Has anyone else noticed how many infertility bloggers (including many of you, my dear readers) are working on losing weight? I think about half of the infertility bloggers in my reader are in the middle of some form of weight-loss program. I find it very interesting. Is this a good representative sample of all American women in their 20s and 30s? Or are we infertiles simply more prone to picking up other projects since we have been thwarted in our attempts at the one project we really want?
While I am not allowed to take any steps towards losing weight right now, I have been there before and so can sympathize with those of you going through it. When I finished my first year of college, I weighed in at 140 (I'm 5'4"). Definitely not overweight by objective standards. But with my small frame, I was packing quite a bit more flab than I liked, and had been slowly gaining all through high school. So, knowing very little about how to lose weight properly, I went on a crazy diet and exercise program for about 4 months. After several years of feeling very frustrated and self-conscious about my weight, I found that once I really, truly put my mind to it, it came off almost too easily. I guess I was blessed in that sense.
But then my period stopped coming...
Now I'm almost--a tiny bit--jealous of those of you who are losing weight. There's something so satisfying about watching those pounds fall off, and having a goal to work for, and feeling physically fit. But I also know how hard and frustrating it can be, and I'm cheering you all on!
Just do me a favor. Don't go overboard, like I did, okay? Our bodies really do like a bit of fat. And so do our husbands.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
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6 comments:
Ceejay - I think part of it is that being at a healthy weight is one of the most important things you can do to conceive, so when people are struggling with IF, they kick that up the priority list. Also, with PCOS, people who have it tend to struggle with weight (and be overweight) so it's sort of a lifelong battle.
Finally, it's HARD to lose weight on Clomid for some reason (that's what everyone has been telling me) and often times ppl GAIN weight on it...so for me, it's about at least maintaining my weight for the time being while I'm on the Clomid.
Thanks for the reminder about doing things the healthy way...I definitely spiral into my bulemic issues way too easily, even today. :(
This is such an interesting topic for me, I am a therapist who treats eating disorders mostly. My own weight has fluctated greatly with meds and treatments and a late pregnancy loss. I follow a meal plan now given to me by my acupuncuturist for my endo, I feel better eating this way.
I think that IF is largely an out of control experience. When we are so out of control, we want to try to control something like food or our bodies. it is terrible for me when it is all out of control at the same time. On a more shallow level, I hate not fitting into my clothes especially on days when I am already in a bad mood b/c I am on a cocktail of IF meds
:( Thanks for posting this and raising this topic.
Oh, I'm sorry you had an overboard experience. I can actually see how that could happen, I am having fun feeling skinny after losing almost 20 pounds. Luckily with a program like WW (that I'm going to at work) our leader keeps track of us and will tell us not to lose any more weight or to gain a few pounds back. She told me after my last couple pounds I should just maintain now. Thanks for your reminder! Hope you enjoy feeling skinny!
CGD makes a really good point above. In this IF business control has been completely stripped away, and that's not a good feeling. Nutrition is one of the few things where we do have a measure of control. But I can see how it would be very easy for that to tip into something unhealthy. Or, even punishing. And then, of course, the meds and the stress throw everything out of whack. It's tough.
I remember when I first got pregnant last year, I started eating whatever I wanted and gained a few pounds. The day I first saw blood on my tp and was scared that a miscarriage was coming, I sat down on the ground and cried because I was fat.
Can you believe it? I was only willing to be fat if it was going to result in a baby, but not otherwise. And I was sort of pissed. Of course my hormones were all over the place and I can't really be held accountable for crying over something so silly at that moment.
Now, I've purposely gained some weight in hopes that it helps me nourish a baby. I'm not going to worry about my weight until I either give birth or give up on reproducing. Cause I think a little chub is good for a pregnancy.
I'm the same height as you and topped out at 145 at one point. Now I'm struggling to gain weight. At the doctor's suggestion. Apparently being underweight is a trigger for miscarriage and we need all the help we can get.
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