Finding Healthy Food Substitutes

I still didn’t get my period this month and it’s affecting my diet big time. I want to eat sweet stuff or carbs every now and then. Good thing I bought yogurt the other day because I had it instead of ice cream. I need to make major food replacements in my diet so that I can get the results that I want. I wonder if there’s a good substitute for rice. LOL!

Where To Buy Fashionable Plus Sized Clothes

For the past few months, I have been talking about the many dreadful aspects of PCOS. But today, I want to be more positive in focusing only on how I’d survived as a plus sized woman in a “petite world”. Living in Asia particularly the Philippines, I have very limited options because most of the clothes are tailored for the figure of Filipinos – very petite.

Before I had problems with this disorder, I could easily fit into clothes that were either worn by a mannequin or displayed on the rack. I love being in fashion, and it’s one of the things that I truly enjoy as a woman. So when I began to have weight problems with PCOS, it was totally heartbreaking

In the early stages, my self-esteem was so low that I didn’t bother dresssing up fashionably. For as long as the clothes fit, I bought them without even taking a good look at myself. But since I have been welcoming positive things in my life, I have vowed to make the most out of life despite having PCOS.

Since it’s a challenge to look for plus sized wear in our area, I have made a list of the stores that have a plus sized line:

1.    SM Department Stores – All SM Department Stores carry a line for plus sized women. I believe the name is Ladies Circle. They have tops ranging from P 400 to P800 and bottoms priced at P 500 and up. Their style is usually casual although they also have very basic pieces for a corporate look. I think they are the most affordable as compared to the other brands that I am familiar with.

2.    Robinsons Department Stores – Just like SM, Robinsons have their own line of plus sized clothing. I like their designs but their cut is so unforgiving for my body shape and figure. I am quite tall, and I need longer length tops to conceal the areas that I want to hide. I like their designs though. Price is slightly more expensive than SM but still within the affordable range.

3.    Collezione – If you want to buy very basic casual shirts, Collezione makes extra sizes for almost all their styles. Price range is from P 400 up to P 700 depending on the design.

4.    Landmark – I like Landmark at Trinoma because it carries quite a few brands specializing in plus sized wear. They have tops and bottoms to suit your every budget. Their style is very classic, and quite formal for my taste. But if you need work wear, it’s definitely the place to go shopping. Price will depend on the designs. Tops are reasonably priced at P300 up and bottoms at P 400 up.

5.    Tubby – As the brand name implies, it’s really for the plus sized woman. Their style is mostly for the corporate look, although they occasionally have a few pieces for the casual chic. But I like their accessories though. They have belts, necklaces, etc…for the plus sized fashionista. Price for tops is at 800 up, and pants at P1000 above.

6.    Maxine – I really like this brand because of their cut. Colors are usually very basic from black, white, beige, and gray. But they do have colorful tops available from time to time. I like their designs because you can mix and match their items depending on the look that you want to have. Prices for tops range from P 799 up and for bottoms at P 999 up.

7.    Sassa – If you need to find good quality active wear, this is the brand for you. They have plus sized items for most of their designs. I love their sweat pants! Price range from 499 up – quite reasonable!

8.    Maldita X – I love Maldita X! It’s a relatively new concept by Maldita but it’s suited for the plus sized woman! I love their designs. It’s one of my fave brands for tops. I really like the quality of their blouses and the fact that they change stocks quite frequently. Tops are priced at P 1000 and up. They still don’t have individual stores, and they only display their items at selected SM Department Stores.

9.    Debenhams – I like this shop because they have extra sizes for most of their clothes. They have sizes for almost everything from jeans, shirts, blouse and even dresses. For tops, prices range from P 800 for tees, P 1500 for tops, and P 2000 up for bottoms. They are quite pricey as compared to the other brands but the quality is very good!

If you know of any other stores, please let me know. I’d be more than happy to add them on the list.

Tempted To Indulge

When it’s almost the time of the month, I always have issues with my diet. I sometimes overeat, or I go overboard with sweets or something salty. Of course, these would just create more problems with my present state of healthy. Ugh! It’s hard to be so hormonal!

How I Learned To Accept My Changed Body

Many women dream to have an hourglass figure. With many magazines and ads portraying celebrities in their perfect form, it puts the standard of being fit at a very high level. Struggling with PCOS, I have always struggled with my weight. When I starved myself before, the lowest that I got on the scale was only 120 lbs. And I noticeably had a fuller waist, even if the other parts of me were thin.

I was only diagnosed with PCOS when I was in my early 20’s, and it somehow explained why my body seemed like an inflatable balloon. There were times when I was so bloated, and there were other times when I’d immediately have noticeable weight loss. Even before I got diagnosed, the weight fluctuations were huge. Right before having my period, I couldn’t fit into my usual jeans because I’d easily put on 10 lbs. And a week after my period, I’d slowly shed it off unintentionally.

But after my pregnancy, these weight fluctuations became so much worse. I now have to work hard on losing the pounds that I unconsciously gained while waiting for my period. When I easily lost the added weight before, I now have to work extra hard just to lose all the weight from being so bloated. When I see friends whom I haven’t seen for a while, they’d ask me if I was on steroids! It’s really that crazy.

Since I felt so out of control, I went into depression and I struggled with my very low self-esteem. Somehow I secretly envied pregnant women because they can flaunt their growing bellies, while I am so miserable with mine. But after feeling so sorry for myself, I decided to learn more about PCOS so that I can accept my changing physical appearance.

It took me around 2 years to accept this apple shaped figure. Since then, I no longer worry too much on whoever I end up bumping at the mall or at the grocery store because I have realized that despite my flaws, this is the body that carried my baby until almost term. And although I’d love to get back in shape, I have learned to accept that it may take longer for me to achieve my goal as compared to other women.

If you have PCOS and you are upset with how you look, never feel that you are alone. After I started to interact with other PCOS women, I have learned to admire their strength and their will to make the most out of life. These women taught me that despite our struggles, life is still beautiful even if it’s with PCOS!

Staying Hopeful

I have always noticed that when I am stressed, it is more difficult to avoid carbs. It’s like my comfort food. Although I did well on the first half of the day, I indulged on the remaining part of the day. Nevertheless, I will still take this challenge one meal at a time. Tomorrow is another day, hopefully I can do better.