Wow. It all makes sense now.

In case any of you have been following any posts, please don't take many of them (like the original "What is an hourglass" post) seriously. In retrospect, I feel that because I've been having so many issues lately with my body, I posted some stuff that I really didn't need to just because it reflected my confused ideals at the time.

Anyway, I'm currently 15. I've been having issues with my weight (like gaining anywhere from 10-15 pounds and then losing them every year) since I've been 11. 

Last year, in October, I was 115. By June, I was 144, and even though I looked about 130 or so, I felt like crap.  I hated my body, and my self-esteem. 

We went for my physical, and the doctor deduced that since I was so developed for my age, and my menstruation and mood swings and weight weren't normal, I had a hormone problem.

My mom took me to a gynecologist/endocrinologist for the first time 3 weeks ago.  She told me I needed to get blood work done for about 15 lab tests, and meanwhile, I couldn't have sugar.  I didn't, and two weeks later, I came in, and she commented on how I looked much thinner (at this time I was 141 instead of 143) and had me step on the scale.

First off, I found out that I can't use the scale to measure my weight. Even though the scale said I lost 2 pounds, my body said I had lost a dress size in 2 weeks.  Apparently, the pounds come off slower than the actual weight on the body. So even if I look way thinner the scale won't reflect that. Now go figure why that took me 5 years to figure out.

Then, she went over my lab tests. Apparently, since I cut out sugar, all my function are normal EXCEPT my... you guessed it... hormones.  

Apparently, the normal testosterone levels for a teen girl is 0-40. Mine was 60, which is weird because I have a very feminine physique, and testosterone is (I know you know) a male hormone.

Then, she told me what that means. I now know that I have the genetic markup for Polycystic Ovarian Disorder (PCOD) and although the disease hadn't manifested itself yet, I was still at risk. The symptoms of the illness are obesity, depression, and infertility.

I kind of mentally freaked. I mean, I'm 15 years old. What 15 year old wants to think about suicide or the possibility that if she doesn't follow whatever treatment, she's not going to be able to have kids? Ever?

So, she told me what the natural treatment was: no sugar. No ice cream, no cookies, nada.  I can have 15 grams of Low Glycemic Index Agave or Stevia a day. Also, a very small amount of highly processed foods. Limited pizza , Chinese, etc.

This treatment extends for life. Say goodbye to profiteroles for me.

Anyway, a week later, I have lost another dress size.  My measurement are currently 39-27-37, as opposed to 39-29-39 (I'm 5'4, 5'5 ish). 

The point of this incredibly long saga is that she was right. I look better, I feel better, and I like my body.  I can now decide that I want to go out with friends and wear a mini dress and heels and look good.  

And another thing? I don't need sugar. I don't need it. All you people that have a tiny scoop of Ben and Jerry's? It may work for you, it sure as hell doesn't work for me.

So, I'm going to step on for my weekly or bimonthly, but no longer thrice daily) weigh-in. If I weigh less, great. If I weigh 2 pounds less, even better. The scale can no longer be trusted, and I must accept that I lost 2 dress sizes and probably weigh only 5 or 6 pounds less. It's OK. I look good. I do yoga. I must be content.

My measurements last year at 120 were 36-26-36. So, I'll lose another dress size, and be done losing. That's why I screwed up my starting/ending weight on this site on purpose. Weight's just not an indicator anymore.

Today, I ran twice and played tennis. I've eaten string cheese, pita bread, fruit, and half a sandwich so far with some green tea. It's kind of weird in relation to all my friends to start leading a consciously healthy lifestyle so early in my life, but I feel good. I like running. I like tennis. I like no sugar. Sugar makes me moody, bloated, and sick.

So, for anyone who finished reading to the end, motivation. I did it, and I'm going to continue. Whether you use the mirror, the tape, or the scale, just keep on aiming for that dress or that feeling or whatever else, because it's all up to YOU. Only you can take control, and for me, even if it took a doctor to tell me you CAN'T, its still my decisions that will impact my life. Fini.

You go girl, I did read all the way to the bottom because it was very interesting. I am much, much older than you, but have been there and still fighting. It is a way of life. But, you have the right attitude. You are so right on, it is not what the scales read. It is how we feel about ourselves. No one can do it for us. GREAT job. I will be rooting for you.

