REVIEW: "Freedom from PCOS" by Katie Humphrey

In her recently-published book, "Freedom from PCOS: 3 Proven Steps to Naturally Overcome Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Insulin Resistance," Katie Humphrey lets you know right away that:

"Even though I don't really know you yet, I love you just the same." I believe her.

She continues: "We are kindred spirits brought together by a terrifying condition but united through the possibility of natural relief from our condition."

From the get-go, Humphrey, a Certified Personal Trainer, is figuratively by your side, taking your hand, supremely confident that you can and will make positive changes in your life to get out from under the oppressive reign of PCOS. She's like your good friend who never lets you back out of an exercise date.

In the same empathetic/energetic voice she brings to her nutrition and lifestyle coaching, she conveys the step-by-step process of "exactly what I did to reverse my condition."

Having suffered from "raging" food cravings and missed periods, being told at 24 that she was pre-menopausal and informed by a natural medical practitioner that she'd have to stay on birth control pills for the remainder of her life – along with hearing the standard, crazy-making "there's nothing wrong with you" – Humphrey became her own advocate.

"I never stopped fighting, pushing or searching to know the cause of my suffering," she explains. "I felt alone, misunderstood and pathetic."

When therapists say "let your anger fuel your journey," Katie Humphrey is top of mind. With her new e-book (an electronic book, priced at $27, which can be downloaded at www.PCOSStore.com) she outlines her "triple threat approach to PCOS" in clear, supportive language, backed up by factual scientific explanations and references.

Her first "threat," Exercise, is packed with guidance on exercises developed specifically for PCOS by creating positive effects on the body's response to insulin.

Who knew there were two types of cardio? Number one is "steady state" when you're performing any type of exercise at a consistent pace. Only have 10 minutes to walk before and after work? "Nothing is too short," says Katie optimistically. "If you can only do it for 10 minutes, do it. Everything is cumulative and it adds up quickly."

Cardio type two is "intervals," the goal being to increase intensity through speed or resistance and then slowing down to recover. This method can effectively burn fat in a short period of time, she tells us, noting that it also enables us to burn calories up to 48 hours after exercise.

In a section on strength training, our coach busts the myth that this type of exercise will make us look bulky. "Freedom from PCOS" is interspersed with testimonials from clients; I was inspired to hear how, through strength training, one woman was able to ditch her "turkey triceps," so named by her granddaughter!

Not surprisingly, the second element of Humphrey's troika of threats is "Using Nutrition to Tackle PCOS" and she is adamant that diets per se are ineffective. Instead of focusing on calories, emphasis should be placed on the quality and portion of foods – mostly whole foods.

Eating every 3-4 hours keeps our blood sugar levels steady and increases our basal metabolic rate; the author believes that frequent eating provides us with constant, clean energy.

She also touches on good fats, why we should stay away from harmful foods, why organic is best, fat storage, reducing food cravings and my favorite, "You're allowed to eat treats."

The appendix includes sample meal plans, the Glycemic Index, a carb counter and Humphrey's own "Substitution Guide" where you can trade in a cocktail for a glass of organic red wine. Cheers.

"Nutraceuticals: My Secret Weapon" reveals Humphrey's search for and discovery of supplement formulations that "specifically target my body's production of and response to insulin." She explains how most available foods do not contain a concentrated amount of nutrients to balance and restore the hormones in a body with PCOS, hence the need for natural supplements.

She argues that, with synthetic medications, you are not allowing your body to restore itself and, as a result, it quits working on the problem because you have allowed a foreign substance to do the job for you. On the other hand, "natural supplements are closest to their original state as a whole food so they are recognized and properly utilized by the body."

Humphrey enthuses that her nutraceutical regime has naturally balanced her hormones thereby regulating her menstrual periods and improving her digestion. She goes on to say that the same formulas have, over time, helped women permanently lose weight, restore their hormones and get pregnant naturally. Gaining control of her PCOS has helped Katie Humphrey "gain clarity as to who I am and what my place is in the world."

Currently, that place is head of JK Humphrey International which offers a free weekly newsletter, articles on creating a healthy lifestyle naturally, the PCOS Inner Circle virtual community (www.pcosinnercircle.com), private coaching and motivational speaking. www.freedomfrompcos.com

"Conquering my condition helped me focus my time, money and energy on more serious, important matters in my life," she says. Like the book, that makes good sense, too.

You can download the first three chapters of "Freedom from PCOS" free at www.PCOSStore.com.

Catherine Lord