PCOS: Iodine

I haven't given an update on my PCOS journey since January. One thing I've learned through all this is patience is a virtue. I wouldn't say I am Miss Instant Gratification, but waiting for a year to see a shift is enough to test anyone's patience.

My supplement regime has changed a little since I first started addressing PCOS from a holistic approach. I have added products from the Poliquin line, and still consistently work with Crystal Bold for my nutritional therapy sessions. One key product we found that was missing was Iodine. I was taking Iodine from the get-go; however, the amount was so far off from what I needed it wasn't doing me any good. I was taking around 5000 mcg (micrograms) a day when in reality I needed at least 50mg (milligrams) and have now increased my dose to 75mg a day. Do the math. I am taking Iodizyme-HP now to get the higher dose.

IODINE 101

Most Americans are deficient in a number of vitamins and minerals due to the processed food consumed, and women are naturally prone to iodine deficiencies. When women are under stress, the need for iodine can double or triple. Most women who have PCOS  are iodine deficient and have adrenal fatigue. Its been proven that low iodine levels cause ovarian cysts (PCOS), insulin resistance, and hypothyroidism (often misdiagnosed as insulin resistance) AND multiple miscarriages! Dr. Flechas has seen improvement with iodine and writes-- iodine deficiency may cause the ovaries to develop cysts, nodules and scar tissue. At its worse this ovarian pathology is very similar to that of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)...the patients have successfully been brought under control with the use of 50mg of iodine per day.

The more I read the more I am learning that PCOS cannot be cured, but the possibility of controlling it long term, simply by supplementing a mineral (iodine) that most have never considered supplementing is very exciting. Low levels of iodine mean your thyroid isn’t functioning properly. The thyroid helps balance hormones, regulate heartbeats, stabilize cholesterol, maintain weight control, encourage muscle growth, keep menstrual cycles regular, provide energy, and even helps you keep a positive mental attitude. I have noticed 1st hand a change in my mood since increasing my iodine.

It's been about a year since I really dove into learning and accepting I have PCOS. I can honestly say I am at a place today where I feel encouraged and see a shift in my body, mind, and spirit. I know managing weight and having kids someday may not be the easiest thing, but in the whole scheme of life, I am blessed beyond measure.

Whatever you are dealing with, I encourage you to stay the course, educate yourself, and keep on keeping on. Share what is happening in your life in the comments section below.

Setbacks are gifts

Me and my roomie being SHOWOUTS!

"Often people attempt to live their lives backwards: they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then, do what you need to do, in order to have what you want."

Being present is one of the most important things yet one of the most challenging things to do. By nature, I am go-go, fast-paced, non-stop, check stuff off my list day in and day out. However, this becomes a liability when I do not take moments to be present and accept my circumstances. Today I am inviting myself to see my battle with PCOS as a blessing. I have been saying for a year that I will write in a national publication. I plan to use my story of conquering PCOS as a platform to write on a larger scale. 

I have no doubt I will be able to relate with more women through this journey. As of now, I have learned more about the female endocrine system, supplementation, and diet than I have in years. I feel like I am back in graduate school again, and I love it. For me, the mundane is my biggest enemy. I need to constantly learn and expand my knowledge and perfect my craft. Each day I am more comfortable in my own skin and thankful for the body God has blessed me with. Instead of constantly thinking nothing is good enough, I am reshaping my thoughts and living in the moment.

What setback can you view as a gift? Share below in the comments section.

PCOS: D-chiro-Inositol

"If you settle for what got, then you deserve what you get."

I am at path where I can choose to go 1 of 2 ways. I can throw my hands up and say screw it with this whole PCOS mess and settle for being miserable and constantly battling weight gain and no ovulation, OR I can choose to not give up and truly believe God is going to see me through this and come out on the other side with so much learned. I choose the latter.

I found a great doctor to help me on my PCOS journey, Dr. Screven Edgerton. My first appointment last week went super well. He understood my lifestyle with nutrition and training; how I did not want a quick fix but a solution; and he is a big advocate of eastern medicine but understands sometimes you need western medicine to also help heal a disease. After five vials of blood later, he confirmed I had PCOS, which was no surprise.

