Still Fighting PCOS

OK my little pep talk to myself worked. I was kind of depressed because I was just sitting in the apartment most of the day working while Matt was at work. But I decided that I went freelance exactly so I would have extra time. I did it so I could not be so tired and overwhelmed from a long day at work. I did it so I could devote time to creating a healthy environment (clean house, home cooking) to thrive in. And I did it so I could WORK OUT.

So that's what I'm focusing on now. I have been exercising 5/7 days of the week to get back into the habit. But I decided not to go overboard, like I tend to do. So I make myself do exactly 30 minutes. That way, on the days I want to quit at 10 minutes, I keep going. And if I want to go 45 minutes, I stop myself. Because then I'll justify not working out the next day, which is bad.

Also I'd like to mention that September is PCOS Awareness Month. I've done a ton of research on this chronic illness, and I'm still learning so much about it via online forums and research. The biggest thing I have learned about PCOS lately is that it's the cause of all my health problems haha. Literally. The fatigue, the mood swings, the anxiety, the bouts of depression, the extreme hunger, the fat, the hair, and the messed up hormones are all because of PCOS. It's all connected.

But I've also learned that there are SO many ways to deal with it, which gives me hope. Exercise regulates your hormones and boosts your mood, while helping you lose weight and maintain hunger. Eating good foods gives you the nutrients to feel better and get healthy. Regulating sugar helps with the cravings and the crazy crazy hanger. Sewing gives me an outlet for my anxiety and lets me work out my thoughts. I no longer have to eat to do something with my hands...I can sew. The right supplements boost your nutrition and target problem areas. And the list goes on and on...

I have found so much hope in this process, even though it has been hard this month. My metformin prescription ran out and my doctor hasn't renewed it in a week, so this is the week of STARVATIONNN. No wonder I gained 70 lbs. I'm literaly 5x as hungry as I am when I'm taking metformin. Anyway, back to hope. There is hope! There is always hope! This is such an invisible illness, but there are forums and Facebook groups and sources of information so you can educate yourself. And they help you feel less alone. Because it is a lonely journey, for sure.

Please please please, if anyone you know opens up about the struggle to lose weight, or their unexplained infertility, please make sure they understand what PCOS is. Before I learned about it, I was so in the dark. Learning about my condition has really shed a lot of light on my life.

And if you know anyone with PCOS, the best advice I can give is to be an encourager. Offer to go to the gym with them. Bring them healthy food. Share health articles with them. Let them cry to you when someone has a baby or they get their period for the 3-dozenth time. And never tell them they're lucky they get to sleep in or that they can take your kids.

Thanks to all the people who have helped me this year. It really helps me feel less alone, and your continued support makes me happy. Thank you, thank you, thank you.