PCOS Weight Loss Struggles (And What You Can Do About It)

If you’re cutting carbs, working out every day, and still struggling to lose weight with PCOS, you’re not alone.

Many women are told that reducing carbs and increasing exercise is the best way to lose weight, but for women with hormonal imbalances, insulin resistance, and PCOS, this approach often backfires.

That’s exactly what happened to my client, Sarah.

Despite her low-carb diet and daily workouts, she felt exhausted, her cravings were uncontrollable, and her weight wouldn’t budge. She was doing everything ‘right’ but seeing no results.

The truth? She was focusing on the wrong things.

If you feel like PCOS weight loss is impossible, keep reading. I’ll explain why conventional advice doesn’t work—and what actually does.

Why Cutting Carbs & Exercising More Can Make PCOS Worse

For women with PCOS and insulin resistance, extreme carb-cutting and over-exercising increase stress on the body, which can actually make weight loss harder.

Here’s why:

Going Too Low on Carbs Can Raise Cortisol (Stress Hormone). When you cut carbs too much, your body perceives it as stress. Since PCOS already disrupts cortisol levels, removing carbs entirely can make stress and hormonal imbalances worse, leading to:

1. More sugar cravings

2. Increased fatigue & brain fog

3. Higher cortisol, which can store more fat around the midsection

Instead of cutting carbs completely, focus on choosing the right types and eating them in a balanced way. Over-Exercising Can Slow Metabolism. High-intensity workouts and excessive cardio increase cortisol, which can:

1. Disrupt metabolism and make it harder to burn fat.

2. Lead to extreme fatigue and burnout.

3. Trigger cravings and increased hunger, making it harder to stick to a plan.

   
   

Instead of intense daily workouts, shift your focus to movement that supports PCOS:

1. Strength training to improve metabolism and insulin sensitivity

2. Walking to lower stress hormones and support fat loss

3. Restorative workouts like yoga to balance cortisol levels

   
   

Insulin Resistance Needs Smart Carbs, Not No Carbs. Many women with PCOS have insulin resistance, which means their body struggles to process sugar efficiently. However, that doesn’t mean all carbs are bad—it just means they need to be strategically included. Instead of eliminating carbs, focus on:

1. Choosing low-GI (glycemic index) carbs like sweet potatoes, quinoa, lentils, and whole grains

2. Pairing carbs with protein and healthy fats to keep blood sugar stable✔️ Eating fiber-rich meals to slow glucose absorption

When Sarah started including smart carbs, cutting back on intense workouts, and focusing on stress management, she noticed:

1. Fewer cravings and stable energy

2. More progress without extreme dieting

3. Actual weight loss that felt sustainable

   
   

What To Do If You’re Tired of Not Seeing Progress PCOS weightloss struggles

If you’ve been cutting carbs and pushing harder in the gym but aren’t seeing results, it’s time to shift your focus to what actually works for PCOS.

Instead of extreme restriction, prioritise:

• Blood sugar balance over carb-cutting

• Metabolism-supporting movement over exhausting cardio

• Reducing stress & inflammation instead of just focusing on weight loss

  
  

Book Your PCOS Success Gameplan Call Today

If you’re tired of doing everything "right" and still feeling stuck, let’s find what’s missing from your approach. PCOS weight loss struggle

In a PCOS Success Gameplan Call, we will:

• Assess what’s working and what’s not

• Identify what’s missing so you can finally start seeing progress

• Create a strategy tailored to YOUR body, hormones, and goals

  
  

You don’t have to keep struggling alone.

Book your FREE PCOS Success Gameplan Call today, and let’s create a plan that works for YOU!

Click here to book now!

Your health journey doesn’t have to feel impossible. Let’s get you back on track together.