He prescribed a new product called D-chiro-Inositol by Chiral Balance. It is a natural hormone metabolite used in insulin signal transduction, making DCI necessary for healthy blood sugar regulation. DCI appears to be deficient in women with PCOS. The goal of the product is to help with weight loss and ovulation. I am super excited to see what happens by taking this product. The testimonies are extremely encouraging.

Ladies, if you are simply looking for a new ObGyn, I highly recommend this guy. What's even better is his nurse does CrossFit and is looking at joining our box now after my appointment. It's a win/win situation if you are looking for a doctor who fully understands your lifestyle.

Here's to not settling and beating PCOS!

WAKE UP, you are already free!

My 2013 mantra came to me right at the new year. Over the past year I have been battling PCOS, lost 2 grandparents, had friends come and go, and injured my Achilles. Needless to say, I do not ever want to repeat being 31 again.

However, in the midst off all that mess I started to remind myself how blessed I am. Tony Robbins likes to call it emotional flooding. It is a process of listing everything you are grateful for no matter how big or small it may seem. Once you start it is difficult to stop. The heart of gratitude shines, and you snap out of your funk real quickly. My gratitude list begins with things as simple as my morning drink of Spark/BCAA, to my family, my health, my friends, my job, my new soft sheets and down comforter, trips to Mexico, ability to workout even when injured, Strictly Strength, finding a doctor to help me tackle PCOS, church, the desire to actually want to be back in church, my Ray Ban's, my MAC makeup, my curls, my eyelashes...the list could go on forever. As you can see, anything goes and the sky is the limit.

Hence, once I really honed in on having a heart of gratitude my mantra came to me-->
WAKE UP, you are already free! 

I have everything I need and more right at my fingertips. Once I get out of my own head and stop feeling sorry for myself or complaining about events and circumstances I can't control, a whole new world of possibilities opens up. I now have this mantra taped on my laptop so I can read it daily.

What phrase motivates you for 2013? Share in the comments section.

PCOS: Training

First day back on the track with tinyFIT

 It feels so good to be back in the swing of things. This year has had it's up and downs. From a bummed foot, to  my PCOS diagnosis, to simply not feeling like Showout Meg, I was ready for a change. I have not been this excited about training in a while. I'm back on the track again running sprints weekly and hitting the bleachers, attending CrossFit classes 2x or 3x per week with Coach Zach and/or Big Mike, and training with the underground strength guru--Travis Holley-- weekly, and planning to make it a 2x/week routine once I find a few more people to join a mid-morning crew.

The longer you are in the fitness arena, the more you learn about your body and how nutrition and the style of training you incorporate make a difference on your outward appearance and performance. I know one thing that is for certain--- explosive, high intensity training works very well for me, especially paired with a day or 2 of heavy lifting. When I tried a different route earlier this year with a different goal in mind, I learned very quickly that it did not work for me. I also believe it goes hand in hand with my battle against PCOS. CrossFit works wonders for women who battle PCOS.

I came across a ton of blog posts highlighting woman after woman and how CrossFit changed their life and healed them from the syndrome. My go-to blog at the moment is Paleo for Women. Stefani Ruper does an incredible job discussing nutrition, CrossFit, and evolutionary health for a female. She is also coming out with a book next month titled, Overcoming PCOS: The Complete Guide to your Personal PCOS Journey and How to Become Fertile, Healthy, and Sexy for Good. Whole 30 had a great success story from a woman who had PCOS and no longer has the diagnosis-- Read on. And, of course Robb Wolf highlights an incredible success story too. In a nutshell, their lives are forever changed!

There is power in knowledge. The more I educate myself on this syndrome, the more empowered and equipped I am to kick it to the curb and share with the masses that anything is possible. What are you battling? Whether it be an auto-immune disease, weight gain, drinking too much soda, a bummed foot, still trying to get that first pullup, nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it and chase after it with vigor.

I have a new found energy for my career, training regimen, and my love of CrossFit. What is stopping you today from being your best self? I challenge you to look it in the face and go after what you want with no regrets.

