/r/PCOSloseit

Photograph via snooOG

We are a community of PCOS sufferers trying to lose weight for a variety of reasons, whether it be easing symptoms, trying to conceive, or reasons not related to PCOS.

If you would like to join, please message the mods with a little bit of your story.

Posting Guidelines

All self posts and articles from credible sources are welcome. Please do not share links giving someone else's opinion or trying to sell a product. If you would like to promote a product, please do so in a self post and share your story with the product. Before posting, please introduce yourself in the intro thread.

All comments should be kind and supportive. Anything hurtful, unsupportive, or attacking another member will be removed immediately and may be reason to get you banned. Negative comments about another poster's body or starting weight/goal weight may also be reason for ban.

General If you are looking for support with other PCOS-related issues, head over to r/PCOS.

If you are looking for weight loss support and do not have PCOS, head over to r/loseit or r/fitness.

Please consider filling out our registration form so that the mods can get to know you a little better.

We love MyFitnessPal here. Check out our MFP directory if you are looking for support there.

/r/PCOSloseit

43,911 Subscribers

2

Help Shape a New App for Managing PCOS Holistically

I'm Amanda (31 F), and I've struggled with PCOS management for 17 years now. Over the years, I've had trouble finding resources and guidance--healthcare professionals have shared minimal information on how to manage symptoms, and the apps/tools I've found have been helpful but haven't addressed things for me comprehensively.

After 6 years of working in the health-tech industry, and years of frustration with how slow advancements in women's health are going, I'm currently developing an app designed to help women with PCOS manage their symptoms holistically—covering not just diet and exercise, but also mental health and emotional well-being.

I’d love to hear about your experience living with PCOS. I’m looking to better understand the real challenges and what would genuinely make life easier. It’s a 8–10 minute survey (Google Form), and your insights could help shape a tool that truly serves women like you.

This is completely voluntary and anonymous. No personal identifying information will be collected unless you choose to share an email address at the end (if you'd like to chat and share more details about your experience).

Thank you so much—I’d really appreciate your input!

0 Comments
2025/02/04
03:46 UTC

3

Metformin side effects?

I started Metformin 500 mg on Saturday (today is Monday). Saturday I had stomach issues but it was gone by Sunday. Today I have what almost looks like hives on my hands, my feet feel like I spent the day on my feet standing or walking (it was like that when I got up) and both hands and feet almost feel pins-and-needly. It hurts to walks around at work today so I was almost tip-toeing. Has anyone else had this? I figured I would assess and see how I feel and if needed reach back out to the doctor.

4 Comments
2025/02/03
23:54 UTC

2

Feeling stuck

Hi all, I am coming here because I feel super stuck but also frustrated with myself. For some context I am 24 (f) and 5’3 starting weight in 2020: 195lbs current weight: 148lbs goal weight: 130lbs.

My weight loss started in 2020 and has been super slow, but i found that slow means i can maintain so it was fine. Last year around this time i was 138-140lbs. I felt like i got too comfortable and started not monitoring my eating habits and gym and slowly gained 10lbs in the span of 2024. January has been ass, i got some sort of horrible flu and was bed ridden for two weeks, i moved apartments and had friends visit so eating habits were probably the worst they have ever been. I have been eating clean since 2 weeks ago, usually when i bounce back into my healthy habits i see a swoosh of 5lbs or so but this time the scale has not budged at all. I know it’s silly to obsess over the number but I have also been hitting 10k steps and just nothing. the most success i have been in losing weight was when i did keto but i was so hangry all the time and it wasn’t sustainable. what should i do? how much should i be eating?

2 Comments
2025/02/03
21:32 UTC

1

Helpless

Hi everyone,

I’m a 28 year old who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and PCOS on January 2023. I’ve been on metformin and ozempic since January 2024. I almost always eat in a calorie deficit simply because I’m never hungry I usually have to force myself to eat twice a day. I started working out in October I lift three times a week and play basketball in a recreational league once a week. I haven’t lost any weight since first getting on ozempic so I went from 256 to 227 since then and haven’t lost any weight since. I literally don’t know what more I can do to lose weight I feel so defeated. Are there any supplement I should talk to my nutritionist about? What more can I do? I genuinely lost all hope and it’s been quite hard on me mentally.

0 Comments
2025/02/03
20:12 UTC

74

Is my body changing?

