Fit For Future Families - January 2011

Ron – the flu is going around. They say in my province that by this time they`ve usually seen 100 cases of the flu and this year they`ve seen over 800…..it`s possible, but it`s also possible that you`re preggers. Good luck making it to CD 33…I always found that I made myself more nutso in the days between when I start thinking I might be and the future test date I set….I come up with names, decorate rooms, etc. Then it happens and I feel worse. At this point, I don`t even know how I`ll feel with a BFP, but I hope that is the case with you....AFM is something I picked up from Alisa…means as for me (at least that`s what I think it does….LOL)

Heather – Awww…I was hoping it was….LOL Nah, that`s fine. I`m really pleased that after my cheat meal yesterday that nothing was significantly out of whack for me this morning. I see you`re still blasting away at the exercise. That`s my goal this year – to bump it up. I actually planned out all exercises for this weekend and I`ve planned an hour each day. DH is working and I`m home by myself. I usually use the time to curl up with a book or watch trash tv most of the day (obsessed with Teen Mom….there I admit it…some of them…I tell ya)

Charlie – 11lbs is awesome in 3weeks!!!! That`s something to celebrate for sure!!!! You should see your doctor if it`s been over 60 days, just so you can clear the slate so to say….I`ve heard great things about Chasteberry – silly name for a fertility herb. I even wanted to plant the shrub in my garden at one point, but they aren`t hardy here (I`m an avid gardener). One thing I found is that since I`ve been TTC, I`ve become very in tune to my body. I know which symptoms signal that O is on her way (acne, fatigue, laziness) and which signal that AF is on her way (basically all the early pregnancy symptoms….LOL). I know what`s normal for me and what`s not. Pay attention to those little twinges and you`ll figure out what they mean over time. Congratulations on being an Auntie!!! We don`t actually have any kids in my immediate family though, so I call my cousin`s kids and my friend`s kids my nieces and nephews but that would be so exciting. 4lbs though is so scary – but they`ve figured out how to make them pick up that weight quickly. If he`s holding his own now, I`m sure he`ll come through strong and gain the weight in no time 

Erica – you`re right progesterone is a nasty hormone, although I was reading something over the holidays that discussed how people react to the holidays based on the hormonal TOM…..low doses of progesterone was known as the happy hormone and how people didn`t really get upset when they were at that point of their cycle of the first week of the 2ww. My inlaws were here and normally we don`t get along, but they weren`t phasing me (my hubby on the other hand…..uh…..I was constantly calming him down) That`s why I was so sure I`d already O`d. Now I know I O`d after Christmas at which point I did start getting irritated. So something new I learned….I mellow out right before O…..see…insight, right on the boards. Sorry about the 1 year anniversary – that totally sucks. Chasteberry is a shrub that they use for irregular periods – you can also by Vitex in the healthfood stores in the vitamin section. That and red raspberry tea are said to do wonders – I couldn`t find either in Canada and I finally made a plan to make it to the US to buy it, but then I found out that PCOSers don`t respond well to it (not adversely, just not at all). My fingers are crossed for you until Monday…I really hope this is your month.

AFM: Man, I`ve already written soooooo much….Not much from me I guess except I think I`m gearing up to O (classic signs….which is a first….I hope it doesn`t start going funny on me). And it`s starting to happen right on schedule too…..hope I`m not getting too hopeful that all the treatments work….*sigh* Why won`t these appointments come more quickly??? It’s still two weeks until we find out the results of DH’s surgery and whether all this temping/OPK stuff is even relevant……On the plus side, as of this morning, I’m back down to my lowest weight on this journey, although I’m not officially entering it until Monday.

The cinnamon bark taste is related to one of my asthma medications - or so my doctor says. Since we cut my dose it went away (we cut it in early January). I'm thinking it's related to my cycle...when I go back through the logs, it always got worse right before I was set to O....so I'm thinking it's just my body's sensitivity levels rising to it.I can't cut it back anymore without going off of it completely and right now my asthma's soooo controlled that I will just live with the bark for now. It takes about a week to lessen off...typically.

hi everyone,

i want to make it a habit in checking in regularly in this group. i am pre-TTC. meaning, my docs won't even treat me, until i manage my diabetes (diagnosed 3 years ago when we went to fertility). so....i have to show a A1C blood reading of less than 7, and i am at a 8.2. almost there.

so i have to go low carb, exercise more, and lose weight!!!

i am kinda jealous that some of you girls are actually in the middle of it, actually taking stuff or going thru the fertility process. maybe this time, i'll be able to get on the ball and make it happen! haven't weighed myself yet this morning. going to wait until tomorrow morning after my workout. but i hope to show that i didn't gain (since i'm having my cycle now).

looking forward to getting to know people in this group!
g.