3, 2, 1 GO.

PCOS: The Zone

I choose to see all setbacks as feedback to make a new choice.

There are instances that clearly have a defining moment that have changed the trajectory of my life. Another word for this experience-- a BREAKTHROUGH. I will forever remember Sunday, July 22nd. Upset, frustrated, annoyed, disappointed, stuck. I had come to grips with having PCOS; however, I refused to allow weight to be a battle for me. My livelihood is coaching, living the code, being fit and strong, and I was not going to go another day feeling as if my hormones and all the mess that comes with having PCOS to get the best of me.

That night I decided I would take matters into my own hands and go back to what worked so well for me when I first started CrossFit--> The Zone. Within 4 weeks (28 days), I was so impressed with my results.

10lbs lost, down 2 inches around my waist & belly button, & 1 inch lost in each leg

I am even more encouraged, because I still have a life, getting stronger, and feeling more energized than I have in a while. I stick to my Zone blocks (6 carbs, 15 protein, 20 fat) Monday through Friday and I am more laxed on the weekend all while still eating clean. I still go out. I still have drinks with my friends. I am still balanced. The beauty of the Zone is you can have whatever you want as long as you Zone it. Wine, chocolate, a margarita. However, what you learn very quickly is nutritious food choices are the way to go if you want to be satisfied based on your Zone blocks.

I look back at July 22nd as a breakdown that led to a huge breakthrough for me. The 1st 7 months of 2012 have been a setback for me, but the feedback I have received and learned through this whole journey is what makes me who I am today.

Stay tuned for my next 4 week update with pictures. SHOWOUT is back!

PCOS: Supplements

I met with Coach Crystal Nelson a few weeks ago and did my very 1st functional test to see what we could find out from a holistic/nutritional standpoint regarding my PCOS.  Crystal recently completed her Nutritional Therapy Practitioner schooling, and I thought what better way to put her work into practice then to help me figure out what the heck is going on with my body.

Prior to my visit I completed a quiz that took around 30 minutes answering an array of questions, which help to better prepare Crystal for my initial in-house appointment. At our visit she performed different tests all over my body, and I let her know the pain level at each place on a scale of 1-10. I was surprised at how many points on my body that caused extreme pain.  This form of testing is called lingual-neuro testing.

Once the initial testing was done, she then had me put different supplements on my tongue to dissolve and then we re-tested the same spots that scored high on the first test. I was floored when a point in my abdomen dropped from a 10 to a 2 by only taking a supplements and immediately feeling a difference.  That is how you know what you are putting in your body is working the moment it touches your tongue. I found out shortly after MDs learn this form of testing in medical school yet do not do it because it takes too long. Go figure.

After it was all said and done I am officially on ton of supplements; however, the goal is to eventually wean off a lot of them and to get my body functioning back to full capacity. Here's the list:

• Beta Plus: improves gallbladder function
• HCL-Plus
• Colon-Plus: helps support GI function
• Equi-Fem: support female endocrine function. I also like to think of this as my multi-vitamin
• Livotrit Plus: support for healthy liver metabolism
• BioDoph-7 Plus: probiotic
• Iodine Forte: testing my iodine levels was one of the craziest tests to me. Crystal colored a yellow square on my forearm and told me to let her know when it faded away. Ideally, the yellow square should have stayed until later the next day; however, mine faded within 2 hrs due to my lack of iodine and my body literally sucking it up.
• b-Vital: increase testosterone
• Intenzyme Forte: little pac-man that literally break down cysts
• Ca-D Glucarate: Works to detox estrogens
• BioPause-AM: Increases progesterone. Contains chaste berry & other herbs I discussed in a previous post.
• Vitamin D- I am using Pure encapsulations 10,000 IU found at People's Rx.

I cannot say enough how great I have felt with only being on the supplements for a little over a week. I am following up with Crystal to re-test everything at the end of the month to see how I am responding. Now that's the kind of "doctor" I want to help me.

