About a month ago, I went to a doctors appointment to discuss my PCOS and without going too much into my personal life...lets just say it was an emotional day. (I still love my doctor though! I is very sympathetic and helpful!)
When I got home, I decided I needed to take more action on my health. I would say I am pretty healthy. I eat well, I am not overweight at all (which is actually uncommon in those with PCOS), and I exercise 5 times a week (for the most part...right now I have a cold so I am trying to fight that off before I get back into exercise) But the one thing I knew I could be better at was my sugar intake.
During our last externship, I read a lot of books about PCOS. It was a bit overwhelming (still kind of is), but I learned a lot about my body. One of the things I read was that those with PCOS should not be eating sugar as often as they do. People with PCOS often CRAVE sugar and carbs, but it is destroying their bodies. So I decided it was time to quit. I actually wanted to quit at the beginning of the year, but it is a lot harder to quit something when you are living with other people and are at their mercy of what you eat. (Don't get me wrong. WE ARE SO THANKFUL that we were able to stay with family. It's just hard when you have to eat a certain way, but you don't want to have to burden others with your problems...its kind of like being on Christmas vacation and trying to start a new diet. It's impossible.). So since we are on our own, I figured it was the perfect time to quit because I can be in control of what I eat without temptations. I also bought a book called, "The PCOS diet". So far, I have learned SO much from this book! It is really easy to understand.
So the GOOD NEWS.... after two weeks of quitting sugar and starting to eat according to how my book says I should...my body has already started to fix itself. I actually had a normal cycle (I'm pretty sure we're all girls here right?). This NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER happens. Since I got off Birth control, I can only remember one other time this has happened to me in the past 3 years! And this is only after 2 weeks of incorporating this diet!
The only problem is...I have just now realized that I am probably going to have to take my health to a new extreme! I thought I was a bit extreme before all of this...but now I HAVE to be even MORE extreme and that is a bit overwhelming.
For example...I have to count my calorie intake EVERY DAY! (I have done this before, when I was trying to lose weight, but after that I kind of knew how much I had to eat and stopped counting). I have to count everyday because I also have to manage my carb intake...and that means EVERY carb (fruit, grains, sugar/sweets, dairy/yogurt/beans) Vegetables have carbs in them too, but they are so low that it really doesn't matter, and protein has 0 carbs...so I am also supposed to eat lots of protein, or pair protein with a carb.
The reason I have to do this is because I have something called, "Insulin resistance". I could probably explain in detail what this is but I'm sure you don't care to read a whole blog post about it, so here is a picture to simplify it!
It's pretty much like being diabetic, but I'm not. HOWEVER, if I don't eat right I am at risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and endometrial cancer. So it's much bigger than just a cause for infertility for me. It's my overall health.
The hardest thing about all of this, currently, is sometimes I feel judged because I have to eat a certain way. For a lot of reasons. When I say I can't eat sugar at a party or other things because I have to moderate my carbs, I feel like people assume that I am doing this because I want to lose weight. That isn't the case. I am happy with my weight, I just want my body to work like everyone else's. I also feel judged because I know my health is an inconvenience to others. I feel stupid having to ask someone what kind of sugars are in certain recipes, or how much sugar is in something. Or when someone offers me something and I have to say, "no". I am kind of dreading family get togethers because I know its going to be extra hard. Hopefully, I can get into a habit of balancing everything before then though so I can be better in control of what I eat. I just need to get used to having temptations around me I guess.
It's been hard for Kevin. I bought some peanut butter that is pure peanuts, and NO SUGAR and he hated it! He keeps telling me his life sucks right now...but at the same time he has been SOOOOO supportive. He really doesn't complain that much. Usually if he does, its done in humour. And I guess the good thing is that he has lost some weight because I've been trying to get more vegetables in our diets since they have VERY little carbs, but are full of fiber which kind of balances my insulin more. It has been hard on me too...its hard trying to change your lifestyle and grocery shopping stinks! There are so many foods I want to eat (like cheese-its or EVEN tomato soup), but I can't eat them because its either junk or it contains sugar in it. I'm still trying to figure out what to do about bread because I can't find ANY bread that has NO sugar in it...and I'm not even sure how to make my own without sugar in it? How on earth does that even work?
Anyway, so as you can see. I've taken on a new extreme. For good reason though. Still learning...but I think I might want to study nutrition someday. I think I could be good at it. We'll see. Sorry this is long. If you have read the whole thing...Kuddos and THANK YOU! Hopefully, you will understand why I am turning down your awesome delicious chocolate cake you spent forever making! :)
14 comments:
I COMPLETELY understand! I have been completely off sugar and had VERY few carbs for the past two months. You should come to our house to eat! Just about all we eat are veggies! About once a week we slice up lots of vegetables and I spend about four hours roasting them in the oven. Zucchini, eggplant, peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms, sweet peas (yes, they have a few carbs!)
Hopefully your family will get on board and see that this is actually the best way to eat!
I actually did find a zero carb bread. It isn't fantastic, but it is fun to have with a bowl of vegetable soup every once in a while. It is made by Julian Bakery, and you can find it in health food stores. Look it up online and see if anyone local sells the bread.
I wouldn't HIGHLY recommend it, but it is nice every once in a while.
If you ever need some moral support feel free to call. Ask Denise for my number, I completely understand.
