Whoop there it is.

Good news!!

I have been doing Insulite Labs for about a month and a half now (not consistently, but I have been trying hard!) and today I got a surprise. Who would have thought I would EVER be excited about starting my menstrual cycle!? Yup. This is the first one I have had since I stopped birth control back at the end of October! Honestly I had no idea it was coming. The only PMS symptoms that I have even had are being extra tired and acne, and I guess a slight craving for chocolate. Or maybe I have just grown so accustomed to it not coming, I didn't even realize they were PMS symptoms. Either way, YAY!

Besides taking the pills, I have also been getting more exercise and doing a little better with at least eating more veggies! I have noticed that I want protein in the mornings now more than I want carbs. I have eaten a bagel here and there because I still suck at preparing food ahead of time, and I give in because I am starved at work and need to eat. I find myself craving eggs a lot in the mornings, and I never have them.. :( I need to fix that.

*I started this post a couple of days ago and decided to wait to see how the week went. This cycle has lasted 3 days so far and it is light, but I am just so glad it came! We'll have to see if it comes along again next month.

I've noticed I do so much better when I add exercise into the mix of this. I tend to want to eat better, I have more energy, and overall I feel more positive about myself.
Exercise = Good.

So that is the most recent update from me! More details will come later.
For those of you who feel awkward discussing this topic, TOO BAD! ;)

Insulite Labs: Month 1

I have been on the PCOS Insulite Labs system for a little over a month now! So, first off I need to tell you that in the last two weeks I haven't been taking it as consistently as I was.... I know... :( But I am trying harder to remember again and I put reminders on my phone. The main thing is just remembering to take them, especially the ones in between meals. Weekends are also a bit more difficult to remember because I'm not in my normal routine. But here are some things I have experienced throughout this month:

WHEN I am consistent with it, my cravings for carbs and sugar go way down. If I forgot to take them, those cravings came back and it takes a few days of being consistent before the cravings subside again. I am a lover of sweets! But I noticed that if I did have sweets, it tasted a lot sweeter than usual and I didn't want as much as I usually do.

My cravings for carbs have definitely gone down, but I admit I am finding it difficult to take the time to find things to replace them. One thing I have started doing though is using shredded zucchini in place of pasta, and it is actually really good! I think a big help is to plan your meals ahead of time, which I am horrible at. I have plans to start doing that... soon.

In the first few weeks I felt way more exhausted than usual, but once I started forcing myself to the gym I felt more energy. I haven't lost weight yet, but I am not too concerned about that for now. I also haven't had my period yet, but I have noticed some PMS symptoms. Something is going on down there and I will get cramps, back-aches, and moody once in awhile. I am not sure how much all of that ties into my hormonal issues and if it is good or bad at this point! My intuition tells me it is good though! :)

A part of this that I have not dealt with head on yet is my emotional eating. I know that is going to hinder me if I don't try to sort it out. I know that that is a big part of why I reach for comfort foods. I am not sure yet if I am using food to comfort me (because it really doesn't in the long run!) or if I am using it to numb emotions I don't want to feel. I am not even sure how to start conquering this. I have begun to recognize those moments when I think I need something sweet that most of the time there is something bothering me, and it usually happens when I am alone and feeling overwhelmed or frustrated with myself or other people. That is about as far as I have gotten so far.

So there it is! That is my update for month 1! I am looking forward to month 2!

Insulite Labs Week 1

I've been taking the Insulite pills for a week now, and here is what little I have found:

I started to break out a little around my mouth and chin, which are typical spots to break out when your hormones are imbalanced. It wasn't bad, but it was more than normal.

My cravings for carbs has gone down and sugar has gone down a little bit. I still want them but it doesn't feel like a NEEEEED!

I was exhaustively tired all week. I think today was the first day it felt just a tad easier to peel myself out of bed. (Also, I hate mornings. It has always been hard for me to get up, so this is not a huge surprise!) My motivation and energy levels were definitely down though.

It has been easier than I thought to take 18 pills a day. Plus I drink more water! The first two days I read the pills wrong and had only taken half of what I was supposed to, and then yesterday I forgot to take part of them. The main thing is just making it a priority and a habit I think.

I think those were the main things that happened, and I haven't weighed myself yet to see if I have gained or lost any weight, but I am not as worried about that as I am about balancing hormones. There were also other factors that could have played in to create these side effects as well: school started, got less sleep, haven't been exercising like I need to. I admit this last week I was a bit unfocused on my health as other things have started up and have taken precedence over exercise... but now that the first week of school is over I should be able to settle down and get into a better routine again.

Do I feel like it is working? Not really yet, but it has also only been a week! The website says that most people typically start to notice things near the end of the first month, but most of the changes happen between 6-12 months. It also noted that if it has been awhile since your last period, you may experience weight gain and other PMS symptoms at first. Its hard to say within just one week if what is happening is supposed to happen or not! I imagine that since it probably took awhile for the hormones to become unbalanced that it will take awhile to get them back where they need to be. I am not expecting instant results! I'll probably update again at the end of the month, unless something significant happens.

