My Treatment.....for now!

So my intention was to get this blog up like a week ago but boy has life gotten in my way! I got the flu last weekend (who even gets the flu in the summer?!), then work has been just nuts and to top it off I got food poisoning this weekend! YUCK! But I did learn that apparently my body can not handle digesting both shrimp and corn at the same time...this is apparently a well known fact in the medical field but was not known to me and trust me I will never give that a shot again :)

So I have been looking into a lot of information on PCOS to see what my options are for treatment and for the time being below is what I am going to do to keep up with it.  My hope is as time goes by and I have more time to research and find things out, I will be able to find a more natural way to combat the hormone issues than birth control but since that takes time for now I am settling for the easy solution.

Again, I am putting my story out here for the world because I want other women to feel they aren't alone and hopefully so I can feel so not alone as well.  After my last post, I had a few friends reach out to me and I really REALLY appreciated knowing I am so supported and not alone....thank you friends :)

My Current Treatment

1. Birth Control

So it is a necessary evil at this point.  For the rest of my life I will be on some sort of hormone balancing medication.  For now, birth control does the trick and I must say that being two weeks into it I have actually felt better!  For now, I am not having any issues with my blood pressure or insulin.  But I have heard from a couple of people that Metaformin (probably misspelled) is prescribed for some to help women with PCOS and acne/insulin issues, currently not an issue.

I also was told to see an endocrinologist.  If you are like me, an endocrinologist basically studies hormones and hormone imbalances. So I am planning in the fall probably to set up an appointment with one to see exactly what my hormone imbalances are and to see what natural treatments I can look into....from what I have read, I will get some blood and they will do a map out of exactly what my levels for all the hormones are and where they should be and how to get them there.  Sounds pretty cool really, but I am pretty jam packed with life happenings so I am adding it to the bottom of my to do list.

2. Exercise
One of the risk factors with PCOS is obesity.  I am still not sure how the whole obesity and PCOS connection work but studies show that more women with PCOS are obese than the regular population.  Well, I definitely do not want to be in that group! I have put a big effort into my fitness and nutrition in the last 12 months, lost over 15 pounds and just as many inches off my body working my butt off using BeachBody.  I love LOVE the way I look and feel now so much more than a year ago and I don't want to lose that for anything.

Having said all that, I am inherently a lazy person....when I allow myself the choice I will always choose to watch tv over doing a workout (like most sane people would).  But, I am realizing this is no longer just a choice for me.  This is a matter of keeping myself healthy for my family and our future.

For the last couple of weeks, I have kind of allowed myself to slip back into my lazy habits, i.e. working out maybe twice a week because I felt like life was getting the best of me.  Let me tell you, I can feel the difference in my attitude, my energy level and my presence with my work and family :(

So starting this week, I am back to workouts at least 5 days a week!  For the time being because I am loving running right now, I think I am going to focus on running 2-3 miles at least 3 times a week and doing 10 minute trainer 5 times a week.

Once I am back in the habit and if Lily ever gets back to a regularly sleeping child, I might switch back to T25 or Insanity Max:30 in addition to my running, but my focus for now is to re-establish the habit! :)

3. Nutrition
My least favorite topic! I am a terrible dieter, the minute you tell me I can't eat something is the minute I have the biggest most intense craving for that something!

My doctor told me it isn't about dieting, it was about portion control and making sure to have a balanced diet.  She pretty much summed up what my problem was/is, I am a creature of habit. If I find something I like I can go like weeks only eating that for lunch.

So my doctor told me to keep up the shakeology because that gives me the important vitamins and good stuff I need daily and then to look at adding variety to the rest of my meals.

Following doctor's orders, I am going to restart my Shakeology for breakfast.  I also just bought the new beachbody cookbook "Fixate" by Autumn Calabrese.  It's 101 recipes that are healthy and are all about portion control and variety, even if I only find a couple of recipes the cookbook will be worth it!

I am going to start with these easy baby steps into treatment for PCOS because I want to know more about what I have before I try and change my whole life to try and fix it!

If any of you readers have any questions, comments or concerns please reach out to me!
Thanks for joining me in this journey!

PCOS: I have it.....what is it?

So I have been feeling a bit off for a while.  I went off birth control in December because I wanted to start timing my cycle so I would be prepared when Matt and I wanted to start trying for another baby :)

I had never been off birth control since I was 18 except when I got pregnant with Lily and with Lily I basically got pregnant the week I went off birth control so there was no time for me to track my cycle.

So, back to my story, January came and went without a hitch....feeling pretty normal, regular period, all is well. 

Then February comes, no period....getting more zits.....notice hair starting to get thinner on my head.....notice my leg hairs are darkening and thickening.

