Diagnosed With PCOS After Moving To Canada: Here’s How 22-Year-Old Bhavya Gulati Took Control and Reversed It

The life of Bhavya Gulati changed remarkably upon relocating to Canada in order to pursue undergraduate studies. She had to overcome some unwanted challenges at the age of 22 and gain 67 kilograms, as well as be diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). She went off her menstrual cycle almost two years ago and had experienced a painful and uncontrollable period that necessitated the use of medication. 

The doctors had informed her that it would be almost impossible to reverse PCOS. But her story didn’t end there. Once back home in India, she has regained dominance of her health, made minor but consistent changes to her lifestyle, and dropped 15 kilograms, defeating the influence of PCOS, and becoming confident.

The Beginning of the Struggle: Relocating to Canada and Weight Gain

After completing the 12th class, Bhavya tells us that she moved to Canada to pursue higher education. “Initially, I began to gain weight gradually because of the change in lifestyle. My weight was okay back home in India, but as soon as I was in Canada, I kept gaining weight. I didn't know initially, but when I went to see my gynaecologist, the doctor told me that I have PCOS," she shared.

She suffered from more than mere weight gain. "The stress of balancing everything was difficult. I had hair loss, acne on my entire face, and although I used creams, nothing helped. My hectic schedule of study and work provided no time for exercise or pampering." 

How Diet and Lifestyle Contributed

 

 

 

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Bhavya describes, "I ate mostly 'their' food. It was Canadian food, a lot of meat. I cooked Indian food occasionally when I could. I didn't know I wasn't eating healthy at that point. I often skipped breakfast, didn't exercise, and wasn't well-rested. That's when I think my weight gain and PCOS symptoms set in more severely." She emphasises the importance of not missing breakfast as one of the key areas to regulate in order to maintain weight and health.

Coming Back to India and Reversing PCOS

Returning to India gave Bhavya more time and space to focus on herself. “People commented on my weight, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was that I wanted to live healthily, not just be lean, but be truly healthy.” She began with baby steps, "Ignores negativity, I did work out and eat well. Some days were not easy, I felt down, but I persisted."

ALSO READ: Your Period As A Health Check: What Irregular Cycles, Heavy Bleeding, or Cramps Could Signal?

Bhavya's Routine: Workout, Diet, and Sleep

Throughout the journey, Bhavya was supported by her mother, father, and sister. Her sister, Dhwani Gulati, kept reminding her that she always looked beautiful, no matter how she looked despite her weight gain. "Mom was important. She told me to correct my sleep pattern and be regular with exercises."

• Workout: Bhavya worked out 45 minutes a day, mixing weights and cardio.
• Diet: She used to have proteins, fibre, whole grains, greens, smoothies, beetroot juice, and Moringa powder beverages in her diet. She had dinner before 7:30 pm every day.
• Sleep: Restoring her sleep pattern was what allowed her body to reset and recover.

Yoga and Stress Management

Bhavya faced a lot of mental struggle. She used to forget things because brain fog was very common in PCOS. She even used to have emotional breakdowns and used to avoid people, especially to talking to them. All this led to her being very underconfident, and most of the time, she felt fatigued and at a loss for energy as it was really hard to keep up with simple tasks. 

Bhavya's physician advised yoga to combat stress and anxiety associated with PCOS. "I used to get up early morning and do yoga, Surya Namaskars and a lot of asanas like Malasanas, Bhujangasana and bow pose, along with weights and cardio in the gym ". All of these calmed her mind and helped with hormonal balance in addition to gym exercise.

ALSO READ: Does PCOS Cause Breast Hair? Understanding Hormonal Hair Growth in Women

Overcoming Cravings and Mental Struggles

Controlling hunger was a struggle. "I wanted sweets at times, but I told myself to remain persistent with my transformation process. Support from my family was much appreciated, my sister would keep telling me that I was beautiful regardless of my weight."

Mental well-being was a challenge as well. "PCOS introduced brain fog, forgetfulness, emotional collapse, and low self-esteem. I tended to avoid people because I would feel exhausted and drained." In spite of all this, Bhavya's resolve never faltered.

Bhavya's Top 5 Tips for PCOS and Weight Loss Management

• Be Consistent and Patient: "Results don't come overnight. Keep going no matter how hard it feels."
• Fix Your Sleep: "Sleeping late ruins PCOS more than anything else. Healthy sleep is vital.
• Eat a Balanced Diet: "Don't stick to one kind of food. Include all necessary nutrients. If confused, consult a dietician."
• Exercise Regularly: "Exercise is a must for everyone, particularly in PCOS. It controls the hormones and also eases stress."
• Ignore Negativity: "Be mindful. Don't let negative talk influence you. Work on your journey; it's you against you."

Now, Bhavya weighs approximately 54-55 kilos and is confident and satisfied. "What people didn't notice was that I struggled. People body-shamed me, but I reversed my PCOS and lost weight in a healthy way. It's all about making small, repeated changes in your everyday routine."

ALSO READ: How To Distinguish Between PCOS Acne Vs. Normal Acne

Takeaway

Bhavya's journey proves that PCOS and weight gain are reversible with determination, the correct lifestyle modifications, and motivation. Correcting sleeping patterns, having balanced food, regular exercising, stress management through yoga, and not listening to negativity are important steps that ensured she was able to control her health. Her journey is a reminder that transformation is achievable with patience and consistency, even when the doctor says otherwise.