Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Healing

It has been five months since I changed the way I eat. I can't say that everyday has been my best, but I'm proud of myself and I feel better...healthier. There are several reasons why I decided to start eating Paleo, but the biggest reason was for my future.

When I was in high school I was diagnosed with PCOS. My first fear was that I wouldn't be able to have children...I was only 16 and all I could think about was the word infertility.  I thought about the fact that I now had an increased chance of getting adult-onset diabetes and that my teenage skin problems would probably continue if not worsen.  My doctor immediately put me on a birth control pill, but that wouldn't cure me of my PCOS or any of my symptoms. And I was told that when I decided to have children they would start me off right away with fertility drugs. Never once did they say anything about finding a natural way to solve the diagnosis.

PCOS causes excess insulin in our bodies, along with an array of embarrassing and unwanted symptoms.  But what if you took a natural approach to reducing the insulin? If you removed the foods that your body is fighting against? Ridding your body of simple sugars and gluten, and in my case dairy too. Replacing it with protein, nuts and non starchy vegetables. Realizing that what you put into your body is so important to your health and well being. 

My body is healing itself. 
I know that my insulin levels have stabilized because I can feel the change. I'm no longer shaky and lightheaded before I eat lunch  or dinner. My skin is finally clear (which is amazing to me after having taken every pill and potion available with no permanent results). I have more energy. My migraines are far and few in between. My cycle is finally regular. My body composition has changed...for the better :) 

I still struggle daily with food as I've had to begin to change 26 years of eating habits. Sometimes I honestly just want to eat a bag of Cheetos, but remembering why I've made these changes gets me through to another day. Soon it will become routine for me and I won't have to think about it. 

I don't know what the future holds, but I hope that someday I won't have these uncertain thoughts of infertility floating through my mind. That I'll be able to join the motherhood club and that by going back to the way humans have been eating for thousands of years, I will help my body work the way it's supposed to.    

6 comments :

  1. My daughter has started cutting out gluten and has started feeling better!

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  2. I'm glad she's feeling better! It makes such a difference!

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  3. Good for you! Sometimes you have to make a small sacrifice (like a bag of Cheetos) to gain something much more valuable (like your health)! I applaud you, because I know I would seriously struggle with cutting out some of my favorite foods, but that's wonderful that you have a great attitude about it. :)

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  4. I sent your post to my daughter, she reminded me that she also has PCOS and guess what, she has a 4 year old boy!

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  5. I think this is great. My husband has been reading about Paleo recently for some other reasons, and these stories of improvement are really encouraging! Best of luck to you!

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  6. This is amazing! You should feel so triumphant. I have a friend who has also been diagnosed with PCOS and is doing something similar. Her physical transformation is undeniable. She's glowing and so are you. I hope that you continue to feel stronger and stronger and I am certain good things are to come in your future. ;)

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