Then March comes, still no period....multiple pregnancy tests, all negative.....more zits.....hair thinning but started taking hair, skin and nails vitamin which seems to be helping....ummm, is that hair on my upper lip?! waxing time!

Then, April comes, STILL NO PERIOD WHAT THE HECK?! Get an appointment with my Gyno since its been 8 weeks since I had my period. Find out that they don't usually do anything for a missed period less than 3 months, so they did take some blood to test and sent me home with a ultrasound prescription to go and get done if I still didn't get my period for 6 more weeks. Well wouldn't you know it, I get my period 6 days after that doctor visit! What a relief, all is well in the world again!

Then, May comes, no period....zits...hair...this sucks!  What is wrong with me?!

Then, June comes, no period.....zits.....hair....something is not right!

Then, July comes, no period....okay its been 11 weeks since my last period close enough to 3 months, I need to figure out what's happening to me!!!!!  Appointment with my Gyno for more blood tests on July 2, appointment for ultrasound July 6, results appointment July 8.

So the results are I have PCOS, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.  I have done a lot of Googling on this and apparently you get diagnosed for you have at least 2 of the 3 following symptoms:

1. irregular periods

2. high levels of testosterone (male hormones)

3. polycystic ovaries

Lucky me, I got the jackpot of all 3! This explains so much of how I have been feeling lately!

Day 1: Living as a PCOS woman!

I am still googling and researching like a mad woman to figure this all out, but highlights of what I have learned so far:

- my body doesn't properly regulate its hormones, so I need to be on a hormone treat of some sort for the rest of my life

- I might have fertility issues 

- I will forever have a hard time losing weight, but I have to keep myself at a healthy weight to help ward off other risks I am more susceptible to now

-50% chance Lily has PCOS

- this explains the extra pesky hair and with hormone treats should go away :)

- there is no cure, but with treatment life can continue as normal

So I considered keeping this to myself and my family, let it be our secret and my struggle...but then I thought, what if someone else I know has this and can give me words of wisdom?  Or what if someone else is too afraid to speak up and is waiting for a someone else to be the first? And you know what, life is too short for secrets! So here's my struggle, hope I can help you learn something as I grow through this!

Next up: My treatment, how am I going to fight for normalcy!!

Healthy Breakfast!

Bananacakes!

Healthy pancakes made with oats and banana! So simple, easy and quick!  Lily and Matt both loved them so I think that is a sign they are good!

Ingredients

1/2 cup oats

1 banana

2 eggs

1/4 cup applesauce

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions

1. Put oats in a blender and blend until fine

2. Put ground oats in mixer bowl with all the other ingredients, mix until smoothish (i would say I mixed on medium for 2 minutes to break up the banana).

3. Cook just like regular pancakes on the stove!

This recipe made 5 silver dollar pancakes so if I make it again I will double it! ENJOY!

**Bad Blogger Alert:  I didn't take any pictures of the cakes :( but they look just like pancakes of course their texture is a little different but as long as you ground your oats they are good!!!

BeachBody's Military Discount Program!

So I had totally envisioned myself doing a totally different post this week but you know when something keeps being brought to your attention and you don't think it's a big deal but then you realize everyone else keeps talking about it, so maybe just maybe it is a big deal? That's whats been happening with me and the BeachBody Military Coach Discount.  After it was brought to my attention by a number of people I sat down and really thought about it and WOW THIS REALLY IS A BIG DEAL AND AN AMAZING BENEFIT TO MILITARY PERSONNEL AND THEIR SPOUSES!!!!

What is the discount?
A beachbody military coach get 25% off everything on the Beachbody website! From the workout programs to shakeology to exercise equipment.

For those of you who are already using BeachBody, you know this isn't a little discount....if you are using shakeology every month this discount alone saves you over $400 a year! It brings the cost of Shakeology down to just over $100 a month or $3/day for your most nutrient packed healthiest meal of the day.

Here is the real benefit for military coaches (because every coach whether you are military or not gets 25% discount), your initial sign up fee (39.95) is waived and your monthly coaching fees (15.95) are also waived! An additional savings of $231.35 a year!!

How does it work?
Simple, you can buy what you want when you want and receive your 25% discount.

Then, if you want to, and ONLY if you want to, you can also build a very profitable business as a military coach.

As a coach you get 25% commission on anything you sell through your beachbody website.  Plus, there are incentive programs for challenge packs and different contests where you can win stuff!

I am extremely part-time coaching because I have a full-time job that I love and don't want to give up, but even still I make enough money to get my nails done every week (for a busy mom that is a true blessing!) and I paid for my trip down to see my parents in Myrtle Beach (airfare) and most of our Christmas presents this Christmas.  I am hoping to be putting away enough this year to cover some of the daycare expenses for Lily and to build a deck on our townhouse. 

