Boogie Shoez and BC Update
Hellooooooo 😀 How are ya?? I’ve had a glorious day off <3
It’s SO beautiful out right now!! Crisp and cool… lovely.
The puppers and I took advantage of the fall weather by going on a long walk this morning.
Long walk = sane puppers. They’ve been so mellow all day 🙂
I came back to the casa for a snack and chilled awhile, and the magically found myself here….
Prime Outlets!!
Shopping snackage:
Unsweetened Passion tea with a fruit cup that tasted sour :/ Tea was delicious though!
I picked up these kicks to wear to Dance Trance, since my jazz sneakers are packed up in the POD.
I STILL can’t believe I bought a pair of shoes without a smidgen of pink or purple 😉 They’re pretty fun though, feel amazing and will be great for Zumba, too.
After the shopping trip (and exchanging my dinosaur netbook at Best Buy for a faster one), I came back for a beast.
BEEEEAAAAASSST!
A serving bowl filled with:
-arugula
-chopped organic apple
-goat Gouda
-pecans
-homemade balsamic (from the other night)
–Garlic Gold and basil
So. Insanely. Good.
I wish I could make this for everyone who has ever said they don’t like salad 😉
Caution: Male readers, avert your eyes….**************************************************
It’s time for the birth control pill update post that I’ve been asked for since I stopped taking the Pill one year ago. In the meantime, we’ve been using the Fertility Awareness method, which is discussed in Taking Charge of Your Fertility (a book I talk about *here*).
Since I stumbled on how to put this update into words, I used my crazy art talent to draw a cartoon for you….
Me, a couple of weeks after taking birth control pills:
Happy, feeling pretty amazing and stoked that I didn’t have to remember to take a pill at the same time every night. I wasn’t sure if my cycles were going to be normal after stopping the Pill, but like clockwork, everything was as it should be.
Me, a couple of months after that:
Kind of moody and a small colony of mini volcanoes took residence on my face. Everything else still normal.
A couple of months after that:
Moodiness is gone (I think all of the chemicals in my body had found their way out?) and while my skin isn’t like it used to be (I also haven’t been eating as raw as I used to), it’s not as bad as it was. Everything else, totally normal.
Me now:
Happy, empowered, but a little confused…
I am SO insanely thankful that Kristen posted about TCOYF. As soon as she talked about it in her blog, I picked up a copy, read the giant book within a few days, and learned more than I did in any of my required “health” classes growing up.
I had no idea that our bodies can tell us what exactly is going on if we take the time to observe a few signs each day. Since I was on birth control pills for 13 years for medical reasons –I had extremely painful, err “lady friends”- I wish I had learned about TCOYF before I started taking birth control pills. Would it had helped my symptoms? Absolutely not. But I would have liked to know that everything was cool and normal before then, because it looks like I may have a hormone imbalance. I may have had this my entire life, but had no idea since everything appeared to be bueno.
I’m very happy that I know what’s going on with my body each month, but am now a little confused. You see, every month when you ovulate (I just wrote “ovulate” on the blog and I’m gonna roll with it), within 24-48 hours of that, your waking temperature will spike up and stay up until your “lady friend” arrives. This is baller because you know when to expect said friend, and it also tells you that you did indeed ovulate. The thing with me is that even though everything is super regular, my temperature spike is extremely late in the cycle. Now, I’m working with a homeopathic doc as well as a traditional doctor- as a team, they’ll hopefully level out a hormone imbalance I may have. (We’re waiting for the test to get back on that) So, um, yeah.
Do I recommend Fertility Awareness Method in lieu of other birth control options? Abso-freaking-lutely not. You have to do what’s best for YOU, and taking the Pill worked for me for medical reasons and then later on for.. other reasons 😉 There are so many options out there and the best thing you can do is educate yourself and make the best decision for YOU. Do I think every woman should read TCOYF? YES. If you haven’t read it yet, get thyself to Amazon or a bookstore 🙂
With all that being said, I’m off to dance 😉
xoxo,
Gina
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I would love to get my hands on a copy of the book. Sounds like a lot of good information.
I actually have TCOYF but {shamefully} I haven’t read it. I need to get on that. Stat. Good for you for figuring out {or being in the process of figuring out} what works for you!
That makes total sense! I just stopped taking the pill about 2 months ago and RIGHT before my first “lady friend” visit since quitting, I got a hot flash the size of Texas. I am only 29 so I knew it was weird and not a menopausal thing, but boy did I feel like a woman twice my age on hormone replacement therapy! Things are getting better though 🙂
i am definitely interested in reading that book too. after my mom was diagnosed w/ breast cancer i read a LOT about the impact of hormones typically taken by women to treat menopausal symptoms and their impact on breast cancer. after that, i’ve been much more wary about putting hormones into my body and would love to learn more about this method.
