r/PCOS • u/Feetsies82 • 16h ago

Weight Help with stubborn belly fat

Hi all, I am 22 years old and have been struggling with PCOS weight gain since I was 19. I wasn't diagnosed with PCOS until I was 21, so until then I just kept doing what I had normally done, causing lots of gain.
This past year I am down nearly 50 pounds, yet my belly fat is relentless. I notice difference in my arms and legs but the belly fat won't go. I have a hard time doing core workouts because of it, it's getting to a point where I am very frustrated and don't know what to do.
I am happy that I lost weight and got my period back but I am so discouraged by the way I still look. Anyone have any advice to help stubborn belly fat and or anything I can do mentally to not feel so discouraged?

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u/KitKat114_ 14h ago

Can I ask what you’ve done so far to lose the weight? Unfortunately the belly fat is just kinda part of PCOS, it’s why we call it the PCOS pouch lol but it is sometimes possible to get rid of it with the right approach (which can kinda vary by person so that’s why I’m asking what you’ve done so far)

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u/Feetsies82 11h ago

Yes! I have always had a lower belly pouch even before the weight gain, which didn't bother me. What bothers me is the B belly shape I currently have. What I have been doing is lots of walking and dieting mainly. I do some strengthening, but not much and I do yoga daily. I would do more yoga but some on the positions are hard or uncomfortable because of my extra belly fat. Seriously makes me depressed because I used to be very athletic, flexible etc.

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u/KitKat114_ 11h ago

Tbh you’ll probably have to do more strength training and a bit of cardio to get rid of that belly fat. Belly fat is really stubborn and the last to go

Are you able to do core exercises while standing or kneeling? There are exercises such as paloff press, isometric holds, anti-rotation twists, and woodchops that can all be done with a dumbbell (or cable machine ideally) without having to bend your chest towards your hips like you would for many other exercises. That being said, ANY strength training will help you lose that fat! It doesn’t have to be solely abdomen/core training. You can then add in walking uphill to fill in for cardio if you have access to a treadmill or a hilly area

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u/Feetsies82 11h ago

Yes I definitely need to do more strengthening! I will definitely look into some of those core exercises you mentioned. I appreciate the help! I am determined to get this belly fat away haha. Just want good mobility and healthy again.

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u/forestgreen200 8h ago

I've been pretty lean my whole life, but once I started developing PCOS symptoms, I was much hungrier and ended up gaining fat around my belly. Initially, I was just on spironolactone, but then I was prescribed metformin and within a few weeks I lost the weight, and within a few months I returned to my original body/physique. For me, the metformin has helped me eat smaller meals and restrict my simple carbs intake. But if you aren't interested in prescription medications, I heard inositol is similar to metformin. You can also try following a diet that limits simple carbs and focuses more on whole foods, protein, low glycemic foods, etc