Started the Buddy Exercise Programme today...just doing it first before introducing it later this month. What should I say...having company to exercise really helped. We talked on and off for 40 minutes of cardio and I didn't even feel it. More importantly, knowing that you have someone there right by your side who supports your efforts, regardless of how small, is tremendous. Looking forward to the coming weeks.
My aim is to lose 1-2 pounds a week for the next 12 weeks.
For the next 12 weeks I'll be posting my progress on FB. I'm going to be honest as I go along and share how the experience is going.
Hopefully later this month everyone can join in and share their experiences as well.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
PCOS and Hair Loss
PCOS Challenge.com issued this article on hair loss.
If you want to add extra body and shine to your hair, or if you have thinning hair, products containing extract from the nettle plant might be the perfect solution. Hair growth products have been around for years, but men and women alike are now turning to natural alternatives to prevent hair loss. Using nettle for hair can not only help stop hair loss, but can promote healthier, fuller hair for anyone. Nettle extract enhances hair growth for those who are balding as well as those who just want to have thicker hair. What is nettle? Nettle is a plant grown in mostly warm climates, such as South America that is also referred to as "stinging nettle" and "garden nettle." It features prickly needles on its leaves that will irritate and sting upon contact. Nettle extract is processed so that it does not cause irritation or stinging to the skin or scalp.
Causes of Balding or Thinning There are several possible causes of balding or thinning hair for men and women. There is also a normal process of hair loss (or shedding) due to the hair growth cycle. This cycle will not result in baldness or thinning hair. A person can shed up to between 50 and 100 hairs per day during this cycle. There is also common baldness, or androgenic alopecia. Common baldness can be male pattern baldness, and is genetic in females. It is the most common cause of baldness in women. It can be genetically acquired from either the mother's or father's side of the family.
There are other non-genetic causes of baldness or thinning such as stress, hormonal imbalances, dietary problems, pregnancy and breast-feeding, infections of the scalp, certain medical conditions, and side effects of some medications.
How Nettle for Hair Loss Works
Nettle works gently to stimulate blood circulation to the scalp. It not only oxygenates the hair follicles but also strengthens hair fibers. Though it is gentle for all users, nettle for hair is powerful in combating baldness. As a natural hair product, nettle extract provides a safe alternative to hair growth products that contain chemicals. Nettle promotes hair growth as well as hair health, shine and fullness for any type of hair. Nettle is also used for medicinal purposes in treating allergies, inflammation, arthritis and joint pain, acne, hemorrhoids, and even male prostate enlargement.
Nettle hair products such as nettle shampoo and nettle conditioner are easy to use. The nettle shampoo gives the hair a deep cleansing to remove excess sebum, or fatty deposits that often contain high levels of DHT (Dihydrotestosterone). The herbal components penetrate and moisturize the hair, and provide a protective film coating on the hair that strengthens the hair shaft, giving it plenty of shine and body. There is also nettle conditioner to increase shine, volume and softness. A special nettle lotion works great for stimulating the blood circulation in the scalp as well as oxygenation and fortification.
Nettle for hair should be used frequently for several months to notice a major difference, though the hair will look and feel healthier after just a few uses. For balding and thinning hair, results may vary for individuals as will the amount of time needed for results.
If you want to add extra body and shine to your hair, or if you have thinning hair, products containing extract from the nettle plant might be the perfect solution. Hair growth products have been around for years, but men and women alike are now turning to natural alternatives to prevent hair loss. Using nettle for hair can not only help stop hair loss, but can promote healthier, fuller hair for anyone. Nettle extract enhances hair growth for those who are balding as well as those who just want to have thicker hair. What is nettle? Nettle is a plant grown in mostly warm climates, such as South America that is also referred to as "stinging nettle" and "garden nettle." It features prickly needles on its leaves that will irritate and sting upon contact. Nettle extract is processed so that it does not cause irritation or stinging to the skin or scalp.
Causes of Balding or Thinning There are several possible causes of balding or thinning hair for men and women. There is also a normal process of hair loss (or shedding) due to the hair growth cycle. This cycle will not result in baldness or thinning hair. A person can shed up to between 50 and 100 hairs per day during this cycle. There is also common baldness, or androgenic alopecia. Common baldness can be male pattern baldness, and is genetic in females. It is the most common cause of baldness in women. It can be genetically acquired from either the mother's or father's side of the family.
There are other non-genetic causes of baldness or thinning such as stress, hormonal imbalances, dietary problems, pregnancy and breast-feeding, infections of the scalp, certain medical conditions, and side effects of some medications.
