P to the C to the O to the aweSome

I have Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. I was diagnosed first at 16 and then again at 19. I was diagnosed a second time at my request because when I was first told I had PCOS it was still a new syndrome, there was not a lot of research or information on it. My diagnosis was based on two factors: the loss of a menstrual cycle and the presence of "string of pearl" cysts in my ovaries. I was given birth control pills, told to watch out for uncontrolled weight gain, was informed I would not be able to get pregnant  without fertility treatments and given a  hearty wish of "Good Luck".  Shocked to the core and scared out of my mind, I decided my best plan of attack to conquer PCOS was to stop eating meat. I figured it was healthier and would keep me from fried foods.  My first year of college I dreaded the "Freshmen Fifteen" which for me with PCOS I believed would easily be the "Freshmen Fifty" so I made a daily commitment to the gym. I conquered the beast which is one's first year of collegiate art school (totally stressful, totally awesome) the numbers on the scale staying just where they started (high five!) However, I did note that this meant I also did not LOSE weight- even with monitoring my diet and getting to the gym consistently. This was disheartening and  as more information came out  about PCOS I started to wonder if I really had it to begin with. I did not have a majority of the appearance related symptoms most women with PCOS have: I was not terribly overweight, I did not have any more facial hair than the normal half Italian girl would have and I was not balding. (Yeah you read that correctly... PCOS is a sexy beast!) I did have the acne which was my albatross. Every passing year I deeply believed would be THE year it would magically begin to fade: 18, 19 ... surely 20... I mean I am officially not a teenager!!! But sadly no..no matter the age, no matter the creams or soaps, or meds... still it stayed... my trusted companion.  At 19 my mother and I decided I should be re-evaluated for PCOS. Luckily I was attending VCU and at MCV there was a specialist studying PCOS who agreed I should be re-tested and I was given a slew of evaluations. I was taken off my birth control pills and a few months later when my hormone levels evened out they were tested and I was quickly given back the red "P.C.O.S" to sew back on my hip art school self.  This was based on my extremely elevated testosterone levels (are you sure I am not a boy?!?!) , my present but scant periods (oh wait. I totally am a girl)  and my ovarian cysts (OUCH! I am so totally totally a girl). I was put on Metformin (Glucophage), originally developed to treat elevated blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes, and back on birth control pills. Finding out that many women with PCOS are insulin resistant ( which basically means your body does not move insulin (sugar) effectively through your bloodstream to your muscles... it is automatically stored as fat instead, resulting in the "spare tire" weight gain in one's middle) was major for me. I had the answer to why I could never lose weight and why I had the acne of a fifteen year old at an age when most women are worried about wrinkles: my diet was totally off key. I stayed vegetarian but did try my best to link protein with all carbs I ate, key to the insulin resistant diet. Though I did lose weight on the Metformin, I eventually went off it and took Chromium supplements instead. I continued to exercise, mostly running and almost no weight training. I was lucky enough to have two kids with out fertility treatments which I attribute to keeping my hormones levels in check through diet and exercise. (And the fact that I probably only ovulate in the month of December as both birthdays fall three days apart in September!)  When I was pregnant with my first child I started eating meat again. I started with chicken and then when I began seriously weight training I added in pork and (OMG) beef. I am pretty sure it still shocks those closest to see me eat a real hamburger.  The addition of meat to my diet has been key to my weight loss success. By doing so (and by adding weight training to my exercise routine) I started losing inches for the first real time. The knowledge of carb sensitivity has made all the difference.  Recently I stopped taking birth control pills and started taking Metformin again. I also now take daily fish oil, folic acid and a calcium/magnesium/zinc supplement. Fish oil can help manage insulin sensitivities and folic acid can support healthy hormone function (ding!ding!ding!) both key to successfully managing one's PCOS. There are multiple pieces to one's health and wellness puzzle. The hard part is piecing them all together. PCOS is a hard cross to bear but it is who I am. It has influenced everything about me from diet to personality. Now, though, as I jump head first into a new decade, I think less about the few pimples I still get once a month and more about how many push ups I did yesterday. Everyday I remind myself that "real strength is forcing the things that make you sad into the things that make you strong" and for that you need some serious muscle....