Flourless Banana Pancakes!

Hey Guys!  It's been awhile since I've posted a recipe, so I thought I'd share today.  I recently came across a pin that sounded so easy, I just had to try it.  And low and behold, it was wonderful!  So, without further ado:

Flourless Banana Pancakes!!

Let's talk about PCOS

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and my doctor diagnosed me with it a couple weeks ago.  What is PCOS?  According to Wikipedia, PCOS "is one of the most common female endocrine disorders. PCOS is a complex, heterogeneous disorder of uncertain etiology, but there is strong evidence that it can to a large degree be classified as a genetic disease."  My doctor told me they've known about since the '30s, but awareness is still relatively low.  In fact, when I went to see a Nutritionist in the beginning of the month, she told me that only a few months ago she went to present about PCOS to a group of nurses and other medical practitioners and at least half had never even heard of PCOS.

Which is probably why when I first went to the gynecologist (already a terrifying experience), I was told that my various problems were simply because I was too fat.  I was literally told that if I just lost weight, everything would go back to normal.  But the problem is, my body has never acted normal.  And if that first doctor had bothered to ask about any other symptoms I had, she may have concluded that PCOS was at least a possibility.

**The symptoms of PCOS include, but are not limited to the following:

• irregular or no menstrual periods
• acne
• obesity/weight gain/inability to lose weight
• breathing problems while sleeping
• depression
• oily skin
• infertility
• skin discolorations
• high cholesterol levels
• elevated blood pressure
• excess or abnormal hair growth and distribution
• pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis
• multiple ovarian cysts
• skin tags

Of these 14 possible symptoms, I experience at least eight.  I don't know about the infertility and I've never had my cholesterol levels tested, so those are a mystery.  I just had an ultrasound of my ovaries for the cysts, so I'll have to wait for my follow-up appointment with my doctor for those results, but still. 

Anyway, this whole process started a couple months ago with a regular trip to a gynecologist who finally recognized the signs and referred me to an endocrinologist.  He examined me and ordered blood tests, the sonogram, and a trip to a Nutritionist. 

The Nutritionist appointment was amazing, and I would recommend it for absolutely anyone who's looking to really try and feed himself well.  She was super informative and explained that people with PCOS are usually hypoglycemic, basically meaning that I overproduce insulin when I eat.  This occurs especially when I eat any sort of refined carbohydrate, such as white bread, white potatoes, refined sugar, etc.  Eventually, all this overwork will kill my pancreas, and that's when Type II Diabetes will set in.  There is hope!  By eating a low-carb diet, and sticking to whole-grains and plenty of good protein and veggies, I can help keep my insulin levels steady.  Remember that new diet I referred to in the last post?  Yep, that's it.  Low-carb.

Even so, the Nutritionist and the Endocrinologist both warned me that losing weight with PCOS is extremely difficult.  I have to work twice as hard for half the results.  I can't lie... this is very discouraging.  But the very mention of Type II Diabetes truly has put the fear of God in me.  I don't want to develop diabetes, not if there's anyway I could stop it from happening.  And so I think I've been doing fairly well.  I eat a lot more protein than before, supplemented with plenty of vegetables and the occasional whole-grain carb.  As a self-proclaimed carbaholic, I will admit that I kind of hate it right now.  I miss bread.  It's one of my favorite foods, and severely restricting my rate of consumption is a downer.  Hopefully, I'll grow so accustomed to this new way of eating that it'll seem normal!

**From the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association, Inc.

Weigh-In Wednesday #23

Starting Weight: 225
Last Week's Weight: 195
Current Weight: 193 (-2 pounds!)
Total Weight Loss: 32 pounds

Goal Weight: 145
Weight Remaining: 48

The problem with me not posting is now it makes it look like I suddenly dropped a lot of weight very quickly!  I really only lost 2 pounds this week, which is completely normal.  After seeing a doctor and nutritionist, I'm following a new diet I'm going to post about soon that seems to really be helping me drop some more pounds.  It's been a little rough transitioning, but hopefully I'll get used to it soon.

At 193, it also means that I'm only 3 pounds away from meeting my mini-goal of 190!  Yay!  I'm also under 50 pounds for total weight I still need to lose, which is very encouraging.

Today has been hectic so far!!  Between work and meetings and phone calls I never really sat down for a proper meal, which means I've been starving all day and munching more than I should!  Luckily, I've got a Zumba class tonight that should help shed some of those extra calories :)

Exercise Restart

Now that I've renewed my gym membership, I started going back to Zumba class again.  My body is painfully reminding me that I haven't been in long time .___.;;

However!  I find that I still really like Zumba.  The songs and dancing make the hour go by pretty fast and my instructors seem to do a good job of alternating between really fast songs and slightly slower ones, which gives you a chance to cool down slightly.