SMrox.. I just read your post...the whole thing... it ws esy, because it was so interesting... I am so amazed by you... so proud of you... so inspired by you... you are only 15 years old... I am definitely old enough to be your.. well I have a 17 year old son.. and I am just stunned by your wisdom... it is inpsirational to me because I have struggled with hormonal imblance by whole life.. I wasn't lucky enough to have a mom that would bring me to a gyno.endocrin doc... nonethelss, that you would, after seenig the doc actually take the actions that were recommended...tht's what I find so uplifting... thank you, I needed to hear your story today... you rock!

Wow. That was incredible, and I admire your willpower. I'm pretty much your same age, and I don't think I ever could completely cut sugar out of my diet. I read to the bottom as well, because I never actually thought about it in that way before. You go girl!

Thanks. All of you. Admittedly, what I could do (and what I did once like 3 weeks ago) is not eat ANY sugar (not just sweets but ketchup, agave in tea, etc.) for a week, and then have a slice of cake. It was my friend's b day and I couldn't resist.  So, my sugar levels were OK since the 30 grams or so were balanced with the no sugar. However, I felt disgusting afterward.  Not like "I'm so fat because I ate cake" but like "I already feel my mood crashing and I know I'm going to pay for this later." So, from then on, no sugar. Not worth it.

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smrox, I know exactly what you're going through.  Unfortunately it took until I was 32 to get diagnosed.  There are millions more women out there that might or might not even get diagnosed.  Research d-chiro-inositol.  What I found out is that our bodies can't convert regular inositol (that helps our body process the sugar) so it gets thrown completely out of whack. 

Many women can "solve" their problem by going on low carb diets (less carbs, less sugar to process) but, at least for me, that was never a long term option.  I've joined Calorie Count to make a healthier lifestyle change shortly after starting the DCI pills.  After 2 1/2 months I've lost over 20 lbs.  I've tried almost everything before without LT success but now with just counting calories it seems almost too easy. 

I don't want to sound like a commercial.  I just feel that more people should know about this.  Almost 1 out of 10 women have PCOS yet how come so few people know about DCI?  My own doctor didn't.  I don't want to push anything but do some research yourself.  And if you have any other questions just message me.

Dana

Thank you for the tip. Seeing as I haven't yet gotten the disease, I'll hold off on the side-effect inducing pills. But being diagnosed at 32? God, that sucks. And I don't mean to badmouth the pills, but in my experience, often drugs do more harm than good.

Anyway, update: I lied about my bust. It didn't go down. XD Lucky me. I'm still buxom!

I'm just in a jolly mood right now. I went to Bloomingdale's today and bought a BCBG dress on a 70% off sale and a size... would you believe it... extra small! Made my day to know I'm almost at where I was before this whole fiasco.

And my mom (who used to grumble that I needed to lose weight before the diagnosis) is complementing me, and so are my grandparents, and even one of my (hardly oblivious) guy friends noticed.  I went over and he told me I lost weight. Then I started narrowing my eyes and asked him why didn't he tell me I needed to a month ago. His reply? "You looked good then, but you look better now. Besides, I didn't want you to slap me for saying anything about your weight. I know how girls are." Well, he was partially right. Talking about the latter, I mean.

And I am sincerely sorry if any of this sounds like boasting. I'm just happy that I got the "cure" before the "disease" and am reaping the benefits. That and I just had the most delicious wholesome dinner with 3 cups of caffeinated tea and am now bouncing off the walls. :)

That's fine, smrox, like I said I didn't want to be a commercial or anything.  As far as side effects, though, there aren't any.  Metformin does the same thing as DCI but with the side effects you are worried about.  I feel like you do, that's why I did as much research as I could before even thinking about taking any kind of drugs. 

DCI is the converted form of inositol (that you eat in many foods) and should get converted in your body.  Because it is "suppose to" be in your body already, taking the pill has zero side effects.  I'll qualify this next part with - this is my experience only - but within a half an hour I feel the cravings for carbs go away.  I still want to eat them but the feeling that I have to eat them is gone.  Now it makes it easier to pick and choose good carbs to include in my healthy diet. 

(sorry if this is TMI) I didn't have a period for 9 months before I started taking them and now four months in I have had three.  I forgot to take them once since I've started and I had such bad intestinal problems that it reminded me that it was a daily occurrence before I started taking them.  The only "side effect" I now have is that I have PMS again since my body is back on a regular cycle.  I could have done without that!  :)

Seriously, I'm not trying to push these on anyone.  It's just I'm so excited to know what's wrong with me other than a vague diagnosis and a band-aid approach (just take birth control pills).  I'm really happy that you were diagnosed early and have a handle on what you need to do to stay well.  It makes me think that I should have that test done for my daughter in a couple of years. 

Good luck and take care! 

Dana