My Story: A Fat Girl with PCOS

I was an early…very early developer.  I had my period when I was just shy of 11.  I wore my first bra in the 4^th grade.  I looked like a full grown woman at 12.  It’s my philosophy that early developers can deal with this unfortunate situation in one of two ways: become a raging slut or begin a life-long journey of insecurity. I chose the latter.

I began experiencing a variety of unpleasant symptoms at age 11 and throughout my adolescence: dark skin under my arms, excess body hair, facial hair, frequent headaches and nausea… all the things high school boys look for in a girl, ya know?  I also began my long journey into fathood.  It wasn’t until I was 18 that I was finally diagnosed with PCOS and put on Metformin.  I’m 29 now and still taking Metformin and still experiencing most of the same symptoms.  And still fat. Though I did somehow manage to land a man, a very good-looking one at that.

I’ve decided to take a serious initiative to be thin by the time I turn 30 on May 8, 2013, which is 8 months away.  But Jen, it’s not about being skinny, it’s about being healthy.  Vomit.  Two kinds of people subscribe to that notion: skinny people and fat people who are in denial.  I am healthy.  Now I want to be skinny.  I’m 5’5, 175lbs.  I haven’t worn a bikini since I was five. I have permanent chub rub discoloration on my thighs.  It’s time.

Here are some of the more extreme things I’ve tried to lose weight (Of course not 100% of the time, but let’s assume I was also exercising five days a week):

I had my resting metabolic rate tested.   I was told I was eating too few calories and needed to eat more.  The idea is that when your body doesn’t get enough calories, it goes into starvation mode and stores fat for later.  Weee!!  More food!!  I know this is going to come as a total shock but I actually gained weight.

I was a local spokesperson for LA Weightloss (I used to work for a radio station).  I followed their plan to a T.  I lost a good amount of weight but then plateaued and soon started gaining back. LA Weightloss could not believe this and told my boss they didn’t believe I was following the plan and asked for a new volunteer.

I ate nothing but vegetables and ran every single day.  I added a tenth of a mile every day I ran.  This worked.  I was the skinniest I’ve ever been and in amazing shape.  Unfortunately, that was short-lived because…because who the hell can do that forever?!

I saw a reputable (and expensive!) nutritionist who gave me very high hopes as she was very confident she could help me reach my goal weight.  She gave me a doable meal plan plus my normal exercise routine which I followed for many months.  I lost a few pounds then plateaued. 

She then had me tested for food sensitivities which would provide me with a list of commonly eaten foods that my body needs to avoid.  The science here is that if you’re constantly eating foods that your body can’t properly digest, then your body is in a constant state of inflammation which ultimately prevents you from losing weight.  Google “weight loss and inflammation” for further explanation.   I’m including the list of foods I couldn’t eat so you can have an idea of what that hell was like.  Chocolate?! Seriously?  You'd be amazed how difficult it is to avoid black pepper. And lemon.  And sugar.  And diary.  I didn’t lose weight and my nutritionist gave up on me.  I was devastated because I loved her.  She was my girl crush and crush me she did.

Severe Intolerance	Moderate Intolerance	Mild Intolerance
Don’t eat at all for 6 months	Strictly Avoid for 6 months	Limit to a few times a week
Apple Cocoa Mustard String Bean	Barley Black Pepper Cane Sugar Cantaloupe Cashew Clam Cow’s Miilk Ginger Goat’s Milk Lemon Tuna Turkey Vanilla White Potato	Cabbage Chicken Codfish Egg Yolk Orange Parsley Pear Pineapple Rice Salmon Sole Spinach Squash (Yellow)

I went gluten free, sugar free, starch free, low glycemic (not all at the same time).  All of which helped me lose weight initially, then plateau (are we seeing a pattern?). 

Then, I found juicing.  Juicing actually works for me and will be an integral l part in this weightless adventure.  Let’s discuss this deeper in my next post, shall we.

Here’s the thing.  I know that in order to lose weight, I have to work a little harder once I plateau.  However, ladies with PCOS know that we have to work harder than most just to lose that first little bit.  Then you want me to work even harder?   Ok, I will.  But then I plateau again, quicker this time.  And so on and so forth.  Once you get to a point that you’re working so hard just to maintain…you’re going to lose motivation.  No results=no motivation.  Men especially don’t understand that, mostly because they always see results.  But that’s a whole other post.

P.S.  I didn’t talk much about exercise but it’s a consistent part of my diet plans. My husband is in the health industry and is a certified personal trainer so he’s always around to help me with my workouts.  That’s how I know they’re good and that’s not the issue.  I realize weight loss is about eating right AND exercising but it seems that diet is way more important for me to successfully lose weight.

So, thanks for listening.  I hope you come with me on my journey to thirty.  I hope this blog will help me follow the plan I’ve created and maybe help others in the same boat.  I’ll tell you about The Plan later, so chill.