I started this blog more for myself rather than for viewing; however, I'm sure it will make its rounds with the way google connects people.
Almost a year ago, I made the decision to lose weight and stay committed. I joined MyFtinessPal and started running over winter break, with little knowledge and insight as to how it would affect my lungs. And my muscles. And my feet. Basically, my body hated me. But that didn't last long, and eventually I actually wanted to run and increase my distance, decrease my time per mile.
In a few short weeks of cutting down on carbohydrates and running a few times per week, I noticed my weight beginning to drop. I felt like my desire was there, commitment was evident, but like any woman - I wasn't seeing results fast enough. At a social gathering, I was talking with one of my best friends and commenting on how great she looked. Not only had she dropped a large amount of weight, but she looked healthy and happy. I wanted that!
My friend connected me with her nutritionist, who I immediately emailed to set up an appointment. She advised me to keep a food journal for 2 weeks, and then we would meet to discuss the findings. Now that it was official, I logged back on to MyFitnessPal and plugged in all my stats. In December of 2012, I was at 180 lbs. I wish I had started this blog at that point, but alas - it's never too late to do good.
After tracking my food for a solid 2 weeks (and also intermittently for about a month prior), I met my nutritionist, anticipating a huge change in my diet. Surprisingly, she had so many positive things to say about my current diet and food choices. Only after looking at my medical records did she start to ask me further questions. There was some concern about my high cholesterol, but when I told her I had PCOS, that cleared up the confusion.
At 18 years old, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It's much more common than one would think. Along with many other symptoms, difficulty in weight loss proves to be consistent among those diagnosed. During our meeting, my nutritionist presented me with a great wealth of knowledge about PCOS and how my body functions. I immediately adored her, for she was the first person in 10 years to actually explain the impact PCOS has on my body.
With so much information, I was extremely enlightened and thankful, yet a bit overwhelmed! In simple terms, my body functions almost like a diabetic. This would explain why PCOS is a leading cause of diabetes. I've done tons of research, but talking to a real person gave me a positive outlook and put me in control. Immediately, my nutritionist suggested Metformin, a common medication for diabetic patients that want to lose weight. I adamantly nixed the idea, knowing that if I put my mind to it, I could do this without medication.
Almost a year later and now also seeing an endocrinologist, I am STILL against taking the medication. Every time Metformin comes up in our visits and I refuse to try it, my nutritionist always reminds me "Food is your medication." I know what my body needs now - what kind of foods to eat, what kind of exercise and how often, and the importance of sleep and reduced stress. Now, can I make that happen?
My weight has fluctuated over the past few weeks due to increased stress, poor eating, and lack of exercise. I am back up a few pounds; however, my total weight loss since that day in December is 17 lbs. Happens to be my lucky number, but I'd like to double it. I'm holding myself accountable on MyFitnessPal by entering my food daily and now, I'm going to start being creative and see if this blog helps acquire new ideas and inspiration.
to eat or not to eat - that is MY dilemma. What's yours?
