I wasn't really sure where to post this. Sorry if it's in the wrong area, but I really wanted to get involved with this website. I've been "lurking" for months!
OK. I'm 32 years old. I have been dx'd with PCOS since 2 years ago. I believe I've had it since I was 4 or 5 though. Just a group of symptoms, you know? I remember being 4, looking at the pictures of girls in clothing catalogues and telling my mom,"Why don't I look like them?" It was probably 12 years later when I began noticing that I was "shaped" differently than most other girls. (This is odd, I've never talked about this topic with perfect strangers, so be gentle. It's still embarassing after so many years). Anyway, I always tended to gain weight in my middle. I am 5"6' and now weight 120. But years ago, I was 140, and it ALL went to my middle! Well, there and my face. Also, I was always irregular with my periods. I'd get one for one month, go 2 or 3 mos, not get one, then start back up again. Also, I was always harrier than other girls. I'd have to shave my legs and arms every day! Well, now I eipilate, like every 3 days or so. I also have like 6 hairs I regularly pluck on my chin. Another lovely symptom of PCOS.
My testosterone has always been high. Oily skin, large waist, etc. These days, being 32 and all, I go to the gym and lift weights. People tell me how skinny I am, but they just don't know that when I gain, it's in the middle. I know from being a nurse that this is the WORST place I could gain it. Diabetes runs in my family, and I'm not about to...Well you can follow where I'm going. Now I follow a low GI diet too.
So! I did some reading about fish oil supplements. Studies show they can reduce abdominal fat. My goal is to get rid of my little skinny "chicken legs" and put some muscle/fat on the lower half of the bod. Right now I'm at a 26.5 inch waist, 35 inch hips. The hips need help, LOL! Since Omega 3 is found in ample amount in the hips, and Omega 6 in the waist, I am wondering if taking supplements has helped anyone lose fat in the middle and gain in the hips when combined with a low Omega 6 intake and Omega 3 supplemets?
Sorry this is so long, and probably misplaced. Any and all sharing is greatly appreciated!
I've lost weight in my middle while taking Fish Oil supplements and upping my intake of walnuts, salmon, and shrimp to get more Omega 3 fatty acids. However, I've also been exercising and eating more healthily in general, so it's hard to pinpoint the increase of Omega 3s as being helpful.
I've never heard that "Omega 3 is found in ample amount in the hips, and Omega 6 in the waist". I'm not sure I understand that.
Estrogen is the hormone that puts fat on your butt, thighs, and breasts, while testosterone puts fat on your stomach and back. A reduction of testosterone and an increase in estrogen may move your distribution of fat. While there are certainly health benefits of balancing your intake of Omegas 3 and 6s, I don't know if that alone will affect your fat distribution. Perhaps it will.
__________________ PCOS symptoms since age 11 (heavy acne & oily skin, minor weight issues & hirsutism) Irregular AF (38-45 days) after stopping BCP at age 29 Dx PCOS at age 32 Hypoglycemia and IR
TTC #1 since 08/08 08/09 1st Clomid cycle 50mg No O... Provera...
Paleo Diet Yoga, outdoor activity, and weights Acupuncture & TCM Fish Oil, Cal-Mag, & multi-vitamin
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In addition to any changes in diet, you're going to want to incorporate cardio and strength training to impact belly fat, and maintain or increase lean mass. That's the best combination to change your body composition.
Thank you Merigreen and Kat for your kind replies.
I had never thought of perhaps trying to lower my testosterone! Wow, OK. I was reading on this forum a few nights ago about how some girls were using Saw Palmetto (Sp?) and Wild yam to do the job. It's worth a try, anyways.
Yeh, I've been working out since I was 18. In addition to PCOS, I have a decent touch of scoliosis, so I'm always hitting the weights and trying to keep that at bay (shudder!) It's just really odd that I gain muscle more like a man. I can build in no time, but the ab fat issue is bothersome for me.
I'll tell you what. Let me do a few months on these fish oil supps, and I'll be sure and come back and say what, if anything, it did for me. Antidotal as it is, it may shed some light.
Thanks again for your kind responses.
One more thing. I also started taking Calcium Citrate. I noticed that my metabolism "felt" faster. Then I read where Calcium can improve metabolism so I'm thinking it wasn't all in my head.
I can build in no time, but the ab fat issue is bothersome for me.
HIIT also seems to positively impact belly fat.
Also, how often do you change your weight training protocol? Many of us in PCOS bootcamp saw 'significant' changes in overall body fat AND midsection fat when we switched to a 3-month periodization protocol (ie P90x, ChaLEAN Extreme, Cathe's STS) - especially when it was combined with higher intensity interval training (not necessarily HIIT, but higher than average)
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Hey, SoulCysters! Need to eat more veggies, but can't find recipes??
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thick waist-odd question-newbie 
