Ended my Christmas in tears

[Jules]

I am sorry, Amber I guess, as cheesy as it sounds, you can only start looking forward from here on. I would definitely see a doctor about the PCOS, I know it has helped me tremendously on my weight loss journey. The metformin, while it sucks to take at first, has helped me a lot with feeling shaky and then eating (the wrong things) which only send my blood sugar on a crazy doomed roller coaster.

One day at a time, and I think by wanting a weight scale for Christmas, you have faced one of the hardest parts - facing reality in cold harsh numbers. We are all on a weight loss journey here together (and have lots of members with pcos issues) so I think together we ought to do it this year... One pound at a time!

I am glad to hear that Josh has been comforting and a good support for you!!!

(((HUGS)))

[Julee]

Sorry you're dealing with this. I'm in a similar spot - never been over 190, suddenly in the 2teens. It friggin' sucks.

[Renee750il]

(((((HUGS)))) I definitely can sympathize; it's always been a fight for me and I don't have PCOS or anything like that to complicate it. Yeah, it's hard.

Definitely try the gluten free. It's not the answer for everyone, and even for those of us it helps it's not always the whole answer -- I've learned I should not eat things like white potatoes or even most gluten free pastas and breads. You'll find what your tolerances are; it's trial and error, kind of like adding things back to a diet when you're looking for allergens.

I'm learning to add things back, too, by using different flours and combining them. You can make KILLER scones with oats and almond meal, or a touch of quinoa flour. They're delicious and they don't give me the shakes or seem to affect my weight the way stuff made with rice or even all-purpose flour does.

A little experimenting and you'll figure it out. One of the first things I noticed (after that awful detox period ) was that all that fluff and puffiness was GONE.

My friend, Dina, has had terrible health issues and her weight was spiraling out of control. The docs have poo-pooed gluten free, but she did it anyway and even without actively trying to lose weight she looks 1000X better and she's able to function again.

Romy's been a big help with suggestions on gluten free.

If you've got a good food processor, or better, a VitaMix, you can make a lot of your own flour from different things without it being so expensive. Quinoa flour makes great pastas and pizza crust, but it's expensive. I got two pounds of quinoa grain at Sams for $4.50.

You can do this, and you've got so many people who love you and we're all behind you -- and we'll be here as that behind shrinks

[Barbara!]

What are your symptoms that make you think you have PCOS?

[Cardi4851]

I'm sorry you are going through this. I struggled with my weight for years and eventually was able to get it under control. I completely understand the frustration of not being able to lose weight no matter what you try. I now have to eat gluten free for medical issues. I have gluten intolerance and it makes my epilepsy worse. One thing I will caution on eating gluten free, is that a lot of products replace the gluten with more sugar and other similar ingredients. Make sure to read labels, and if you don't think you have a gluten intolerance, sometimes products with gluten are actually all around healthier. If you feel the gluten is causing a problem, see a allergist and/or a gastroenterologist. A lot of doctors that do not specialize in such things are trained in the old school method of gluten problems = can't keep weight on, which specialists now know is not true. I'd be more than happy to share some of the gluten-free recipes and products I have found that are pretty decent and healthy (I hate cooking so they are all pretty quick and easy too)

[Dogdragoness]

Vibes that its just like ... A simple holiday weight thing & not something more serious, I think every woman has been there, I got out of shape & gained about 10 lbs when I hurt my shoulder months back (got kicked point blank, couldn't excersise) so I know how weight issues feel ESP when none of your clothes fit anymore .

Not only that but ppl's comments & **** also don't help.

[Torch]

If you have foot issues/pain, I would highly recommend that you look into cycling as an alternative form of exercise. It is SO much easier on your body and I think a lot more fun Of course, I'm a cyclist so I'm biased, but it's an amazing sport.

[Dogdragoness]

It looks fun to cycle ... But unfortunately I (looks away embarrassingly ) never learned how to ride a bike :/. So I have to use a stationary when I want to "cycle" lol.

Also elliptical machines are also good, I have inherently bad knees & ankles so running is out of the question for me, so I do a lot of cardio & stuff.

Also I would see about getting a gym membership & maybe a personal trainer (if you can swing it).

[MafiaPrincess]

Lot of ladies with PCOS having success with very low carb diets. Diet may be more important than the exercise.. especially with PCOS.

http://www.reddit.com/r/xxketo/

[Dogdragoness]

Does PCOS effect your metabolism/thyroid too?

Also working out, tho most ppl do it to lose weight, you can Al's do it to have more energy & feel better that's why I did it now I ride a horse the equivalent of 5 miles a day (once around the mile track for every horse we take.. Post of it is at a posting trot, which is veeeery good for the butt/leg/thigh muscles LOL) but when I'm not riding I do work out mostly because it makes me feel good emotionally.