Arbonne and GF experiment - RESULTS

SoonToBeMommaHowe

Hey guys,
   I just wanted to put this out there in case it could help someone else. I'm currently 15 months post MC and decided after two failed Letrozole cycles in January and February that I wanted to focus on getting my body and cycle back to normal naturally.

My unmedicated post MC cycles have averaged 42 days (pre-MC they were 31-33 days). I coped with my struggles by eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted and kept the 18 lbs I put on while pregnant. I asked my OB how to shorten my follicular phase and get my shorter cycles back and she said "Clomid is the only way."

On June 1st I committed myself to a gluten free diet, while reducing my intake of sugar and dairy, and also did one 30 day trial of Arbonne. After two and half months of dietary changes, I just had a "normal" 32 day cycle, with a 13 day LP.

Please don't underestimate the impact your diet has on all the systems in your body, esp your reproductive system. There are definitely issues that diet cannot cure and medical intervention is necessary, but there are many cases where making healthy changes to your diet could save you a lot of money and allow your body to do what it's supposed to do without pumping it full of meds. (If you don't like meds like me, that is a plus)

KarenBeth714

Thanks for posting. I'll look into it. I gained 12 pounds during my pregnancy before our loss and it's messed me up for sure. It hasent been easy to lose and I've been eating pretty healthy and working out. It's so hard for me bc of all the stress we have been dealing with, I definrely turn to food for comfort maybe if there is a group of others here that would like to start a little support thread for this, we could help each other with a health check in or something. 

ladipale

I'm currently on day 16 of a whole 30 (no dairy, grains, beans) and feel awesome. Trying to finally shed the weight I gained during the pregnancy and then after. 

SoonToBeMommaHowe

@KarenBeth714 I agree that the struggle is real when it comes to losing pregnancy weight, esp after loss because depression/anxiety = weight gain for me bc I most certainly turn to food for comfort. But gluten free hasn't been that difficult, I wasn't huge on pasta or bread but I did have to give up snacky processed food which was tough since I grabbed a BelVita for breakfast nearly every morning. But now I give myself a few extra minutes in the morning and have 2-3 eggs and fruit or eggs and a GF granola bar. I started baking with GF flour and subbing coconut oil wherever possible. It's made a huge difference in a short amount of time. 

@ladipale way to be kicking butt on the whole 30!! Glad to hear you're feeling so good Good luck with your weight loss.

TScalei

I definitely have pregnancy weight to lose too after back to back losses and stress/ depression that comes with it. I am glad Im not the only one!  Its hard I definitely cut myself some slack when I am pg and let myself eat things I wouldn't normally and then after both my mc Im just so down that I definitely turn too food for comfort.

@KarenBeth714 _ I would definitely be interested in a group on here. Could keep people accountable, share what work outs we are doing, healthy meal ideas etc?

rainbowturtles

I had asked about creating a "healthy living" type thread before so I'm definitely game I just want to make sure that the ladies with very recent losses aren't being too hard on themselves. I love the idea of keeping each other accountable and cheerleading and maybe focusing on being healthy/active more than WL specifically? 

RiverSong15

I'd also be down for a healthy living thread. I think we all could benefit from some positive self-care! I gained about 10 pounds from each MC and stress eating. I've been feeling like I need to spend some time focusing on getting in a healthier space, physically and mentally. 

KarenBeth714

Great! I'll start a health check in Friday so we can share what we've been up to in terms of keeping ourselves healthy and happy as we continue ttc and share small manageable weekly goals in diet and exercise! We did it for a while in my Bmb and it was helpful. 

Immediately after my loss I was pretty hard on myself, but focusing on the gym really helped me fight the depression- so I welcomed it as a motivation. Fall is a great time to start up again!

rainbowturtles

I'm sure it's fine @KarenBeth714 but maybe just ask in the weekly checkin what people's thoughts are since there are more eyes on that thread? I can't see anyone being super opposed but just out of courtesy perhaps. If I'm being silly then just disregard me lol

DungeonTrollMel

So glad to hear others struggle with MC weight gain and the difficulty losing it. Not that I'm glad you guys all gained wait, just that I'm not alone in it. I've gained 25lbs this year between my 3 losses and it does not help the body loathing that inherintly comes wih child loss already 

RiverSong15

@DungeonTrollMel Yep, I hear you on the body loathing. The weight gain is just another way to beat myself up over my losses. It IS nice to know you're not alone.

roxgibbons

I love this idea! When I first started on my journey I was all about clean eating/paleo-ish eating and after a year and half of getting beat up in this process and our loss-I've definitely fallen off the healthy eating wagon on several times and used food as a way to deal with stress and fertility meds have not helped. 

