Today at 4pm EST, I’ll be doing a live #curvyconvo chat on about PCOS on twitter and facebook. PCOS stands for Polyciystic Ovarian Syndrome and a LOT of Plus Size Princesses have it, whether they know it or not.

I have PCOS and I think its important to discuss it from time to time because there is often a connection between the syndrome and weight. My initial post on PCOS can be found here and a small debate about PCOS and weight can be found here, you can also click on the PCOS tag on the blog to see everything we’ve discussed so far.

The conversation will continue this afternoon at 4pm, hopefully you’ll log on and share/ask questions.

Now onto our Plus Size Princess Fitness Challenge! You guys are inspiring me by hitting the ground running this week, here are a few of the girls who are rocking this challenge by eating well, working out 4 times a week and logging their efforts on twitter/instagram:

We are off to a great start! #PSPfit

I hate talking about bodily functions, but I can’t tell this story without it. *hides face*

A few Novembers back, I was in a “woe is me” weight loss mood and in my desperation, I scooped up a starter pack of Alli, the first FDA approved over the counter weight loss pill. I skimmed over the directions (take with food… low-fat diet… blah blah blah) and jumped right into the bottle with hopes of ending the year a few pounds lighter than I was.

I was doing fine, taking the pills with each meal and working out. Then I went to Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving…

In the middle of cooking Thanksgiving dinner, we were starving so we drove through taco bell for a quick bite while we finished the meal. Normally, I would order a burrito and a mexican pizza but I was on Alli and eating better so I just ordered a bean burrito and took my Alli pill with it. That’s when it all went terribly wrong.

I ate the burrito in the car and 20 minutes later started to feel kind of… gasy *blush*. I thought nothing of it until I went to use the bathroom. For a second I thought I had started my period and stained my underwear, but… it was orange… and greasy. Then I looked in the toilet and oh… em… gee… You know when you’re cooking and you put oil in water and it the oil puddles just float in the water? Well, it looked just like that. Yuck.org!

Although I was with family, there was no way I was going to burst into the kitchen and ask “why am I leaking orange grease?!” so I ducked into my room, changed clothes and I quickly googled stuff on my phone. That’s when realized that I must have had too much fat in my body and the Alli pill was like Um, no girl… it doesn’t work like this and forced the fat out of my body without my permission in the form of icky greasy puddles.

From my google research, I learned that I had gotten off easy… some people had actually pooped their pants after taking Alli and eating too much fat. Interestingly a lot of the women who had pooped their pants taking Alli, were sharing tips like “wear a pad or diapers!” or “wear dark pants!” my solution to greasy gas and the possibility of pants pooping was more simple… stop taking Alli!

I’ve learned more about my body and PCOS, so I know that carbs and sugar are my weight gain triggers, not fat. I also don’t eat a high fat diet, so Alli really isn’t for me. As I continue with the Plus Size Princess Fitness Challenge, I keep reminding myself that there are no quick fixes to weight loss and even if you do find one it might turn out to be pretty, um… crappy!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, LOVELIES!

xoxo

When I decided to jump into a 30 day fitness challenge, I knew there was going to be one week that was RUINED, that week has arrived because Aunt Flow is in town (pass the tylenol & heating pads!).

I have PCOS, so I never ever take it for granted when my period comes but I definitely have to buckle down because its guaranteed that I will gain 2-9 pounds. I will get on the scale Tuesday to get a more accurate weigh-in, but in the meantime here are some #PSPfit girls who have been rocking it and shedding pounds! (My Instagram: PlusSizePrincess, use the #PSPfit tag to join us!)

The Plus Size Princess Fitness Challenge is in full swing and watching you girls work out and eat right is so awesome.

How did you guys do this week? Any losses, gains or good moments?

The following post is an elaboration on something I mentioned briefly at the beginning of this post in 2011. Very few of you caught what I mentioned, but those who did wished me well and that meant so much to me. I was pretty much traumatized by what happened and haven’t been able to blog about it until now. I shared this story briefly during Love Songs & Curvy Conversations on Saturday and so I will go into detail here for those of you who missed it. -CeCe

Climbing a short flight of stairs at work, I was winded. Like, really winded… my heart was racing and I couldn’t catch my breath. Once I got to the top of the stairs, I slowly walked to my desk to rest. Yes, one flight of stairs caused me to sit down and rest at my desk.

I knew something was wrong but I couldn’t figure out what.

I had been taking vigorous classes at the gym that lasted an hour and had no problems getting through them, so why was a single flight of stairs suddenly a problem for me?

