Know What You're Buying

I went grocery shopping today and saw some cherry juice. I had been meaning to pick some up after I read an article online about tart cherry juice helping with inflammation. I saw some at my health food store, but I didn't feel like paying $7.99 for it. So, today when I found some I thought I was in luck until I looked at the ingredients. Apple juice from concentrate is the main ingredient. Needless to say, I put it back.

I'm not saying that buying this would have been awful for me, but it wasn't what I was looking for. Just because a product seems like it's a healthy choice doesn't mean that it is.

Finally! Something That's Helped With My Razor Burn!

I miss the days when I could just shave my legs and it was no big deal. It seems like one day my skin just decided to turn on me. A few hours after I shaved my legs looked like they had hives all over them. I changed razors and shaving cream. I tried pretty much anything I could find, but I eventually decided on Aveeno Active Naturals Therapeutic Shave Gel and Gillette's Venus razor. They seemed to work together pretty good together until about six months ago. I finally got tired of it and asked at the health food store where I bought my progesterone cream at if they had any suggestions. Boy, I'm glad that I did!

I thought that I had bought some lotion, so when I got home and found out that it felt like sunblock I was pretty skeptic. lol I looked on the back of the bottle and saw the directions saying it was a shaving cream and felt really silly. But, I tried it out last night and I love it! I don't have any razor burn! *Knock on wood*

It was a little expensive, $7.99, but that's for 11ounces. Make sure you don't have too much water on your skin, it doesn't lather very well. I didn't get the closest shave, but it was been pretty cool here today and I went outside in my pjs, so I'm sure that's part of it. If you see Kiss My Face's moisture shave give it a try! You can buy it online here, and they also have the smaller ones if you want to try that one first. Hope this helps!

Fix You by Coldplay

When you try your best but you don't succeed  
When you get what you want but not what you need 
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep 
Stuck in reverse
 
And the tears come streaming down your face  
When you lose something you can't replace 
When you love someone but it goes to waste 
Could it be worse?
 
Lights will guide you home  
And ignite your bones  
And I will try to fix you
 
And high up above or down below  
When you're too in love to let it go 
But if you never try you'll never know  
Just what you're worth
 
Lights will guide you home  
And ignite your bones 
And I will try to fix you
 
Tears stream down your face  
When you lose something you cannot replace  
Tears stream down your face  
And I
 
Tears stream down your face I promise you I will learn from my mistakes  
Tears stream down your face 
And I
 
Lights will guide you home  
And ignite your bones  
And I will try to fix you

I'm Starting A PCOS Support Group!

About a year ago I found Pinterest. I found different people to follow and started pinning all kinds of recipes, home decor ideas, and different craft projects. I had been researching some things on PCOS and it made me wonder if there was anything on Pinterest about it. I searched for PCOS on Pinterest, but there was only a few things that came up. I decided to change that. I started my PCOS board and started pinning.

One of the websites that I found talked about starting a PCOS support group. I know there are support groups online and on Facebook, too, but I would like to see people face to face.

I decided I was going to try to get one started, but I found a full-time job and I was hardly home. How could I start a support group and be involved in it when I didn't have any energy? That wouldn't have been very supportive to the other women. So, I decided to wait til the time was right.

I left my job back in October and decided to try to get it going after the first of the year. I asked a friend if she'd go if I got it started and she said yeah. I had to find a place for us to meet, so that was my first goal. I called our community college and both of our hospitals. None of them were an option. I looked in the newspaper to see where the other support groups were meeting and decided to see if I might have some of their luck. I called one of the libraries and they had room for us! It's not a big room, but I don't think we're going to have a big turn out. But, that's fine with me. I would rather have a group with five people than to not try to have one and always wonder.

Now, I have to find people. I made an event about our support group on Facebook and added my friends to it. A friend of mine is making some flyers that I'm going to post at the library, community college, gynecologist and psychologist offices, other support groups, and anywhere else I can think of. I also e-mailed the local radio stations the information about the support group along with some information on PCOS. I remember hearing PSAs (public service announcements) for support groups before and at the end of the PSA they said they would broadcast it for free for community events. So, I thought why not? One of the ladies actually called me back and wished me luck! She mentioned on another station they have people come in and have different segments kind of like a talk radio show, and that I might be able to go on it!

I'm sharing this in case someone else is thinking of starting a support group. I have many plans for the support group here if it continues. I have just under two weeks to let everyone know about it, so wish me luck!