@DungeonTrollMel  @RiverSong15 I'm suffering with some serious body loathing as well. It'll be good to work on the outside while the inside figures things out.

ladipale

Add me to the body loathing band wagon. (@DungeonTrollMel @RiverSong15 @roxigibbons) Its awful. And hard because I have two young girls and I need to praise my body around them. Thats why I am doing a Whole 30 - trying to prove to myself and my body that i CAN do something when I want to....

BitterBetty12

Add me to the same band wagon. I was actually doing really well and at my lowest weight since my wedding when I got pregnant. Since my miscarriage I have spiraled down an emotional eating hole and have gained 17 pounds. I'm having so much trouble getting out of this habit. I've always had issues with weight gain and emotional eating, so I'm not surprised that I turned to food for comfort. But I really needed to be doing the opposite considering I still had a lot of weight to lose. And now I feel like I've failed myself on two fronts instead of just one. I hate that this is a common issue for us but I'm glad to have the support. 

SoonToBeMommaHowe

+1 on the body loathing. And hand in hand with the body loathing for me is lack of libido. I don't like what my body looks like so I don't want to be naked, which leads to a lot less BD, which leads to poorly times cycles, guilt about not enough BD, blah blah blah....it's a vicious cycle.

chloe97

Add me too please. I actually lost weight during both pregnancies- I could not gain a lb no matter what I ate and I ate constantly. Then I immediately gained 7 lbs after each loss. I had been down 15-20lbs when I got married a year ago, and now I'm right back to where I was. I honestly think there is something hormonal about recovering from a MC that causes weight gain, because I really don't eat that much worse than I used to. Sigh. 

DungeonTrollMel

@SoonToBeMommaHowe ditto on the impact on BD when I can't stand how I look naked. I finally decided to need to own it so Saturday I went and got some cute and comfy nighties to wear at night that make me feel better. Lace combined with soft stretchy cotton is a win on both fronts. 

TScalei

Add me to the body loathing bandwagon. @bitterbetty12 it definitely makes me feel like I've failed myself on two accounts. I just told my DH yesterday that I can't do anything right with my body. So glad I'm not alone in this!
@rainbowturtles - I would agree with not putting on emphasis on weight loss too. Maybe just sharing ideas, setbacks, progress etc. and get some support and ideas. This board is so supportive and I would hate to lose any of that.

SoonToBeMommaHowe

Also we could share healthy recipes or different types of fun workouts. I would say it can't be about just weight loss or it could make people feel bad and that wouldn't be the point of it 

ladipale

Agree with everyone! I've had days where I need to just allow myself to eat whatever as part of the mourning process and that is OK... but other days I need to work out multiple times to feel strong. My current whole 30 is also more about feeling empowered and strong than really losing weight... 
so, an 'empowered body' check-in?

KarenBeth714

Yes I was saying a health check in focusing on being healthy and happy in body and mind and just supporting each other through the process. Not focusing on weight loss- but getting back to feeling good about ourselves- sharing fitness goals, workouts, meal plans and recipes.
the body hating is real. It was a major blow to my self esteem to have to but all new pants and pretty much a completely new spring and summer wardrobe after everything I went through this year.. Like, really? 
I'll pose the idea to the weekly thread to let others know and join in. 

brooklyngirl18

so much this! I can't seem to drop the weight or find the motivation to drop the weight. I'm in such a funk with my body. I'd love a health check in.

dpjennifer

I'm all for the healthy check-in!  I also have struggled with weight and health since my MC.  I finally lost the 10+ pounds I'd put on after my first MC, but am struggling to lose more and/or keep motivated to keep it off!

yolandamunoz

Oh please add me!!!

I gained 5 kilos when I got pregnant the first time (January 2016), and after my MC I just didn't have the will power to diet. And I turned every day to food for comfort. Like, chocolates, with potato chips, with ice cream, while watching Netflix. It was not pretty.

After my second loss, doctors asked for several blood work, and I discovered I had insulin resistance, and hiper-prolactinemia. So for my insulin problem I had to go on a diet. My nutritionist was very optimistic that with my diet I could control my insulin and get pregnant again, and carry to term.

Three months after I changed my eating habits, I have lost at least 3 kilos, and reduced my waist by 3 cm! I went down one size of pants. This has given me renewed hopes to get my body in shape to TTC again.

I will be happy to share my experiences, and cheer other ladies, and ask for cheering when needed (I am on an alcohol-free diet, I NEED cheering LOL).

Hugs!
_Y

yolandamunoz

I read some posts about not emphasizing the weight loss... I agree. I didn't mean to hurt anybody's feelings, I'm sorry if i did.

For me the problem with the weight (and pant sizes) is that because of my insulin resistance, I tend to turn extra calories into fat right away. And this fat is stored around my waist. So it is a symptom that my nutritionist is very strict to check every time I go.