Who is eligible?
Anyone who is currently active duty in the military.  Anyone who is married to someone who is currently active duty in the military. AND JUST ADD THIS MONTH, anyone who is a veteran of the military!

What do you need to do to get started?
This is always the hardest part for people.  You need to make a commitment to yourself, to your family, that you are ready to live a healthier lifestyle.  You need to commit to working on getting yourself in the best shape of your life and, if you want to, helping your friends and family do the same!  This all starts with you believing you are meant for more and then doing what it takes to get there!

If you want to know more about the military discount, please send me a message, or friend me on facebook, or be bold and join my team! Whether you are just looking for a discount or you are looking for a way to take control of your fitness and finances, I will be happy to help you get started!

There you have it, the military coach discount program for BeachBody.  I am not in a military family so I can only imagine how hard it is to have your spouse leave for months on end and you are left to keep your family going in their absence.  I know a lot of military spouses are home with the kids while their partners are out protecting our country and our freedom.  The beauty of being a beachbody coach is it is from home.  You still get to be with your kids all day, but now you have the ability to not only get in the best shape of your life (physically and mentally) but help pay for bills! (and if you want to, possible bring home enough money to cover your spouses salary and bring them home for good)

I hope this was helpful and even if you aren't a member of the military, being a beachbody coach is an amazing opportunity! (I am a little biased because I am said beachbody coach) But this has been an opportunity of a lifetime for me so far in my infancy of my beachbody coaching life.  I have lost over 10 pounds and 12 inches using BeachBody programs and Shakeology.  I have met some pretty amazing women and men, who are such an inspiration in what you can do with this opportunity.  I get to be a part of a movement that will hopefully help to end the obesity epidemic that is running rampant in our country. Best of all, I get to be a part of another company who actually cares about people and cares about helping people be the best they can be!

Amazing Chicken Fried Rice Recipe!

Chicken Fried Rice

(original recipe can be found here)

So I tried this new recipe last night and it was so good and pretty healthy and really quick!  Matt and I loved it and Lily even ate some which for a 2 year old to like it means it must be good!!!  Below is the recipe, let me know what you think!

Ingredients

2 Boneless Chicken Breast

1 TBSP Toasted Seasame Oil

1 TBSP Olive Oil

4 Green Onions 

1 1/3 cups frozen peas and carrots mix

3 TBSP Low Sodium Soy Sauce

2 eggs

2 Garlic cloves, minced

3 cups cooked brown rice (I cooked mine on tuesday when we I was using it for another meal and then put it in my fridge until Saturday, I would recommend cooking it at least the morning of or the night before and storing otherwise it might make the fried rice a little too soggy)

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Dice Chicken Breasts, I dont have the patience or skill to make them the called for 1 inch cubes so I just cut them up until they seemed small enough.

2. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil and 1 1/2 teaspoon olive oil to a Wok, heat over medium.  Add chicken and cook until it is brown, took me about 7 minutes.

3. Set aside chicken, add 1 1/2 toasted sesame oil and 1 1/2 olive oil to Wok.  Throw in peas and carrots, let them cook for about 3 minutes.  Add green onion, cook another minute.  Add Garlic, cook another minute.

4.  Push veggies to the side of wok, crack eggs and scramble.  Mix back in rice, chicken and veggies.  Add soy sauce and let cook for 3-5 minutes.

Ready to serve!  Makes a little over 4 servings, I added Siracha to mine because I love spicy but Matt ate his without and still loved it!

Hope your family enjoys this as much as mine did!

A delicious AND nutritious recipe!

Asian Turkey Quinoa Meatballs

(original recipe from here)

Okay, so I made these on Thursday night and I have had them as leftovers for the last two days at lunch...I figured if it was good enough to eat leftovers for 2 days I needed to share it!

They just have amazing flavor and are pretty filling, we made them with egg noodles for dinner on Thursday but for the last two days at lunch I have had them just by themselves with the sauce and MMMMMMM is all I have to say!

Ingredients:

Meatballs

1 pound ground Turkey (I used super lean like 99% fat free)

3/4 cup cooked quinoa

3 cloves minced garlic

1 tablespoon minced onion

1 egg

1 tablespoon soy sauce (I used low sodium)

2 teaspoons sesame oil

1 teaspoon siracha 

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Sauce (**I doubled this for the sauce to make sure I had enough for leftovers)

1/4 cup soy sauce (I used low sodium)

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons Rice Vinegar

1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger (I must admit I have no idea how to fresh grate ginger so I tried to but I really think I only got maybe like 1/2 a tablespoon total in the sauce)

1 tablespoon packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1 teaspoon siracha

2 teaspoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon water

Directions:

**cook quinoa according to packaging instructions.  I meant to do it the night before but i forgot so I did it as soon as I got home from work and it cooled for like 5 minutes before adding it to the turkey, I think it made them meatballs cook quicker because the mixture was warm when it went in the oven.

