This may seem like a random post, but I assure you it is not. I still feel a bit uncomfortable talking about this to just anybody--especially explaining what it's all about. Feel free to look it up online, you will find a wealth of information. It has taken some adjusting just for me to get where I'm at now (writing a blog post about it,) and strangely, the more I find out about it, the LESS I want to say about it. It's easy to tell women that they're not weird, and they're not alone, but it's a little more difficult when the woman is you.
I was diagnosed with PCOS around the beginning of this year. I didn't really understand what that meant, but I knew that I had to start exercising and change some of my eating habits. I started attending a twice-a-week workout class, and what I started out kinda disliking (if I'm really honest) ended up being something I actually enjoy. Now I work with a personal trainer, and am thinking it's time to up the ante and start really exercising by myself too.
I'm not a self motivated person, so it will be hard, but sometimes hard is good.
I changed the way I eat, and that too is about to change some more. I found that I like cabbage and spinach more than I knew. I learned that chocolate is not necessary more than a couple times a month really, and that I can skip the sweet tea and just drink water. I trade those pleasures for the worthwhile pleasure of feeling good. I'm still working on a little excess weight, but what fun is having nothing to work on?
Sometimes it's hard not to pout about how many people can eat what they want, but don't have to deal with adverse reactions, while here I am with allergies and health problems that inhibit that freedom.
Then I remember something I read from a girl that had acne about being thankful for acne (or insert other minor ailments) because:
It’s your body’s way of telling you something isn’t right. Most of us are experiencing ill health due to poor nutrition and unhealthy lifestyles. Some people are “unlucky” enough to not show symptoms, riding some “genetic inheritance” that keeps their skin perfectly clear. Be thankful that your body is sending you a message to change.”
So, although I have down days, I brush myself off and try to remember that. On my mountaintop days I know that it's true.
Elisabeth Arona