How Nettle for Hair Loss Works
Nettle works gently to stimulate blood circulation to the scalp. It not only oxygenates the hair follicles but also strengthens hair fibers. Though it is gentle for all users, nettle for hair is powerful in combating baldness. As a natural hair product, nettle extract provides a safe alternative to hair growth products that contain chemicals. Nettle promotes hair growth as well as hair health, shine and fullness for any type of hair. Nettle is also used for medicinal purposes in treating allergies, inflammation, arthritis and joint pain, acne, hemorrhoids, and even male prostate enlargement.
Nettle hair products such as nettle shampoo and nettle conditioner are easy to use. The nettle shampoo gives the hair a deep cleansing to remove excess sebum, or fatty deposits that often contain high levels of DHT (Dihydrotestosterone). The herbal components penetrate and moisturize the hair, and provide a protective film coating on the hair that strengthens the hair shaft, giving it plenty of shine and body. There is also nettle conditioner to increase shine, volume and softness. A special nettle lotion works great for stimulating the blood circulation in the scalp as well as oxygenation and fortification.
Nettle for hair should be used frequently for several months to notice a major difference, though the hair will look and feel healthier after just a few uses. For balding and thinning hair, results may vary for individuals as will the amount of time needed for results.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
PCOS Statistics - Surprising
PCOS Support Group - Caribbean believes that a healthy lifestyle has greater benefits to women with PCOS. When we say healthy lifestyle we mean proper eating habits (not dieting and starving), continuous exercise regime inclusive of recreation/leisure activities.
The number of women with PCOS is not as low as you may think. Many women with PCOS are undiagnosed; this is because they have never had to seek fertility treatment (which is when a lot of women get their diagnosis). So, we don't hear about those.
Verity website conducted a poll of almost 600 women, and almost half of those women conceived naturally
How did you conceive your first child?
Clomid: 17.82%
Ovarian drilling: 2.69%
Weight loss / diet: 6.55%
Fell naturally: 45.88%
IVF: 3.19%
IUI: 1.51%
Alternative therapy: 1.85%
Metformin: 7.56%
Combination of above: 4.03%
Other: 8.91%
PCOS Support Group Caribbean is advocating for, a close as possible, natural conception.
Source: Verity http://www.verity-pcos.org.uk
The number of women with PCOS is not as low as you may think. Many women with PCOS are undiagnosed; this is because they have never had to seek fertility treatment (which is when a lot of women get their diagnosis). So, we don't hear about those.
Verity website conducted a poll of almost 600 women, and almost half of those women conceived naturally
How did you conceive your first child?
Clomid: 17.82%
Ovarian drilling: 2.69%
Weight loss / diet: 6.55%
Fell naturally: 45.88%
IVF: 3.19%
IUI: 1.51%
Alternative therapy: 1.85%
Metformin: 7.56%
Combination of above: 4.03%
Other: 8.91%
PCOS Support Group Caribbean is advocating for, a close as possible, natural conception.
Source: Verity http://www.verity-pcos.org.uk
Monday, November 23, 2009
Symptoms of PCOS
Polycystic ovarian syndrome presents a complex and baffling array of symptoms, consisting of some combination of the following symptoms that vary with each individual:
• Multiple ovarian cysts
• Irregular or absent menses
• Infertility
• Acne
• Obesity or inability to lose weight
• Excessive body or facial hair (hirsutism)
• Insulin resistance and possibly diabetes
• Thinning of scalp hair
• Velvety, hyperpigmented skin folds (acanthosis nigricans)
• High blood pressure
• Polycystic ovaries that are 2-5 times larger than healthy ovaries.
• Multiple hormone imbalances, commonly including:
• Androgens (testosterone)
• Cortisol
• Estrogens
• FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
• Insulin.
• LH (luteinizing hormone)
• progesterone
• Prolactin.
• Thyroid hormones.
• Impaired lung function.
• Sleep apnea.
• Fatty liver degeneration (NAFLD).
• Depression
Taken from http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/pcos.html
• Multiple ovarian cysts
• Irregular or absent menses
• Infertility
• Acne
• Obesity or inability to lose weight
• Excessive body or facial hair (hirsutism)
• Insulin resistance and possibly diabetes
• Thinning of scalp hair
• Velvety, hyperpigmented skin folds (acanthosis nigricans)
• High blood pressure
• Polycystic ovaries that are 2-5 times larger than healthy ovaries.