I was really scared to try any fitness class for a long time. I'll admit to some weird phobia about being watched when I workout.  It's irrational, but I feel like everyone is silently judging me if I don't stay on the elliptical machine long enough or can't lift enough weight.  This is so stupid, I know, but I guess that's why they call them irrational fears.

Anyway, I'm mentioning this because I shouldn't have let my fears stop me from trying something new.  And I think maybe a lot of people have this fear which prevents them from popping in and joining a fitness class.  But let's get real.  You're in there sweating, focusing on your heartbeat, and trying desperately to mimic the instructor.  No one cares how you look or how well you're doing.  So get out there and try something :)  You might just like it.

Happy New Years!

Happy New Years!!

I know it's been quite some time since I've posted, and I do apologize.  Unfortunately, too many personal things happened all at once (and naturally around the holidays) which forced me to shift my focus away from this blog.  However, with the new year brings new hope and possibilities!  Of course, we cannot forget the New Years Resolutions, either.

Traditionally, I have never made a New Years Resolution.  I'm not entirely sure why this is, although it may be as simple as the fact that I didn't think I could keep it.  This year is different though!  Here are my resolutions:

1.  Lose at least 20 pounds (more is certainly welcome!)
2.  Get back into exercising (already renewed the gym membership)
3.  Run a 5K (hopefully the Color Run)

So there you have it!  I think I've set some pretty reasonable goals.  What are your New Years Resolutions?

Weigh-In Wednesday #22!

Starting Weight: 225
Last Week's Weight: 197
Current Weight: 197 (same!)
Total Weight Loss: 28 pounds

Goal Weight: 145
Weight Remaining: 52

I don't know how it's possible... but I apparently did not gain any weight while I was on vacation.  There are many reasons for this.  I would hope that by this time I've boosted my metabolism, which would have helped process the additional calories.  My weight-training has probably added some muscle to my body, which helps burn calories as well.  Also, I've become used to eating small portions of food, and in turn, it took smaller amounts of food to fill me up, even though I was allowing myself to eat whatever I wanted.  Finally, I walked everywhere.   The trip was practically constant-walking.  I think the longest time I sat down beyond meals was for the Broadway play.

I'm very pleased with not having gained any weight, if a little dumbfounded.  I haven't even been able to exercise since I got back because my schedule has been so hectic.  It's also Thanksgiving tomorrow (!) so there's a lot to do in preparation.  I'm making about 80% of the meal for my entire family, so I'm a bit stressed.  But!  After this holiday, I'm going to get right back into it. 

I'm actually looking forward to getting back on track.  I don't like not exercising anymore--it makes me feel tired and lazy. 

I'm back!

Picture from the great blog Hyperbole and a Half

Hello everyone!  I have returned from my super awesome trip to New York City!  I had never been there before, so it was really amazing to see all the city has to offer.  I made the trip with my best friend who I don't get to see but a few times a year, so that made the trip even better.  What did I do, you ask?

Well, I got to see a Broadway play!

Not only did I get to see it, I won rush tickets!!  Which means my ticket only cost $27.00!  And I still had really good seats.  The play was really good--funny and touching all at the same time.  I highly recommend it.

Naturally, I had to visit Chinatown!

Jing Fong Dim Sum Restaurant

I bought a lot in Chinatown.  Everything is so cheap!  And they have these knock-offs of a brand of purse called Tokidoki, which I've always loved but have never been able to afford... until now >.>

My hotel was right next to Times Square, so I spent a lot of time there:

And of course... I ate.  Lots. Of. Food.  It was all delicious.  I was able to visit The Russian Tea Room, which is a place I've dreamed of going to for many years now.  I ate French macarons from Laduree and various mysterious dumplings in Chinatown.  There were breads and delicate pastries from Takahachi bakery and sticks of meat from street vendors.  For a girl who has been dieting and exercising steadily for 22+ weeks, it was absolute Heaven.  I took pictures of all the food I ate, but since this is a weight-loss blog, I think it would be kinda cruel to post them.

For my sanity, I haven't weighed myself yet.  I'm sure I've gained weight, though I did walk almost constantly, so hopefully that helped a bit.  Life was very busy as soon as I stepped off the plane, with work-related trips, Church dinners, and frantic grocery shopping, so I'm still very sleep deprived.  I have to work at my third job this weekend, too, so I'm not sure when I'll have a chance to finally catch up on my sleep. 

Even with gained weight and severe lack of sleep, it was totally worth it.  I had a blast and can't wait to go again!