Getting Ready for Month 1 of Insulite Labs

I have talked about Insulite Labs in some of my previous posts and I have said that I wanted to try it. I finally ordered a month's worth to try and see how it goes. It is pretty expensive stuff, but if you were to buy all the vitamins suggested for PCOS you'd probably be spending close to the same amount. It is about $100 a month, and there are 4 different pills that all have different ingredients to help with literally just about everything! From acne, to hair loss to excess hair to insulin resistance to regulating hormones and menstruation. There are 18 pills to take everyday, at various times of the day. That is the part that makes me nervous. I am not a very organized person and I have a feeling it is going to be hard to remember to take them all! I know, it sounds like a lot too. I have never taken that many pills in my life!

If you are anything like me, you want to know exactly what are in all of those pills! All of the information I give to you next is taken directly from the Insulite Labs PCOS website, which you can (and should) also find what each ingredient's function is. I advise you to visit the website because it will go into much more detail.

PolyPlus is formulated to help balance testosterone and estrogen levels to help regulate menstruation and promote healthy skin and hair. Ingredients include Saw Palmetto, Vitex, Stinging Nettle, Flax seed, and Milk thistle extract.

InsulX is designed to help mostly with insulin resistance and to help your cells be more sensitive to insulin, accepting glucose more easily. Ingredients include Vanadyl Sulfate, Chromium, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Magnesium, Zinc, L-Carnitine, Copper, Calcium, Biotin, Manganese, Pancreatic Tissue, Adrenal Tissue, and a Vegetarian Enzyme blend. 

RejuvaPlus will help repair the damage cause to your cells and the interior lining of blood cells cause by having insulin resistance. Ingredients include Vitamin C, CoQ10, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Quercitin, Bilberry Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Thiamin, Vitamin D, and Cinnamon.

GlucX will help with the absorption of glucose, reducing insulin spikes. Ingredients include Hydrolyzed Guar Gum, Apple Pectin, and Fenugreek. 

If you have done any sort of research on what supplements to take for PCOS, you'll recognize many of the supplements! The program also includes guidelines for nutrition, exercise, and support in order to be successful. One of the things I love about Insulite Labs is they explain very well what is happening inside your body and why it has a hard time absorbing and using glucose, which in turn effects hormones and menstruation. I highly recommend looking into this program further. I haven't actually used the product yet, it should be shipped any day here but I will let you know how my body responds to it. 

Right now I am mostly mentally preparing myself to make small changes. Oh! That reminds me, another thing I found to be awesome about this is that they actually tell you to go easy on yourself. If you completely cut off all carbs and sugars, your body will go into shock and try to hold onto your weight even more. So they recommend a gradual decrease by 5% of carbs each week to give your body time to adjust, and if you slip up for a day or a week to just come back to it. Persistence, not perfection is key! I think that is something I can handle! :) 

It is the Little Things!

Well guys, I hate to admit it but the last month has been a bit crazy and I just thought I'd give you an update so far:

I took Tri-Sprintec for one month, had my period like normal with no other negative symptoms. The only difference I could see is that I did feel like my hormones may have leveled because I was not like an emotional rollercoaster. But I decided to not take it anymore.. like I have said before I wanted to try to go a more natural way. I didn't want synthetic hormones doing the work for my body. I want my body to learn how to use them on it's own! So this past month I have been birth control free. My emotions are back. All of them! My period is late, which I guess I had to expect. (Although, I was crossing my fingers it would be normal!) I know one month is hardly any time at all to see results, but for some reason I am just completely turned off by birth control. It just doesn't feel right for me, so I am listening to myself in hopes I am right.

I also took D-chiro-inositol (DCI) and Vitex while taking birth control. I am fairly certain that DCI helped a lot with bloating. I didn't feel bloated hardly ever. Before, anything I ate made me feel five pounds heavier and it was awful.  I am not sure about the Vitex yet, but I read that it is supposed to help with fertility and may increase the risk of pregnancy even while on birth control (which is not necessarily a risk for me, but I'm not quite ready for kids yet :)), so I quit taking it while I finished my birth control and now I am back on it. I have to order more DCI, so I haven't been taking it faithfully the last few weeks.

So here's the other thing: I have started to be more active, going to the gym and trying to be up and moving more so I have made some progress there but there is definitely much further to go! I've had my hit and miss days, but I KNOW I feel so much better when I get a workout in.

Then there is the diet*. Guys. This is the hard part for me. Why do I love food so much? Sigh... I have definitely consumed less carbs, and so that I think has helped with the bloating. I've noticed that when I have too many, I feel gross! So I do know it has an impact on me. Sugar.... not so much. I have a major sweet tooth. Major!