I would love to join this group if it's not too late? How do I go about doing that?

HMKan - It is a lot of information - but it's pretty simple stuff. Definitely feel free to chime in when you want on what you need to - we're here to help with the weight loss too, not just all this technical fertility mumbo jumbo.

Gj - Yuo know the path you need to take and I'm glad you're getting close!!!

Ron - Check with Jalara. I think she said there was something about taking the prenatals before bed that would help with the nausea (but I think that was about the iron)....She had all the info on what was in what so she might know about normal. I will also try looking it up tomorrow. I'm really not sure (but also really sleepy for tonight...LOL) I wouldn't think it's too much though. My doctor (old GP) told me I shoudl get at least 1mg of folic before TTC...1.2 doesn't seem like much more, but if you stop taking the folic and you find the symptoms get better that would give you a great answer too.

HI Phoneyxlove. Welcome to the group.

Had a late dinner with friends......but it put me over for the night....oh well......Ciao all - off to bed. Started using the OPKs for the first time this cycle today since my CM is definitely moving towards fertile state....negative....LOL Don't know why I was a little disappointed....it wasn't an HPT

Phoenyxlove - welcome!

Pam - I think its normal to be disappointing for any negative, HPT or OPK.

Heather - I love working out with DH too, even if it's just going for a walk around the neighborhood. I hope your visit goes smoothly.

AFM - (since I know what that means now!) Ok, so I gave in and tested. I don't know who I was kidding by thinking that I could make it to CD33. I know it's most accurate with the first urine of day and we didn't have any HPT's in the house. Let me tell you I was quite the sight this morning at 4:30 in my pj's and glasses at the drugstore trying to hold my pee. :laugh: :laugh:
There was a second line. Granted it was a lot lighter than the control line, but it was definitely there and DH and I both saw it immediately. I'm freaking out, and I'm not sure if I believe it. But a line is a line right?

Phoenyxlove - welcome!

Pam - I think its normal to be disappointing for any negative, HPT or OPK.

Heather - I love working out with DH too, even if it's just going for a walk around the neighborhood. I hope your visit goes smoothly.

AFM - (since I know what that means now!) Ok, so I gave in and tested. I don't know who I was kidding by thinking that I could make it to CD33. I know it's most accurate with the first urine of day and we didn't have any HPT's in the house. Let me tell you I was quite the sight this morning at 4:30 in my pj's and glasses at the drugstore trying to hold my pee. :laugh: :laugh:
There was a second line. Granted it was a lot lighter than the control line, but it was definitely there and DH and I both saw it immediately. I'm freaking out, and I'm not sure if I believe it. But a line is a line right?

Hey ladies... I just came to check in on you all and I have a lot to catch up on! Some of you have such exciting stuff going on right now! I am going to read to catch up for awhile but I saw this one...

Ron- a line is a line. I tested a ton times at first becuase my first couple were faint. Don't test over and over the same day because you will get negatives like I did. A positive is a postive!!!! I would try again tommorow morning... if you want get a digital so that its not a "line" you are reading but the dr. said the ones with the line are more accurate. Praying for you but I think you have something good! Congrats!

As an update I have made it to my 12 weeks. I still feel like major crap all of the time and I have lost weight (but the tummy is bigger). But everything has looked great at the dr!

K, going back to read about you all!

LOL - I'm always shocked by how long my posts are now......talk about verbose

Yay, Ron! Were the lines pink or blue? I would back up with a digi if you used a blue dye test. They give very light blue evaps a lot of times and it can be very disappointing, but a pink line I would be believe.

Good luck with O, Pam!

Heather - I always sigh a sigh of relief too....We only see my inlaws every few months (like 2x a year) because they live so far away.

I'm trying to find my Dr. Poon book...argggg frustrating - Hubby must have cleaned!!! I need it for grocery shopping. The basics are that any vegetable that grows in the ground is off limits (carrots, parsnips, onions, etc.), no processed foods, very little grains and dairy (for phase I). It's almost unlimited leafy greens.....there's actually a list of things. There are some things you can eat, but in set portions (like mushrooms are 1 cup/day). Phase II becomes a little less restrictive then phase III is even more so......If I can stick to phase II, I think I'll be in good shape, phase I is almost like a detox to get rid of the sugars and refined carbs. It's only meant to last 2 weeks.

