Kimberly Singh, Julie’s resident nutrition grad student {{ also affected by PCOS! }} is back to blogging on PCOS topics. Enjoy!
Kimberly Singh, Julie’s resident nutrition grad student {{ also affected by PCOS! }} is back to blogging on PCOS topics. Enjoy!Are you tired of new year resolutions related to weight loss yet wonder what else to focus on?
As the new year approaches you may find yourself surrounded by diet culture at its annual peak. This is particularly difficult time to avoid diets.
Here are are 5 New Year’s resolutions that will help your PCOS while maintaining a weight-neutral approach.
Experiment with giving yourself permission to eat.
Allow yourself to eat without restriction and rules. This is scary at first, but eliminating the rules will allow you to better listen to your body.
Take a leap of faith, and trust yourself to shake off the rules created by diet culture.
Eliminating food rules will even make eating a more wholesome experience that creates space for connection, creativity, and warmth around food.
Engage in movement that brings you joy.
Let your body be present and fully engaged in movement. Move in a way that lets you feel connected to your body.
Strip away the judgments about stamina, duration, and frequency.
Simply let your body be.
Eat enough protein.
Julie recommends that people with PCOS experiment with eating 10 to 20 grams of protein in the morning and evening. Shift your focus away from labeling foods as good versus bad, and focus on eating enough.
Observe how this change affects your energy levels and PCOS symptoms.
I have found it helpful to create a list of go-to meals with enough protein. I like to be ready for the unexpected, so my go-to meals range from take-out to super fancy recipes.
Observe how your body reacts to different foods.
Be your own scientist as your discover how to best manage your PCOS.
Be a neutral observer as you explore how you feel after you eat different types of foods. You may find it helpful to take notes throughout this process. Observe how specific foods affect your energy levels, mood, and appetite.
Remind yourself that you can use this information as you please. This does not mean that you have to eliminate any foods that do not leave you completely energized and satisfied.
Don’t be scared to say, “no.”
Say “no” to people, ideas, and healthcare professionals that are not serving you and your PCOS experience. Listen to your gut instinct.
Stepping away from experiences that are not serving you will create space for experiences that are aligned with your values.
Want to find a way to treat your PCOS without dieting?
