3: The little known (but very effective) solution for PCOS weight-loss (and it’s got very little to do with calories)
Ever feel like it’s so hard to lose 1kg, and ridiculously easy to put on 5? There’s a reason for that, and it’s not because you suddenly decided to eat 3500 calories (the amount you need to gain 1kg) more a week.
It’s your hormones, specifically your insulin, thyroid and stress hormones that cause this frustrating weight effect. So just like all your other PCOS symptoms, being able to lose weight requires you to focus on the root cause
I’ve worked with too many women over the years who have rapidly gained 20-30kg in 6 months, only to be told by ‘professionals’ that it was because they ate 105,000 extra calories more in 6 months (aka virtually impossible).
This focus on calories as the only factor when it comes to weight gain or weight loss is incredibly damaging and in my experience is a significant contributor to disordered eating.
So if you’re struggling with weight I NEED you to listen to this episode.
Highlights, quick wins and takeaways:
- Weight-loss and weight-gain is not solely driven by calories. Hormones like insulin, thyroid and stress hormones are actually the overall guardian’s of weight
- Up to 80% of women with PCOS produce too much insulin, and excess insulin leads to weight gain.
- Type diabetics, reduced calorie intake but took more insulin and gained 9kg in 6 months
- The same result- more insulin leads to weight gain has been shown in other studies too
- 30% of women with Type 1 Diabetes have ‘diabulemia’
- Study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition1, they found that those with the highest insulin lost less weight and gained it back most rapidly
- My own experience and most of the women I’ve worked with mimics this: very hard to lose weight, but very easy to gain.
- While you do still need to be in a ‘calorie deficit’ to lose weight, you also need to address your hormone levels.
- Going down to 800 calories is NOT the answer
- Focusing not on calories, but making your body more sensitive to insulin has had the biggest impact on my body and the women I work with
Once you’ve had a listen, come join me on Instagram or our Facebook group in the comments. I’m really looking forward to the conversation we’re going to have after this episode.
This is DEFINITELY an episode to share. If you have friends, or family with PCOS, or who you want to understand your PCOS better please forward them this.
P.S. Want help identifying and addressing your root cause? Join us in The PCOS Protocol, find out more here.
*Please note: Unfortunately, we no longer have the PDF’s and resources as mentioned in this podcast episode. Sorry about that!
For further resources and help, you can learn about your PCOS drivers and the best lifestyle changes that can support you in The PCOS protocol. Click here to see more and enrol.
