I have PCOS it does not have me!

As of today I am down 6.2lbs from 4 weeks ago and earned my first -5lbs star!! I had an awesome loss, a small loss, and two gains and those things brought me to here.

For a while now I've been a part-time vegetarian--which I love! The science behind that for me is based almost entirely on my desire to get limit the hormones, pesticides, antibiotics, etc. that run rampant in our food. I'm not saying to jump on my bandwagon, but I am saying that making a conscious effort to buy local, organic, high quality foods has made a huge difference in my life and health.

For two years (and 13 medications) I haven't been able to lose one measly pound. And now I've got 6+ gone!! That's worth celebrating!! But, above all else: I'm in control! For the first time in two years, I'm doing something good for me--working hard, mind you, it isn't easy--and its paying off! I still have PCOS, but PCOS does not have me!

I've talked a lot about eating organic, especially local foods, and how that fits into my lifestyle and why it is my choice. I'm taking that a step further now by getting rid of chemicals I never knew existed, starting with cleaning products. Again, this isn't for scare tactics--and its based entirely on a personal choice to get rid of the things that make my PCOS worse. I mean, that makes sense, doesn't it?

For now, I'm trying to keep my momentum going, but realistically, it all goes back to the PCOS roller coaster....so I'm not getting too far ahead of myself in "beating" the enemy, but I am in a far better position to keep it well maintained! It feels good to be where I am, for the first time in years I actually FEEL good. Not just well, healthy and happy. I feel GOOD!

Ddddddddd-duh!

[NOTE: this is not my own work, but rather, a bit of information I think is worth sharing. Also, my doctor is one of the doctors participated in this research and also determined that my own vitamin D levels were dreadfully low.]


We've spoken many times about the importance of vitamin D in helping you to control PCOS and reduce your risk of future diseases. (That's one reason why there is so much vitamin D in our d- pinitol product). We've previously reported studies showing that women who have PCOS are more likely to have abnormally low vitamin D levels.

Low vitamin D levels are associated with many PCOS symptoms as well as insulin resistance, cognitive decline, fatal stroke, cardiovascular disease, bre.ast cancer, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, osteoporosis, shortened lifespan and more.

Adequate vitamin D is an absolute necessity for anyone who wants to live a healthy life.

However, the research news is alarming.

For example, the Medical College of Georgia has just reported a vitamin D deficiency in teens.

Most of our vitamin D is manufactured by our bodies when our skin is exposed to the sun.

Georgia is a state that gets a lot of sun. So you would think teenage girls would have plenty of vitamin D. Sadly, nothing could be further from the truth.

The researchers found low vitamin D levels in 56% of the 559 male and female teens they tested. Thirty percent of white female teens had low levels.

An astonishing 94% of African-American teen girls had vitamin D levels that were below optimal. The health of this ethnic group could become a moving train wreck if nothing is done, starting now.

If you're a teen, ask your parents to arrange for a vitamin D test.

If you're a mother of a teen, ask your doctor to test your daughter or son for vitamin D.

Read the complete article on our website:
www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/news113.html#sec1

D-Pinitol with Vitamin D here:
www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/store/pinitol

The PCOS Roller Coaster

I've been absent from the blogging for a few days--sorry to the 3 people who read this! PCOS has been taking its toll on me this past week. The Ramsey Center was closed for renovations and I fell back into the lack-of-exercise lull. I've been exhausted this week. I'm still debating on getting a glucose meter for the days when I feel like this, so I know what my sugar is doing and how I feel at the same time. That's the roller coaster aspect of dealing with PCOS. Some days I feel great and some days I can barely get out of bed. But, I'm learning and not giving up--which I believe is the key to beating this thing!

I had a tiny gain on WI on Saturday, which I'm not beating myself up about. I just accepted it and moved forward! Sunday David and I went kayaking with Broad River Outpost and it was FANTASTIC! I calculated it up at 41 Activity Points for the 4 hour trip and I felt every one of them! That was a really awesome way to relieve some stress and enjoy God's beautiful creation (along with man's creation--daredevil drunken tricks--of groups along the way.) Trust me, way more fun sober--and as hard as it was to maneuver some parts of the river, drinking would be just plain dangerous!

I've done really well realistically with watching my WW plan and putting it into action. Tomorrow I'm going to make something called the Green Monster, a smoothie that is supposed to help with energy. I'm actually excited about it! Its basically spinach, milk, flax seeds, a banana and some ice. I'll let you know how it goes!

This was my quote today: You're the only person who knows what's right for you. The only one. And if you already know what that is, commit to it. If you don't, commit to nothing.

Words to live by.

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff...

So this week was definitely one of the most stressful weeks I've had in a while... but, I came to an understanding that it isn't the situations that stress me out, its how I respond to situations. So this week, I'll be working on making the choice to respond or "act" instead of "re-acting."

The Ramsey Center was closed this week for renovations so I didn't workout at all last week... I also had planned on walking at lunch--a whopping 5 APs--but the heat index was well into the 110+ zone and no matter how hydrated you are, that just isn't safe or smart, so I didn't do that either. I stayed OP almost every day, and used a few of my extra weekly 35, but all in all I was having a rough week and anticipating a gain....well, instead on Saturday morning I was pleased to see a lovely -0.6lb from the week prior. Small stuff, but still a big step in the right direction! That brings me to a whole 4 pounds in two weeks--a MAJOR victory in the battle against PCOS, Insulin Resistance and my weight. So rather than say "well, I ONLY lost .6 this week..." I've chosen to be just as pumped as last week! I'm not sweating the small stuff, I'm celebrating it!!

Sometimes, especially in the days where I'm feeling down or insecure, its nice to remember why I'm doing this...why I've chosen to quit all the prescriptions and take things into my own hands--the main goal of losing weight and becoming a healthier me isn't just for myself. It has nothing to do with how David feels about me... or what my friends or strangers think.... I'm doing this--fighting this battle--for the babies I hope to have some day. Granted, that's MANY years down the road...that is a driving factor. I don't know what role PCOS will play in my future, but I know what I'm doing about it right now. And right now, its what will count in the long run.

I had a great day at the lake with some of my favorite people and my puppy and I'm really looking forward to my baby brother's birthday party next Saturday and a Manley kayaking trip on Sunday....those are things to get me through the week :o) and maybe next week I'll have a 5lb star to write about!

Here's to a better week, more activity, and counting your blessings!

Nervous about Week 2

Week two on my WW journey is here and weigh in is 5 days away...I'm a little nervous this week because I want so badly to be happy with the results again this week. Last week I was moderately hoping for a .5lb loss and was flabbergasted when I was down 3.4 pounds!!

So far, I've done really well on my water and even mastered a minor snafu when the DBF wanted Bojangles' (Ham biscuit and green beans anyone??? 6.5 points. Not too shabby!) Tonight we has pasta...whole wheat penne with "Norma" sauce--basically tomatoes, eggplant, basil and ricotta--which was delicious and I had saved some points to spring for the cheese!

For some positivity, I am so proud to say I accomplished a major non-scale victory (NSV) today: I said NO! When someone wanted me to take on yet another additional project, and I very politely said I just didn't have the time! GO ME!!!! I know it sounds silly, but that was a HUGE empowering moment for me!

Here's to hoping everyone has a great week!