Losing Weight with PCOS

Weight loss is a big concern for many women. But when PCOS is also part of the deal, things become a lot more complicated. As per studies, whether PCOS lead to weight gain is something not definite, but it is true that when you are suffering from this condition, weight loss is very difficult. Not sure what is being talked about? Do you think you may be suffering from PCOS? Here are all the answers you seek.

What is PCOS?

PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome has now become one of the most commonly occurring hormonal concerns among women of all ages. The actual reason why PCOS occurs is still not confirmed, but it is believed that the problem occurs when male hormones are not produced in the right quantity.

The disorder leads to obesity, heart disease, sleep apnea, excessive hair growth, irregular menstrual cycle, uterine cancer, and sometimes difficulty with conception. Another thing that women with PCOS face is resistance to insulin. This in turn increases the risk of diabetes. Studies show that it is even found among menopausal women.   Around 20% of the women in the US who go through menopause have PCOS.

PCOS is now believed to be one of the leading reasons why women not only gain weight, but find it very difficult to get rid of as well. The question is, why does polycystic ovary syndrome lead to weight gain?

Why PCOS Causes Weight Gain?

As mentioned before, PCOS make it very hard for the body to utilize insulin, the hormone which helps in converting sugars and starch into energy stores. Referred to as insulin resistance, this causes the blood stream to start building up sugar.

When blood sugar does not remain in control, insulin also remains in the blood stream as it is not being consumed the way it should. Studies show that when insulin is in the blood, it leads to the increase of male hormones as well.

Known as androgens, male hormones are only meant to be present in a very limited quantity in the female body. When androgens increase they give way to acne, excessive hair growth, irregular periods, as well as weight gain.

You may have noticed that women who suffer from PCOS tend to gain in their abdomen region.  Men also tend to gain weight in their abdomen due to the high levels of androgens in their body. Therefore, women who have PCOS have apple shaped bodies, instead of pear shape.

What needs to be understood is that weight gain in the abdominal region is one of the most dangerous things that can occur. This is what leads to an increase in coronary disease and diabetes. Research shows that women who have PCOS are 5-7 times more likely to have heart disease and diabetes. Therefore, weight gain due to PCOS is dangerous and needs to be taken seriously.

Another perspective you need to consider is that weight gain can also cause PCOS, which means that losing weight would become even more difficult. This is the reason that if you already have weight loss issues, you need to be aware of whether or not you may be suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome.

How Can You Lose Weight with PCOS?

Just because weight loss with PCOS is hard,  does not mean that it cannot be achieved. Yes, you will need to work a little harder, but with time and persistence, you can shed the extra pounds. Here are some quick tips and tricks that will help you out.

Stress Makes it Worse

It is true that imbalance of hormones leads to the occurrence of stress and depression, but the same things increase the likelihood of developing PCOS. You have to get rid of stress factors from your life. Invest in some yoga or other positive therapy groups as they are going to help you in leaving the stress behind. Take a walk in nature.  Everyone always feel better after giving your body some space.

Clean Eating

Clean eating means taking in foods that are rich in terms of nutritional value. This includes foods like fresh and frozen fruits, vegetables like leafy greens, whole grain products that are completely organic, nuts, legumes and low sugar foods.  If you are interested in learning what foods you should avoid, you would be a good candidate for the DNA Uprint from Health Solutions Plus.

Make sure that you cut out almost all junk and processed foods from your diet. These are what lead to the storage of fats and sugars in your body because they contain simple sugars that burst into your systems immediately.

Working out Religiously

This is essential. You can’t work out one day, then leave three days and again workout for the next two days. This only leads to a plateau in your weight loss efforts. There is a need for a constant and regular workout routine. This way your body will not become accustomed to a laid back approach, but will be in a state of motion which will help convert fat into muscle mass.

Exercises like squats, push-ups, walking, running and swimming help with steady weight loss. One more thing that helps is a high intensity workout. For example, you can incorporate a 4 minute sprint into your regular jogging routine. This will help your body to get rid of fats faster and much more efficiently.  This is known as burst training.

Up the Metabolic Rate

Did you know that PCOS also lowers your metabolic rate? This is one of the reason why the food does not get digested very well. There are quite a few food items that increase your metabolic rate and you need to include them in your diet. Spices are one of them. So Mexican food might help you out. Add some green chilies. The best thing is that spicy food also helps achieve satiety, or the feeling of fullness.

Liquid Calories are Worst

This may sound like an exaggeration, but liquid calories are the worst because you don’t even realize how much you have consumed and they can get stored in your body fast! These include everything from fruits juices to soda, and caffeinated drinks like specialty coffees and alcoholic beverages. If you must have them, reduce the amount you take and the number of days you have them.

Make your water more interesting by adding fruits and veggies to it and drink it throughout the day.

PCOS may be a hard battle for you, but it is one that can be won over with a positive approach and strong mindset. You can lose weight as long as you work smart. Just keep in mind that you need to push your body into doing things that you are not used to. You will be surprised how effective some of these tips are. Try and see for yourself. Good luck!

References

• https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/pcos-affects-weight-loss
• https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos-and-weight-gain#2
• https://www.pcosdietsupport.com/pcos-symptoms/how-to-lose-weight-with-pcos/
• https://www.dietvsdisease.org/lose-weight-pcos/