PCOS...

Altho I have not officially been diagnosed, but after years of struggling, and of finding some relief but not totally, I have stumbled upon PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). I cannot say that I have it, but I am pretty sure I do...and am pursuing more understanding on the matter for myself.

Since this is a food and health blog, I decided to post this because many women struggle with PCOS and do not understand what it is. I found a simple and easy to understand explanation for PCOS here:

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART03160/Polycystic-Ovarian-Syndrome-PCOS.html



Altho there are many different things a person can do to help with this problem, it seems the general consensus is that diet and exercise are the biggest things to focus on. Many of us ladies do not eat as well as we should, and we do not move as much as we should. It's hard. I know. We are busy, we are bombarded with junk food on every side in this land supposedly flowing with milk and honey (yes, I have an attitude and I am not really apologetic about it!). There are stresses from many places and we find ourselves pressed on many sides to try to find a balance.

I have just come through a very long and difficult summer that has been extra filled with stresses that have me fighting depression and weight issues and other health problems that I have not had to deal with for several years since I have switched to plant based eating.

Which led me to PCOS, and looking at how it affects us.

I tell you, I am not a normally depressed person. I am normally a 'glass half full' kind of girl. I see hope in many situations that others do not...normally.

But after this summer, I was wondering what in the world was happening to me! I felt like I was falling apart on many fronts and I wondered why because I have not changed in who I am with God, the most important relationship in the world. But I know that physical imbalance can make a person really struggle too, so I went asking for answers! And I'm glad I did.

A friend of mine who is studying to become a naturopathic doctor, shared with me that essential oils can help with PCOS as well. I am looking into that, as well as trying to keep my diet clean. By that, I mean make the focus of my food the vegetables, and add a few good starches per day, such as brown rice, potatoes, beans, and whole grains/whole grain flours in moderation.

I am taking time for 'me'. Yes, it sounds selfish, but in the long run, I am doing my family a favor if I exercise, and take the time for extra rest, Scripture and prayer, and if I take the time to make sure I plan and prepare meals that are a benefit to our health. Stress often can cause PCOS to flare up and even though a person is trusting God, we live in finite bodies that do cave under pressure at times.

I have had to cut out things I normally enjoy doing...for now. Some of these things I hope to be able to do again one day, but for now, I need to get better.

That's a little personal update on me, with the intention that I might raise some awareness about PCOS, and hopefully help some other women who may be struggling with this.

I am happy to know that I have seen results with the diet and exercise thing and that I have just encountered a little set back. I will see the positives in this:

1. I get to go a little deeper in my study/understanding of the affect of diet and exercise and stress on our bodies.
2. I get to rely on God more fully through a difficult time when I didn't know what was happening and why I was feeling so depressed and out of normalcy!
3. I get to relate to others who are knowledgeable and can help me through my struggle.
4. I get to discipline my body to say no when others often say yes to foods that are abundant in this land. :-)
5. I get to wait on the Lord and be of good courage, and He has certainly strengthened my heart.
6. I get to learn how to say no where I am not accustomed to saying it! I guess there is a time and a season for many things and sometimes this has to be, for the greater good of all involved.

I hope this finds you all well, and enjoying autumn.

PS
I wrote this post a few weeks ago, but never got it published. So here is a little update before I do that. I am feeling much better with a slower life pace, and with being very vigilant about my food and exercise routine. Several major, sad things have touched me indirectly the last few weeks, but I was able to breeze through them with the grace of God sustaining me, and not be too physically affected. I am so happy about this! I write, not necessarily to talk about me, but to say that often times good results come when we put some diligence into taking care (I am not speaking of life threatening or terminal illnesses here, although they can often be bettered, too) of our bodies.