About Moi

About Moi
My Name is Brittany, and I'm 23yrs old. I was diagnosed with Lupus when I was 15, and then diagnosed with RA, when I was 18. I also got married when I was 18, and I'm enjoying my happily ever after with my hubby! When I got married, I was slim and trim...But not for long. After getting married, I started to gain a LOT of weight! In 1yr, I gained 50lbs! Finally, I went to the Doctor, where I discovered I have low thyroid. After being put on medicine, my weight gain slowed down, although over the next 3yrs, I gained an additional 26lbs. When I was 20yrs old, I got yet another diagnoses of Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. That's 4 diagnoses in a 5yr period, if you lost count. They all effect my weight, in one way or another. Add on top of that, my love affair with food, and every 1 of those 76lbs gained was accounted for. Being 76lbs over weight is unhealthy for anyone, but it was especially unhealthy for me, and my health issues. Since starting this blog, in Jan-2010, I have lost 40lbs! I'm a new, slimmer, and healthier me! Before losing weight, I was told I needed knee replacements. Losing weight was the ONLY tool I had to help me hold off on that life changing surgery. Since losing 40lbs, my knees have never felt better! My husband and I are also trying to start a family, but my PCOS was not going to make it as easy as 1,2,3, as I didn't have periods on my own. My doctor had told me if I wanted a baby, I HAD to lose weight. Since losing 40lbs, I've had regular cycles for the first time in my life! Which is very important when trying to have a baby ;) This journey of mine is more than me simply wanting to wear skinny jeans. It has been a quest to becoming :Deliciously Healthy, so ALL of my dreams can come true! I'm almost half way there! With each new day, I get closer and closer to my goal of 120lbs, and becoming :Deliciously Healthy!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Thank You. And My New Plan

First of all, I want to say "THANK YOU" for all of your comments, and emails on my last post.
I've been doing a lot of thinking over these past few days, as well as a lot of research on how PCOS, diets, and fertility, all tie together.

I've been having a feeling deep inside of me for a while now, telling me that I needed to eat clean. I got the sense that eating clean, would somehow help me to get pregnant. It was easy for me to laugh it off thinking the idea was ludicrous, because I didn't want to eat clean. So I've been ignoring this little voice in my head, hoping it would go away. But it's only getting louder. It's practically yelling at me now.... And what do you know, all the research I've been doing this weekend pretty much supports this voice in my head, telling me to eat clean. Nerds.

Here's a little bit of what I've learned:

A big part of the problem with PCOS is the high insulin resistance (you can read more about insulin resistance HERE). Resistance to insulin increases the body's insulin levels which effects normal ovulation, by preventing the body from ovulating or limiting the development process of the released egg. This has a direct affect on your fertility and ability to conceive. Many women with PCOS have difficulty losing weight, most likely due to high insulin levels promoting fat storage. The standard weight loss diet may not be the best approach for women with PCOS. High intakes of carbohydrates, especially refined carbohydrates (sweets, white bread, white rice...) will quickly turn to sugar and cause elevated levels of insulin. Since high levels of insulin can cause a number of problems for women with PCOS, a better diet would be a low glycemic index diet. This is a diet that includes foods or combinations of foods that do not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar. Eating a low glycemic diet will help to keep your insulin at a balanced level, thus increasing your fertility.

Here's what I gathered on the low glycemic index diet:
  • Avoid white processed carbohydrates which cause a spike in your insulin levels and provide little fiber, or nutrients. Eat breads, grains and cereals that are as unprocessed as possible.
  • Eat carbohydrates that are rich in fiber. The lower glycemic carbohydrates tend to have more fiber than the higher glycemic foods.
  • Couple a protein with your carbohydrates. When you eat equal amounts of proteins and carbohydrates, it helps to keep your insulin at a balanced level.
  • Get lots of fiber. Fiber helps by slowing down the digestion of sugars in the body, so there is no spike in insulin. It also helps by removing excess estrogen from the body, which may also help to reduce fibroids.
  • Exercise! Exercise helps PCOS by improving your insulin sensitivity, and increasing your metabolism.
Every single article I've read, stresses the importance of staying away from processed foods if you have PCOS. So that's what I'm going to do. In moderation, lol. You know how I love my baking, and I'm going to have to squeeze that in there. I'm thinking twice a month I'm going to allow myself to bake up a deliciously healthy treat. I have an appointment scheduled to see my fertility specialist, to discuss my new plan with her.

I am going to carry my Deliciously Healthy motto into this low glycemic diet. I'm determined to make eating clean(er) DELICIOUS!

I've also realized that I'm not just on this weight loss journey so that I can get pregnant. I'm on it to improve my health, as I have PCOS, lupus, RA, and low thyroid. I want to live a
healthy life
, and be the healthiest me I can be. And lets face it, I want to be a size 8 again.
Thank you again for all your support!
xoxo

14 comments:

Yelena said...

I so agree that nutrition has a TON to do with our overall health. I met with a holistic health practitioner lately, and she stated much of what you have said before. Right now I am eating clean, although I do not have PCOS, I know that food and fertility are tied together.

Good luck with your journey!

Red Deception said...

Good luck on your journey! It sounds like you're on a great start.

Since PCOS is an endocrine disorder, ensure you are being followed by the appropriate practitioners (reproductive endocrinologist/endocrinologist and your GP). If you are trying to conceive and lose weight, these professionals need to know so that they can assist and monitor your progress.

Good luck!

LifeasKristina said...

Love your blog and your outlook!!!! Looking to be a new "supporter"!

Ak said...

Sounds like you have a good plan. Best of luck!

Renee Paj said...

You will get there!

NAN said...

I was just going to say the same thing Alissa did so I will! Sounds like a good plan to me! You'll be that size 8 soon too.

Unknown said...

I've flirted with the idea of clean eating too! If you can make it delicious...maybe I'll jump in with you!!!

=)

Jess said...

I'm cheering for you...and praying for you, too!
J

Kat said...

Moderation is the key to everything, lady.

For what it's worth, I feel like if you bake something completely from scratch, it doesn't count as "processed." "Processed" is that chemical-nonsense that shows up on packaging.

p.s. I think wanting to feel like a hottie-pants is a totally valid reason to work it.

Tama said...

Good Luck! I just got pregnant and I have PCOS. I am a little overweight, I lost 65 pounds 6 years ago and could never lose the rest. I was able to conceive on my first time with Clomid and I did acupuncture. They also say that metformin with or without clomid can help. Maybe you've tried these things but it worked for me!

Corletta said...

You can do it!!! Everything that you put your mind to always comes into fruition. Brittany, it is gerat to see that you have not only agreed with your doc, but also taken the time to do the necessary research. Good for you!

Anonymous said...

You are right and STRANGELY that's a lot of what I'm reading in South Beach. Let him do the work for you and just make a copy online or something and he tells you which veggies have low glycemic index and stuff like that. It sounds like you are on the right track! -L.

Alexia said...

You sound so hopeful here, Brittany. I'm glad you have a plan--eating less processed foods is a great idea for all of us!--and I pulling for the best for you. Be well :)))

Summer said...

You are doing GREAT girlie! Nobody ever said it was gonna be easy...I admire your courage and determination! Let me know if I can help in any way. <3