Just so you know and feel better if you are on pills–birth control pills do NOT cause breast cancer and in fact may be protective!! Same goes for ovarian and uterine cancers. In fact, this is an even more powerful effect in ovarian and uterine cancers. Women with PCOS are frequently put on OCPs to help control their symptoms and protect against further cyst development or cancer conversion.
Super interesting stuff about TCOYF….I should certainly check it out.
I can always feel when I ovulate.
Interesting fact:some women ovulate twice a month! Short window of opportunity to get busy without getting preggers…..and BIG window of opportunity if you DO want to get preggers.
wow that’s interesting! i didn’t know that
hahah LOVE your shoes girl! they seem so unlike you!
Hi Gina~
I am currently doing accupuncture and herbs to regulate my cycle after going off BCP. I HIGHLY recommend it!
My temps are pretty level, but my “O” is not consistent. This doesn’t help since hubby and I are TTC (trying to conceive), i REALLY need my cycle back on track pronto.
I am with ya, i SO wish i had read this book, uh, 18 years ago when i went on BCP – HA! If anyone hasn’t read it, follow Gina’s advice and get it NOW:) You will be happy you did.
I definitely want to read that book — if anything just for the information. My sister uses the thermometer method (I’m sure there is a better name than that…) and it works great for her — I’m just still nervous about it. I know there is no “right time” to have kids, but I’d still like to wait another year or two before Jason and I start trying. I just want to be ready, you know?
And on a completely different subject: I love the shoes 🙂
LOVING your bc pics. hehe and the new kicks. So glad you’re like dancetrance so much!!
Would you mind sharing what type of shoes you bought? I teach Zumba and I’m always looking for good shoes to dance in. And good for you for discovering TCOYF. I used that methos two years ago to try and get pregnant. Sadly we have other fertility issues (with the hubby) so I don’t really use it now that I know we can’t get pregnant but it is an AWESOME method and I kind of miss using it!
they’re nike huarache dance low 🙂
sorry to hear about the probs :/ thinking of you.
Loved TCOYF, that’s how I learned and then started implementing the FAM method. Amazing about our bodies, right!
Also, great to see how your accomplishing so much even though you must feel down sometimes. That’s inspiring, hoping your Pilot comes home soon =)
I agree that TCOYF is an important read; it probably should be required reading for all women. I charted for many months and I’m so much more in tune with my body after going through that process. Ultimately, acupuncture gave me the extra help my body needed to achieve the desired outcome (my son)!
I’m so happy that more and more bloggers are talking about birth control. It’s such an important thing for us women to get to know what is and isn’t normal for our bodies.
We truly need to be advocates for our health and read & find out as much as we can so that when you go see your doctor for an annual physical (or whatever other appointment) you’re not so intimidated…
I think we need to work with our doctors, not just “take their word for it” and pop whatever pill is supposed to make everything better.
There are some amazing doctors out there… but too often we put ourselves on the back burner and play a submissive role when it comes to our health.
Ill definitly be checking out this book! Thanks Gina
Love the honesty in the post. Yes, have read TCOYF about 7-8 yrs ago. It’s a must read for every woman. Man too, haha 🙂 It may help them to help understand us more! But seriously, I am so happy that you are AWARE of all this stuff. Lots of women are on the pill from age 15 to 35, they wake up at 35 and realize, crap, I want a baby. It can take year(s) for hormones to normalize, and if there was an underlying issue or problem, it was masked possibly by the pill all those years. And then that takes time to find answers and solutions for…so I am happy that you started this process NOW b/c as you’re realizing it can take more than 30 days to sort itself all out…not to mention, each month ticks by at the speed of paint drying when you’re waiting for the “magic 24 hour window” to come along.
So happy you’re finding this all out now…and that you’re advocating everyone do what’s right for THEM in their own life and personal relationship and health situation. I remember your last post and yeah, to each her own based on her own life! 🙂
I ovulate really late in the month too. I know this from ovulation sticks. The kind you pee on. Sorry for the TMI in the comment field 🙂 But as you know, I have a baby and one day you will too 🙂
HUGS!!!!! Way to speak things loud and proud and be REAL on your bloggie 🙂
Thank you for having the honesty to post this. I’ve been on BC for two years now, and while I plan to stay on it for a few more years since it’s the best option for me right now, your experiences are very informative. I want to have children more than anything, so I know I need to keep all this stuff in the back of my head for a few years down the road…honestly, thank you!!
love the new shoes!! they look fun and comfy!
your pictures are fun… 🙂 sounds like a great book!
