I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2007. In addition to the PCOS I also am insulin resistant and have a gluten intolerance. Since then I have been on a rollar coaster of meds, weight gain, dieting problems, etc. After I had my son in 2011 I didn't do too much other than focusing on becoming a good mom. As a result of the PCOS mixed in with caring for my sons special needs his first year (cleft palate baby) I was gaining weight instead of losing. April 2012 I went on the Atkins diet and went from 170 pounds down to 138. April 2013 I reconnected with someone from my past who gently nudged (ok pushed) me into going to the gym. In June 2013 I began my love affair with body building and lifting. I have been going religiously almost daily and have been pushing myself hard. Since then I have went from 138 pounds down to 125. I have been off my PCOS medication for almost 5 full months and have been living a very low carb, gluten free diet for a while. I love that I have been able to find a fantastic lifestyle that helps ME be in control of my PCOS and not the other way around. It gives me more energy to be a good mom as well as a teacher.

Working out gives me the opportunity to get all the stress of the day out. I tend to be able to take a lot of stress and I have A LOT of patience, but after a while it just gets hard to keep it in and then I have a breakdown. Hell if you taught 30 kindergarteners everyday I'm pretty sure you'd wanna pull your hair out too! Dumbells become one of my best friends at this point a good pump really works out all of that tension that you need to hold back throughout the day! By working out I can get all the stress of teaching out of my body so I am a much happier person.