It's been a week since my last post (New Years Resolution) and I'm happy to report that so far, everything has been going pretty well. My husband and I decided that we'd both give up soft drink and it has been 6 days so far... And I haven't missed it!
We discussed that we'd change one thing in our diet at a time. Focus on one thing for a week (or a little longer if needed) and then add another change to the mix. Because I cut out soft drink I started to think carefully about what other types of drinks I'm drinking. So in the process of giving up soft drink I've also cut down to one sugar (sometimes none) from two sugars in my tea/coffee. Next week I want to drop down to no added sugar in my hot beverages. Also, I've been drinking a lot more water... And craving it.
I know this all seems pretty simple... And we'll it is. But I have gone down this bad path for quite some time and I knew it wouldn't be an easy journey to get back on track. So I'm starting with little changes with the aim of getting healthy inside and out, and in turn, becoming the best version of me.
So next week I'm going to cut out added sugar in my hot drinks as well as avoid eating fast food. By setting these smaller goals, I feel like I'm more likely to succeed and stick to it. So wish me luck!
Friday, 8 January 2016
Friday, 1 January 2016
New Years Resolution
I am a massive fan of the good Ol' New Years Resolution, but I always fail miserably. I set unachieveable goals with results that are difficult to measure. I try really hard but end up chucking it all in before the end of January.
So this year I thought long and hard about what my 2016 goal would be. In the end I decided that I want to be the very best version of me. I want to be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
I could decide that I want to lose 20kgs and fall pregnant, but I know it won't happen because I'll put too much pressure on myself. So while I really want to get my PCOS under control and have another baby, right now, I think it's more important that I work on my inside rather than my outside. I want to fill myself up with good things so that the nasty little voice inside my head doesn't take over when I try to lose weight and fall pregnant later on.
Yes I will still make good food choices and yes I will still aim to exercise every day... But I'm not setting deadlines. I'm not giving myself room to fail or reason to chuck it all in. I just want to be the very best version of me.
Sunday, 27 December 2015
Facts and Figures
I remember when I first found out that I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), I sat on the computer for hours researching. I felt overwhelmed with the information and found that there was a lot of conflicting statistics that were really confusing. I don't claim to be an expert. I don't have a degree or anything… but what I've tried to do is sift through some of the information that is floating around the land of the internet and present it to you here.
The information I have found comes from Australian websites as this is where I am based… however, the statistics are similar in most other countries. I have linked the information I have provided for you to look into further if you so wish!
Now… PCOS affects anywhere between 10-20% of all women of reproductive age. The reason why this is such a vague amount is because up to 70% of women with PCOS remain undiagnosed (click here for more information). So you may have it and not even realise.
To be diagnosed with PCOS you need to meet two of the three of the following criteria:
1. Ovaries are 'polycystic' (they contain 12 or more cysts)
2. High androgens (male hormones)
3. Menstrual dysfunction (irregular periods, lack of ovulation)
(click here for more information)
There are a number of symptoms that women with PCOS have. Some of these are visible, others are 'invisible'. Acne, excessive hair growth, and weight gain are the popular visible signs. Diabetes, heart disease, infertility and high cholesterol are the common 'invisible' signs (click here for more information). So PCOS can be quite serious regardless of whether you want babies or not. For me falling pregnant was problem number one, but as soon as I had my son I became concerned about my long-term health as I want to be around and a part of his life for as long as possible.
You cannot "get rid" of PCOS but you can reduce its effects and symptoms. Diet and exercise are the best way to do this. Exercising every day is recommended and eating a clean diet can assist in managing weight and helping with insulin resistance (click here for more information). Some doctors may prescribe metformin to help with insulin resistance. I used metformin and combined it with a low-carb diet and fell pregnant three months later. I'll go into more detail about this in future posts.
If you're wanting more information about PCOS or if you're wanting assistance in controlling your PCOS, IVF Australia run regular clinics. Click on the image below to be directed straight to their website.
I hope that this information was helpful for you! PCOS can be really daunting at first, but the more you know the better control you will have over it! I wish you all the very best in your journey… feel free to comment below.
The information I have found comes from Australian websites as this is where I am based… however, the statistics are similar in most other countries. I have linked the information I have provided for you to look into further if you so wish!
Now… PCOS affects anywhere between 10-20% of all women of reproductive age. The reason why this is such a vague amount is because up to 70% of women with PCOS remain undiagnosed (click here for more information). So you may have it and not even realise.
