Weight loss help from someone who knows what they are talking about?

[Anonymous]

Okay, I need some really good advice here. I don't want to do anything extreme like 500 calories a day and all, because I've been there, and now I weigh MORE and gained MORE than what I lost. So I want to do something that will help me lose weight at a steady pace, but nothing that will make me gain it all back (and some more) if I were to stop. So okay, my story: I was diagnosed with PCOS a few years ago, and that's what's been making it so hard for me to lose weight, and the reason why I gain weight so fast. My heaviest was 315 pounds, and my lowest was 253... I went from 293, to 253 in 5 months doing a bad diet, and when I stopped, I gained it all back and was 298, and then I went back on the same dies, and weighed 262, and then stopped and went back up to 305, and so I became very depressed and gained 10 more pounds. Recently I dropped 7 pounds and gained back 3. So now I weigh 311. And I'm 5'10, not a good look. I mean, I definitely don't look like a weigh that much, but you can tell in mainly my arms and my legs. Not so much of my stomach area. But I just want to know if anyone can really help me, because I'm having such an issue with this, and on one note, I run a mile like 3 days out of the week... It's like things don't add up here. I just want to lose weight once and for all, because I'm sick of feeling so happy, and then seeing myself in pictures thinking I looked fine, when I really look huge and disgusting. So if anyone could help, please feel free to give me some serious advice. Not just opinions, but people who actually know what they are talking about, or have been in my shoes and have lost weight. Thank you!

[kheserthorpe]

Hmm. I've actually gone on a ... lets say 700 calorie a day diet, and did not gain it back, but in my case, the 700 calories were probably 95% from protein, so I was working hard to maintain muscle mass. The 'gain back more then you lost' typically means you triggered metabolic slowdown, probably through losing muscle mass. The more 'extreme' your diet, the more careful you need to be.

I'm not suggesting you go that low, however. I don't know anything personally about pcos, but you should speak to other dieters with it ... I have never used any herbal supplements while dieting, but there are stacks that can help. Trying to crank up your metabolism to burn fat off is not a great idea, trying to _maintain_ steady metabolism while in caloric deficit is almost certainly much safer.

I've read some excellent books on nutrition and dieting by lyle macdonald. He has a website ( link As well as the articles, check the forum - you can probably find people with metabolic issues more like yours there who coudld provide good advice.

Good luck. If its of any help, feel free to message me.

[NerdInDenial]

I read from many fitness experts is to not go on a diet. The key is to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Do you go cold turkey on the bad stuff? Of course, not. It's good to treat yourself at times. However, you must cut that stuff out. Don't use the scale. Use the mirror as a gauge. Because you have a lot fat to lose, do more cardio or interval training. Go on YouTube and look for channels like athlean-x or sixpack shortcuts. They have many videos that address healthier diets. Stick to fresh produce.

[nomnomchompsky]

My best advice would seriously be to stop asking the internet for advice on these kinds of things that pertain to your physical health. If you have a condition that causes your weight to fluctuate in either direction, the best way for you to get any advice that is at all trustworthy is to talk to your doctor. If you really want to get the best advice, have your doctor refer you to a nutritionist who can help you set up a personal plan that will work for you, and adjust it as needed. The internet can only help you so much, if you're really serious at some point you need to consult professionals.