Struggling to see the wood through the tree’s here. Been on a health journey with PCOS for as long as I can remember. My symptoms are very minimal now. But my weight always remained. Think I’ve been quite focused on internal health rather than fat loss. In November I finally stepped it up a notch and started weight training 4 times per week and calorie counting consistently. I’m losing weight, but it’s painfully slow. I’ve lost 4 pounds in 2 months since end of November. The month before that, in November, I also lost 5 pounds just calorie counting and walking. I’d gained that after coming back from a 10-day all inclusive holiday though so it will likely be a lot of water weight. My partner tells me my form is looking different but from what I can tell my body measurements really haven’t changed (tape measure) and I can’t personally see it. I feel like I’m going a little mad. Does he have a placebo effect, because he’s concentrating on it more, or am I just completely blind to any change? Or is he just a complete babe and trying to keep me motivated. I feel really good but that’s about it - I don’t see any change in the mirror. I just want a neutral opinion, from strangers on the internet. Only all of you will understand how soul crushing this journey is :-(

11 Comments
2025/02/03
19:11 UTC

80

Almost have lost 50 pounds!!

I weighed myself today and I was at 211. My starting weight was 259. I’ve lost 47.6 pounds which is almost 50 pounds! I can’t believe it and I couldn’t do it without semaglutide!! I actually feel like my goal of 175 or in the 160s is reachable now!! Yay

7 Comments
2025/02/03
17:08 UTC

6

Facial hair 😭

I'm (22F) very concerned about my menstrual health as I miss my periods often. Last year I decided to track my cycles and was shaken up realising I only got my periods 3 times only.

Medical intervention is not an option for me. Talking about Menstrual health is a taboo in my household, basically country (every conversation I tried to initiate was shut down). After noting all the symptoms, I drew I have pcos. So my only option is lifestyle changes.

After through research I'm starting with life style changes. Today is my first day at gym. Currently I weight 75 kgs—with 33% fat percentage. I aim for significant weight loss. Also, control and fight my binge eating pattern.

Hopefully I'll be able to reverse my symptoms.

P.S is there anyway I can deal with facial hair? They make me insecure on next level 😭

15 Comments
2025/02/03
14:00 UTC

1

Help losing weight but terribly slow progress

Hi, I've been diagnosed with PCOS about 4 years ago, but basically I've had it since I was a teen. Didn't realised that was the reason the doctor then put me on the pill. Fast forward to now, I'm 30 this year, I've been changing my lifestyle, adding 80/20 diet plus exercise since 2022, but the major improvements in scale started when I dropped the pill in 2023, but periods have been irregular since. And while discussing with GP and Gyno, they both recommend to be back on the pill to regulate period.
But if I get back on the pill, I'd probably lose the slow weight loss progress I've had so far and I'm terrified to be back on the pill.
Is there any other way I can shred this weight faster or another hormone balancer that I can try? I've tried Spearmint tea, doesn't work for me, I take Magnesium, and eat citrus fruits plus more fruits snacking in between meals.
Walking + water 2liter a day + basil and heavy veges in diet works for me.
Workouts I do 4-5 times a week. I swim on those days too, swimming calms the hell out of my body.

I am debating whether I should take Inositol or Metformin? I live in the Netherlands so if I want Metformin I'd have to find it abroad/private clinic elsewhere but I want to ask has people used them before? Do they help drastically? For context, I was 108 when I started my weightloss and end 2024 I was 101, now increased back to 102. Feeling very exhausted of not seeing where I'm doing wrong, and after a few years of it, I'm at the end of my rope. Please help.

1 Comment
2025/02/03
13:11 UTC

2

Metformin help

soo I've been taking metformin 500mg thrice a day for like 2 weeks but I don't see any weight loss at all. Plus I might have even gained a bit🤷‍♀️. Im soo confused like I've seen all these posts on how people lost so much weight but idk why its not happening for me. Also I haven't been eating even a bit more than usual at all so im confused. What do you guys think?

18 Comments
2025/02/03
05:57 UTC

220

1 month Inositol results December 31st--> January 28th, I am in awe!

24 Comments
2025/02/03
03:57 UTC

2

Wholewheat vs low carb white

I want to eat bread/wraps but there are so many options. Is it better to eat wholewheat/brown bread or white bread that they sell as “low carb” “high protein” I’ve even seen some white bread that says “low GI”… so I’m just confused which is better for insulin resistance and PCOS.

4 Comments
2025/02/03
01:14 UTC

2

Insulin levels

I got labs drawn from my gyno, still waiting on amh and testosterone to come back. My insulin level (fasting) was 18.6 which is high according to the lab key should I ask to be put on metformin?

2 Comments
2025/02/03
00:30 UTC

1

Hey! Steps for exercise/losing weight?

Hello!

I obv have PCOS which is why I'm here! But on top of that I deal with health anxiety and ocd thoughts, the main ones surrounding my heart which stems from a history of chest pain.

I think if I exercise I will die, my heart will give out, this includes walking much. However, I'm determined to work on this, I work from home and there isn't much opportunity to walk, so I got a walking pad for in between work, so I get up from desk!

