PCOD : busting the myths of fitness & weight loss
Before diving into PCOD/PCOS, let’s take a minute to understand the difference between the two.
Polycystic Ovarian Disease aka PCOD means that our ovaries are not functioning at their peak efficiency.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome aka PCOS means that the disturbances are manifesting in other parts of the body as acne, oily skin, scalp loss, obesity, irregular periods and so on.
It is observed that many women realise of their PCOS when they try to conceive.
As busy women ,we often don’t find ourselves time to eat, sleep and exercise. The three key pillars to stay healthy and fit, aren’t they? And instead we try a lot of diets literally draining our bodies of the required nutrients, being over enthusiastic with a day of exercise but forgetting that it’s the regularity that matters, binge-watching a series over the night with a packet of chips and regretting over it.
I’m no doctor, but yes, I am diagnosed with PCOS and I have heuritism, thinning of scalp, extreme mood swings, irregular periods,acne, oily skin..I don’t even know where this list stops. But I decided to make small changes,take baby steps and feel so much better already.
Let’s begin!
What is PCOS?
During our periods, our bodies go through different phases.
Follicular phase where primary follicles grow bigger in comparison to other follicles thereby ready with mature egg.
( follicle is like a swelling around the egg which produces estrogen)
It is followed by ovulatory phase where the dominant follicle breaks open releasing the mature egg.
In Leutal phase , the egg starts moving through the fallopian tube aided by uterine lining.
The egg passes out of the uterus, lining is shed and menses starts!
In PCOS, several follicles are generated but none of them is capable of producing the egg.
Also, PCOS can occur if there is more production of testosterone (male hormone) which again affects the estrogen production .
Summing it down:
Poly (many)
cystic(follicles, growing like blisters with fluid in them) ,
ovarian (inside the ovary)
What causes PCOS?
The cause is not known clearly. It may be genetics, modern lifestyle,stress..
Also, there is no proper cure mentioned for this condition.
But mind you, it exposes you to Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases, depression let alone getting pregnant.
No, I’m not scaring you. As I said, there is a lot you can do about it besides the medications and pills.
Rujuta Diwekar in her book “ The PCOD and Thyroid Book” nicely explains how the well-being of our body influences our hormones. It’s the hormones that our doctors deal. But our body is our abode. Hormones are the “unknowns” but we know our “bodies”.We should work on our body and it will take care of the hormones.
What can you do?
- Nutrition : Don’t grab your lunch. Make time for it. Eat it with peace. Eat local fruits and vegetables in plenty rather than exotic food. When you eat with peace, you don’t over-eat or under-eat. You eat just right.Also,Don’t stress on calories. There are myths around the Indian food like Paneer, dals, tadka, peanuts, coconut rice. I would say, eat the homemade food you have been eating. Stop the sugar-free, low-calorie Labelled biscuits, processed food.
- Exercising right: Exercise regularly. Learn more about weight training, cardio, yogasanas( suryanamaskar+ pelvic-opening asanas), and a hobby exercise( dance class, zumba, any activity you love). Use variety of exercises, be regular and progressively improve yourself by pushing yourself more. Remember, don’t overdo. Regularity is the key here.
- Sleep: Sleep peacefully. You can’t compensate for your sleep by sleeping more on weekends. So sleep well regularly. Try to fix your sleeping and waking up time. Don’t watch TV, mobile screens just before sleeping.
- Relationship with yourself: We conquer our business meetings , manage our house, take care of everyone and yet we are complaining that we can’t give 100℅. As I said, put in 100℅ , but don’t expect 100℅ results. Find time for yourself, love yourself and take care of your body just as you take care of everyone else in the house.
I follow these as much as possible and trust me, I have noticed changes.
I was frustrated, ashamed of my body, blaming it all on hormones. Lifestyle changes have made me value myself, follow good eating, exercising and sleeping strategies and I feel so much more lively and beautiful.
Where can you read more about?
- Read “ The PCOD and Thyroid book” by Rujuta Diwekar. It is an Eye-opener , busting many myths in a fun mumbaiyya style. Do give it a read!
- One of the YouTube channel I follow is Fit Tuber. He stresses on lifestyle changes , products to use , exercising and lot more. He also has a video on PCOD. Do checkout!
Do clap, share this content .We need to create more awareness on this topic. Do provide any feedback as comment or you can write to me at kamatvedita99@gmail.com