PCOS Timeline Covers for Facebook

For the past year or so I've been on the lookout for Facebook covers that dealt with PCOS.

I know some women may not feel as comfortable having a cover that lists the symptoms and everything, but I found some that I felt would be supportive of PCOS.

I've seen a lot of pictures with anchors with the saying, "I will not sink," on it and loved it! So, hence the anchors. If you have a timeline cover that you would like to share please let me know!

Birth Control and PCOS

 

 I saw this on Facebook in an online support group and thought I would share.

Many women with PCOS are often prescribed oral contraceptives to help regulate an irregular or absent menstrual cycle.However, this merely regulates the period artificially, without changing the underlying problem causing PCOS, namely Insulin Resistance. When the contraceptives are discontinued, the PCOS symptoms will persist.In addition, a new study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility showed that birth control pills may exacerbate Insulin Resistance.The study examined 36 adolescent girls with PCOS. Half the group took an oral contraceptive containing synthetic progesterone and the other half took a birth control pill with an anti-androgenic (a substance that suppresses the male hormone testosterone).Both groups showed an increase in Insulin Resistance. Furthermore, the group taking the oral contraceptive containing the anti-androgenic showed an increase in both insulin secretion and blood levels of insulin.With Insulin Resistance being the root cause of PCOS, women must think twice before considering the use of birth control pills to control irregular or absent menses. Not only do oral contraceptives not address the cause of PCOS but they actually may worsen the problem with Insulin Resistance.It is important to remember that PCOS is a complex syndrome that requires a multi-faceted approach. There isn’t a single pill out there that will cure PCOS. Women with PCOS need to address Insulin Resistance through lifestyle changes like improved diet and a regular exercise regime.

Progesterone Time

Today starts day one of using progesterone cream! I've been eating better for my PCOS and I'm walking about 10-15 miles a week for almost a month! I think I'm doing pretty good! I have my days where I take Charlie for a shorter walk or I might eat something I'm not supposed to, but it's still ok. Even on one of my off days I'm still doing more for myself than I was before. I'm not going to let one bad day get in my way!
 

If you want to read more about progesterone cream here are a few links:

http://pcosdiva.com/2013/01/pcos-progesterone-deficiency-and-gluten-intolerance/

http://pcosdiva.com/2011/02/natural-progesterone-for-pcos/

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/alternative/progesterone-cream.htm

All The Time

Maybe I Do Want Kids After All?

I saw this on Pinterest and it got me thinking. I have a private board and I got to looking on there and most of the pins on there were pictures of nurseries or other baby related things. I just didn't want everyone to look at it. On my PCOS boards I have all of these pins talking about PCOS and pregnancy. I know there are people that follow me on there that think I'm trying to have a baby, and I'm not. 

I've been getting teary eyed over stuff that I wouldn't have had a second thought about 6 months ago. This morning I was looking at a website that dealt with miscarriage and I started to cry. I know my hormones are probably off, but I've never felt this way before. It's kind of like a ache. Like someone's shoving this in my face this is what you're never going to have.

My best friend has a little girl that just turned two. She is the cutest little thing! I was around Leslie during a lot of pregnancy and it never bothered me. I remember walking around Walmart with her looking in the baby section. There was this little outfit that had a pink cupcake. Oh. My Gosh. It was the cutest thing ever! I picked and said, "Well, I'm going to have kids so it doesn't matter." I've said stuff like that for a long time.

I think part of why I've always done this was to protect myself. Why let yourself get excited over something you know you can't have?

Losing Weight Is Not The Key To Happiness

So...I just saw this Medifast commercial. What is it with me and the commercials?!?! There are these two women standing in a kitchen talking. They seem to maybe be twins, or something, one is thin and the other is a little heavier. The heavier lady is telling the thin lady thank you and kind of crying. It turns out that they're the same woman. The thinner and heavier versions of this woman are standing there talking.

I keep seeing stuff like this everywhere! Yes, I am trying to lose some weight. But, I'm not doing it for the "instant happiness" these companies are trying to sell. Just because someone (men included) has some extra weight does not mean that they're unattractive or undesirable! I'm not saying that losing weight is a bad thing. But, if you're doing it for other people or to fill a void you're not fixing what's wrong deep down in your soul.

