Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Grrrr.......
I don't know what is the more frustrating part of PCOS. There are many crappy things, but I think the most frustrating for me at least at this moment is gaining weight even though I am dieting. Yes, it is true women with PCOS become insulin resistant and go into what is called Metobolic Syndrome and they will gain weight even when they stick to diet and/or exercise plans. Now 2 weeks ago the weight gain started right about the time I started my new quadrupel strength estrogen/progesteron pill. Now in theory this pill is supposed to help, but in the meantime it is turning me into a crazy woman who is apparently also gaining weight. So now I am in survival mode. I am just trying not to gain weight. I don't know how long until my body adjusts to this pill. I would think 1-3 months, but I will ask my dr. the next time I speak to her. Having PCOS you have to find a magic balance in order to lose weight. I've done it in the past, but it is really hard. I haven't lost faith and I don't plan on stopping the slow carb diet but I just wanted to vent how frustrating it is to be eating so healthy and still be gaining weight. Welcome to the world of PCOS.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
The Four Part Balancing Act
I have a read what feels like a million articles on PCOS. I have seen many doctors and I think I finally have it norrowed down the plan that is going to get me back to healthy. It is a four part plan. A balancing act if you will.
1. Diet
2. Exercise
3. Medication
4. Supplements
1. Diet
Since people with PCOS are insulin resistant, the best diet to follow is a low carb high protein diet simlar to the kind of diets doctor's reccomend for diabetics.
2. Exercise
Exercise helps with insulin resistance. It also helps with cardiovascular disease, which is a side effect of PCOS.
3. Medication
Metformin, Progesterone, Estrogen, and Sprinolactone
4. Supplements
I am still researching this further, but definitaley fish oil to help fight inflamation caused by weight gain and insulin resistance. I want to reseach more into homeopathic treatments for PCOS, which may include natural hormone supplements.
Also important is accountability. Seeing my doctor every 3 months to have lab work done and to monitor my progress. Also accountability to myself. There is no magic pill that fixes PCOS. The treatment is a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. In order to get better I have to get myself better. No one is going to do that for me. It will take sacrifice and discipline. It will be a hard and slow process, but the reward is so much better than the alternative. It isn't just about weight. It isn't just about fertility. Its about my overall health in general, and in the bigger picture my over all happiness.
1. Diet
2. Exercise
3. Medication
4. Supplements
1. Diet
Since people with PCOS are insulin resistant, the best diet to follow is a low carb high protein diet simlar to the kind of diets doctor's reccomend for diabetics.
2. Exercise
Exercise helps with insulin resistance. It also helps with cardiovascular disease, which is a side effect of PCOS.
3. Medication
Metformin, Progesterone, Estrogen, and Sprinolactone
4. Supplements
I am still researching this further, but definitaley fish oil to help fight inflamation caused by weight gain and insulin resistance. I want to reseach more into homeopathic treatments for PCOS, which may include natural hormone supplements.
Also important is accountability. Seeing my doctor every 3 months to have lab work done and to monitor my progress. Also accountability to myself. There is no magic pill that fixes PCOS. The treatment is a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. In order to get better I have to get myself better. No one is going to do that for me. It will take sacrifice and discipline. It will be a hard and slow process, but the reward is so much better than the alternative. It isn't just about weight. It isn't just about fertility. Its about my overall health in general, and in the bigger picture my over all happiness.
Monday, May 9, 2011
The Slow Carb Diet Slowly Working
My mother has lost 30 lbs in 3 or so months in the slow carb diet. I am very inspired ! This marks the 3rd week of the slow carb diet I am down 6 lbs. So that is 12 lbs from where I originally started about a year ago. Not the progress I wanted. I hoped for more, but I failed to deliver. There are days I wake up and I feel very motivated and I tell myself it doesn't matter how long it takes or how many times I have to start over. And then there are days where I feel sorry for myself for having PCOS for having gained 80 lbs and for having to even eat a certain way. For having it be so damn hard to lose weight. I just want to be better. Time goes by so slow but its gone too damn fast. I don't want to live the rest of my life this way. I want to be happy and I want to be healthy. For anyone thinking of doing the slow carb thing here are the pros and cons.
The Pros
If you are taking metformin like I am you no longer have sugar interaction with the drugs and therfor will see a dramtic decrease in nausea vomitting and other unpleasant stomach problems
You don't have to count calories you simply stick to certain foods
Meals are simple one lean protien one bean/legume and one vegitable
Results -- the average person will lose 2-3 lbs per week
Cheat Day! One day a week you get to eat anything and everything you want - its like a celebration of food and you still lose weight
The Cons
you have to give up fruit, carbs, dairy, etc.
Beans at every meal is very strange and hard to get used to
Cravings - if you have a sweet tooth there is only so much sugar free jello you can eat before you find yourself with a pint of Ben and Jerry's in your hand
Sometimes cheat day seems so far away .......
I plan on sticking with this way of eating if for no other reason than I am no longer sick off the Metformin. To me the weight loss is an added bonus. They have quadrupled my estrogen pill so other than making me crazy while I adjust, I am hoping it doesn't put a stall to my weight loss. This first week on the new pill I didn't lose any weight. The two prior weeks I lost 6 lbs. 4 lbs the first week and 2 lbs the 2nd week. My body may just need time to adjust. I am hopeful. I appreciate all the kind words from friends and family who have been through this rollecoaster ride of diet drugs and fertility issues. It is good to know we are not alone.
The Pros
If you are taking metformin like I am you no longer have sugar interaction with the drugs and therfor will see a dramtic decrease in nausea vomitting and other unpleasant stomach problems
You don't have to count calories you simply stick to certain foods
Meals are simple one lean protien one bean/legume and one vegitable
Results -- the average person will lose 2-3 lbs per week
Cheat Day! One day a week you get to eat anything and everything you want - its like a celebration of food and you still lose weight
The Cons
you have to give up fruit, carbs, dairy, etc.
Beans at every meal is very strange and hard to get used to
Cravings - if you have a sweet tooth there is only so much sugar free jello you can eat before you find yourself with a pint of Ben and Jerry's in your hand
Sometimes cheat day seems so far away .......
I plan on sticking with this way of eating if for no other reason than I am no longer sick off the Metformin. To me the weight loss is an added bonus. They have quadrupled my estrogen pill so other than making me crazy while I adjust, I am hoping it doesn't put a stall to my weight loss. This first week on the new pill I didn't lose any weight. The two prior weeks I lost 6 lbs. 4 lbs the first week and 2 lbs the 2nd week. My body may just need time to adjust. I am hopeful. I appreciate all the kind words from friends and family who have been through this rollecoaster ride of diet drugs and fertility issues. It is good to know we are not alone.
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