Weight loss and Hormones

When our hormone levels are unbalanced it leaves our PCOS to run rapid!. Stress is a huge factor in PCOS. We know that cortisol levels and PCOS is linked so when we become stressed it is no wonder our symptoms get worse or create new problems. High cortisol levels make weight gain rapid and make weightloss feel nearly impossible. I am not one to tell you to run off and join the gym and start working out twice a day and eating salad 3 times a day because we hear that all too often from specialists friends families it can be exhausting. I will tell you exercise will lower cortisol levels and reduce many of your PCOS symptoms but that is not the only way !

There are many ways to lower cortisol levels such a meditation which takes practice but can be attainable in addition to our diet. There are nature walks, music, dancing, classes, hobbies. The main point is finding what fills your cup. When we do not fill our own cup and we are constantly filling others cups we will be drained quickly.

We get frustrated burnt out short fused and our cortisol levels shoot up. This can leave our hormones searching for a happy high and that is usually when we reach for bad behaviors such as binge eating, restricting, just not fueling our bodies with good options and balance. We need to rememeber PCOS is a hormone disorder and we cant do all the physical things right but if we are not taking care of our mental health we just add to our bigger issue. Nutrition, Movment, filling our mental cup up with things we enjoy is all a balancing act !

What are ways you like to feel your cup? Do you feel they have become to hard to accomplish?

What Weightloss Does to Increase Fertilty There is a big road block between doctor and patients with hormone disorders when it comes to fertility. Most doctors will say to be fertile you need to lose X amount of weight. All the patient hears is weightloss and that is another obstacle for them to face when it comes to already having to battle with there fertility. Here is why weightloss is benefical to increase fertility. Those of us who may be overweight with PCOS even without PCOS have a harder time getting and staying pregnant. Well no duh we dont need a doctor to tell us that 🙂 However when we are overweight or obese that comes with lower estrogen levels, Our estrogen is respnisble for TRIGGERING ovulation without ovulation there is no chance of pregnancy because there is no window to be (FERTILE). On top of lower estrogen our friend insulin resistance can play a part in distrupting ovulation.

The Key take away from this is that yes doctors are correct weight loss will help you get pregnant and stay pregnant safely. However you do not need to be at your lowest possible weight to obtain this goal. Depending on your weight and your current and previous conditions a weight loss of 20 pounds can increase your fertility immensly if you are on a bigger wieghtloss journey that number could be 100lbs-200lbs. This is not a reason to panic or be alarmed! It is possible with diet and exercise. Diet refers to what we are putting in our bodies this does not mean restriction. This means including all food groups and learning to balance it.