dieting/ metabolism

Question
I am a 36 year old female weighting 233 pounds (too much I know) I have history of yo yo dieting. I have an underactive thyroid (Medicated) and polycystic ovaries (not medicated). I am taking 1300-1600cal per day, I do a curves class 3xwk with 2 hours pilates when I can fit it in and I go to power plates 1/2xwk. I have been doing this since Aug with NO weightloss for the last 3 weeks. I drink very occasionally, don't smoke, drink water and herbal teas. My day consists of small bowl porridge, 2 pieces fruit, tuna salad for lunch, yoghurt or a small handful nuts, chicken breast, pork chop or fish with veg or salad and maybe a small snack (2squares chocolate or low fat hot chocolate). I also keep a food/ exercise diary. Given my weight I would expect to lose 2 lbs/wk but its been 11 weeks with 7lbs loss. Please advise me what am I doing wrong. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Both low thyroid production and PCOS tend to depress the metabolism and make weight loss more difficult.You seem to have a pretty good plan in place but,  PCOS tends to respond well to a reduced carbohydrate plan.

Try shaking up your eating plan (always a good idea when you have been on a plan for a while) Try eating lower carbohydrate- Egg white omelet for breakfast, veggies instead of fruit for snacks, Nuts are good snack as well. Switch to a lower sugar dark chocolate for sweet treats.

Try this for two weeks. You may find that this type of eating plan really works for you and you might want to stick with it. If not, go back to your original plan- the change will shake up your system and get you through your plateau.

Now to be clear I am not advocating low carb for everyone. I just know that many people with PCOS respond well to it and it will be a big enough change from what you are currently eating to shock your system out of the slump it has gotten in to.

Hope that is helpful.

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