A yo-yo I will no longer be...

Almost 2 years ago I went on a mission to determine the root cause of my PCOS, headaches, psoriasis and eczema that had popped up on my face after a mild sunburn, fatigue, mental fogginess, mood swings, inability to lose weight easily (gained 20lbs in a 2 month boot camp with nutritionist support), multiple sinus / bronchial / viral infections, and constant injuries (7 broken bones in a 10 year period).

Fortunately for me, I found my answer within 6 months - an article on PCOS indicated that an OB/GYN did research on her PCOS patients and found that 80% of them had either an allergy or intolerance to gluten. Doing more research, I discovered there are multiple scientific studies trying to prove this link. So I took this information to my fertility specialist, my primary, and my ob/gyn and they all agreed I exhibited the symptoms of food intolerance - especially considering I could bring on my cycle within a 2-week period just by completely eliminating dairy from my diet (previously, I would go 3-4 months between cycles to then have a prescription for progesterone).

After being tested, I was diagnosed with Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance, as well as intolerances to casein (protein found in bovine milk) and soy. You would have thought this is what I needed to change my life... Well, almost! In the past 18 months since being diagnosed I have done more yo-yo dieting than I have my entire life. I'll eliminate the offending foods for a month (no more) and something will happen where I'll fall off... and I'll fall off hard.

But things have to change! In the past 10 months I have... had several sinus / bronchial infections, H1N1, a level 1 sprained ankle that took over six months to heal, and have started to lose hope and faith that being a mom is in my future.

This brings me to this week. I have made alot of decisions, written down goals for myself, and decided to turn this adventure into a challenge - since I can't continue to go through the emotional ups and downs of trying to conceive and have a family, I am setting a time line. If I can not get pregnant by the age of 37 (which will be in 18 months) through aggressive changes to my diet (to account for my food intolerance) and fitness routine; and with the help of my doctors, then I will be content with that fact that having biological children are not in my and my husband's future.

So... as the title of this post states: "A yo-yo I will no longer be". I am beginning my journey with 100% commitment, heart, faith, hope, and a full belief in God that I will become a strong and healthy Mom!

To be continued... 6-week Challenge