Polycystic ovaries syndrome is a condition, which causes numerous distressing symptoms due to imbalanced hormone levels. Women with PCOS produce higher levels of male hormones and this in turn leads to irregular periods and difficulties with pregnancy.
Women with PCOS also have an increased risk of diabetes and heart diseases; both of which can be worsened with increased weight. PCOS is also a causal factor for infertility, and being overweight decreases your chance of conception.
Some of the different methods of losing weight for women with PCOS include:
Physical Exercise
Physical exercise is essential for women with PCOS as they not only help with weight loss but also help to increase insulin sensitivity and decrease insulin resistance. This in turn helps prevent the early onset of diabetes.
However, fitness training with PCOS is slightly different from the traditional workout techniques, as there are a lot of hormonal factors at play. In the case of PCOS longer hours of rigorous workouts may not bear results, rather it is best to follow a plan curated by a fitness coach, as he/she is more aware of what will work for you.
Some of the reasons why a traditional routine may not work for women with PCOS is because:
- Rigorous exercising does not cause significant caloric burn due to hormonal imbalance.
- Working out for longer hours increases the secretion of cortisol, which in turn leads to weight gain through the process of fat storage.
- Women often feel the need to excessively eat after a workout.
Research studies have shown that short, high-intensity interval training improves insulin sensitivity.
HIIT typically includes exercises like lifting and sprinting for short periods, with breaks in between.
Personal training is a good option for women with PCOS. Since they have a condition, the personal trainer will be able to create a unique plan to meet your specific requirements. Further they will target to control the PCOS before getting into the process of weight loss, this will give you the motivation to undergo training as you will be able to observe beneficial results.
Research studies have also shown that low-intensity activity, such as walking and slow cycling decreases the levels of cortisol, which in turn leads to the reduction of inflammation and insulin resistance.
Healthy Diet
It is best to avoid strict diets, as there are greater chances for loss of interest and binge consumption, which in turn often leads to the vicious cycle of yo-yo dieting, involving a constant loss and gain of weight.
Women with PCOS are also advised to eat food items that are high on anti-inflammatory constituents, as they tend to usually have chronic low-level inflammation. This involves the consumption of nuts, fish, avocados, green tea among other items.
Your personal fitness trainer can brief you about some of the essential dietary supplements that can aid with weight loss in a healthy manner. Personal trainers are the best fit to formulate a comprehensive plan for weight loss. We will keep in mind the underlying condition before summarizing the plan; this is to ensure a secure plan that will positively impact your health while avoiding any negative consequences.
It is definitely harder for women with PCOS to lose weight, but it can be achieved. Since there is a hormonal imbalance, a regular workout does not cut it. To get the best results in terms of your health and weight loss it is advisable to access a female personal trainer who sets up an individual training plan tailored to your condition and needs.