If this isn’t too personal, how late in the cycle would you ovulate? I always was around day 18 and my cycle would be around 32 days. It was a long enough post-ovulation phase to get pregnant when trying.
No matter what though, this method has helped you learn about your body to spot things that would otherwise be covered up. I think that is what I love most about ditching the pill. How well we can know our bodies.
That salad looks amazing! I don’t understand people who say that they don’t like salad. There are so many ways to jazz it up that you can pretty much cater it to any preferences. Those who claim they don’t like it must have only experienced bad salad bars or something.
I am sooo happy you are seeing a homeopathic doctor. If your hormones are out of wack, i highly, highly recommend seeing an acupuncturist to balance out your hormones. Also, (when the time comes.. and hopefully you wont have this problem, but just in case..) if you have trouble getting preggo, acupuncture has a huge success rate in helping out women with crazy-a hormones (which uhh i think thats like 99.9% of us hahah) just a little advise from someone who has experienced first hand! and i love me some salad beasts!
i’m 100% down with the fertility awareness method, but the hubby is not. i love that you say that you have to do what’s best for you, and that also means what’s best for your spouse/partner!
Thank you for sharing this! I think all of us women, whether trying to have a baby or not, appreciate it 🙂
I am also trying to get pregnant was having a lot of problems with my menstruation only happening every 50-80 days. eek! I have never been on the pill but clearly this lack of regularity was not helping us know when I may be ovulating. I went to my doctor and she sent me for blood work and we found out that my horomone levels (specifically estrogen, FSH & LH) were extremely low (like menopausal levels!) EEk. I recently (2.5 weeks ago) began seeing an accupuncturist and after 70 days, my period returned. Woo hoo! Today, she gave me some herbs, did another accupuncture treatment and I am keeping my fingers crossed that my periods will regulate and therefore I will have regular ovulation. I am going back for blood level check in about a month. Hopefully I am out of menopausal levels (given taht I am 30 years old! ha ha!)
I was also wondering how late is “late.” I was always a 21/22 day, LP of 9 days, got pregnant just fine!
So glad you posted this. I’ll be going off the pill in 3months (I loved buying my last 3 packages), and I’ll definitely pick up the book. I was on birth control from 18-22, then I took a year because I started to get weirded out by the idea of them & decided to go a year without sex. I’ve been on them for 5 yrs now, and although I didn’t have any problems last time with periods or feeling out of whack, I’m a bit more worried this time. I did not know you are TTC 🙂 You and the Pilot will make adorable babies. I’ll probably be trying in 6-8 mons 🙂
Thanks for touching on this and being so honest! I’ve been on BC for almost a year now to help with some hormonal imbalances and I think I’m going to be stuck with it for a while yet. I would like to get off it down the road though, so I’m definitely going to keep this method in mind! 😀
I will have to check the book out…
I think to think that I “know” my body and what is going on inside, but the
fact of the matter is is that I don’t really know too much. I think this
book could be very enlightening.
it’s not just you- a LOT of girls have no idea whats going on!
I’ve heard a lot of good things about that book. I really should read it sometime. There’s one thing I’ve always wondered about the FAM but it’s pretty personal and I don’t know who I could ask! I wish someone would address it in a blog post one day, lol!
send me an email!
After reading the reviews of TCOYF and all the blogger talk, 7 months ago I got off the pill (after 10 years). My husband and I wanted to try for kids and thanks to that book, I realized I ovulate late in my cycle (day 19 for a 28 day cycle and 24/25 for a 35+ cycle) AND my cycle goes between 28 – 39 days depending on life. About a month ago, after saying we’re taking the next few months off from ‘trying’ I found out I was pregnant! Totally shocked, amazed, scared, excited, etc. When I went to my first appt. the doc and sonogram tech thought the baby was way underdeveloped but, thanks to that book, I was able to know pretty confidently when I ovulated and how long my cycle was. I’m grateful for that book’s information and wish that was what was taught in health class! Now I’m scrambling to figure out how to handle the next 7 months!
PS – love your blog 🙂
wow, congratulations!
So glad you found out a method that works best for you and your body! That’s so awesome that you realize this and you are able to express to others that the only important thing to do is what is truly right for you and your body.
Love to you always!
I have the Nike Huarache shoes for Zumba too and they rock!!! Seriously, so comfortable. I even bought a back up pair that were on sale, just in case they discontinue them. I see Zappos has them in pink now….oh man, soooo cute! http://www.zappos.com/nike-huarache-dance-low-team-red-white-gold-dart-anthracite
I am SO glad I learned about TCOYF from your blog! I went off the Pill at the beginning of this year, after being on it for over 10 years, too! I went through all sorts of stuff, and reading this book has really helped me understand my body better! We’re still NOT trying to get pregnant yet… but I feel like it will be easier when we want to! I wish they taught this stuff in health class!
