How PCOS might be affecting your weight: Trying to lose weight but the weighing machine just doesn’t seem to comply? There is more to it than meets the eye when it comes to weight gain. Binge eating unhealthy food, large portion size, inactive lifestyle, less sleep or even stress are not the only reasons why your favorite pair of jeans doesn’t fit anymore.
One such medical reason is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Women diagnosed with PCOS often find it extremely difficult to lose weight. Medical reasons can also cause weight gain and no matter how much you exercise or even go on a strict healthy diet plan the weight seems to increase. Polycystic ovary syndrome patients with high Body Mass Index tend to have functional disorders.
However, it isn’t quite clear if polycystic ovary syndrome and weight gain have a cause and effect relationship. PCOS is a condition characterized by an imbalance of reproductive hormones i.e. too many androgens, or “male hormones” in particular. Such an imbalance can often result in nasty weight gain around the waist area, which in turn results in more fat accumulation. The fat near the abdominal area reduces responsiveness to insulin making you likely to gain more weight. With PCOS, the bodies metabolism rate is lower than average. Women suffering from PCOS often complain about their hunger hormone being all over the place; they feel hungry even when their body does not need food.
Along with insulin resistance, women suffering from PCOS experience emotional imbalance and find themselves to be over-stressed or even depressed.
High blood pressure, sleep apnea, infertility, type 2 diabetes and Endometrial cancer are risks associated with PCOS and weight gain. Many of these conditions can lead to heart disease. In fact, women with PCOS are four to seven times more likely to have a heart attack than women of the same age without the condition.
It is often observed that along with the right medical treatment and well-scheduled exercise one can lose weight inspite of having Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Losing weight can restore normal functioning of hormones and reduce insulin resistance by 50%.
Tips for losing weight with PCOS:
- Eat without distraction, as it helps reduce overeating
- Add spices to your food, a sprinkle cinnamon in your coffee or tea can help
- Squat it out! A great exercise that is fantastic for losing weight, as well as keeping fit.
- Add more walking in your day, spending any spare time exercising can go a long way.
- Say no to processed food.
The best way to lose weight is by achieving the right combination of physical workout and diet.
How PCOS might be affecting your weight: Experts recommend best diet for PCOS containing low-carb, high-fiber and low-sugar to women suffering from PCOS, they also recommend exercising first and then eating to regulate body metabolism. Focus on making small changes to your lifestyle and that should help! PCOS and its effects can be combated with the right care and adjustments.
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