I’ve been reading this kick-butt book:
And I have learned a lot. It’s also a little bit scary. It’s a great book and I’ll write a real review soon (after I finish it). Tagline:
“Does it feel as if you’re fighting your body to lose even one pound—or just to maintain your current weight? Respected health and wellness expert and bestselling author Jillian Michaels has been there, too. So she consulted top experts in the field of metabolism and discovered that she’d inadvertently been abusing her endocrine system for years. After “fixing” her own metabolism, she decided to share what she learned by devising this simple, 3-phase plan that engages all the weight-loss hormones (including the friendly HGH, testosterone, DHEA; and the not-so-friendly: insulin, cortisol, and excess estrogen).”
I identify with a lot of the issues that she talks about and I think my hormones are probably at least a little bit whacked. I’ve been on birth control (the pill) for about 3.5 years. While I was on it I lost weight (not because of the birth control) that I had gained as a freshman. Both of these things definitely mess up your hormones (thyroid, estrogen, testosterone, insulin, ghrelin, cortisol, etc…) and I’m pretty sure mine have taken a hit. There are SO many side effects of birth control (weight gain, increase or decrease in acne, dizziness, headaches, depression, loss of libido). Jillian Michaels also talks about an abundance of different hormone issues as well.
Hm. Apparently hormones are pretty important. I want my body back! I was all set to go off of the pill and see what would happen but then The Dainty Pig (a lovely macrobiotic blogger) posted her story – and it scared me! There are side effects/changes when you go OFF the pill too (weight GAIN/loss, acne, bloating, irregular periods, irritability – all the things I DON’T want)! At first I almost chickened out, but then I decided that I NEED to do this. Bobby and I have talked about the fact that I’m not the carefree and happy person that I used to be. I need to see if my hormones are part of the issue.
I want to lead a healthy, happy, clean life – and this means getting rid of toxins and seeing how my body reacts. I’m following a pretty macrobiotic diet for the first few weeks off the pill to help my body get used to it (the yogurt was really getting to me again, so I haven’t been having it; I am eating small amounts of meat though). My first day off was Monday and so far I’m doing well. I have noticed some changes, but I’m going to give it a few more weeks before I attribute them to going off. Stay tuned.
Have you read Jillian’s book? What did you think? If you haven’t, does it sound interesting to you? (Also, feel free to email me – magpie707@gmail.com – or comment about your own experiences with the pill. I’m really curious about what others have gone through and I’d be happy to share more about what I’ve experienced.) The book is a really great read and a wonderful resource – I have learned a lot and I can’t wait to review it properly for you.