Also, just start sharing your healthy lifestyle with those around you and maybe some will start with you. I doubt that anyone is really judging you, they are probably just judging themselves and wishing they had the self discipline to eat as healthy as you are eating!
Hey Ellen! I just wanted to say to hang in there! It will get better! Lifestyle changes are always hard. I make all my own bread....and I sometimes use agave instead of honey as the recipe calls for. Would that make a difference for you? I know that it does make a difference for diabetics because of how their body processes the sugar and wear agave ranks on the glycemic index. If this makes a difference, let me know and I can share the recipe.
You know, it's encouraging to read about someone who has taken control of their diet and nutrition and stuck to their guns, despite temptations and adversity while doing so. I applaud you for knowing you needed to make a change and have followed through. It has been the HARDEST thing ever for me to change my diet. Nothing has changed. I love cooking and baking and that makes it even worse. I'm sure you know about the struggles I've had recently, and on top of that I've been obese for forever. So, a good zero sugar/low carb diet could do me wonders, too. I'm hoping I can take your enthusiasm and run with it. Don't hesitate to blog about your tips, tricks, and recipes. I sure could use it. :) hopefully your health continues to improve.
Wow! You amaze me. You never know what people are going through. I have so much respect for you, I already did but now even more. You are so positive it makes me want to be more positive. You go girl!!! I'm cheering for you all the way!!!
Awesome!!! We could all do better limiting carbs and sugar!!! (Yay for Aunt Flo) :)
P.S. The longer you are off the carbs, the easier it gets to be around others that are eating them. I can now go to a wedding reception with only sweets being served and be perfectly happy. I do have to make sure I eat some yummy vegetables before I go and find a glass of water, but it has gotten easier. Hang in there! You are doing a great thing for your body! And I am pretty sure that is what life is all about - making sure we can control our earthly bodies!
You're doing awesome Ellen! It seems like several people in our group of friends have been trying to be healthier. Allyson busted out the treats at Bachelorette and none of us ate them! Woo hoo! Next time I come to Bachelorette, I'll bring veggies to snack on. :)
Thanks for sharing! And you are so awesome to share this as well!
I'm so glad you found something that seems to help but sad that it's pretty hard to implement. I know you can do it and think you're awesome for trying it.I hope it works! Keep us posted on how you're doing and feeling!
Ellen, I may have a solution to your bread issue. Have you heard of Ezekiel Bread? I have used it, it is completely natural and has no sugar. They sell it at Wegman's or Whole Foods in the freezer section. Here is a link to their webpage. I hope this helps.
http://www.foodforlife.com/product-catalog/ezekiel-49/breads/120C6-organic-sprouted-whole-grain-flourless-bread
We miss you guys and you are in our prayers!
Girl you rock! I am so proud and inspired by you. I am trying to improve things too. I can't imagine how hard it is for you. We should have a healthy food/dinner night. I'd love to try out new things. Sarah Ringer would probably have great info. And, I'm proud of you for writing about this on your blog. I know it helps you and others. See ya. You know I love ya girl!
You can do it Ellen! I am sure it is so hard to avoid carbs, but if you have already seen positive changes in your body then that will be good motivation! Good luck!
Hi Ellen. I read this post a long time ago, but I wanted to come back and thank you! I have been in the same boat with infertility issues and a completely abnormal cycle. I feel like this post was an answer to a lot of prayer and fasting. It inspired me to cut sugar out of my diet and eat healthier. It's only been a month, but I feel like it has already corrected my cycle problems! It was like a miracle! I'd love to hear an update on this adventure of yours and steal some of your healthy recipes! Thanks again.
Hi there!
I stumbled across your pin on Pinterest while working on a post of my own about PCOS and just wanted to say how wonderful I think it is that you've chosen to share your journey with others. I also wanted to share that having struggled with this issue over the past 15 years, I know how debilitating it can be. Over the past 7 years, I went from being fit and energetic with a week or two a month of pain to experiencing almost constant pain, bloating, excessive hair growth, completely random mood swings/rage, issues with fatigue, inability to lose post pregnancy weight, acne, trouble conceiving, intense sugar cravings- pretty much everything on your infographics above. I felt like there was no hope. It became my normal.
I don't know where you are in your fight against PCOS now, but the reason that I'm writing is that after years of pills, procedures, trips to the ER, and trying every homeopathic remedy out there, about three months ago I finally found something natural that works for me and I've discovered that it's helping many other women with PCOS as well. It's called Plexus and it's a supplement (not a diet) that basically helps to put your body in balance (sugars, lipids, cholesterol, etc.). I've been taking the Triplex daily, eating three balanced meals, two snacks, drinking my body weight in ounces of water and not counting calories or carbs and I've lost 10 pounds, several inches (in fact my tummy is completely flat), I no longer experience bloating, my menstrual pain is minimal (only lasted a couple hours each day for two days prior to the start of my period last month), I no longer have intense cravings for sugar/fat/meat, and the best part is I have energy again. I feel like I've begun to live again!
Ellen, I'm not even sure that that you read this blog anymore, but I hope that this will serve to provide hope and help for you and anyone else out there who happens to see this post. If you're interested in more information or you want to try this out for yourself feel free to check out this link http://jazminchandler.myplexusproducts.com/ or contact me at jazmin.chandler@gmail.com.
Best wishes!
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