Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds......

[Mia]

Wow, Tracii thanks for the advice about the pilates!!!!!

I had no idea and would have went right on working out through the entire cycle. I actually started the pilates, so I could do something low impact during the cycle. I guess I will limited my exercise to walking for the next few weeks.
I only have a week or so to go until transfer!

Way to on your detox. I have noticed if you get the right balance of nutrition you have less cravings for sugar and processed food. maybe that is what you are experiencing!

[Tracii]

Thanks Mia...it has been a really good week actually (I am munching on grapes right now ). I never thought either about ab/stomache exercises but it made sense after I read it...the book also suggests walking as a form of exerciseright before/after ET. The book also says pilates is a great form of exercise but just before ET to abstain from the ab exercises....so sounds like you don't need to stop pilates but just tell the instructor you won't participate in the ab stuff.

Only 1 week!! Wow - keeping everything crossed for you and sending lots of PMA and baby dust your way!!!!

[Tracii]

I officially finished the detox and celebrated last night with a wonderful italian dinner and wine ....needless to say I feel really tired today. Although I did the detox I need to make sure to keep up with the really healthy eating...staying away from the good stuff like sweets, carbs and dairy ..I will try .

One thing I have definitely noticed and I am not sure if it is from the detox (which regulates and hopefully brings back the hormones in balance) or from acunpuncture...but I Ovulated last Tuesday and my BBs are extremely sore ...which is a good sign that my body may be producing progesterone like it should

I had acu on Friday but she could not take my pulse because it is so hot in Munich and with no a/c she said the heat really messes it up...so not sure if she could feel the changes with the detox.

We also discussed my next go in September and she mentioned that although I have made improvements we still have not gotten everything fixed and therefore September may not be ideal. But I am going to go ahead in Sept. anyway cuz I feel really good physically and mentally (and feel very positive)...so if it is delayed I am not sure how I would handle it.

[DebraP]

Traci, well done on finishing the detox, you must feel great! I agree with you, go for it in September - this wave of optimism is a great boost.

I'm feeling good, despite having friends round for a (healthy) supper last night, I've lost another kg so I'm below pre.holiday weight but only by 1kg. I waver by 2kgs most months so it will be back I'm sure.

hugs
Debra.

[Sand]

Traci - What a shame acu lady couldn't confirm the benefits of your detox, but you can obv. tell in yourself. You should be pretty proud of yourself ! I usually have sore BB before AF, but didn't know this was a good sign ? So, this means that progesterone is being produced and all is well ? When I mentioned it to acu lady before first trmt, she seemed to think this was a bad sign .. If it is good, I will be well pleased. (Thinking about it, I suppose it makes sense for it to be good, as with 2ww - progesterone inj / pessaries - sore boobs etc ..)

Debra .. Friends round and still managed to eat healthily ! That's a BIG brownie point for you. Have you tied down when your weight goes up .. is it just before AF time ? I suppose 2kg is nothing really in the scheme of things. I haven't got any scales. Have thought about buying some, but I may just become obsessive about it ... em - make that WOULD PROBABLY become obsessive about it ..!

Sandra x

[randa2006]

Sandra,
I think scales are a big part of staying in shape. I have been weighing myself almost daily since I was about 20 (when I quit growing). I don't think I obsess, although everyone is different and I can see how some people would. I've never been more than 5 pounds over weight and I feel regular "reality checks" (numbers don't lie) is the main reason. You might at least give it a try? OH, and I don't diet - (except to watch calorie intake when the scales start creeping up), but I do exercise.

Debra, how often do you weigh yourself?

Traci, what were the main elements of the detox you did? I'm looking for a good one. How long were you on it?

I have high cholesterol (hereditary) and am trying to avoid going on the meds. Anyone have any tips on that? I'm eating oatmeal often and trying to cut down on cheese, eggs, fried foods, fatty things, sugar... what else is a big no-no for cholesterol fighters??? OH! And I'm drinking more wine. Everything I read lately says that helps.

[DebraP]

Randa, the only thing I couldn't see on your list (but maybe you don't eat it anyway?), is red meat.

At the moment I weigh myself everyday or every other day, which is too much but helpful when I had 3-4kgs to lose after my holiday. I was spurred on by seeing the gauge dropping. I need digital scales actually as gauge ones can need adjusting, it depends where you stand/look from etc. DF is not a fan of scales (lifetime slim guy) now we've got DD, he doesn't want her having weight issues that start at home, so I'll need to work on him first.

Sandra, yes I was proud but the friends are super active, slim people so raw veggies and yoghurt/salsa dips, brown/wild rice + almonds + lemon topped with griddled tuna steaks and oven roast tomatoes + garlic, followed by strawberry tart suited them too. No, I've not charted my weight gains, I just keep an eye on them and make sure they reduce sharpish! I just read your comment about keeping notes of each round of tmt, SUCH a good idea! I'm going to do it this time, I always think I'll remember but never do!!

How's everyone else doing? Traci, how's coming off the detox?

Debra.

[Tracii]

Good morning - just back form a walk with the dogs and enjoying (yuck) my chinese concoction tea.

Sandra - My bbs have not been sore since prior to the last IVF cycle...so I had the same logic as you that if my BBs are sore maybe my body is actually producing enough progesterone ..I guess the only well to tell for sure is via blood tests...but I will think positively (the mind plays lovely tricks) and think my hormones are behaving

Randa - I did the liver detox from the Zita West book. I was on it for only 7 days (which is manageable). The first 3 days and last 2 days I had veggies, fruit, nuts, eggs, chicken, dried fruit, beans. The days 4 and 5 I had only veggies and fruit. Basically I had to stay completely away from caffiene, dairy, red meats, alcohol, orange juice, wheat, sugar, all processed food (nothing I ate came out of a package). I think it has helped. I have been doing more reading about liver detox programs and seems to help clean the body alot...I never knew how much work we put on our liver and how stressed out it could get. Oh one great effect....my skin is amazing I think beans are really good for cholestrol (lots of fiber).

