A Message from Our Founder

Christine DeZarn,
Founder PCOSA

The holiday season can be difficult for women with PCOS. Just the smell of delicious food cooking (or even scented candles) can send our insulin sky high. There are high-refined-carb temptations at every meal, high-calorie alcoholic beverages at many parties, and multiple desserts and snacks everywhere in between.

Emotionally, we are either in a state of combative self-denial, or we are feeling guilty for caving in to the temptations. Stress is running at high levels as well, causing even more hormonal chaos.

On top of these temptations, there are emotional challenges for those of us struggling with infertility. After all, Christmas is all about the birth of a child, and there are reminders of this everywhere we go. Another recurring theme is that the holidays are for children. Children and pregnant women appear everywhere, whether at family gatherings or at the mall.

Amidst the barrage of physical and emotional assaults, we strive for peace, hope, and celebration of the true joy of the season. It is my hope that we are all successful in achieving this, despite all of the challenges. To top off the season, it is a tradition to make a resolution. Let's make a resolution this year to be kind to ourselves, and to breathe deeply, and to thrive within the chaos around us.

Repeat after me.... I am a strong woman! I am beautiful! I am smart! I have PCOS but PCOS does not have me! This year, I will take action to achieve my ultimate health! Specifically, I will (list three specific things here that you will do). I will succeed!

Ideas:

• Read a book on PCOS
• Learn a new yoga pose and practice daily
• Buy some different kinds of fancy cinnamon and add them to your food whenever you can
• Go through your cupboards and discard everything containing trans-fats (partially hydrogenated oils)
• Do a one-week cleansing fast (with doctor's supervision)
• Buy new dishes with smaller dinner plates
• Take up a new sport (learn how to ski, play tennis, rediscover the joy of riding your bike)
• Experiment with 5 new low-carb recipes and find one that you love
• Stick to an exercise routine for 4 weeks
• Stick to a supplement plan for 4 weeks

Whatever your affirmative resolutions, I wish you success, peace, joy, and abundance. May 2010 bring many blessings.

Christine DeZarn
PCOSA Founder