1. Preheat oven to 400 and grease 2 9x13 pans.  I just sprayed them with olive oil Pam, the original recipe calls just for one pan but there was no way I was going to be able to fit all the balls in one pan.

2. In a large bowl, combine turkey, quinoa, garlic, onion, egg, soy sauce, sesame oil, siracha, salt and pepper.  You can use your hands or a wooden spoon, I used a wooden spoon and it worked well.

3. Make 1/2 inch meatballs and place in pan.  I was able to make 20 meatballs when I made it.

4. Bake for 18-20 minutes until crisp.  My husband liked them more crisp so I only cooked for 18 but next time I am going to go 20 minutes.

5. While the meatballs cook, in a small/medium sauce pan, whisk together soy sauce, water, rice vinegar, ginger, brown sugar, sesame oil and siracha over medium high heat.  Once the mixture is warm, whisk together cornstarch and water and add to the mixture.  Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens about 2 minutes.  I must admit I didn't really see a thickening so I just keep my sauce on low until the meatballs were done.

Enjoy meatballs with sauce!

Two Days in....I LOVE IT! Insanity Max:30

I finally, after having it for 2 weeks, started Insanity Max:30....and I am obsessed with it! 

I have been so sore the last two days but I am embracing it because I know I am gaining muscles......#bikinibodybysummer

For those of you who are wondering what the workouts are like here is a brief overview:

-the whole point is to push yourself to the max until you can't go on and then you take a breather and jump back in and push yourself to the max again and again until you have finished the 30 minute workout.

-I have only done two of the workouts but in both of them you have 6-30 second water breaks, so you do get a little breather.

-in Cardio Challenge it was basically 4-5 minutes cardio high intensity then a 30 second break

-in Tabata Power you do 30 second spurts where you go go go for 20 seconds and then jog it out for 10 seconds and you still get 30 second breaks every 4-5 minutes(this is why I was able to go longer in this one over the Cardio Challenge)

One of the best parts about this workout is you can choose to have the modifier on the screen the whole time so you can either follow Shaun T or the modifier.  My goal is to follow Shaun T until I max out and then I follow the modifier and obviously I should be going longer each week before I max out.  I will keep you posted!

I am going to finish with just some general life happenings related to my health and fitness!

1. I got the flu last week, bummer!!!  

I was thinking about it this weekend and I am sure there are other factors involved as to why I got it, BUT I stopped focusing on my nutrition and my fitness for 2 weeks leading up to the new year because I was so focused on making sure we had a great holiday.  So I didn't have my Shakeology in the mornings and at night instead of working out I wrapped gifts and made cookies and partied and drank!  So while it was fun, I ended that binge with the flu so was it worth it? Hmmmm

2. I have kept the weight off from 3 Day Refresh!!!!!

I have gotten this question a lot, so you lost all that weight in 3 days have you kept it off?  And my answer is a resounding YES! I knew I was a plateau when I started the 3 Day Refresh and it helped me get below that plateau and now I am on the opposite side of it and I am staying here.  In fact, I weighed myself this morning and I am down .4lbs from my ending weight on 3 Day Refresh :) So while the majority of Americans were gaining 1-5 pounds this holiday season I am just over here getting below my goal weight and staying there!!  8-) (that's my cool guy with sunglasses on face)

3. I have to get a procedure done next Tuesday on a mole I had removed.

So I found out December 31 (great way to end 2014) that a mole I had removed a few weeks ago was pre-cancerous (but the nurse used bigger words) and I have to go back so they can make sure they get all the bad cells out.  So I go in January 13 at 830 to get the procedure done.  The nurse said it was pretty simple, just numb the area do some scrapping and then stitch me up.  Good news is I already had day off so I don't have to miss work for it...bad news is it is right in the middle of my stomach so I am going to have a pretty interesting scar this summer when I am out and about in my bikini!  I am not too worried about it but if you are the praying type I would love to be added to your prayers for the next week that everything goes according to plan!

4. I want to win a workout with Shaun T! Will you help me?

So there is a contest going to this month, the coach who gets the most people to join them in doing the Insanity Max:30 Challenge will win a live workout with Shaun T.  I am going out on a limb here but I WANT TO WIN!  So I am asking all of you, will you join me this month? Here is the bonus part, the program is on sale through the 31st and it comes with a 30 day supply of Shakeology so you can work on your fitness and start working on your diet as well.  If you are interested, please fill out this entry form and I will make sure you get in!  Let's make 2015 the best year yet!