Hi there. I finally made it over here
About 15 years ago, after having my first child, I first had irregular cycles. However, it was not until early this year, when I went to the doctor, yet again, about my irregular cycle and was finally diagnosed with PCOS. A couple of days before that, I started taking Black Cohosh in the hope that that would help - and it has. I am now very regular and o' every cycle. I have also been taking biotin and silica to help my hair that was falling out. I tried Saw Palmetto for the hair as well, but didn't like the side effects. Apart from the initial nausea that didn't last very long, I had a lot of cramping with the next AF and the luteal phase was a lot longer than it had been, so I stopped taking it. My hair is now thickening up and healthier than it's been for a long time.
My change in diet started a couple of years ago when my kids were having behaviour problems. First I cut out colours and preservatives from the food we were eating and there was some improvement. Then I put the boys on an elimination diet to see if they were reacting to anything else. They didn't come good from anything that was taken out, but I realised they were not doing well on all the simple carbs that were left. I then came across Dr Kathleen DesMaisons program Radiant Recovery, which is about healing the biochemistry that makes us moody/depressed from eating simple carbs or 'whites'. So we started eating 'browns' instead of whites and enough regular protein. We also kept colours and preservatives to a minimum. The kids improved and I felt heaps better as well, and certainly not stressed all the time like I was. I then found my way here and started reading about low-carbing.
I've had a bit of a struggle sticking to a low carb diet, but I'm getting there. Getting to 10kg off is a big incentive now to keep going. My biggest problem is being tempted by the things I cook for the kids. Even though they are on low sugars, they still have quite a bit of wholemeal pasta and bread, brown rice and potatoes with the skins on. I'm doing pretty well at the moment though.
I'm not following any particular plan, just avoiding sugars and starchy foods (grains, potatoes, etc). I also can't have dairy except yoghurt. I make sure I have plenty of greens with lunch and dinner. I use the formula I learnt from the Radiant Recovery program for the amount of protein I need at each meal (1/6 of your weight in pounds or 1/3 your weight in kgs is the number of grams of protein). But I don't really count anymore, I just know how big a piece I need. I don't count carbs, just avoid the things I mentioned above. And I don't avoid fat (only trans fats) since I learnt that the right fats are so very important for our health.
A typical (good) day would be:
Breakfast -
3 eggs, 1/2 c blueberries with 1/2 cup yoghurt and 1 tbs ground flaxseeds
Lunch -
Red meat, chicken or fish with salad and low sugar dressing.
Dinner -
Red meat, chicken or fish with cooked veggies, maybe stir-fry.
Snacks -
Meat and veg' soup. Celery with peanut butter.
Drinks -
Water, fruit/herb teas, decaf coffee.
I'm also trying to get some regular exercise as well.