• Multiple hormone imbalances, commonly including:
• Androgens (testosterone)
• Cortisol
• Estrogens
• FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
• Insulin.
• LH (luteinizing hormone)
• progesterone
• Prolactin.
• Thyroid hormones.
• Impaired lung function.
• Sleep apnea.
• Fatty liver degeneration (NAFLD).
• Depression
Taken from http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/pcos.html
Monday, November 16, 2009
Let Your Story be Heard
There are many of us who have had successes and failures, ups and downs when it comes to dealing with PCOS. To encourage other readers "Let Your Story Be Heard". Post your story.
Monday, November 9, 2009
What is Polycystic Ovaries
Polycystic simply means 'many cysts' and describes the appearance of the ovary on ultrasound scan. On the scan a polycystic ovary is larger than normal with a ring of many cysts around the edge. The cysts are follicles, some are immature but contain an egg, and others are empty. A polycystic ovary contains at least ten cysts just below the surface, and although each cyst only measures between two and eight millimetres, together they make the ovary enlarged. The covering of the ovary (the capsule) thickens, which makes release of the egg difficult.
The diagram of the normal ovary showns a growing follicle and the empty follicle (called the corpus luteum) that is left behind after the release of the egg at ovulation. The diagram of the polycystic ovary showns the many cysts around the edge of the ovary.
Polycystic ovaries are common. About one in five women have them, and generally they present no problems. But when they are accompanied by some, or all, of the symptoms described below, you may be told that you have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is sometimes called Stein-Leventhal syndrome after the doctors who first described it in 1935.
Symptoms of PCOS
Irregular or absent periods
Most women with PCOS do not ovulate because their follicles never ripen enough to reach the ovary's surface and burst. Some women ovulate occasionally. So you may not have any periods, or they may be very irregular and scanty. Women with PCOS may start their periods late and they may also always have irregular cycles. On the other hand some women may have heavy irregular bleeding because of the poor hormone control.
Infertility
If you have PCOS you will only be ovulating occasionally or not at all, so getting pregnant without treatment may be difficult or impossible. Many women do not go to their doctors with irregular periods until they start trying to have a baby. You may only find out then that you have polycystic ovaries.
Miscarriage
There may be an increased risk of miscarriage for women who do become pregnant.
Unwanted body hair
Many women with PCOS experience unwanted hair on their face, chest, abdomen, arms and legs. Hair growth might be quite thick and noticeable, especially if you have dark hair. Some women also notice a slight thinning of their head hair.
Acne
Some women with PCOS have spots on their face, chest and back. Many women who go to their doctor with adult acne find they have polycystic ovaries.
Weight gain
You may find that you put on weight easily. If you put on a lot of weight you may be at increased risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes later in life.
Pelvic discomfort
Some women with PCOS feel occasional discomfort in their abdomen.
The diagram of the normal ovary showns a growing follicle and the empty follicle (called the corpus luteum) that is left behind after the release of the egg at ovulation. The diagram of the polycystic ovary showns the many cysts around the edge of the ovary.
Polycystic ovaries are common. About one in five women have them, and generally they present no problems. But when they are accompanied by some, or all, of the symptoms described below, you may be told that you have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is sometimes called Stein-Leventhal syndrome after the doctors who first described it in 1935.
Symptoms of PCOS
Irregular or absent periods
Most women with PCOS do not ovulate because their follicles never ripen enough to reach the ovary's surface and burst. Some women ovulate occasionally. So you may not have any periods, or they may be very irregular and scanty. Women with PCOS may start their periods late and they may also always have irregular cycles. On the other hand some women may have heavy irregular bleeding because of the poor hormone control.
Infertility
If you have PCOS you will only be ovulating occasionally or not at all, so getting pregnant without treatment may be difficult or impossible. Many women do not go to their doctors with irregular periods until they start trying to have a baby. You may only find out then that you have polycystic ovaries.
Miscarriage
There may be an increased risk of miscarriage for women who do become pregnant.
Unwanted body hair
Many women with PCOS experience unwanted hair on their face, chest, abdomen, arms and legs. Hair growth might be quite thick and noticeable, especially if you have dark hair. Some women also notice a slight thinning of their head hair.
Acne
Some women with PCOS have spots on their face, chest and back. Many women who go to their doctor with adult acne find they have polycystic ovaries.
Weight gain
You may find that you put on weight easily. If you put on a lot of weight you may be at increased risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes later in life.
Pelvic discomfort
Some women with PCOS feel occasional discomfort in their abdomen.
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