[Huggy]

Since starting to take pm I've put on about 20 pounds .Even when I take a break I can't seem to lose any of it .How long of a break does it take to lose any of it (my breaks usually last 2-3 weeks). I do diet and exercise some but can only drop 5 pounds or so.

Hiya

Hate to tell you this but weight gain can often be an issue with PM.  

If you think about it, you are shifting your body chemistry more towards the female so it will be no surprise if we start having the same issue with weight as they do?  So in one way it shows the PM is working, the down side is having to deal with the same problems girls do too?

Remember that women have a much lower calorific requirement than men.  Depends on who you talk to (everybody seems to be an expert) for a woman to loose weight they generally need to get below 1500 calories a day.  The problem with a male body being pushed more towards the fem, there is not just the male fat patterns to contend with, you are encouraging the female areas too. 

So what to do?  Ok, I will bottom line this for you.

Don't diet!  Diets doesn't work.  Even if you do manage to loose some weight, you will very likely put it all back on again (and more) as soon as you go back to eating "normally".  To loose weight and keep it off needs a change of menu that you can keep to for life.  Educate yourself regarding food and nutrition.  Manage your calories.  Eat good food that doesn't come from a factory, and (sorry about this) only a very little booze and meat. 

Exercise.  All activity is good!  The chair is bad!!  The one form of exercise that consistency gets results and is relatively easy to incorporate into most people's routine is HIIT.  Much to my frustration, my health means I can't do this but to put it simply... it works.  

I realise I have grossly over simplified this and hope it doesn't make too depressing reading. But it's all part of getting a healthy life (mental and physical), understanding yourself and taking control.  Most of the battle is in the mind.  Get that straight and focused on being well and happy, and the body will follow.