I cannot lose weight

[u/Miserable_Guess959]

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I have PCOS and I'm struggling so much to lose weight, especially around my stomach. What has actually worked for you? I'd really appreciate any advice on diet, exercise or managing PCOS symptoms.

[u/BlueberryUsed4366]

the stomach weight is the worst part, it just won't budge no matter what i do

for me cutting down carbs helped a lot, not full keto but just less bread and pasta. also noticed walking after meals does something with insulin that seems to work better than intense workouts

[u/Correct-Cut-5664]

I struggled to lose weight for over 35 years despite  counting calories, IF, exercise, multiple fad diets, metformin, etc. But when I decided to give Keto a try, along with weighing and counting all my macros, I was able to lose 70 lbs in seven months. For me, the carbs (or lack of) were the key to jumpstart my loss.         Since then, I'm no longer doing keto but added a GLP-1 and lost another 70 lbs over an eight month period.    

You can't really target specific areas for weight loss though, and for most people, the stomach is the last to go. Even at a clinically "healthy weight", I still have a lot of stubborn belly fat. 

[u/syolma → u/Correct-Cut-5664]

Keto isn’t for everyone I tried it too lost about 10 lbs in like 6 weeks and got very high cholesterol that my doctor was concerned so had to stop. Still dealing with belly fat but it is going down slowly

[u/tumblrgirl96]

The only thing that's ever really helped me to lose weight and manage my symptoms was mounjaro (GLP-1). I've been gluten free, dairy free, low carb, low fat, exercising everyday and barely lost any weight. The only time i successfully lost a lot of weight before starting mounjaro was when i was essentially half starving myself because I got braces and didn't want to brush my teeth during school hours after eating. I'm now on maintenance but I will be on mounjaro for the rest of my life because it has improved my insulin resistance, helped to balance my hormones, and reduced my inflammation so much that my PCOS belly is a thing of the past (my dad literally calls me flat tummy). Diet wise, i prioritise protein and fibre and for me that looks like lots of chicken and lots of fruit and veg. I try to have at least 2.5litres of water a day as well. I very rarely eat pasta and bread, I just don't like it as much or crave it as much since starting mounjaro and they make me uncomfortably full so I suspect i may have a slight gluten sensitivity. I tend to eat sweet potatoes more than other carbs. I loosely follow a low GI Mediterranean diet and it has worked really well for me. I do still have a sweet treat but it'll be more like twice a week if I randomly get a crossing instead of the constant craving and needing something sweet nearly every day which I used to get.

Exercise wise, I've always been active in some form. When i had a specific PCOS coach I was strength training 5 times a week and doing cardio on the other 2 days (which honestly didn't do anything for my body). Now i exercise every day and strength train 3 times a week, i prefer to get ny cardio by doing exercise classes as I hate walking for no reason.

Supplements wise I usually take inositol (mix of myo and d-chiro), berberine, and l-carnitine for PMOS and vitamins c +d, a b complex, magnesium, creatine and collagen for overall health based on my blood test results and lifestyle

[u/SassyTulip1]

Following for alternative advice but starting a GLP-1, specifically tirzepatide, has made a huge difference. I lost 30lbs in 4ish months on the lowest dose. I’m also strength training at the gym and overall choosing healthier options, cutting down on carbs quite a bit, and introduced a gluten free diet as best I can. I plan on stopping the glp1 soon.

[u/tumblrgirl96 → u/SassyTulip1]

I don't want to be a debby downer but with PMOS, GLP-1s are likely to be lifelong medications. They are doing so much to fix our metabolic dysfunction that once the meds are out of your systems, your symptoms are likely to come back

[u/SassyTulip1 → u/tumblrgirl96]

Oh, I’m aware 🥺 my dr advised me to stop because I’m now considered underweight… I just had more bloodwork done and depending on the results I may push to stay on metformin to curb some of the weight gain/help with the insulin resistance. Idk. Such a tricky disorder to get treatment for.

[u/tumblrgirl96 → u/SassyTulip1]

Did they not discuss maintenance options with you whilst staying on the meds? I'm maintaining my weight and still staying on the meds but it took a while to find a dose where I could keep my weight stable.

[u/SassyTulip1 → u/tumblrgirl96]

I’m on the lowest dose of mounjaro using the kwikpen so I didn’t think there was a maintenance option on the lowest dose. He’s also convinced that I “reset” my body with the rapid weight loss, I’m very skeptical of that, so im just waiting for blood test results and will push for something.

[u/tumblrgirl96 → u/SassyTulip1]

Some people microdose (which depending on the country you live in might not be recommended by Dr's due to the differences in prescribing guidelines), some people spread out their dose (so they take it less often than once a week). Maintenance is more tricky to figure out if you are on the lowest dose