In 2001 I marched trumpet for the drum corps, Spirit. That was the longest and hardest summer ever! We traveled all over the country and worked out butts off! I came home afterwards two sizes smaller and had a great tan. People that I had known for years didn't know who I was. lol It was a great feeling! The battle with my weight started when I was in 4th grade. Every now and then I would lose some weight, but nothing like this.

At the time I was almost 20 and was fixing to start my second year in college. I had never had a boyfriend and had yet to go on a date. I can't believe I'm sharing this! lol After band camp started for my college band I thought this guy was flirting with me. He was a few years older than me and knew me before I had marched with Spirit. We ended up going on a date and he was my first boyfriend. I remember just feeling so alive! This is what had been wrong with me. I must have been too fat.

Things didn't last long, but I realized how wrong I had been. I didn't date anyone for a long time after that, but I eventually did. We were together for over six years and I know without a doubt that he loved every part of me. If you've listened to outside voices and they've made you feel that you can't be loved or appreciated unless you lose weight...don't listen to them!

My Workout Buddy

I think I mentioned yesterday about how I've been taking my dog for a walk. My sister had been the one taking him, but one morning I was watching the Today show and saw app called Charity Miles. Basically, it's a free app that you download and based on how much you walk, run, or bike they're supposed to make a donation to a charity that they let you choose from (I wish there was a PCOS charity). I don't want to know if they don't donate to charity or not! This app has helped to get my off my butt and feel like I'm helping someone! I like that it times you and tells you how far you've walked, too.

Another app that I use while I'm walking Charlie is Fit Radio. Any other time I listen to Pandora, but what I like about Fit Radio is that I know the music is always going to have a faster tempo. I'm sure there are good workout stations on Pandora, but I haven't found them. Plus, there's fewer commercials on Fit Radio.

I'll turn those two apps on and then I'm good to go! Snuggles (aka Charlie) and I will usually walk about 2 miles or so. Here's a picture of my walking buddy! In case you can't tell...he's not rotten one bit!

I think women with PCOS would benefit from having a dog. If I'm stressed he'll sit in the recliner with me, yes he thinks he's a lap dog, and lay with me. Just him sitting with me letting me pet him makes me feel loved and not alone. He makes me laugh at the silly things he does. And taking him for walks helps me, too. I love my dog!!!

WARNING! Meltdown in 3...2...1...

I don't understand guys.

Maybe I just should have stayed with my ex. At least then I knew how things were going. I've been trying to put myself out there more, in the dating scene, but I must be an awful date. Things will seem to be going good, we're both laughing and telling each other that we had a good time...and then absolutely nothing after that. I just think that it would be a little easier on my heart to know things were just kind of flat lining. Instead of trying to keep what little hope I have buried so I don't get crushed. Well, I wouldn't say that I bury it. I just try to keep myself from getting too excited. Know what I mean?

I guess that it doesn't help that I've been sick for most of the week and have hardly been outside of the house. Today was actually the first day that I took Charlie, my dog, for a walk in over a week. My awesome sister, Jessie, has been taking him for me. I have an awesome sister!

I should just blame it all on the hormones. Remember Milli Vanilli singing, "Blame It On The Rain?" Well, I'm going to write a version of it and call it, "Blame It On My Hormones." Hey, I could right on the money.

I don't know what I'm going to do tomorrow, but I'm going to find something! Maybe tomorrow will be a better day. Sorry to be such a downer today!

The New Huggies Commercial

This Sunday is Superbowl Sunday. So, of course they've started airing some of the new commercials. The other night I was watching Nashville, love that show, and saw the new(er) Huggies commercial. If you haven't seen it it shows a couple reacting to a positive pregnancy test. Up until the past couple of months stuff like this never really bothered me, but this one got to me. As I get to know more and more women with PCOS and hear their struggle conceiving the more stuff like this gets me.

The first time I saw it I actually got a little teary eyed, which is unusual for me. I just thought of all of the women that will see it and think "Why can't that happen to me?" I guess part of why it bothered me so much is because if it hit me like this and I'm not even trying to have a baby how bad is it going to get to the couples that are?

Something must be going on with me. The other day I saw Law & Order SVU was on usa and there was nothing on so that's what I put the tv on. As soon as I did I wish that I hadn't. There was still a few minuets left in the episode "Inconceivable." I did a blog post about it here. As soon as it came on I knew which episode it was and started to cry. My mom was watching tv with me and it was so hard to make it where she didn't know. Anyway...

I came across this song a few weeks ago and thought a lot of ladies could relate to it. I hope this helps!