Allison M.

I am Allison and I’m 28 years old.  I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 20, shortly after I was married but I suffered from symptoms for years before then.  When the Doctor gave me my diagnosis I didn’t think much of it because I really had no idea what it meant.  When I started trying to conceive I realized things were going to be difficult.

Here I am 8 years later and I have only been able to conceive once and that pregnancy ended in a miscarriage very early.  My journey to becoming a “diva” really began 4 years ago after my loss.  I started seeking the advice of doctors, specialists, and trainers.  I was determined to become healthier and to conceive again even if it meant drastic measures.  The first fertility specialist I saw sent me away as soon as I walked into the office.  He literally told me that it would be negligent for them to help me and that I need to go home try weight watchers for 12 weeks, consult a bariatric surgeon, and come back when I had lost 40 lbs.

I left in tears and after encouragement from my mom to stay positive I joined Weight Watchers.  Seventeen weeks later I had only lost a few pounds and I still felt horrible all the time.  I joined a gym, hired a trainer, cut out all processed foods and refined sugars, trained 5 days a week and at the end of a month had lost absolutely no weight or inches.  My trainer was stunned and told me he had never have that happen and didn’t know what else to do for me.  I continued working out with him and I also visited my doctor for blood work.  The only thing she could find wrong was low vitamin D levels.  She suggested I eat a 1200 calorie diet and that I check into lapband surgery.  I continued to work out and eat healthy but still was not seeing any results.

I ended up visiting another fertility specialist who was nicer but also told me I needed to go see about having weight loss surgery.  I became very discouraged and pretty much gave up.  I went back to eating whatever I wanted.  My fatigue got to the point where I literally could not function some days.  My doctor did more blood work and cortisol tests and said my thyroid levels were borderline so I was started on a low dose medicine which still didn’t help the extreme symptoms, all of which come from my PCOS.

In all my research about eating healthy and managing PCOS through diet I stumbled across PCOS Diva.  I read all the success stories and wanted to be one of those girls who had overcome the obstacles but I made excuses to myself about why the program wouldn’t work for me, or why I couldn’t afford it.  Meanwhile I suffered from mood swings, irregular cycles, acne, severe fatigue, inflammation, inability to lose weight, and every other symptom of PCOS, all of which basically destroyed my self-esteem.

At the first of the year I decided I had tried everything else and might as well give the PCOS Diva Jumpstart Program a try.  At the first of May I bought the Spring Meal Plan and began to change my eating habits.  Throughout Jumpstart week, I not only learned how to mindfully enjoy food but I began to change my mindset about who I am.  Through the daily assignments I realized I am worthy, I deserve the best life has for me.  I started learning how to stop negative self-thoughts and replace them with positive ones.  I began to love myself again.

Since Jumpstart week in the middle of May I have lost 15 lbs and I feel amazing! I have more energy, my skin has cleared up, my moods have been more stable, and for the first time in my life I have had a regular 28 day cycle.  I am amazed at the difference a month has made.  A week ago I was visiting a little local heatlh food store in my small town.  The owner has been great about helping me with supplements and gluten-free products.  As soon as I walked in she commented on how much brighter my eyes were and how the dark rings around them were going away.  She even mentioned that she could tell a difference in my skin tone.  It was a great feeling.  I highly recommend the amazing meals from the Meal Plans and Jumpstart was so much more than I expected.  I have learned so much about who I am, and who I want to be.  I cannot thank Amy enough for sharing her knowledge and her passion with others.  Just a month has made an amazing difference in my life and I can’t wait to see what other great things are going to follow, who knows, maybe even a baby somewhere down the road of this new incredible journey!