I've tried to look up how many steps to start with as a goal but all I can find online is the classic 10k well I'm not up to that yet, my brain is telling me that will kills me.

As I've not been exercising for many years (I've dealt with this thoughts for over 5 years now) I am severely unfit! So any tips on getting started would be amazing :)

3 Comments
2025/02/02
23:01 UTC

4

Metformin or GLP

I’ve been trying to lose weight for 6mo now. Lost 7kilos but it is so slow. Considering my options here between Metformin and GLP. Any suggestions?

12 Comments
2025/02/02
17:53 UTC

3

Metformin + BC with weight loss

Hi everyone! I was recently diagnosed with PCOS and have insulin resistance, which makes it SUPER hard for me to lose weight.

My OB-GYN was a GOD SEND. She actually took the time to listen to me and give me her recommendations for care. Long story short, I am now starting with 500mg of Metformin and slowly going to go up to 1500mg and Yas birth control. I’m also going to see a nutritionist.

Has anyone had any negatives/positives with this medicine combo? I have no idea what to expect, and I just want to feel like a normal human being again. Bonus points if I lose the weight too!

Edits: grammar

2 Comments
2025/02/02
16:02 UTC

1

help with portion sizes??

hello! so im trying to lose some weight, and the first thing im tackling is trying to sort out my eating (ive also started swimming with a friend once a week and doing some low intensity workouts at home, though those are occasional LOLL).

its getting better, but not quite there yet, mainly because i have NO clue how much i actually need to eat??

everything says that you need to eat smaller portions, but i dont know how small they need to be, and the amounts of each thing on the plate 😭

im 165 cm tall and weigh about 100 kg (havent weighed myself in a while bc i dont own a scale 😔), if that helps 🙏 any guidance/ tips would be amazing!!

2 Comments
2025/02/02
14:56 UTC

3

Accountability buddy?

Hey! I really need to get my PCOS under control.

I made a plan for the next 2 months to dial in my diet, exercise and mental health (reducing stress). Does anyone want to go on this journey with me? If you have depression, adhd and binge eating even better bc we could help each other with that too.

I plan on strength training 4x a week, walk, eat healthy etc and I have very specific weekly and daily goals we can get into if we match so we can keep each other accountable daily. Would love to become friends too <3

I have bough a ton of programs for the gym and I know a lot about it bc I used to be a fitness girlie so I can share the programs for free and help you decide on one too :)

edit: forgot so say i dont have any social media aside from reddit so communication via whatsapp would be ideal :) Also open to a mini groupchat

7 Comments
2025/02/02
12:05 UTC

1

Help!

Supplement Intake

Hi All,

I’ve started ‘My Ova’ Myo Inositol yesterday afternoon. I’m having 2 in the AM and 2 in the PM as it outlines as recommended.

I’ve also started a few days ago:

NA-C 900mg CoQ10 200mg Omega 3 Fish Oil 2000mg

I’ve carried on with 2000 iu Vitamin D and I’ve been Pregnacare supplements with Vitabotics all through out trying for my first which really kick started October 24.

I am experiencing nausea, a feeling of vomit, and have had diarrhoea on and off.

Can anyone share any insight into whether this is normal, whether the dosage is too high or anything to reassure me or is there a need to change course?

No response to my initial post in r/PCOS

0 Comments
2025/02/02
12:05 UTC

2

Birth control?

What's a good birth control for PCOS? That doesn't cause massive weight gain? But helps the hormone imbalance from PCOS?

Also I'm not worried about getting pregnant. I'm not having sex. I just want some good advice that could help me.

0 Comments
2025/02/02
03:12 UTC

4

PCOS Insulin Resistance WL

I’m trying to figure out when / how I should be eating. I’ve got the foods down ( I think ) , I just need help figuring out whether I should be eating OMAD or intermittent fasting , 16:8. I’m 220 lbs and 5’5.

6 Comments
2025/02/02
01:37 UTC

2

GLP 1 experience

Would anyone like to share their experience taking GLP 1 meds? How does it work for weight loss?

5 Comments
2025/02/01
23:25 UTC

30

30 pounds down!!!!

finally saw the scale move after 1.5 years of crying about it. god bless metformin and 10k steps everyday

8 Comments
2025/02/01
22:55 UTC

2

Starting a journey of wheightloss, but lost with the informations found online

Hey everyone here,

I have started since a week+ a journey of taking care of my body health, trying to reshape that body at the dawning ot my 30ths. For a loooong time I was 61kg (134lbs), medium fit for 169cm (5,5 ft). I am now 80kg (176lbs), trying hard to get back to my previous shape. I know it is not supposed to be that big of a deal, but mentally I am in that place where I need to take care of it now.

