Posted by Lisa Rosenthal on Mon, Sep 27, 2010 @ 06:04 AM
There is an assumption that exercise is always good, including when you are experiencing infertility; in fact, we are seeing evidence that too much is too much. That, just as an example, too little body fat can cause all sorts of problems, including disruption of your menstrual cycle.
On my infertility journey, I felt so out of control when I was in treatment that eventually I decided that food and exercise were two of the things that I could control. And so I did. I altered my diet to vegetarian, with very little cheese or other dairy products. I added beans and nuts and seeds to make sure that I had what I felt were enough protein. I started yoga more seriously and as something fun, I added racquetball. It’s hard to imagine anyone worse at racquetball than I was. I am not being modest. Ask my husband.
When you think of it though, how brilliant? I had my yoga, bringing me into the present, vigorous and calming. Challenging and soothing. Ah, but the racquetball. What did I care about what the score was? I got to take a racquet and hit a ball. As hard as I wanted. And I really wanted to hit it hard. I visualized people that I was angry at when I hit the ball. I released in a physical, directed way, my disappointment, frustration and rage about my infertility. It’s safe to say that my inadequacy in playing racquetball was not in the power of my swing. (It had more to do with my aim, due to the wind up of my swing.) I took the intensity of my rage out on that little white ball and didn’t have to apologize to anyone for losing my temper or breaking down.
I lost weight, felt fit, more in control. My doctors did not approve. They wanted me to modify what I was doing. So I did. I found a balance that fit my fertility treatment and my temperament. I collaborated with my doctors and compromised to make sure that everyone was happy with my exercise and nutritional plan. I was eating well, exercising safely but happily, and found a place in treatment where I actually felt ok. Even more than ok, I felt sane. That was a first, after 5 plus years trying to conceive, I felt sane. I was not pregnant, but I felt sane. Less angry. More present to the moments in each day. That was an unexpected gift.
I felt sane.
I was not thrilled that I was still not pregnant, but I felt whole.
Complete and whole, just as I was.
This coming Saturday, we are pleased to offer a new seminar. Dr. Mark Leondires, (Medical Director of Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut) and Carolyn Gundell, MS (Nutritionist) will be discussing how the interaction of nutrition, exercise need to be balanced so that you can achieve your goal of a successful pregnancy. Finding the right amount of exercise and a way of eating that feels comfortable can make it so that you are fully engaged in your fertility treatment.
Exercise, Nutrition and Fertility – The Balancing Act
Is it actually possible to be too physically fit to conceive? Medical education and nutrition tools to support exercise, balance body composition, and optimize health for conception will be shared. Led by Carolyn Gundell, MS and Mark Leondires, MD.
This seminar will take place at:
10 Glover Avenue, Norwalk, CT
Saturday October 2nd 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Seminars are $10 per person or $15 per couple
Please visit our website or call to confirm date, time and/or location as they are subject to change
RSVP to Cori at 203-750-7492
Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut