Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is more common than we think. 1 in 10 women in the US have PCOS, imagine worldwide?! It can get so overwhelming to figure this journey out alone, especially when it’s not the easiest thing to talk about out loud. This is why Sirak (my husband & PCOS Personal Trainer) & I launched The Cysterhood App!
The Cysterhood is the one-stop spot where you can learn how to lose weight with PCOS via a PCOS Plan that has recipes, workouts and trackers. Most importantly, in the Cysterhood, we have a supportive community of like-minded women who are going through their PCOS journeys together– no matter what PCOS type they are and no matter what stage they are in.
How awesome would it be to have a go-to squad who understands what you’re going through?! From celebrating your wins to understanding your struggles.
So, in this blog post, prepare to meet our fabulous cyster, Jaime. Jaime achieved her PCOS goals in ways that will leave you feeling inspired to take your next steps. So grab your spearmint tea, and let’s dive into her empowering journey from PCOS uncertainty to triumphant self-discovery!
Jaime’s Story.
Since 2019, she has shed an impressive 31 pounds, with a remarkable 10-pound drop in the past year alone. She came to realize that weight loss wasn’t her primary goal; rather, it was about healing her body. Her journey has transformed her in more ways than one – she feels better, less stressed, more energetic, and less anxious.
In her testimony, she writes…
“My PCOS journey really started in 2019 when I stopped using birth control after 9 years because my husband and I wanted to try to have a baby.
I had no idea that I had PCOS. I gained a lot of weight in college, but I attributed that to the freshman 15, although it was more like the freshman 50 for me. So here I am, waiting and waiting for my period to come. I thought maybe it was the effects of being on birth control for so long.
So, about 6 months to a year later, right before the pandemic started, I visited my gynecologist because I hadn’t had a period since stopping birth control. She asked me if anyone had ever talked to me about PCOS. I shook my head no. She said I had enough of the symptoms to be diagnosed, had me do an ultrasound, and sent me on my way with metformin, provera, and really no other information.
I found Tallene and Sirak on Instagram and started learning as much as I could on my own. Unfortunately, my toxic trait is learning a lot and doing nothing about it. (We were also in the middle of the pandemic; it was hard times). I pretty much immediately quit taking the metformin because of all the tummy issues. I’m a counselor, and although I was working from home at the time, it’s not like I could run to the bathroom in the middle of hour-long sessions all day long.
Around 2021, since our goal was still to have a baby, my gynecologist prescribed provera and letrozole to try to make me ovulate, and after a few tries, she said she had to send me to a fertility clinic. I refused to go.
I knew I could do this on my own, so I got serious about it. I started eating more vegetables and lean protein. I started working out. It was short-lived; however, I was eating healthy maybe half the time and the other half just shoveling sweets in my mouth because I love them so much to the point where I would feel sick.
In 2022, in order to convince my husband to go to the doctor about his sleep apnea, I agreed to also go and do a check-up. After my blood work came back, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I was shocked. I had no idea that I could develop diabetes because I wasn’t managing my PCOS. I wasn’t really managing anything. I was still bloated, still plucking chin hairs, but now diabetes? That scared the bejeebus out of me, and I hit it hard again. Healthy food, exercising, checking blood sugar.
I had no idea what I was doing, honestly. After more research on my own, I was able to get a continuous glucose monitor and really understand how my body reacts to food. I eat more protein now, a lot fewer carbs, and a lot more veggies as well. I’ve learned that balance is key. Consistently decent is better than striving for perfection in the short term.
And here are my results!
I’ve continued to listen to the Cyster and Her Mister podcast. I’ve gotten my A1C down to 5.7. We did end up going to the fertility clinic, but unfortunately, still have not gotten pregnant, but we haven’t given up. Since 2019, I’ve lost 31 pounds, with at least 10 of those being just in the past year. I’ve come to realize that I didn’t lose weight when I tried to lose it, but I did lose weight when I tried to heal my body. Everything is better now.
I feel better, I’m less stressed, I’ve got more energy, I’ve got less anxiety, and I’ve slimmed down. I still have some issues like the few black chin hairs, being bloated at times, and still having that stubborn fat around my midsection, but I’ve gotten significantly better and still have room to grow. I’m thankful to have learned all I have so far. Luckily, my diabetes was at a point where I didn’t need medication and it could be reversed.
My mother was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2022 and had a complete hysterectomy. I’m convinced she has PCOS too and didn’t realize it, and that’s why she developed cancer. Luckily, they caught it early, and she’s perfectly fine now. Tallene recently did a podcast about the dangers of untreated PCOS, and let me tell you, 25-year-old me would have thought none of that could happen to me.
Nearly 30-year-old me knows better now. I really appreciate her & Sirak’s ability to be real on a platform that reaches so many people. I was inspired to download The Cysterhood App and have never looked back since.
Y’all take care of your bodies! It’s the only one you get.”
– Jaime
Jaime’s journey is a powerful reminder that with determination, support, and the right resources, you can conquer the challenges of PCOS and lose weight. Her transformation is an inspiration to us all, and it’s a testament to the strength of our Cysterhood community. I am so proud of my Cyster!
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey, and together, we can support each other toward a healthier, happier life.
For more tips on how to lose weight with PCOS, check out our podcast, A Cyster and Mister, and download our app, The Cysterhood App!
