Wanting to lower Androgens and Insulin

[Chihuahua Luvin Gurl]

Hello!

I am hoping someone can help by giving me some good ideas, I am wanting to lower my androgens and insulin levels. I have insulin resistance and PCOS, I am on Glucophauge. Can anyone help?

Thanks!

[Georgiana]

Re: Wanting to lower Androgens and Insulin

Unfortunately I know little about the medical conditions you've mentioned. I hope someone will be able to give you the answers you're looking for.

The "Atkins Diet For Life" forum is meant for questions regarding the Maintenance phase of the Atkins Diet, so I will move your thread to the "Main Atkins Diet" forum. That way it will get more attention and, hopefully, more replies.

[Chihuahua Luvin Gurl]

Re: Wanting to lower Androgens and Insulin

Thank you, still trying to get the grip of this whole thing.

[Gottabringmeback]

Re: Wanting to lower Androgens and Insulin

Sorry to hear...I am in the same boat. Pcos is a real pain because the multiple issues it can cause. I was given Metformin a few months ago and it made me eat sooo much it was ridiculous! I stopped taking it and to be honest, haven't told my doctor. I'm still kind of mad that we specifically addressed the weight issue and he told me it would HELP me lose weight...when I realized I put on 15 pounds because of it I stopped!
I am going for my labs in june again so we'll see how it goes but overall I feel much better now. This is the best feeling even though I'm only 10% done with my weightloss.

[Chihuahua Luvin Gurl]

Re: Wanting to lower Androgens and Insulin

Yep, very frustrating! I am probably going to stop taking my Glucophauge, I don't know that its helping... plus, if I don't eat carbs, why do I need to take it?! Hope your labs bring results you want! PM me if you ever want to chat!

[Gottabringmeback]

Re: Wanting to lower Androgens and Insulin

Well, I'm not a doctor but I don't think they help, atleast they didn't help me. Not eating sugar and carbs is the best thing you can do right now and you won't belive how much better you'll feel and you will see the difference. Also, what I like about this diet is you don't have to pretend you're full of a lettuce leaf...you know what I mean..for people who have alot to lose and our stomaches are already streched out and use to getting alot of food.

[Chihuahua Luvin Gurl]

Re: Wanting to lower Androgens and Insulin

Yeah, I am always starving! I have never ever had success with the 50 diets I've been on over the years... I always failed after 4 days because I was starving! I've been able to eat until full with this program, I am just starting to feel frustrated because I have so much to lose and nothing is budging yet! Plus, we aren't all that creative with our menu, so its kinda boring. But we are searching Atkins friendly stuff!

[Elizellen]

Re: Wanting to lower Androgens and Insulin

It is tough to start working out interesting menus

We often have threads in this forum and the induction ones called something like "What's for breakfast (or lunch or dinner)?" where members post the meal they have just eaten or are planning to eat.

Take a look at some of those to get some new ideas as well as browsing our food forums.

[Chihuahua Luvin Gurl]

Re: Wanting to lower Androgens and Insulin

Thanks, I have been exploring the site, its so huge! Very helpful though!!

[imagood1]

Re: Wanting to lower Androgens and Insulin

hi and welcome Chihuahua! There is a group thread for people with PCOS PCOS & Atkins Low Carb Living - Atkins Diet. Make sure you read the 2002 DANDR (Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution) book so you will understand the science behind this plan and also the whats and whys which make it work.

Join a few challenges to help meet people and stay accountable to yourself. Drink at least 64 ounces of pure water daily (more below) and start some form of exercise. When I first started I could barely make it to the top of the block and back - now I walk several miles (did a 5K yesterday) and ride my stationary bike 15 or 20 miles daily. I've also added HipHop Abs DVD's and Bellydancing for Exercise DVD and will start light dumbbell exercises tomorrow. You can do some form of exercise - dance around the room, walk up and down steps. The more you move the more you loose!

I have Type 2 diabetes - was diagnosed last summer. The diet the nutritionist gave me helped me gain weight because of the sheer volume of food I was eating daily. I am on glyb/metformin 5/500 in the morning and metformin 1000mg at bedtime. Since I have been on Atkins I've had 1 decrease in dosage by my doctor and on June 2 I'm hoping to see another reduction. I'm also on blood pressure, trigliceride and cholesterol medicine so I'm not loosing as quickly as other people but I have been happy with the weight I have lost this far.

Here are some links to help get you started -- make sure you are eating 20 carbs per day - mostly in vegetables. Eat when you are hungry and stop when you feel full (not stuffed).

There are some wonderful recipe sites we use that will keep you from getting bored with the same things over and over. I rarely eat the same thing from week to week unless I really want to (I'm on a spaghetti squash kick right now -- 1/2 cup to a cup a day - but it's because I really like it).

Good luck to you.

The Rules of Induction can be found here:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ead.php?t=6782 (What are the Rules of Induction?)
The Induction Acceptable Foods List can be found here:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ead.php?t=6781 (What foods can be eaten on Induction?)


Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes - Daily Menus
Sugar Free Sheila's Atkins Low Carb Induction Friendly Recipes!

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/58513-never-ending-induction-recipes.html

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/6807-induction-recipe-basics-more-recipes-added.html

This is from the "Read before you start" post

Be sure to drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water each day, including:
Filtered water
Mineral water
Spring water
Tap water

Additionally (after your 64 ounces daily), you can have the following:

Clear broth/bouillon (not all brands; read the label)
Club soda
Cream, heavy or light (limit to two to three tablespoons a day; note carb content)
Decaffeinated coffee or tea*
Diet soda made with sucralose (Splenda); be sure to count the carbs (may cause a stall in weight loss)
Essence-flavored seltzer (must say "no calories" and should not contain aspartame)
Herb tea (without barley or any fruit sugar added)
Lemon juice or lime juice (note that each contains 2.8 grams carbohydrate per ounce); limit to two to three tablespoons

*Excessive caffeine may cause unstable blood sugar and should be avoided by those who suspect they are caffeine dependent. Everyone should try to avoid caffeine. Grain beverages (coffee substitutes) are not allowed. Alcoholic beverages are also not permitted during Induction; those low in carbohydrates are an option, in moderation, in later phases.

[Chihuahua Luvin Gurl]

Re: Wanting to lower Androgens and Insulin

Thanks for the links, VERY helpful!!!!