Thanks for sharing! 😀
i finally tried garlic gold—- ahhhhmazzzing!
the hype is there for a reason my friend 🙂 SO GOOD
Love those shoes! That salad beast looks amazing – I adore salads the size of my head and they are even better with apples in them!
TCOYF is a fabulous book! I just wanted to let those ladies who are taking their temp every day (since when I first started I was keeping track with a paper chart) that fertilityfriend.com is amazing, too. You input your temp everyday and it pretty much does everything else for you!
Thanks for the BC update! I am currently finishing up my last pack of pills, and am pretty terrified to see what happens when I’m done. LOL (I’ve been on the pill for 10 years…again, for “insane, lose-3-days-of-my-life-to-it lady friend times”)
Regarding your cycle — glad you’re getting it checked out, but it could also be that you are just a super-long cycle. It HAS been known to happen 🙂 Not everyone can be a 28 day cycle with a nice, neat 14-day ovulation!
Can you elaborate on the moodiness? Just like….um…let’s say, PMS moodiness? Anxiety? Short temper?
Oh, and I should probably add…have you found any great solutions to those nasty/hard to deal with lady times? I’ll definitely be looking for that assistance once I’m off the pill!
I bought TCOYF right after you first blogged about it, but I still haven’t read it. You just re-motivated me to learn this stuff! I hardly even know what ovulations means! 🙂
Starbucks must put something on the fruit in those fruit cups because last time I got one, it was sour too..ya I ate it anyway 🙂
Great info on that method of fertility – I will definitely check out the book!
I just bought a Lady Comp online after reading Caitlin’s review and am going to buy TCOYF. My BC prescription runs out in 1 month, I think so I’m going to make an appointment with my doctor to discuss the switch.
TCOYF is an awesome book. I always “o”ed on day 17/18 and have 4 kids 18,13,6 and 3. The last 2 were after age 35. Crazy, I know. Some people don’t ovulate on time but still have a long enough luteal phase. A short luteal phase can be an issue – when I was older I did take some herbs to lengthen it. Now I am 43 and my cycle is so insane that I am thinking of taking BCP to regulate it. How awful is that?
I am a fan of FAM for people who are committed or married and wouldn’t mind a “surprise” if one occurred. Otherwise, I think FAM plus a barrier method is probably a good idea.
My 2 cents. LOL!
I’m in the first week of tracking my temperature with the FAM chart and it’s going well. Unfortunately I get up at 4:45 am three days a week so now I have to take my temp at that time EVERY day. Bah.
But I went off NuvaRing in June because we wanted to start a family and I went from the middle of June until two days ago without a period! Scary shiz. Now that I’ve FINALLY got back in touch with “Flo” I’m hoping to see what the deal is. It’s so empowering having the knowledge from that book!
I’ve been off the pill for almost two years and it took about a year for my hormones to work their way to “normal” so maybe yours will get there on their own as well.
I’m glad you posted this. I went off the pill a year ago, and for the past six months I’ve been getting horrible acne. It has gotten so bad that, even though I despise the idea of being dependent on the pill and putting the hormones in my body now that it’s not necessary (I’m no longer in a relationship), I just got a prescription to start taking it again….! The acne is really taking its toll on my self-esteem. It’s so bad that it can’t be covered up and before I went on the pill my skin was fine. (I’m 29 and experiencing wrinkles AND acne is not exactly fun.)
I just don’t know what to do. I would rather wait it out if it is going to get better – I don’t like the idea of *needing* to be on the pill in order to have decent skin. But after half a year of monthly breakouts, there’s no sign that anything is improving.
I’m just wondering whether it will get better eventually….should I wait it out? I can deal with the skin problems for a few more months, I think, but not indefinitely. Ugh 🙁
this has been so interesting to me! I’ve been dealing with a changes and i’ve been on the pill for YEARS! and not suddenly (when i turned 26 yikes!) everything started changing i know i need to look into other options and see if things go back to normal…..I’m so thankful you’ve been writing about tcoyf! I’m going to pick up the book this week!: ) thank you!
My husband and I will be starting the Fertility Awareness Method in about a month and a half (after I finish what’s left of my HBC). I just got TCOYF in the mail, and have already learned a lot. We don’t want to try for kids just yet, but I felt it was important to get off the pill and let my body regulate if it needs to. Thanks for talking about this!
Bought TCOYF awhile ago and am finally starting to read it…interesting so far! I read it in bed at night and the husband will look over every once and awhile (always happens to be during a particularly graphic diagram) and be like what the ?!? are you reading!
LOL! tom would do the same thing… especially the illustrations. he was like “what is THAT?!” haha