Later that evening, the walk from the train to my house was also very difficult. I was trying to walk at my usual brisk pace, but it felt like I was running a marathon. The more I thought about it, the only time I’d ever felt like this was in 2006 when I was taking birth control to regulate my period. As most of you know, I have PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome. Birth control/metformin is a common prescription combination upon PCOS diagnosis. While taking birth control, I developed a blood clot in my leg (you know those fast warnings they list at the end of prescription drug commercials? yeah, those things actually happen). Anyway, we caught the clot early and after taking blood thinners for six months, I was given a clean bill of health and instructions to NEVER take birth control again, which I adhered to.

When I got home I called my Mom. I was due to fly home to California a few days later and I was scared I’d have to cancel my trip.

“Something’s wrong with me,” I said, then I gave her the rundown of what I’d been experiencing.

“CeCe, that doesn’t sound good at all. Can you get an appointment with your doctor tomorrow?”

“I can, but I don’t want to,” I replied.

“…why?” my Mother asked.

“If I go to the doctor and tell her that I’m out of breath when I go up a flight of stairs, she’s just going to tell me to lose weight.”

My Mom sighed deeply, “She might say that, but that’s not a reason to not go. You have to make an appointment tomorrow” I heard in her voice that this was non-negotiable, so I agreed and hung up with her.

My experience with doctors is that “lose weight” is their advice for anything I bring up to them. Even though I never had “fat person” health issues… no high blood pressure or cholesterol, etc. I felt like doctors never dug deeper when it came to my health, they just looked at me and the number that came up on the scale and felt that they saw the root all of my problems.

The next day, I went to see my doctor as promised. I told her what was happening to me, she took all of the initial reads of blood pressure, heart rate and temperature.

“I’m getting winded really easily and that’s not normal for me,” I said, “the only other time I’ve felt like this is when I had a blood clot in my calf from taking birth control.”

She asked me to take off my shoes and climb back onto the doctor bed in the room. The simple energy it took to follow her instructions made my heart race. “See, even doing something as simple as taking off my shoes makes me feel winded,” I told her. She took a look at my legs, “you seem fine… no swelling or tenderness, right?”

“Right.”

“Well, its probably your thyroid,” the doctor said, pumping hand sanitizer into her hands.

“My thyroid?” I said. I’d never been told I had thyroid issues before although I had an inkling that thyroid problems were considered a fat girl health issue, but I wasn’t sure. The doctor didn’t seem to think I was dying, even though the thought had crossed my mind.

“Do you think I’m okay to fly to California tomorrow?”

“You’ll be fine. When you get back, lets make an appointment with a cardiologist too, just to be safe. Of course, if you feel really terrible go to the ER.”

I feel really terrible now I thought to myself, but I didn’t fight her to do more. She was the doctor right? Even though my body was talking to me, the doctors voice rang louder. To be completely honest, I didn’t want anything to be wrong with me, which is probably why I accepted the doctors casual diagnosis. A girl in her 20′s shouldn’t be having crazy health issues and I’ve always been healthy and active despite my weight. I was fine… just my thyroid… I’d deal with everything after I flew to California and back.

“Okay,” I said and left her office.

Do any of you feel like your doctor can’t see past your weight?

(You ca read part two here…)

The other day at the gym, I was taking a boot camp class. As I fought my way through a three minute push-up session, I looked up at the girls in front of me. Both of them had on capri pants and both of them had super hairy legs. I’m not going to lie, I was a little jealous about their carefree attitude towards body hair.

As a girl with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, I am obsessive when it comes to shaving. I’m constantly shaving or tweezing one part of my body or another and it can be exhausting! In the summer, I run through razors really fast between shaving my legs and everything else. Before I was dating someone, winter would be the time of year when I could take a break from shaving my legs. I’d only shave my legs when the hair started poking through my tights (don’t judge!).

A few weeks ago I attended the launch of a new web series called Dating Rules From My Future Self. I had to laugh when I noticed that the event was sponsored by Schick Quattro and their new Trim Style Razor & Bikini Trimmer. I’ve realized recently that dating Robert has interrupted my winter shaving hiatus. I guess Schick figured out that for women, dating and shaving go hand in hand.

PCOS and the hair maintenance that comes with it has made the Schick Quattro one of my favorite razors for years. When you’re basically shaving 65% of your body, four blades make a HUGE difference. I’d never tried the trimmer version before, but I really liked it. As you know, I get my “little CeCe” waxed, but the trimmer is great to use on your underarms. I tend to get painful ingrown hairs under my arms and if you want a hairless look without risking ingrown hairs, trimming is a great way to do that. I hope that wasn’t TMI…

Since I’m offering shaving tips, I’d also suggest the skintimate shaving gel. Not only do they smell delicious but they’re a great moisturizing product to use when shaving in the winter, which I’m doing a lot of now. Between the Schick Quattro and Skintimate products, my weekly shaving routine is a little less laborious.

