Weight Loss and PCOS

by Octavia Johnson

In February 2010, I was booking my vacation to Myrtle Beach, SC. I spent the day comparing prices and getting a reservation reserved, but all that was really on my mind was how was I really going to look at 251 pounds in a bathing suit, standing 5'5" tall.

I made a promise to myself that when June 15 came around I will definitely be at least a size smaller, not even realizing at the time that I had ballooned into a size 20. Between February and June my weight fluctuated between 240 pounds and 250 pounds. When I left for vacation I weighed 239 pounds and I truly felt like I had accomplished something.

In July I got back my vacation pictures that someone else had taken of me and I was devastated. Huge, was an understatement. I spent the rest of the month of July feeling sorry for myself, overeating and overindulging at any chance that I could.

At the beginning of August I went to get a pedicure and decided that this was to be the day that I would begin to get healthier and make changes, when I stood up from the chair the man asked me if I like the design that he had made all my toes. I looked down and the shock overwhelmed me, I couldn't see my feet at all because they were covered by my belly in front of me. I was heartbroken and ashamed.

I pulled out my old Weight Watchers books, as well as my journals so I could write down everything I ate as well as all of my exercise. It was a horrible struggle because I worked a second shift job that ended late at night .I also never ate breakfast so I started to incorporate a protein shake every day for breakfast.

For taste I would add a half a cup of organic apple juice as well as whole fresh fruits, vegetables and some times soy milk instead of apple juice. I learned immediately that the taste of fruit always hid the taste of the vegetables.

I did different exercises every day from riding my bike to walking around the block to going to the gym with a membership that I'd had for two years and rarely used. I did mostly cardio and very little weight training. I used the elliptical machine as well as the treadmill at least 3 to 4 times a week. I also made sure to incorporate 40 minutes of circuit training , which consisted of push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks , steps and any thing I could do that would use my whole body.


In January I decided that I wanted to make a difference in other people's lives. I decided that there were so many people around me who had tried repeatedly to lose weight in the past 10 years and so few had succeeded. I decided that I would get certified as a personal trainer.

At the end of February I finally finished my certification and was officially a certified personal trainer as well as certified in group training and nutrition and wellness. On Feb 16, 2011 I started back working out and as of today the April 16, 2011 I am at 195. My ideal weight is between 165 & 170 pounds. So I still have about 30 more pounds to go.


*Here I'd like to tell you about my favorite diet program that uses a lot of the healthy lower GI foods: Isabel de los Rios' 'The Diet Solution Program'.

The Diet Solution Program favours a long term health orientated approach to fat loss, but not offering anyone a quick fix to their weight troubles. It has loads of valuable data and research to support its approach. I personally investigated the program thoroughly and my mum has been using it for a while now. I have to say she got some great results.

The nutrition plan is one of the healthiest we have seen, a strong core focus on vegetables, fruits, vitamin dense foods, lean proteins, select dairy produce and a clear approach to not expecting one diet to work for all body types. So give it a try and let me know how you’re doing.*