Finding Riya: From PCOS & Hashimoto’s to Health

I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was in 8th grade, before I turned 13 years old. Later, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s (a fancy name for weight-gaining thyroid) when I started working in 2021, before I turned 23. I struggled with Hashimoto’s for 3 and 1/2 years before I learned to find the right balance and control myself.

PCOS is a lifestyle-related issue, and thyroid problems are another condition that can happen to people with PCOS, just like type 2 diabetes. My family and I had never even heard about PCOS until I was first diagnosed. The same was true with Hashimoto’s—even though we knew about thyroid in general, I only understood it better after researching once I was diagnosed.

A lot of men I’ve spoken to don’t even know what PCOS is. I explain it to them through my own experiences because I want to create more awareness.

One thing that affected me a lot was the criticism from people due to my weight gain. I was working and financially supporting my family even while going through symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, mood swings, and immunity disorders. I joined the gym in 2024, but weight loss didn’t happen as much as I expected.

From the initial diagnosis itself, we decided to shift from English medicine to Ayurveda, because doctors had suggested removing my thyroid and then taking hormone medicines lifelong, which came with many cons. Ayurveda opened doors to new possibilities and was more suitable for my body.

I was determined to find the root cause of my issues, not just treat the surface. Because when you find the root cause, you can ensure it doesn’t occur again once cured. Finally, after 3 and 1/2 years, my doctor and I figured out that all these issues were due to stress, tension, and anxiety.

I also realized my pattern of stress eating and discovered that sugar was my enemy.

Here are some measures I took to get back to health:

✅ Replacing sugar with dates

✅ Including fruits in my diet (fruits with lower GI)

✅ Adding seeds like pumpkin, sunflower, etc.

✅ Ensuring at least one type of vegetable daily

✅ Eating three times a day with portion control and at specific times (instead of irregular timings)

✅ Eating rice only once a day, at lunch

✅ Eating until my stomach was 80% full rather than 100%

✅ Eating light dinner before 8 PM

✅ Walking whenever possible instead of using vehicles

✅ Working out at least 30 minutes a day with dumbbells

✅ Watching positive and motivating videos

✅ Acknowledging negative feelings but shifting my mood quickly, reminding myself I can overcome anything

✅ Sticky notes on my wall with affirmations: *I’m confident, worthy, successful, intelligent* — positivity everywhere I look

✅ Whenever I felt low at the office, I went to the washroom, looked in the mirror, and told myself: *I’m worthy! I’m worthy! I’m worthy!*

✅ Going for a walk or heading to the terrace to clear my mind

✅ Overcoming panic attacks by walking, engaging in activities, and calming my thoughts — now I don’t get panic attacks anymore

✨ The quality of our life improves the moment we decide to change and customize it for the better.

Staying positive and happy doesn’t happen overnight—it takes time and effort from our side. Taking a stand for ourselves, not letting others bully us, and always seeing ourselves in high regard is one way to break free from the sadness spell.

💛 You are all you’ve got.

💛 You are your treasure.

💛 You do you!