To be diagnosed with PCOS you need to meet two of the three of the following criteria:
1. Ovaries are 'polycystic' (they contain 12 or more cysts)
2. High androgens (male hormones)
3. Menstrual dysfunction (irregular periods, lack of ovulation)
(click here for more information)
There are a number of symptoms that women with PCOS have. Some of these are visible, others are 'invisible'. Acne, excessive hair growth, and weight gain are the popular visible signs. Diabetes, heart disease, infertility and high cholesterol are the common 'invisible' signs (click here for more information). So PCOS can be quite serious regardless of whether you want babies or not. For me falling pregnant was problem number one, but as soon as I had my son I became concerned about my long-term health as I want to be around and a part of his life for as long as possible.
You cannot "get rid" of PCOS but you can reduce its effects and symptoms. Diet and exercise are the best way to do this. Exercising every day is recommended and eating a clean diet can assist in managing weight and helping with insulin resistance (click here for more information). Some doctors may prescribe metformin to help with insulin resistance. I used metformin and combined it with a low-carb diet and fell pregnant three months later. I'll go into more detail about this in future posts.
If you're wanting more information about PCOS or if you're wanting assistance in controlling your PCOS, IVF Australia run regular clinics. Click on the image below to be directed straight to their website.
I hope that this information was helpful for you! PCOS can be really daunting at first, but the more you know the better control you will have over it! I wish you all the very best in your journey… feel free to comment below.
My journey with PCOS - Part 1
I am a 28 year old woman who has been happily married for 5 years now. I married my best friend in July 2010 and while we've had some tricky times… I'm so glad that I'm doing life with him. He is such a strong man of God who makes me cry-laugh and has brought me so much joy.
Being a Christian, married couple has it's perks, however, it can also bring on a lot of unwanted attention. It's funny how Christians can be so comfortable with one another. Asking personal questions in a public forum with the intention of being caring. Don't get me wrong… I love my brothers and sisters… but there was a period of my life that I wanted to scream "It's none of your business" from the roof tops. For some of my friends it was surprising that we had been married for 3+ years and hadn't had a baby yet… and you know… that's what happens next isn't it? But my husband and I were fighting a secret battle that I knew was my fault. OH I KNOW, you're probably thinking "Rachel… infertility is not your fault!!" but it was. My body betrayed me. It decided that the beautiful work it was designed to do wouldn't be as easy for it to perform as it is for other women.
So my husband and I were at the beginning of a two year struggle. One in which I was torn apart over, knowing that it was because of me everything was so hard.
I was sent for tests and everything came back normal, until one day I switched doctors and decided to start right at the beginning. I told him that I thought I had PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome)… like my mother. And low and behold after a few tests, I found out that it was exactly what I had. What a relief it was to finally have a label for this dreaded beast.
This was the beginning of my journey with PCOS.
Now there is a happy ending… I did fall pregnant and we do have the most amazing little boy! However it only came after much research, a lifestyle change (which I still wrestle with every day) and a whole lot of prayer.
I am hoping that through this blog I can share my experiences with other women struggling with PCOS and also bring light to a personal struggle that a significant percentage of women deal with each and every day. PCOS does not just affect fertility, so even if you're not planning on having a baby in the near future (or at all) it is important to know what you're dealing with as it has many long term effects.
Being a Christian, married couple has it's perks, however, it can also bring on a lot of unwanted attention. It's funny how Christians can be so comfortable with one another. Asking personal questions in a public forum with the intention of being caring. Don't get me wrong… I love my brothers and sisters… but there was a period of my life that I wanted to scream "It's none of your business" from the roof tops. For some of my friends it was surprising that we had been married for 3+ years and hadn't had a baby yet… and you know… that's what happens next isn't it? But my husband and I were fighting a secret battle that I knew was my fault. OH I KNOW, you're probably thinking "Rachel… infertility is not your fault!!" but it was. My body betrayed me. It decided that the beautiful work it was designed to do wouldn't be as easy for it to perform as it is for other women.
So my husband and I were at the beginning of a two year struggle. One in which I was torn apart over, knowing that it was because of me everything was so hard.
I was sent for tests and everything came back normal, until one day I switched doctors and decided to start right at the beginning. I told him that I thought I had PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome)… like my mother. And low and behold after a few tests, I found out that it was exactly what I had. What a relief it was to finally have a label for this dreaded beast.
This was the beginning of my journey with PCOS.
Now there is a happy ending… I did fall pregnant and we do have the most amazing little boy! However it only came after much research, a lifestyle change (which I still wrestle with every day) and a whole lot of prayer.
I am hoping that through this blog I can share my experiences with other women struggling with PCOS and also bring light to a personal struggle that a significant percentage of women deal with each and every day. PCOS does not just affect fertility, so even if you're not planning on having a baby in the near future (or at all) it is important to know what you're dealing with as it has many long term effects.
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