It sounds silly, but food has always been a huge part of my life. I love food, and I want it to be yummy food. I love veggies. I love fruit. But I also love cake, and pizza, and rolls... I know food is for nourishment, not entertainment or for self-gratification but that is what it has been in the past for me and I am finding it extremely difficult to change! I don't mean to say any of that as a pity party, and even I know I have the willpower to change. I am just going through the battle in my mind. Is it better to completely cut things off or is it better to allow yourself an indulgence once in awhile?

Anyway, so that is the update on how things have been so far! I am grateful for the little progress I have seen, which really isn't much, but it's there and I have to notice them to keep me positive! :)

*Sidenote: When I say "diet" I mean my day to day food intake. I hate using the term I am on a "diet" because it makes it sound temporary. I am not in this temporarily! I think that is why it is hard for me to say I will never have cake or pizza again, because I KNOW I will! :)

Dam the Wagon!

"I've fallen off the wagon."

Ever heard this phrase? Ever use this phrase? Don't you sometimes want to push the wagon off cliff (after you have fallen out of course!) so that you CAN'T fall off anymore?

Well I am here to suggest that you STOP (thus the dam) and don't get on the wagon in the first place. Here is what I mean by that: usually when we say we are going to lose weight and change ourselves, we are only really thinking short-term. We go on a hard core strict diet that we simply cannot follow for very long and wind up on our backs. In the dirt. With chocolate all over our face.

If we really want to change, it can't be temporary. Often change is a slow process that makes us feel like ripping our hair out because it is taking so dang long. We want results NOW! We want to lose that extra 20 pounds yesterday, and in that process we can be pretty darn mean and harsh to our bodies.

This is what I want to emphasize right now: BE NICE to yourself! Go at your own pace. Make small changes. Push yourself but don't expect yourself to do everything all at once and expect your body (but probably mostly your mind!) to be able to handle it overnight. I am a pretty high strung person, and I will tell you that I have this strong urge to change everything. Go big or go home. All in! But I have also seen myself fall flat on my face too many times, and I know this strategy is only going to frustrate me more.

So, if you want that yummy piece of chocolate, then have it! But instead of having 2 or the whole bag, just really enjoy that one piece, put the bag back and walk away, or even better go for a walk to get your mind somewhere else!

If you tell yourself "I can never have chocolate or pizza or ice cream or hamburgers or bread or cake or white rice ever again!," then what are you going to find yourself wanting more than all the veggies combined? Those foods. Now you might have to let them disappear out of your mind for a little while at first to get the junk and toxins out of your body, but if you are a lover of bread you are going to want it eventually. In my own opinion, I think it is better to work your favorite foods in while eating healthy the rest of the time. Now, there may actually come a day when you realize you don't want those foods because you will be able to see the effect they have on your body and you just don't want them anymore. I've heard of that happening, and if it does embrace it!

If you do go way overboard, I read this suggestion from somewhere (sorry I can't remember the source):
    -Drink lots of water first thing in the morning. The water will help flush the bad stuff out.
    -Eat mostly veggies and lean protein the whole day and try to leave out fats.
    -Make sure to exercise and maybe work out a little harder or a little longer

Don't overdo it, and don't do it as a way to punish your body. It isn't about punishing, it is about providing the extra care your body needs.

BE NICE!

Instant Gratification

We live in such a fast paced world, where information, fun, and anything else we want, is right at our finger tips. If I have to wait ten minutes for a response to a text, I start getting antsy and impatient. Sometimes waiting for a TV episode to go up on Hulu the next day is way too long to wait. I hate to wait for anything. And I think that's the general consensus everywhere.

The thing about being healthy and loosing weight is that it takes time. Sometimes a lot of time. And it's a slow, painful process, with little to show for it. So, what's the point? If it took this much energy to send or receive a text, we'd never text again! So, what makes it worth it? You do. You make it worth it, because YOU are worth it.

I have come to the realization that anything worth while in life takes time and a whole lot of effort. School. Do you know how long it takes to earn three college credits? How much work is involved? Let's not talk about earning an entire college degree. How about relationships? Do you fall in love over night? Can you build something that will last in an hour conversation? And as much as I wish that snapping my fingers like Mary Poppins would clean my house, or do my laundry, it's not going to happen. So, why should loosing weight and becoming healthy be any different? Sure, I guess you could go get lipo-suctioning, but what has changed? You will still eat the same, and have the same habits, so all that weight will probably just come back.

There is this movie called What About Bob. It's hilarious and far-fetched, but it teaches one good thing - baby steps. You have to start small, and build on that. Know that it's going to take time and effort, but that it's going to be worth it. You can get that degree, build strong, long-lasting relationships, clean your entire house, and get healthy! One day you will be able to say, I did it. And that's the best feeling in the entire world.