I'm not sure if the replay on this link will even work but if you aren't familiar with PCOS Nutrition Center by now... please get familiar with the amazing resources there.   I signed up for the free webinar, but the night of... could not get on.    Below are my notes on the replay and I so wish I could afford to do the PCOS Complete Program.

The webinar focused on healthy secrets for PCOS women and how what we put into our bodies truly does impact us (like it does for any woman) .... but also how "jumping on the bandwagon" isn't exactly wise for us.   For example, Keto ... it's not a cure for PCOS.

Lately I'm really learning how my nutrition impacts my sleep and my sleep level impacts how well I care for myself.  This webinar solidified it.

One of the stats that really stood out to me was that over 50% of women with PCOS have themselves on some sort of restrictive diet.    I wouldn't be surprised if that number is actually higher.    Weight is such a struggle for me, it always has been, and I sometimes toy with the idea of having weight loss surgery.    However, even with that, I know so many women that have had surgery and it's caused a whole world of other issues or the weight just came back... or both.   

One thing I'd like to look into is my ghrelin, CCK and leptin levels.    The gals in the webinar chatted about this as well as other challenges we cysters have with diet.   Yo-yo-dieting.   Intense cravings.  Intense hunger.   Lower metabolism.   And of course how very exposed we are to inaccurate nutrition advice... even from our own doctors.

The reality is there is no long term research that shows any weight loss diet helps the majority of women with PCOS maintain that weight loss and promote health. 

In other words... diets do not work for people with PCOS!

I absolutely loved how the gals talked about this point:
FOCUSING ON WEIGHT LOSS IS HARMFUL TO PEOPLE WITH PCOS!!!
It's a simple thought... but so true... I can't even begin to explain how I felt when the gals said this.  I felt like my thoughts and feelings were completely validated.   

Oh the things I could share for HOURS on this point.  I felt further validated when they were chatting about the importance of an EMPATHETIC and SUPPORTIVE non-weight-shaming approach that is necessary for PCOS WOMEN. 

The benefits that were discussed about this "Non-Diet Approach" included normalizing eating, less binge eating, improving the quality of our nutrition, sustaining healthy behaviors, improving health and risk factors, preventing the yo-yo-ing and reducing the risk of eating and mood disorders.

I found myself longing to be able to do the PCOS complete program being discussed but it is simply not in the budget right now.

The remainder of the webinar was great conversation on these five topics:
1.  Rejecting the diet mentality
2.  Trusting yourself and practicing gentle nutrition (yay, Ovasitol!)
3.  Finding movement you ENJOY (exercise doesn't have to be hell)
4.  Practicing good sleep hygiene (something I am finally learning)
5.  Regular self care practices (it's okay to take time for YOU.... seriously!   Mindfulness is not some sort of hippie conspiracy... it helps)

Truly.... if you're able to get hooked up with the PCOS complete program, I'd love to hear about your experience.   As for me, I'm super jealous and need to win the lottery.   :P