What really helped my PCOS after 12 Years: 5 game-changing shifts

Hint: Not weight loss

Hello,

I have been meaning to write this article since I started the newsletter, but never got the chance.

Here are the most impactful things I did to manage my PCOS, as a Nutritional Therapist who’s had PCOS for more than 12 years. None of them include overhauling your whole life upside down and eating kale.

Number 1: Switching from HIIT to strength training

Like many of us, I was the woman with two spin classes on an empty stomach on a Sunday morning. I used to think that if my heart rate wasn't hitting the 180s during a workout, it was a waste of time. Over time, I changed that.

Muscle is one of the most essential things for PCOS, as muscle is the best place to store excess glucose, as it gets used up quickly when you move. The bigger the muscle, the more glucose it uses, even when you are just walking. HIIT, especially when done on an empty stomach, can break down your muscles. I want to go deeper on exercise for PCOS in the following months, as I think it’s one of the most impactful things we can do for our PCOS.