PCOS: My Personal Journey And How This ‘Diet’ Changed My Life
I wanted to share this short story today in hopes of helping even one person who might be struggling with PCOS. And, I want to share what it is, what I tried, and finally – what worked. I promise you this was not an easy journey – but since finding the ‘answers’ I have adopted it completely into my life.
What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an auto immune disorder in which a woman’s levels of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone are out of balance. This leads to the growth of ovarian cysts (benign masses on the ovaries).
This post was inspired by a new client of mine who was recently diagnosed with PCOS. I promised to share my personal journey with her. And knew this was a platform I could reach more people through my own journey.
My Own Journey Through PCOS
I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 16. As a result had been insulin resistant since then. Insulin resistance is a pathological condition in which cells fail to respond normally to the hormone insulin. The body produces insulin when glucose starts to be released into the bloodstream from the digestion of carbohydrates in the diet. This is often an underlying condition or precursor to diabetes.
PCOS is an auto-immune disorder and a form of inflammation.
Common Symptoms related to PCOS and…
… Symptoms I suffered with for 30 years.
- skin tags
- darkened skin around my neck and under arms
- facial hair growth were there should not be any
- acne, into adulthood
- rapid weight gain no matter what I ate, how much or how little I ate
- in ability to loose more than 15lbs, never able to keep it off
- fertility problems (inability to ovulate every month)
- heavy, long, infrequent periods
- thinning hair on scalp
- depression
- picked on for my weight and fertility problems
The following, are treatments that were prescribed by doctors, gynecologists, endocrinologists (hormone balancing specialists), fertility doctors, dermatologists, and dieticians;
- birth control pill
- metformin and glumetza
- progesterone tablets
- 3 separate surgeries
And don’t get me started on the endless diets. I followed every diet known to man, including Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers (twice over 20 years), and a diet for diabetics (as specifically outlined by a licensed and practicing dietician at St. Michael’s hospital in downtown Toronto.
In addition …
- juicing/fasting/smoothies/shakes
- low carb diets
- low fat diets
- master cleanse (detox)
- exercise – walking, high cardio, weight training, pilates
My PCOS Fate After ALL of the Above
After 29 years, nothing worked. Only thing that was happening was the depression and weight gain, they were thriving.
I continued to have weight issues (was actually at my heaviest weight at the end of 29 years, I had not been able to lose more than 15lbs at any given time. Oh! and although that was a decent number I was not able to keep any of it off for more than 5 or 6 months at a time.
I was in my 40’s and still dealing with acne for two weeks out of every month. This isn’t just a teenager thing my friends. I really thought I was eating healthy, and based on how the diabetic dietitian instructed me to eat. However, I was barely eating anything and was a fat clean eating vegetarian. The irony.
I had reached the end of my rope, thought i would die an overweight, diabetic, vegetarian. That is until one day one of my girlfriend’s told me about the Dr. Poon metabolic diet. I thought it was a fad, like most things, but decided to check it out since I had already felt like I reached the bottom, and was out of options.
I signed up for the program, which was very strict and extremely difficult to follow as a vegetarian. 6 months after signing up I had lost 4 inches on my waist and a total of 15lbs. The weight was of not entirely surprising to me because I had done that before, but I had never actually lost so many inches.
Life took over and I stopped going to the Dr. Poon office to check in and weigh in.
I gained back 5lbs.
Soon thereafter I was looking into anti-inflammatory ways of eating to help those with cancer, MS and diabetes while creating Ki’s Kitchen. I decided to adopt that lifestyle myself.
I am proud to say that FINALLY in 2017, after 30 years of misinformation, struggle and suffering, I have REVERSED my PCOS!
Since adopting an anti-inflammatory foods way of eating, and without the aid of ANY restrictive diets, medication, pharm supplements, or excessive exercise;
- my hair stopped falling out (it was falling out by the handfuls)
- I have not had any sign of acne for years now
- new skin tags have stopped forming
- my skin has lightened up where it was once very dark
- facial hair is almost completely under control
- my menstrual cycles are monthly, on time and last only a week
- I have continued to lose weight (at a slow pace) and have not put any back on. I have gone from a size 14 to a size 9
- my depression and brain fog are completely gone,
- not hungry all the time, not starving myself, not juicing/shakes/fasting, not eating like a rabbit anymore
- no one mentions my weight in the form of a problem anymore
- not spending more time than necessary on exercise (doing what is necessary to stay healthy)
I understand that every woman’s journey with PCOS is different, and we all have our own individual struggles, but there are many symptoms we share in common. For me, no doctor, dietitian, pill, exercise, etc. helped me, and in many cases they made it worse. The only thing that worked and continues to work is a change in my diet, specifically incorporating as many anti-inflammatory foods into each meal as possible.
This is one of the main reasons Ki’s Kitchen persists in making meals that fight inflammation, because it works.
If you would like a list of anti-inflammatory foods, what to eat/not to eat, if you are struggling with PCOS or any other type of chronic inflammation, give us a call, we’re here specifically for YOU!
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Thank you so much for visiting! I hope you have found some valuable information, if so, I’d love to hear about it! Please feel free to share this post with anyone who might benefit, and comments are always welcomed and appreciated.
I look forward to connecting with you next time!
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From our kitchen to yours,
Love + Joy
Kiran
#feedyourjoy + #feelthedifference
My name is kimberly i was diagnose of pcos when i was 26years old,i lost hope that am not going to bear a child again,until when i was searching the internet for a natural remedy when i came across an email of a man called DR AZIBAL who have cured some one of the sickness,initially i never believe then i gave him a try and he told me what to do and the natural herbs was sent to me and i take it as prescribe and today am a proud mother of 3 kids,if you wish to contact him you can contact him on azibalherbalcure@yahoo.com
I am also suffering from pcod from last 6 years and i just hain and gain weight. please suggest me some diet plans so I can change my diet.I am just frustrated with gaining weight, mood swings and low energy.I need help please suggest something