PCOS: Herbal Tea

A bunch of the PCOS blogs and websites recommend a hand full of herbs to include in a daily regimen. I made a visit to The Herb Bar on Mary St. and bought an array of herbs that I used to make an herbal tea. The herbal tea was a great kick start to my journey, but I do not see myself buying the herbs all the time to make tea. It is a bit time consuming; however, I will be taking Black Cohosh via a liquid form from Sprouts. Below is what I put in my tea bulb and brewed. Not the best tasting but I know it was beneficial.

• Black Cohosh- Acts as a uterine and ovarian tonic and a pelvic anti-inflammatory
• Dandelion Root- A great liver tonic. This helps cleanse your liver and remove the build up and toxins that accumulate. A lot of menstrual problems/infertility issues are made worse because the excess hormones tend to “back up” in your liver. Dandelion Root will help keep your liver working properly which will help it rid your body of all the excess “crud” you don’t need
• Dong Quai- Helps restore a normal period along with strengthening your blood and vital energy associated with the female reproductive system.
• Saw Palmetto- This herbal remedy stops the production of, and helps breakdown DHT. It has also been shown to have anti-estrogenic effects. Helps regulate estrogen levels. This can further assist in the regulation/removal of the excess DHT, regulate hormones, increase libido, and help with weight loss.

PCOS: Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

I started adding apple cider vinegar to my daily routine after reading all the benefits for women with PCOS. I drink 1TB in ice water in the morning and again before dinner. I recommend apple cider vinegar for anyone not just women battling PCOS.

Apple cider vinegar has many health benefits for women with PCOS. It can help with weight loss, proper digestion, and clear, healthy skin. One to two tablespoons should be consumed daily to promote optimal health along with meals full of vegetables and lean protein and exercise. Taking it on a daily basis helps your body function properly.

Apple cider vinegar is a result of a two step process-- the apples juiced, fermented into hard apple cider than into the final product. It is completely a 100% natural product. It maintains all the vital nutrients and benefits, in addition to acids and enzymes added during the process. However, not all products are considered equal, it's important to purchase vinegar made from organic apples, with no preservatives or chemicals. I use Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar and it can be found at any local grocery store.

According to Paul C. Bragg here are some of the many benefits:

Internal Benefits-

• Rich in enzymes & potassium
• Support a healthy immune system
• Helps control weight
• Promotes digestion & pH balance
• Soothes dry throats
•  Helps remove body sludge toxins

External Benefits-

• Helps maintain healthy skin
• Helps promote youthful, healthy bodies
• Soothes irritated skin
• Relieves muscle pain from exercise

Drink up!

My personal battle with PCOS

Ignorance is bliss BUT knowledge is power.

One in ten women has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common reproductive abnormality in premenopausal women, putting them at higher risk for both cardiovascular disease and diabetes. PCOS is also the most common cause of infertility. 

I was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries when I was 20 but at that point did not have the full blown syndrome. I studied PCOS in graduate school and wrote a few published papers on the topic. With that being said, PCOS is no foreign ailment to me. 

Over the past 6 months I have noticed a change in my body; pretty much when I turned 31 in January. Nothing drastic but I know I'm not the same as I was a year ago. The business I'm in it's easy & vital to know when things are not right. I recently had blood tests run at my annual exam, and I was shocked with the results of my estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels. LOW is not even the correct verb to described the extent of how low my estrogen and progesterone are and the imbalance of my hormones at the moment. I decided to start doing some of my own research to get a handle on the situation before it gets out of hand.

One website, PCOSinfo, states--- there is no cure for PCOS…yet. There are many ways to treat and control the side affects. Read more. 

Thankfully I have an amazing career, coach phenomenal clients, have the best friends & family any girl could want, and get to workout consistently so I don't lose my mind trying to figure out how to fix this problem. Over the next few months I will be chronicling natural remedies I am trying; appointments and herbs prescribed by my acupuncturist; discussions and/or appointments I have with MDs and NDs; and any other research I come across. I will not take drugs that say they can fix the problem when in reality all the drug(s) does is mask the problem.

Like I stated above, I can either wallow in the fact that my hormones are out of whack and I have multiple symptoms of PCOS, or I can equip myself with knowledge and fix this problem once and for all and help others gals along the way.

Let's do this!