Debra - I wouldn't worry about 1-2 kg...I think as long as you feel good-it doesn't matter. But I am like Randa..I am addicted to weighing myself..and taking my temps every morning...I think it is a control-factor. Your dinner Sat. night sounds fabulous..I will remember the menu because it is healthy but sounds so delicious and fresh. Coming off of detox I think is a bit harder then actually doing the detox...you are now allowed to eat but need to be careful to not shock the liver...I think I made a mistake on Saturday and was too indulgent. Sunday I did not feel 100%

The countdown officially begins for September..geez I can't believe it is already August

[DebraP]

Hello? how are we? where are we???

Doing OK on the healthy eating, not weighed myself for days but am pre-AF so it can go haywire around now normally. I can tell I'm hungrier than usual but am trying to control it by eating museli vs. anything too fatty as a snack if starving at 10pm. Am keeping busy, doing something active everyday. This week I've been briskly walking 20mins to collect DD and then pushing her back (uphill) + painting ceilings and mowing the garden again. I'm itching to join the pool when it reopens in the week after next. Am going to join for a year, hoping I can plough up and down whilst hugely pregnant too (am feeling optimistic again, love it!).

How are you all doing?

hugs
Debra.

[Tracii]

Hi All...feeling ok today..not great...will go for a big walk with the dogs and then a jog later this afternoon. The weather has turned cold here and cloudy. Still eating healthy...but eating all the time - I feel constantly hungry - maybe I am just bored ...also AF should be here Tuesday so my body may be telling me to eat.

I am starting to get a bit nervous for September...totally afraid about the egg quality. Is anyone taking vits?? If yes, which ones? I am taking a multi-vitamin but maybe this is not enough??? I figure I should be getting what I need out of the food - but I want to make sure I do everything for September.

[Luga]

Just do analysis before you start treatment: immune, antiphospolipid antibodies... etc. see if your body is ready to accept the embryon.
This is very important for you. I didn't do this, but it's my further step.
You can see also Why does IVF fail repeatedly for no apparent reason in general forum. You can find here more about it.

[DebraP]

Traci, I've been on a sprecific pre-pg multi-vit for about 6 weeks, along with a fish oil supplement (the daily dose is 2 but I only take 1 to stay under the Vitamin A quota of 600mcg a day).

Snap on the eating, I'm definitely pre-AF and bored in the evenings so do my best to stick to 0.1% fat yogs, almonds, walnuts and dates if I really have to snack.

Why are you suddenly worried about your egg quality? you've been doing really well with your diet and exercise routine. Turn it around, think of all that you're doing to help those eggs be as strong and healthy as possible. You're doing a great job


hth
Debra.

[eskavon]

I hope you don't mind me posting on here ... I've been reading your last messages and you all seem a right health lot!
I just wanted to write about Pilates .... I've been doing it for 4 years now and my instructor won't let newly pregnant ladies join the class until they've gone 12 weeks. And I guess it will be the same for us doing ivf etc. Its because all pilates is based around your core abdominal muscles, which are contracted for the entire workout. This contraction can have adverse effects on early pregnancy and I suspect would be very uncomfortable during the stims, ec and et phases. Like Tracii said - maybe take some gentle walking exercise during the latter stages of treatment.
I stopped pilates once I started the injections.
Good luck to all and keep up the healty work
xx

[Tracii]

Did a big walk with the dogs in the "vienna woods"...last time we went there were wild pigs (not very nice animals)...so I was a little scared today but luckily we did not run into any of these creatures. Also went for my jog...well it was sort of a jog..I felt really sick and almost had to throw-up in the bushes - but I didn't. I had a nice lunch of tofu cooked with a little red chili peppers, little red onions, tomatoes, parsley. Maybe I ate too much and made my stomache upset. Oh well tomorrow is another day.

Debra - I am not sure why I am fussing over egg quality now...just hoping it goes better then last time....but there isn't much more I should be doing...except for cutting out wine entirely...which I may do

Eskavon - Welcome Please join us..we keep each other motivated to stay healthy...both physically and mentally.

Good news for Sept....looks like the timing may be good with DH...one of the weeks he has to be out of town on business (we have backup)...but looks like it may happen the week before Not that he is much help..he tends to want to know as little as possible ..but is is comforting having him around.

[randa2006]

Traci,
My docs have had me on prenatal vitamins the whole time. Since we are always 2-3 months at the most in between cycles, I just stay on them so they are in my system if I get pregnant. I go back and forth between the prescription version and the over the counter ones (which are MUCH cheaper). One of the main things to watch for is folic acid. You want a good level of this in your system from conception on (I think it's min of 400 mg day). All prenatal vitamins have it... plus a lot more.
Hope that helps.
Listen to you... worrying over egg quality. Sweetie, they are what they are. The older I get, the more I try not to worry about things I am powerless to change. I could be wrong, but I think egg quality is one of these.
I hope you can relax a little before Sept. I'll be back on the roller coaster with you, as I start down regging in mid-August for a Sept EC.
Did you say that your dh wants to know as little about all of it as possible??? Can I ask why? That doesn't seem very supportive to me.
All my best to you.