Anyway, I’ve got the scoop on a $3 Schick coupon for everyone AND a gift pack of the Schick Quattro Trimstyle & some skintimate shave gel for one TBGB reader, details below!

For the $3 Schick Quattro coupon, take the Dating Trimstyle quiz here

If you’d like to win the gift pack, you must:

1.) Be an email subscriber to TBGB, subscribe here (or on the top right side of the page, click the “@” icon).

2.) Leave a comment on this post!

Good Luck!

I’m crazy about you, CeCe but I don’t understand the reason for you wanting to lose weight? Your blog is called The Big Girl Blog, but maybe you should change the name? I’m not judging you, every one has to do what’s best for them, but I feel like you should be careful about falling into the trap of another plus-size princess who advertises her site as a place where readers can come to read about your adventures, but you also share weight-loss tips. My problem with dieting? Most people gain the weight back and then some within 5 years. Maybe you won’t . . . Anyway, good luck on your exercise journey, and if you are trying to lose weight, I hope you are doing it for the right reasons.

The note above came from a reader who comments on TBGB often named Piper. I love Piper, she’s supportive, opinionated and keeps in touch via the blog and facebook fan page. When I read her comment, it kind of caught me off guard. I feel like I’m pretty open about my health goals but if she’s feeling like this maybe other people are too. So I’ll address her note and hopefully clear things up for anyone who has questions/concerns about the weight loss aspect of this blog.

What is the reason for you wanting to lose weight?

I have Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and weight is directly connected with the side effects of that condition. When I keep my weight down my periods are regular, my face is clear and my testosterone levels come down. Many women with PCOS have to lose weight before they can get pregnant. If I can lose weight now, maybe when the time comes for me to have kids, it wont be so hard.

Your blog is called The Big Girl Blog, but maybe you should change the name?

My blog is called The Big Girl Blog, not The Curvy Girl Blog or The Thick Girl Blog or anything like that. I am not curvy or thick… I am a Big Girl. Seriously, I could lose a significant amount of weight and still be plus size… As I’ve said before, I’m 99% sure I will be plus size for the rest of my life. It seems like that’s what my body is designed to be, I just think it will be healthier if I’m on the smaller end of plus.

I’m not judging you, every one has to do what’s best for them, but I feel like you should be careful about falling into the trap of another plus-size princess who advertises her site as a place where readers can come to read about your adventures, but you also share weight-loss tips.

You are judging me… and I’m okay with that haha! By sharing the intimate details of my life here I have to be prepared for judgement. This is a place where readers can come to read my adventures and part of that is weight loss. If something works for me, I’m going to share it just like I share the clothing brands I like. TBGB is my story, and weight loss attempts are a part of that- I’m honest with you guys about everything and I’m not going to start censoring myself.

My problem with dieting? Most people gain the weight back and then some within 5 years. Maybe you won’t…

I don’t think you ever hear me use the word “diet” because that’s not what I’m doing… I’m on a journey to be as healthy as I can. Weight loss comes with that. I’ve lost 60+ pounds on diets before and you’re right… I did gain it back. But again, I never ever said I was dieting. I talk about fitness goals and health goals but not dieting. I hope you’re not projecting what you read on other blogs onto mine, be sure to read what you see, not what you think I’m saying.

Anyway, good luck on your exercise journey, and if you are trying to lose weight, I hope you are doing it for the right reasons.

Thanks Piper! Thanks for your concern and voicing your opinion. You’re a long time reader and supporter of TBGB. I appreciate you and I love that you feel comfortable enough to tell me what you’re thinking… hopefully I’ve answered your questions and put you at ease that I’m being true to myself.

xoxo,

CeCe

Last month, I was tweeting about how my period always catches me by surprise. I’ll find myself on the verge of tears for no reason or super frustrated with a friend and then in a moment of clarity, I’ll check my period tracker on my iPhone and see that Aunt Flow is due t arrive any moment… then my craziness all makes sense!

Unfortunately, my emotions aren’t the only thing that shifts drastically once a month…

I stepped on the scale yesterday morning and BOOM I had gained three pounds… literally over night! I racked my brain for any hidden calories in my meals over the past few days and I had been pretty good in my eating. I had been working out too, so there was no reason for me to be up three pounds.

A few hours later while I was at work, “Aunt Flow” arrived with my monthly gift.

Of course!!!

Every month along with emotional instability, my menstrual cycle brings weight gain… and lots of it. Sometimes its two pounds, sometimes as much as nine! But for someone who is watching her weight like a hawk, seeing those numbers and feeling bloated can be really upsetting.