I do cardio to exercise 5/days a week at least, and add on top of that HIIT and musculation exercise to get back to what I used to see on the mirror back in the days.

My main struggle is being sure that what I eat is in adequation with what I need, and of course, no need to say, my macros.

Let me explain myself better :

I take care of my own food and never, ever, eat processed one. I have the chance to like vegetables (a lot) and protein like tofu/tempeh as a vegetarian and find it nice and (I know weird for a lot) pleasant to eat that. I'm always under the calories I need to eat per day (the deficit needed as been calculated by my Fitbit at -1000 calories per day).

BUT

As you can see on the picture I link here, Blue is carbs, Red is fat and green Protein. I try to take a shake of protein a day, after my one hour/one hour and half training, to even the data of the proteins that I eat, cause that tofu's still not meat, I'm aware of that, and I need to fulfill that missing part. But is it that bad to have more eaten fat than carbs, the other way around, or do I really need to think more of what I eat to even that out ?

Most of my carbs comes from Lentils, Chickpea, but I have the impression Fitbit consider that my vegetables and fruits are carbs. If this is the case, those these even count as carbs, just like rice, pasta, quinoa and such things ?

I see soooo many different answers and things on the net about those questions that I am starting to rethink everything that I do.

Can some of you help me shine a light on those questions ?

Thanks a lot for your help !

Cheers 🫰🏻

0 Comments
2025/02/01
21:59 UTC

73

Whooah, we're half way there...

I posted here a while ago because I had stalled in my progress and was rather upset. I got some fantastic support and advice and I'm glad to say it's all going well. I'm allowing myself indulgent times like going on holiday or birthday and Christmas and then back on it. I'm doing calorie deficit with MyNetDiary, plus strength training, swimming, yoga and exercise bike.

7 Comments
2025/02/01
19:31 UTC

2

Is it normal to get a bit moody? (Help!)

Before you ask, I am not starving myself. I'm eating atleast 1500 -1700 per day. I'm satiated but I can feel the deficit and what's more is when difficult emotions arise, I don't know what to do - perhaps it's stuff coming up that was buried by using food to self soothe 🥲

I'm at the end of my period so maybe I'm still recovering from that. I'm nearly a week into this and have made great progress but tonight I feel not so great.

2 Comments
2025/02/01
19:06 UTC

19

Nearly lost one stone! 😁

I almost don’t want to share this because I don’t want to jinx it (I’m sure you girlies can’t relate lol)… but I weighed myself today and have nearly lost one stone! On 20th December I was 14 stone 1 lbs, and today I weighed in at 13 stone 2 lbs 😁

I started metformin at the end of September 2024, and have been 30 days binge free from my binge eating disorder!

I’ve just generally been eating more low sugar foods and filling my plate with fruits and veggies. I’m reluctant to share what I eat in detail, as because of my ED I eat the same rigid meals day in, day out… but something is obviously working! 😁

3 Comments
2025/02/01
12:04 UTC

1

Cal Deficit w High Protein Goals?

I’m 5’1 so maybe that’s the problem but when people tell me to do 1kg protein per pound or whatever or even aim for a 100 I’m just like how can you do that without consuming synthetic protein and falling out of your deficit?

I eat on average:

  • 2 eggs 1/3 cup low fat cottage cheese 1 piece of whole-wheat sourdough
  • 17g greek yogurt no sugar strawberries sprinkle of flax hemp cinnamon
  • salmon broccoli 1 cup frozen white rice

I use a spray for oil instead of a bottle, I usually have a coffee with 3 ingredient almond milk and I make 150 ml immunity shots (acv coconut water tumeric ginger lemon salt pepper 1 orange). I’ll have spearmint and dandelion tea usually plain or with a tiny amount of honey.

I feel like they’re all calorie dense foods so maybe that’s the issue.

I don’t have a super high activity level besides steps and like maybe 10 min body Pilates twice a week bc I’m worried it’ll make me hungrier and right now my main focus is getting my food right / consistent so I don’t feel overwhelmed. I def only want to consume real protein but everything I eat is a staple and I’m still sometimes over my deficit. I don’t know how I could add in more protein without going over? Maybe I’m doing too many carbs but the bread and rice keep me satiated from over eating. I have added it all up with estimates and it’s not near 100g at all. I want to make sure I am getting a good enough amount because I heard it helps with adhd and overall fitness goals but.. how. I see girls on social media post their what I eat in a day and it’s these huge portions.. sometimes I doubt they even eat all that because if I did I would gain weight so fast.

1 Comment
2025/02/01
07:18 UTC

18

Progress so far! 🙌🏾

Day 24 into eating better and moving my body everyday (strength training M/W/F and low impact cardio T/Th/S/Su).

Long way to go but it’s something! 😄

2 Comments
2025/02/01
04:11 UTC

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