Top Books on PCOS

I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) back in January. Though it has been tough, I have found some great books to learn more about PCOS and how to cope with it. I'd like to share my top picks for PCOS books:

1. Positive Options for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Self-Help and Treatment by Christine Craggs-Hinton and Adam Balen - This is a wonderful book that lays out all the options for dealing with PCOS. My favorite chapters discuss "complementary therapies" and natural therapies.
2. PCOS and Your Fertility by Colette Harris and Theresa Cheung - If you are looking to get pregnant and have PCOS, this is the book for you! This book gives tons of great information for increasing your fertility and getting pregnant. It even talks about what to do once you are pregnant, since there is a higher risk of miscarriage for women with PCOS.
3. The New Glucose Revolution Guide to Living Well with PCOS by Dr. Jennie Brand-Miller and Nadir Farid - As a woman with PCOS, I understand how hard it is to lose weight. This "diet" book is a great option to help you lose weight and change your eating habits.

There are plenty of other books about PCOS and managing your symptoms. These are just a few that I own and absolutely love!

Much Better

I am feeling much better but still not sleeping. Those last pills I took for my insomnia were kinda scary. Unfortunately, these new pills are not working very well. But at least I don't get amnesia with these ones.

My husband called me yesterday and I had a nice long conversation with him. I am so happy I get to see him in a little over a month! It is so hard being a military wife, but I love my sailor so much!

A Little Off

I had a good weekend in Palm Springs but I didn't do much besides shop and lay around. So I don't have any pictures to share.

I have been off the last couple of days because of a new medication. I go back to the doctor today because this new medication is not working right with me.

So for this week, my posts will be sporadic. Please bare with me as I try to feel better.

Palm Springs

I am going to Palm Springs for the weekend with my mom. We are staying with her friend. They are going to antiques roadshow tomorrow out there and I'm going to tag along for the weekend. While they go to the show, I will go shop! :-)

I also have some books along, my swimsuit, puzzle book, and my cross stitching. So it should be a very restful weekend. I am hoping to finish my current cross stitch project and post a picture of it on here when it is done. I'm taking my camera so I will hopefully have some pictures on Sunday or Monday.

Have a great weekend!

Day 5: Steps to Humility

On the last day of Character Makeover's study on humility, the author presents an action plan. I'd like to share this action plan here in today's post. A Humility Action Plan lays out the steps to follow to deepen this quality in your life.

Humility Action Plan

Prayer Focus: Worship God by praying about his wonderful characteristics or his names. Ask him to show you where pride is being exhibited in your life. Praise him and put your focus on him.

Devotional Focus: Choose a Scripture passage on the topic of humility.

Extra Perspective: Read books to better understand God's nature. Or give extra attention to a friend so you can take your focus off of yourself.

Action Steps: Developing a Right View of God
Choose one or two action steps to practice this week.

• I will worship God. Take time to pray more during your daily activities.
  
• I will study God. Read your Bible and maybe buy a bible study book.
  
• I will hunt for God. Journal where you see God in your daily life.

Action Steps: Developing a Right View of Myself
Choose one or two action steps to practice this week.

• I will stop trying so hard to be perfect.
• I will not tear myself down.
• I will not boast.
• I will try to learn one new thing every day.
• I will check my motives.
• I will obey God in an area in which I have been holding back.

Action Steps: Developing a Right View of Others
Choose one or two action steps to practice this week.

• I will be an encourager.
• I will be a helper.
• I will be a servant.
• I will be a receiver.
• I will be a mentor.

For your Master Action Plan, choose one major action step from the Humility Action Plan and record it on your Master Action Plan. Consider writing the Master Action Plan in your journal.

That is all for this week's focus on humility. Join me next week when we study the character quality of confidence.

Humility Day 4: He Must Increase

Today, Katie takes us deeper in to ourselves to explore ways to be more humble. I love the verse that she opens up with: "He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:3o

"The prescription for humility starts not with working on humility, but working on increasing your vision of God. As you grow closer to him, spend more time concentrating on him, set your sights firmly on him, invest yourself in learning about him and talking with him, he will take up more and more of your field of vision." pg. 47

Let's examine Philippians 2:3-8 and meditate on how you are decreasing yourself and increasing your vision of God.

Verse 3: When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves.

• In what ways can you give more honor to others?

Verse 4: Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.

• What can you do to shift the balance and draw out more from others about themselves?

Verse 6: Christ himself was like God in everything. But he did not think that being equal with God was something to be used for his own benefit.

• How can you use your skills, abilities, or talents to bless others more often?

Verse 7: But he gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born as a man and became like a servant.

• In what situations can you let go of your rights and serve instead?

Verse 8: He humbled himself and was fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death-death on a cross.

• In what situation do you need to let go of your fears and obey?

After all those tough questions, take a step back and ask yourself: What encouraging thing did I notice about me in this exercise?

Humility Day 3: The Essential Ingredient

Day three of our study on humility is where Katie discusses how humility is essential.

Humility is the essential ingredient in the Christian life. Katie states the following eight core practices that are all powerless unless they partner with humility.

1. Worship
2. Self-Esteem
3. Honesty
4. Obedience
5. Teachability
6. Servanthood
7. Waiting
8. Brokenness

In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul names five types of problems in which he delights, because his weaknesses serve to show God's power:

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Meditate and pray on these verses. Insert yourself into these words. What would it say if you wrote it and not Paul? Mine would say:

"But the Lord said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, Melissa, for my power is made perfect in your limitations." Therefore I will boast gladly when I am imperfect, so Christ's power may work in me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight when I am depressed, when my friend doesn't want to talk to me, when I am lonely, when I miss my husband, when I have a bad day, when I can't sleep. For when I am weak, Christ will make me strong."

Consider how humility is essential for Christian living. Pray for God's guidance in being humble in all areas of your life.