Day 17

Food change fail.

So, it happened.  That magical time of the month, (week, quarter, year for those of us with PCOS) when everything aligns just right and we get a visitor from that special something. (You know what I am talking about.)

And my emotions have been crazy.  Wanting to take someone by the throat at one moment, and then wanting to cry at the dryer sheet commercial at the next. (Stupid downy!)

On the upside.  I am not in unbearable pain with really bad cramping. Could it be that some of the things that I am doing are starting to work?

On the downside. I couldn't do it.  I practically begged my husband to get me some dutch chocolate ice cream from the store.  Really, I am pretty sure there were tears.

And because my husband is the can't stand my tears  is the best husband in the world, he went and got me some.  It was sooo good with milk poured over the top, so that some of the milk freezes. 

Okay, so not the best choice that I could have made on my diet.  But I figure that stress isn't good for my body either.  In fact lots of people say that eliminating stress is very important for women with PCOS.  So really, I was doing something healthy by eating a bowl full of chocolaty goodness.  No? Really?  Okay, you are right.

Somehow I just don't see yoga as being as, achm, "full filling".  Yeah, I know, cheesy.    

Day 15

It has officially been two weeks since I changed started my new eating habits.  At first I didn't think that I would get there. I thought that I would still be in the corner mumbling about chocolate and looking off into space. But nope, I am still here.

So here are a couple of things that I have learned so far.

1.  Try your best every day.  If you mess up, it isn't the end.  Try to make better choices the next time you eat.
2. Find things that you like to eat, and make sure you have them on hand.  You will want to eat, make sure that you have stuff to eat.
3. If you buy it, you will eat it.  Okay, so maybe this sounds a lot like the second thing, but make sure the stuff you are bringing into your home are things that your whole family will be happy to eat, and that it will be healthy for them.
4. I have a serious problem remembering to use the Clary Sage oil.  Seriously, something is wrong with me.

Day 11....errr...13

Prologue-  I actually started this post on Saturday, but didn't get it finished.  So I am finishing it today, or at least I hope to.  :)  But of course if you are reading this it is because I did indeed finish this post and published it.

Day 6

Okay, so I didn't have a chance to blog over the weekend.  And I probably needed to.  It was a difficult weekend.  On Saturday I was craving chocolate so bad, I felt like I should be in the corner of a room, rocking back and forth, mumbling about chocolate.

Sunday, was a little bit better.  The girls and I actually made cookies.  I found a recipe at healthyindulgences.net for Chewy Honey Nut Cookies And I was really pleased with the results.  I did not feel guilty for eating a couple, because their carb count is pretty low. (vs. a oatmeal raisin chocolate chip cookie that I wanted to make.)

I haven't weighed myself yet today.  Honestly, I think I am a little worried.  It was a difficult weekend, and although I did manage to keep my intake levels to what I have set down for my goals, I am still worried.

On a little bit different note, I realized today, that most of this blog has been about food.  Managing PCOS, I am learning is about more than just food too!  (Although that seems to be the hardest thing for me to change.)  I have been learning about essential oils that may help.  One that I am going to be trying out is clary sage. Clary sage essential oil is good for lots of different things.  I first heard of it, when attending an essential oil class.  I was very interested in it because of the ability for it to help ease labor pains for women.  I bought some to add to my doula tool bag.  The more that I researched I learned that it can be used for over all uterine health and for balancing hormones.

You can learn so much by simply doing a search for the benefits of clary sage essential oil.  As with any search, make sure the site that you find information on seems repeatable.  And make sure that whoever you decide to buy essential oils from, you are buying from a good source.  I personally like companies that have a guarantee that they sell only pure essential oils, that show organic and sustainable growing practices, and that have a wealth of information on their website.  To me these things show that they are passionate about essential oils and their health benefits, not just about making money. 

Now if I could just remember to use the essential oil.

~Stephanie

Day 3

Okay, today actually hasn't been that bad.  I have found a several things to eat today that I have enjoyed.  And while none of them were cookies or cupcakes....what I wouldn't give for a cupcake...they have been good.  I wanted to share with you what I had for dinner.

Chicken Salad with Fresh Veggies

1 Chicken breast, cooked and diced small
2 wedges of Laughing Cow Low Calorie French Onion
1/4 C finely diced celery
1 tsp. Raw Coconut Oil
1 tsp. Ground Flax Seed
Fresh Veggies  (I had Sunburst Yellow Cherry Tomato, Sugar Snap Peas, and Red Bell Pepper Slices)

I heated up the cheese wedges slightly in the microwave so they would mix better, then I added the coconut oil and mixed until blended.  Then I added the rest of the ingredients and ate it with the veggies.  I really enjoyed it.  I hope that you will too!

Above Recipe Contains: Calories 259  Carbs 12 g  Fat  11 g   Protein  26 g

I have lost 2 lbs so far.

Tomorrow I am having lunch with several ladies from my family.  It will be the first time I have gone out to eat since starting my diet. (I know it has only been three days, but still.) I want to make sure that I make good choices, but I am a little nervous.  I know there will be bread and pasta.  I hope I do well.  I will let you know how it goes.

~Stephanie

Day 2

You know that dream....the one where you fall into a big vat of creamy whipped butter and sugar.  No....oh just me then.  I am on day two of eating better.  I have lowered my carb intake.  Upped my protein intake.  Drank more water.

I am going crazy.

I am only on day two.

Sugar...

BREAD!!!!


Sorry.

Today I read a blog post from Living with PCOS on MY terms.  It was encouraging.  I know that I am not alone.  I know that I am not the first or only person to deal with PCOS.

Tomorrow is another day.  Now to decide what to make for dinner.  (Tell the voice inside my head that no, it can not be cookies.)

~Stephanie

Day 1

It is day 1.  I am hungry.  I am craving carbs.  Fruit, cookies, peanut butter, cake, cupcakes, ice cream.  Each new thought as it pops into my head is making me practically grown. I am missing my carbs really bad today.

Today I learned that lemons have carbs.  Who knew?  I thought that there was nothing wrong with putting lemon in my water, lemon in my iced tea.  WRONG!!!  

Now let me take this moment to explain.  No, I am not crazy.  (well, at least not really crazy.)  I am starting a new life.  That is what I keep telling myself.  I have recently come to the understanding that I have PCOS.  I am still learning what exactly that means, and specifically what it means to me.  For me, one of the biggest things at this moment, is that I have to cut down on my carb intake.  Exactly what that is going to look like, I am still learning.  

So I am going to blog.  Each day. (Well most days.)  Join me for my journey.