The first few times time it happened, I let it get me down. I didn’t work out as often and I indulged in everything that I had a craving for. It took two weeks for my weight to come back down even though my cycle only lasts for one.

After that, I started to changed my game plan when Aunt Flow was in town. Now on the first day of my period, I pop some asprin for cramps and I allow myself to eat Nutella out of the jar with a spoon (don’t judge me!). Then after that, I rock my “Period Plan” to make sure that I’m doing the right thing for my weight loss every day even though I know the scale wont move.

I work out, I eat right and I drink lots and lots of water. Usually when I do this, by the time my cycles over I’ve lost the menstrual weigh and a little more.

I know everyone’s cycle is different and some girls don’t have the energy to carry on a normal work-out routine, I feel like I don’t have a choice. With my PCOS, I’m lucky that I’m even having monthly periods so I do my best to keep my weight down. Plus, I always feel much better when I’m active instead of sitting around in sweats and a tank top!

Does anyone else have a “Period Plan”?

Hello Cece,

I have been reading your blog for about 6 months and very much enjoy your writing and perspective … but I am always bothered when you bring up the topic of PCOS for a number of reasons. Mostly because I have severe PCOS. I am on metformin (insulin support), spironolactone (testosterone inhibitor), and birth control. One of my ovaries was completely destroyed by scar tissue before I was even diagnosed. If my condition gets any worse, my endocrinologist has suggested that I go on a special-mix hormone injection on a bi-weekly basis as I’m pretty much maxed out on the pills. So please do not think that this email is coming from a lack of understanding. Trust me. I understand.

But PCOS does not make you over-weight. In fact, being over-weight can actually TRIGGER the symptoms of PCOS, i.e. many people’s symptoms lessen or completely disappear if they lose weight. Now I am not going to claim that losing weight isn’t more difficult when you have PCOS - most doctors now (finally) agree that it is. However, it is not impossible - and I think that it’s important that the public voices of the PCOS community are quite clear on that point. Many of your readers could be one of the lucky ones that can get real symptom relief upon losing weight.

Before I realized I had PCOS, I was a sugar addict (which obviously is the key driver for gaining weight with PCOS). Upon diagnosis, I was 175 pounds, i.e. over the healthy BMI zone - I’m 5’6 btw. I then started taking my medication, working out, closely monitoring my calorie intake, and working with my endocrinologist to set up a PCOS-friendly diet (i.e. no sugar, no white starch). I lost 40 pounds and am now back into a healthy range on the BMI scale though by no means rail thin. So I STILL have severe PCOS … but I’m no longer overweight.

I am not writing this to judge those women who want to lose weight and have a hard time doing so. I understand what it feels like to not be happy with your body and have to struggle twice as hard as others for every pound lost. But a message of hopelessness to PCOS women is not a responsible one and I encourage you to confirm my email with a doctor and adjust the messaging on your blog (and monitor commenters accordingly, who are sometimes misinformed on PCOS to an extreme level). You owe it to your very loyal readers to share the truth about their situation.

I don’t mind if you post this letter, though I’m guessing that you won’t.

Take care,
Jess

Hey Jess,

I’m surprised that you think I wouldn’t post your letter, I think you make an interesting point.

Every persons weight/weight loss story is different and every PCOS story is different. I love that you’re bringing up another side of PCOS. I also appreciate that you’re willing to share your personal story.

My understanding of the connection between PCOS & Weigh Gain is that one can trigger the other, but there are mixed opinions about which does what. Its like the old adage “which came first, the chicken or the egg?” but that’s just scratching the surface of what triggers PCOS. I’ve met people with PCOS who are super skinny, so there’s not a 100% proven cause. But at the end of the day I am not a doctor, so I’m not qualified to debate PCOS. I can only talk about my history and experiences.

When I share my stories on TBGB, I never have the desire to send a “message of hopelessness” as you say. I’m kind of sad that you’ve interpreted my writing that way because I live my life just the opposite. The spirit of this blog is that being over weight is not the end of the world. For me, having PCOS is not the end of the world either.

Every Wednesday I talk about my weight loss and work outs… and when I gain weight I never blame PCOS. Weight loss with PCOS is possible, sometimes it just takes a little more dedication… its all about choices.

Hopefully your letter will shine some light on another experience and influence different thoughts, but I don’t plan on monitoring my readers comments. I like when people to speak their minds (as you did in your letter) and I also think its important for my fellow PSP’s to feel comfortable on TheBigGirlBlog… this is a safe space.

Anyway, congrats on your weight loss 40 pounds is a huge accomplishment!

-CeCe

CeCe@thebiggirlblog.com