I absolutely hate making excuses for things that I have 100% control over. Although my weight issues aren't completely under my control due to my PCOS, I don't like using my diagnoses as cop out to my weight.
From the very first time I started my "transition" into womanhood in the 7th grade, I have had problems keeping my weight down. I ate the same as my two petite sisters, and danced 6 to 7 days a week. They remained small, and I was gaining wait at a constant speed. I tried living off of grilled chicken and salad. Yeah, that lasted about 3 weeks, and I quit because I ended up gaining 5 pounds. I tried fasting and gained weight. I tried every diet imaginable because nothing was working. My gynecologist said I may have PCOS, but after 2 tests, she said I did not have it. I didn't know what else to do but cry. All I wanted was an answer. Years went by and I struggled with my self confidence and had self image issues. I went through depression and years where I limited my social life because I was embarrassed. Before my 23rd birthday, I was having issues with my cycle and started researching on the internet. I came upon a PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome website and every single symptom I read was exactly what was happening with my body. I decided to get a second opinion (9 years after I was told I didn't have PCOS) and made an appointment with an endocrinologist at the Cleveland Clinic. After performing NUMEROUS tests (rather than 2...) he concluded that I did IN FACT have PCOS. He gave me a prescription to Metformin, rather than the usual Birth Control, mainly because the BC causes weight gain, which is what I was trying to avoid. After 6 months taking the Metformin, I had lost 30 pounds! After my 23rd birthday, I was taken off of my parent's insurance, even though still in college full time, and unfortunately could not afford to travel to the Cleveland Clinic and get more of my medication. Naturally, I gained all 30 pounds back, though I had changed nothing in my healthy diet.
Now, finally back on Metformin, I have a lot of work to do to get to my goal of 185lbs (for now). I am and have always been a very active person, but I plan to make health and fitness my second job.
My first goal is to lost 5lbs by next Sunday, September 5th. Just in time to see Dierks Bentley and Gretchen Wilson perform at our local fair :)
Here it goes.....gulp.
