Looking for fellow PCOS-ers to motivate and educate each other

Nikki31104 wrote: »

janice1112011 wrote: »

Hello Ladies. I was diagnosed with PCOS ten years ago but had symptoms since I was 13 yrs old. Im a 30 year old stay at home mom of 3 young children (5 and under). I have always been heavy, but Ive gained more weight after having each child (a total of 60 lbs in 5 years). I recently decided that I dont want to be like this anymore. I want to chase after my kids without getting exhausted. Im tired of all the pain in my feet (plantar fasciitis) from all the weight they are trying to support. I hate exercising but love dance so Im looking into a dance workout dvd. Im startng off with portion control (becuase I have always ate way more than I should) and increasing protein intake. Looking for as much support as I can get. How do you make a lifestyle change with family? My husband and kids are all very thin and healthy.

I have the same problem. It is so hard to change everything when you get so much negative feedback from your family. No one in my family wants to eat healthy. They want everything fried. Or all the sugar they can get.

I don't have kids so I can imagine how hard that would be! But when it comes to my husband who is pretty healthy (but tends to freak out if he thinks I'm trying to make things even remotely healthier), I have spent years trying to get him to go along with the dietary changes but he just won't. I then would blame my lack of self-control on him and the fact that if he gets the food (ie bread, treats, ice cream!!) I should too. It has only recently clicked in my mind that I am the one with the PCOS issues, not him, so I shouldn't expect him to eat the same as me. What I have done is sat down with him and discussed what my food intake needs to look like and why <---- this was very important to getting him on board and supportive. He now encourages me to think about what I'm eating (which is helpful at the times that I just instinctively go for something I'm used to eating) and has helped research good alternatives for me. At the same time, when he drinks soda or eats dessert, I don't make it about me. He is his own person and can choose what he wants to put in his body.

I'm telling you, food has probably been one of our biggest issues in our marriage (me always nagging him to eat "better"). This shift in my thinking has changed how we deal with my need for restrictions. If it can work for us, it can work for anyone!

When it comes to the food I cook for meals, it is what it is. If its fajitas, he has tortillas, I have lettuce wraps. Very much like treehugnmama said before. Honestly I don't really care whether he wants the food (because he would prefer KFC or Taco Bell), I want him to eat healthy so I prepare it for him that way. Of course I incorporate healthy dishes he likes as much as possible, but frankly, he has to suck it up and eat his veggies just like we all should. And he knows I do it out of love

Something to keep in mind is that our tastebuds can be reset to go from preferring junk food to wanting healthy, whole food. It just takes time. This can go for our families also. Of course, I realize I have no clue what its like to get kids to eat this way, but my mom did it with us, and although I hated it growing up, I'm thankful for it now because I know how to eat healthy.

theWODdoll wrote: »

I have PCOS also, it's manageable. Would love to help with advice wherever I can!

What has worked for you? What does your food & exercise look like?