We are delighted to announce that Sharon Newson will be speaking at the Manchester Conference this October on the area of weight loss and nutrition. Below is her personal PCOS story:
‘I am 45 years old, single with no kids, and have suffered with PCOS symptoms (excess facial and body hair, weight gain, no periods, depression) since the age of 13.
I was diagnosed (via blood tests and ultrasound scan) at the age of 22, after finally plucking up the courage to visit my GP. I was tried on various medication: Dianette; Prednisolone; Metformin; Androcur – all with limited amounts of success. At 25 years old I had a bilateral ovarian biopsy to check the state of my ovaries, as the treatments weren’t working well at all. After moving to South Yorkshire, I was awarded a course of 18 treatments of laser hair removal on the NHS. This was excruciatingly painful, but very effective. I personally funded a further 5 treatments.
By the age of 41, I weighed 23.5 stone and was extremely depressed. I hadn’t been able to hold down a job for any longer than one year due to low self-esteem. I was a compulsive overeater since childhood, and later went on to regularly self-harm to try and cope with my emotional distress. After confiding in a work colleague about my problem with food, I started attending Overeaters Anonymous (OA) in Oct 2010. Over the following year, I lost 4 st as I started to work through my emotions instead of bingeing. 
In Nov 2011 I responded to an email from Verity asking for volunteers to go on a TV show and talk about PCOS and facial hair. The presenters were Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken. When the 5 weeks of filming were over, Dr Chris offered to personally mentor me for the next 2 years to get me fit and down to an ideal weight. These two years have been an amazing journey of continued weight loss, increased fitness, and a variety of physical challenges (climbing Pen-Y-Fan, SCUBA diving, abseiling and go-karting to name a few).
Those 2 years ended in Dec 2013…but Chris has extended his offer to me for as long as I want his help!!
In June 2013 I was made redundant from my admin job for a local church. I have since re-trained as a L3 Advanced Personal Trainer and Holistic Lifestyle Coach. I am also qualified in Nutrition for Physical Activity and Exercise Referral (having clients referred to me from GPs and other healthcare professionals). As of July 2014 I will be self employed with Big Picture Living.
In June 2014 I spoke at the Cheltenham Science Festival with Drs Chris and Xand about my current weight loss of 10 stone, and am booked to speak there again next year.’
Verity - The PCOS charity 