Woman who had struggled for years lost 60lbs after getting diagnosis

A woman lost more than 60lbs and dropped three dress sizes after years of struggle were finally explained thanks to a diagnosis. Dils Lee had always struggled with her weight, but it wasn’t until she reached her heaviest at 192 lbs and a size 16, in July 2023 that her weight began seriously impacting her self-esteem.

“Ever since I was a young child, I was always bigger. I would eat the same things as my friends and family, but I was the only one gaining weight,” the digital creator said . “When I reached puberty and got my period, my cycles were always irregular, sometimes lasting over 90 days. I also suffered from acne, brain fog, lack of energy, sugar crashes, back and joint pain, and poor sleep.”

“I suspected there was something wrong with my hormones, but every doctor’s visit ended with the same advice: ‘Lose weight and you’ll see an improvement in your overall health.'”

After years of being dismissed by medical professionals, Dils finally uncovered what was driving her weight gain – and it wasn’t a lack of exercise or a bad diet. “I was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome at age 25. The diagnosis was delayed for many years because diagnosing PCOS requires meeting two out of three criteria.”

“At times, cysts were not visible on my ovaries, so they didn’t diagnose me until the cysts became clearly visible,” explained Dils. Dils started eating in a calorie deficit and walking most mornings with a friend to get coffee.

This small adjustment saw her lose a few pounds. Determined to lose more weight, she joined HIIT classes at her local gym, attending multiple times a week. Despite her dedication and the initial weight loss, Dils hit a plateau after losing 37lbs and could not lose any more weight. There was also no improvement in her PCOS symptoms, and she was still battling fatigue, swelling, and inflammation.

Dils sought professional help from a specialist in hormonal health and fitness to get her life back on track. “I contacted Lily Cook, a nutritionist and personal trainer who primarily works with women managing hormonal imbalances. Lily helped formulate a plan specific to my circumstances to help me lose weight and manage my PCOS symptoms,” said Dils.

“Within 12 weeks, my cycle had gone from 50+ days to 28-35 days. Within 16 weeks of Lily’s programme, I reduced my insulin levels from 21 to 3. Before, I was doing HIIT workouts that left me tired, sore and inflamed. Lily organised three strength workouts for me each week, which I did on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.”

“She would change the workouts every six weeks or so. Once I felt confident with the exercises, I added Pilates to my routine, something I’ve always wanted to try but never felt fit enough to do. Now, I do Pilates once a week because it brings me joy, and I enjoy the class environment.”

In addition, Dils’s exercise routine includes walking 12,000 steps a day and three tailored strength training sessions per week. She has also drastically changed her diet. “I cut out all processed foods and focused on low-carb macros to help manage my insulin resistance. The changes were noticeable very quickly – my body reduced all inflammation almost immediately after going low-carb.”

“Within about two weeks, I saw a significant change in my body shape. While this wasn’t fat loss, it was encouraging to see my body responding well to the diet. Within 12-16 weeks of Lily’s programme, I essentially had no symptoms of PCOS and have maintained this symptom-free state since then. Now, six months into her programme, I’ve lost another 15kg and drastically transformed my figure,” said Dils.

Dils’s physical health is not the only thing that has improved. The impact on her emotional well-being has been profound. “I’m so much more confident and happy. I also feel so much more mentally clear. I feel excited to go out, see friends, make plans, and continue making progress in my journey,” she said.

Dils’s advice to other women who suspect they may have PCOS and are struggling with weight gain is to seek professional help. “There is no quick fix, but there definitely is a fix. It’s worth reaching out to a nutritionist or a naturopath who can help work out a plan for you. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. Now, I have the tools to support my body and my health, and I’ll continue to live my life this way,” she concluded.