but that's what they reccomend. So we started Sept 9/03 and by Feb/04 I had reached my goal of 159lbs and by June/04 I was down to 145lbs. I have never felt so good about myself and I LOVE to shop now

I am now a Leader for the Weight Watchers in my area, and love it!
My husband and family are soooo proud of me! I'm so glad I had that "moment",because it had totally changed my life!