My Renewed Health Journey

This weekend I picked up this book at the Goodwill. They had remodeled a store nearby and sent a $5 off coupon. So I went to check it out. I found a ton of good stuff for really good prices and one of them was this book. Reading is easy for me and I read through the first 5 chapters last night in about an hour, maybe an hour and a half. Anyway, one of the major symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is Insulin Resistance. (Read more about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Resources HERE.) The major idea is what they call a "link and balance method" in which you always link protein with carbohydrates and you must balance the amounts. For every 15 grams of carbs you have you must eat at least 7 grams of protein. You can only have a maximum of 30 grams of carbs per meal, and may have as much protein, veggies and legumes as you need to feel full, but not stuffed. A lot of these principals are very similar if not the same as the principals I used while pregnant to keep my gestational diabetes under control. I lost 30 pounds while I was pregnant. I never gained  any weight my whole pregnancy and had a healthy 7 pound 12 ounce baby girl. And I didn't have morning sickness, so I didn't lose it that way. Anyway here I'm going to try to journal about what I'm eating and drinking, how I feel, and anything else that seems relevant.

Day 1: June 13th, 2011

I woke up this morning feeling tired, having no energy and feeling very unmotivated.
I tried to figure out something simple that fit these guidelines. I settled on 2 slices of whole wheat toast (3g protein, 13g carbs each) with real butter and 2 cups milk (8g protein each). The breakdown: Protein 24g, Carbs 26g. Mission accomplished even while not feeling well. Was still no feeling well so I napped with my toddler. For lunch I had 2 slices whole wheat toast (26g carbs total) with tuna salad (33g protein) and 1 cup milk (8g protein). The breakdown: 41g protein, 26g carbs. A little more effort required. Still wasn't feeling much better. By dinner time I was feeling good enough to make a black bean salad. I don't know what the break down is, but the book says your allowed unlimited veggies and legumes which is mostly what this is, so I'm going to eat til I'm full. I've drank 2 liters of water so far today and that will probably be close to 4 by morning. While watching tv I absent mindedly ate 4 Cranberry White Chocolate Pecan Oatmeal Cookies & didn't remember to link and balance. Hoping to wake up feeling better tomorrow and going to try testing my blood sugar all day tomorrow to see how it is. See you tomorrow!

Day 2: June 14th, 2011

I'm still feeling tired this morning but not as bad, my brain feels clearer. My waking blood sugar was 128, it should be below 100. I'm guessing the cookies are the culprit. Today's breakfast is the same as yesterday, Toast and Milk. Probably won't get too adventurous until I'm feeling better. Just tested my blood sugar, from my breakfast and it was 170, pretty high, should be under 120. Will have to try to bring it down with extra protein at lunch. Snack: blackbean salad. Lunch: Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich on Whole Wheat bread and 2 cups milk. I didn't look up the grams of protein and carbs from lunch but I did test my blood sugar again, 207 which is terribly high. Had more black bean salad for a snack. I'm also getting a sore throat so who knows whats up today.

Day 4: June 16th, 2011

So I'm definitely sick. I was sick all day yesterday and am still sick today. Really not paying attention to what I eat. So few things sound good to eat when your sick anyway. I will be back to noting my food and drink intake as soon as I'm better.

Day 5: June 17th, 2011

Today, my throat feels better which was the major symptom that let me know I was sick. But I'm still somewhat congested and feel groggy despite 10 1/2 hours of sleep. I'm hoping I will fully recover today and can be back to health and back to trying the link and balance method, by tomorrow. After testing my blood sugar on the 14th and randomly since then, I'm considering getting back on my medication until I can have consistently good blood sugar readings.

Day 6: June 18th, 2011

I'm  finally feeling better. My 1st blood sugar reading today was 121, which is pretty good considering the 207 reading earlier this week but still out of the acceptable range. My weight is unchanged which makes sense since I wasn't really dieting while I was sick, I'm thankful that it didn't go up however. I didn't sleep well last night. I'm also not sure what to do today as far as eating goes. The reason I say this is because for a while now I've thought maybe I had a systemic yeast infection or Candida infection. However, this is not the kind of thing they can test very well for; its more one of those history plus treatment equals diagnosis. Anyway I started reading a book called The Yeast Connection by Dr. William Crook. Unfortunately I didn't see the newest edition was from 2003, so I've got an edition from 1986 and I'm just not sure some of the stuff is up to date with what I've read in other books. Either way though the diets conflict. Mainly because the Yeast Connection diet is weeding things out in order to test yourself for allergies to foods, yeast, and mold. I'm planning to see a doctor here soon and a Master Herbalist so hopefully they can help me sort out what is good information and what is not. Breakfast: Hot Lemon Water with honey and whole wheat toast with butter. Lunch: Fried Egg on ww toast with cheese and milk. The breakdown: bread (6g protein, 26g carbs), egg (6g protein), cheese, (3g protein), milk (12g protein) Protein: 27g  Carbs: 26g

June 24th, 2011

As you can tell I haven't been updating this page. The main reason for that is that I am confused. I've been reading different things and they seem conflicting and so I'm just going to try to use up what's in my house in anticipation of lots of lifestyle changes to come once I see the herbalist. Anyway, I'll be sure to update with how that goes and what changes I'm making!

August 4th, 2011

During the month of July and the beginning of this month I've eaten 22 or so salads. That's probably more salad than I've eaten in my entire life! I've also been taking a magnesium/calcium supplement and a Yeast fighter's supplement. I'm feeling better. Not losing any weight. Worked out 6 days in a row but haven't been keeping up with that. Going to see the herbalist tomorrow! Can't wait to tell you all about it!

August 24th, 2011

It's been 20 days since my last update and I can't believe the difference I see already! I'm hoping you read my post: My Visit to the Herbalist! So far the increase in energy I have is terrific, I'm probably not back at 100% but I have so much more energy than I did before. I can also feel a difference in my skin, it feels softer, smoother, has fewer breakouts and heals faster. I can feel a difference in my abdominal space, like things are moving back to where they are supposed to be. I've started having my abdomen massaged each week, and that makes it so I don't feel anything, which is new, I always feel something going on in my stomach. And I've noticed a significant difference in my emotional health and my ability to do what's right for me instead of being to embarrassed to stand up for myself. I've been busy house-sitting and traveling and not eating very well or exercising, but am getting back on track with that today!

October 27th, 2011

Since my last post, I've been super busy packing, moving then unpacking. We are now living in a two story house and the downstairs and part of the upstairs in unpacked to give you an idea of how busy I've been. Also, this helps to describe how I've been feeling. Good enough to do lots of stuff. Haven't unpacked the scale yet so I don't know if I'm losing any weight but feeling good is a bigger benefit in my opinion. I have a follow up appointment with the herbalist on Nov. 7th so I'll have more to share then.

September 9th, 2012

I know it's been forever since I posted. The follow up appointment last November with the herbalist went well. He gave me some herbs for fatigued adrenals, which totally makes sense, considering I've had a lot of stressful events over the last 12 years. It definitely helped to relieve that feeling of not being able to lower my stress meter. Since then things have been on and off as far as how I feel. I feel good when I take my vitamins and sluggish and slow when I don't. Currently, I'm trying a vitamin and herb regimen that is supposed to help replenish vitamins and minerals that get depleted while taking the birth control pill. Hopefully it will restore some energy and make conceiving our next baby easier. Don't know if I'll be posting to this page much more. Although I'd really like to lose some weight that's not my ultimate goal. The goal is to be healthy and happy. So if I come across something I think will be useful I'll post but otherwise, I'll leave this be for now.