Maybe it's cause I'm in Canada, but I only got 9OPKs (and it was a bonus pack, was supposed to be 7) for $50!!!

Oh yeah, Tallib, I've been doing 1500mg of Metformin for ~7 months now and I think this might be my first "regular" cycle.....only other thing I'm taking is Synthroid at the lowest dose because my thyroid was a little high to carry to term successfully once we do get pregnant.

erica- Glad your jaw is better. Hopefully the sinus stuff will be over sooner rather than later. How exciting to get the chance to test! Will Tues be the day after you are supposed to start? Oh and I thought we would be getting lots more snow and it was snowing a little when I woke up this morning...but I'm glad we didn't get the 4" projected!

pam- I forgot to mention before that I too am obsessed with Teen Mom/16 and Pregnant....my dh wonders why I watch it and admitted that it actually angers him and makes him a little sad that they have babies when we want one so badly and are obviously a lot more prepared then them. I explained to him that I actually feel sorry for them because the rest of their lives will never be the same and they will ALWAYS struggle.
I find any diet that restricts really really hard to follow for longer than a few days even if it is for the greater good. I used to be the kind of person that would order a chicken sandwich (fried with mayo) and a lemonade from McDonalds and think I was being healthy because it wasn't a burger and soda! Boy have I come a long way! I have made slow changes over the years (my first two changes were to stop soda, even diet, and no eating anywhere that has a drive thru). I've slowly but surely come to the way I currently eat (which by no means is perfect, but is closer to how someone with pcos should eat). But different things obviously work differently for each person.

Didn't get very much sleep last night and then have had some family drama so I've been doing everything in my power to not self sabotage (I tend to do that when I'm tired and when I have stress). So far so good... Hope everyone is having a great Sunday!

Heather, yes AF is due tomorrow (or possibly Tuesday, sometimes my LP is a day longer), but thus far I don't feel like she's on her way. Probably because I've been only sporadically temping, so I may have missed a dip toward my coverline, which is usually when I feel "out" of the game. I will be dreadfully disappointed if my temp is low and AF starts tomorrow.

Erica all I can say is that I absolutely can say I've been there. It has brought me to a deep depression time and time again in the past when AF shows up. I will be bummed out if things don't happen this month, but I am not expecting it (just hoping). You are definitely in my prayers!

kah- Congrats on the loss! I'm the same way with doing really good throughout the week and weighing in on Fridays. My "free" meal is usually sometime during the weekend and I am very sodium sensitive so even if the meal isn't a very high calorie meal, it usually has a higher salt content and I'm bloated for days after! I say as long as you eat clean for 90% of the time you are definitely successful! And now after the day I've had and reading your post I can't stop dreaming of a brownie sundae!

Good night all - hope your weekends were good (and that you have a great loss tomorrow - or whenever your weigh in is for the week).

My goal for this week is to make sure I mediate at least 5x this week for 5 minutes before bed. I find I sleep more soundly when I do. I get so little sleep at night that I make up for it in the evening. I'd also like to be getting into bed for 10. I find I lose more steadily when I have a good nights sleep. Also want to make it to aquafit 2x this week (found another swim buddy so I don't get demotivated weekly).

2011 SW: 241.8

Week 1: 237.9lbs (-3.9 lbs)
Week 2: 235.5lbs (-2.4lbs)
Week 3: 238.9lbs (+3.5lbs)
Week 4: 236.2lbs (-2.7lbs)

Almost back down to my week 2 loss....and that's after a lazy weekend....I'll take it

Ron - I won't speak for everyone else, but don't be silly....LOL Of course you can hang out here, as long as you need to

Hi all, Happy Monday from the freezing northeast.

Ron-Fingers crossed for you!

AFM- I lost nothing this week. Nothing! 2 days of running, 1 boot camp class and a yoga class and nothing. Ugh. It's weeks like this that I am so frustrated, that I just want a big dirty martini or 3. But I'm going to try to be better this week about my water intake, since that might be what is derailing me. My run on Sat sucked. I put the treadmill on a 1% incline and that measly 1% made it 100% harder. But as weird as this sounds, and not something I tell my husband, to get through the last 3 min, I kept telling myself "You are doing this for your future babies. They deserve a fit mother!" and I made it through. I probaby should tell my husband I'm talking to phantom babies to motivate myself.
Also this week is my ovulation week, so it's BD every day this week! Woohoo.