So What is This Finger You're Talking About? - Brief Intro to PCOS

(Note to our male readers: This will be slightly personal and slightly feminine. Go ahead, keep reading, it's good for you!)

Ah, the finger our bodies give us. Those of you who have PCOS or polycycstic ovary syndrome know exactly what Rachel and I are talking about. PCOS is considered a "syndrome" rather than a disease because of the many different symptoms and that not all women will have the same symptoms. No one really understands what causes PCOS. Current research seems to be centering around how our bodies deal with insulin and other hormones. I'm a bit cynical about this but because it's an issue for women and not men, the research just hasn't been as quick as it could be. I mean seriously, it was first described over 80 years ago! A lot of that is changing though.

Symptoms can include any of the following:

• Irregular or no menstrual periods
• Acne
• Obesity
• Excess hair growth
• Infertility
• Depression and anxiety

Gee, sounds fun doesn't it! These symptoms also put women with PCOS at high risk for diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure on top of other issues they may have if obese. Because of the far ranging symptoms and a lack of a clear cause, PCOS care typically focuses on managing the symptoms rather than eliminating them.

I was diagnosed with PCOS at 15. If I'm not on birth control I have two periods a month. It contributes to my weight issues, causes me to grow hair that I don't want, gives me mood swings and generally contributes to my bad self-image. Rachel didn't get diagnosed until later and doesn't have the hair issue. I'll let her tell you about that herself sometime though, if she wants.

I've put together a list of resources below if you'd like a little more information. For those of you who know someone with PCOS, please be kind. I was mocked a lot in high school for having facial hair and being overweight. The mocking made an already crappy situation much worse.

Resources:
http://www.pcoscoach.com/symptoms_of_pcos.html
http://www.hormone.org/Polycystic/overview.cfm
http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/pcosinfo.html
http://www.soulcysters.net/

Enough is Enough - Rachel

I think I’ve been mentally in that state since birth. Chubby, fat, obese, roley polly, fluffy, big-boned (yeah, I love that one); whatever you choose to call it…..I’ve lived it. I can never remember a day in my life, childhood included, where I’ve been at a society labeled “healthy” weight. I feel that my mom and dad had probably just feasted at one our infamous family gatherings when they conceived me.

Skip ahead: High school. Ahhhh, how high school can change your life…..its mind boggling in so many ways. I’m not certain if it was the threat of being teased, being left out of social functions, being left behind, or being labeled that prompted me to see through my wall of chubbiness. But high school was one of those defining moments; therefore, I was going to tackle the immense challenge of changing my body. At the time my mom was exercising and following Weight Watchers. I started following the Weight Watchers program, faithfully ran two miles at least three times per week, ran stairs (a very long, steep set leading to the beach), went to step aerobics twice weekly, and was an active football and basketball cheerleader. I danced, I ran, I climbed, I ate very little. And yes, I lost weight……but seriously peeps……I was still a size 8 or 9! AND….I had youth on my side! I still thought I was fat and it’s sad because realistically I was probably at a maintainable weight for my body.

Skip ahead: Marriage (which for me =weight gain). Apparently being comfortable with someone can make you lazy. I was cooking huge meals for just two people and exercising rarely. Portions were outrageous! I can remember at family gatherings heaping my plate with food containing more calories than I should have been consuming all day……..and then heaping it AGAIN!

Skip ahead: Pregnancy. I had actually rejoined Weight Watchers and was exercising moderately before conceiving my daughter. I had lost some weight…and then bam I was pregnant. It was also at this time in my life I was diagnosed with PCOS (which Sunny and I will whine about in detail later) but let’s just say….not our friend and definitely a major factor in our weight issues. I was lucky. Due to the lovely joys of vomiting (extreme pregnancy morning, noon, and night sickness for 9 months), I only gained 15 pounds and had lost 36 pounds 6 weeks after I delivered. If only I had started an exercise/eating program then I might not have had another “up in weight” moment in my life. But I was tired……and stressed……and I think a bit depressed. Caring for a newborn, especially a colicky active newborn, is mentally AND physically demanding. I ate too many calories and wasn’t exercising. Up came the weight. I think at my heaviest, I weighed more than I had 9 months pregnant. Not a good moment for me. I, like Mandy, thought of my child when the light bulb came back on. As a mother, you ARE role model for your children. You have NO CHOICE. It’s inherent. I looked down at my small, adorable, active daughter and said…….I NEVER want her to have to struggle with herself like I have.

That was when I joined Turbo Kick (kickboxing instructed by a high school friend) and have NEVER looked back. Well, that’s not entirely true….I sometimes think about my old ways, but only to remind myself and others that going BACK to that is not an option for me. Each time I drop a size in clothing, I give those clothes away. I don’t save them (you all know what I’m talking about…those fat pants, that baggy sweater). I step on a scale every morning and often at night. I can visually see my progress…or an occasional defeat. But it keeps me accountable…..and gives me NO reason or excuse to save anything related to my old ways. This is a journey where you really can’t throw the white flag. You battle….you have wins and learns….and you dust yourself off from those learns and let them not defeat you.

Cast of Characters - Our Debut!

We are three cousins who grew up together and who have always struggled with weight. Our family loves food - no family event would be complete without our Grandma's cookies in her iconic tupperware containers. We're all active right now and we're all in different places with our weight. Share our struggles, defeats and accomplishments. Get to know us a little better and see if you can relate.

Rachel – Married, mom to one very active little girl, den mother or actually office manager for Bandon Police Department. Probably the most girlish of the three. In addition to struggling with her weight, Rachel has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This makes it just a bit harder to lose weight. No really, a lot harder. We describe it as your body giving you the finger. You know which finger. Currently she is working her ass off and teaching Hip Hop Hustle. Rachel has lost 40lbs. She would like to lose another 50 lbs.


Mandy – Married, mom to two active boys, runs a day care from home. Mandy is the athletic one. Lost most of her weight by exercising like a fiend. No PCOS here. Mandy has lost 107lbs. She would like to lose another 5lbs. Really she wants to just be more trim.


Sunny – Married, no kids, works outside the home for the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Sunny's body also likes to give her the finger. Yep, she has PCOS too. Seems it runs in families. In addition to this, Sunny has found that wheat, dairy and sugar are just plain bad. Exercises some. Hates it. Rides her bike as much as possible to avoid other forms of exercise but has come to the realization that she has got to do more to make the weight come off. Sunny has lost 50 lbs and wants to lose another 34 lbs.


Now you have an idea of our backgrounds. Expect different information from each of us. We have lots of methods in common and lots of different ways that we have approached our weight loss. What has helped each of us the most is community, hard work, and eating right. So join us or find your own community. Either way, know it can be done...one day at a time!