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		<title>Weight Loss After 40</title>
		<link>https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/weight-loss-after-40/</link>
					<comments>https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/weight-loss-after-40/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Martha Mckittrick RD]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jul 2025 16:59:54 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Weight Loss]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[body fat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[boost metabolism naturally]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[calories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cortisol]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GLP-1 hormones]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GLP1]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gut]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gut health and weight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIIT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hormonal changes and weight gain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[insulin resistance and weight loss]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[macros]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[metabolism after menopause]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[realistic weight loss strategies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sleep stress and weight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[slower metabolism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strength training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strength training and weight loss]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sustainable weight loss]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[weight loss after 40]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[weight loss hormones]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[weight loss over 50]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[why weight loss gets harder with age]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://marthamckittricknutrition.com/?p=42001</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<img width="768" height="402" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/weight-loss-over-40-768x402.png" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Weight loss over 40 concept — woman stepping on scale with tape measure on floor" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 15px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/weight-loss-over-40-768x402.png 768w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/weight-loss-over-40-300x157.png 300w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/weight-loss-over-40-1024x536.png 1024w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/weight-loss-over-40.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" />What always worked for you in the past just isn’t cutting it anymore. I hear this from my clients all the time, especially when it comes to weight loss over 40. And let me assure you: you’re not imagining it. This is really happening. As we move through our 40s, 50s, and beyond, weight loss&#8230;]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="768" height="402" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/weight-loss-over-40-768x402.png" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Weight loss over 40 concept — woman stepping on scale with tape measure on floor" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 15px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/weight-loss-over-40-768x402.png 768w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/weight-loss-over-40-300x157.png 300w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/weight-loss-over-40-1024x536.png 1024w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/weight-loss-over-40.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What always worked for you in the past just isn’t cutting it anymore. I hear this from my clients all the time, especially when it comes to weight loss over 40. And let me assure you: you’re not imagining it. This is really happening.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As we move through our 40s, 50s, and beyond, weight loss becomes more challenging. A slower metabolism, shifting hormones, changes in sleep, and even gut health all play a role in how our bodies respond to food and exercise. This can feel discouraging, especially if you’re doing “all the right things” and not seeing results.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I am here to tell you that harder does not mean impossible, and I have helped many of my over 40 clients lose weight, support their metabolism, and feel their best at every age.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 style="font-weight: 400;">So Why Is It Harder?</h2>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">There isn’t just <em>one</em> reason the scale feels stuck after 40. It’s a combination of biological changes and lifestyle factors that stack the odds against us. Here’s what’s really going on:<br />
<img decoding="async" class="alignright size-full wp-image-42025" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/gut-health-emotional-eating-connection.png" alt="woman over 40 eating emotionally eating from refrigerator " width="600" height="400" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/gut-health-emotional-eating-connection.png 600w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/gut-health-emotional-eating-connection-300x200.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>1. Your Metabolism Slows Down</strong></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Starting around age 30, most people lose 3–8% of muscle mass per decade if they don’t strength train. Less muscle means fewer calories burned at rest.</p>
<p>By age 45, you may naturally burn about 200 fewer calories per day than you did at 25 — even if your eating and exercise habits haven’t changed.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On top of that, hormones like estrogen and testosterone decline with age, which shifts fat toward the belly and reduces lean muscle. Even if your weight doesn’t change much, your body composition does, with less muscle and more fat, which further slows<br />
</span></p>
<div>
<p><em><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f4a1.png" alt="💡" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Did you know? Strength training can dramatically slow (sarcopenia &#8211; age-related muscle loss) and even build new muscle at any age. Adults in their 70s, 80s, and beyond can still gain muscle and strength with resistance training.</span></em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>2. Weight Loss &amp; Hormones</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With age, we often become more insulin resistant, making it easier to store fat, especially around the belly. Keeping insulin regulated helps to support weight management. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Women experience estrogen decline around menopause, which shifts fat storage to the midsection. Men see a gradual drop in testosterone, leading to less muscle and more fat.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hormones like ghrelin, leptin, and GLP-1 may become less balanced, making it harder to feel satisfied and control cravings.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>3. Lifestyle &amp; Environmental Shifts</strong></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Midlife often means more stress, less sleep, and less movement. These factors stack the odds against weight loss:</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignright size-full wp-image-42007" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stress-cortisol-weight-loss-over-40.png" alt="Stressed woman at desk — high cortisol can make weight loss over 40 harder" width="600" height="400" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stress-cortisol-weight-loss-over-40.png 600w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stress-cortisol-weight-loss-over-40-300x200.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" />Stress: Higher stress raises cortisol. As a result, fat storage shifts to the belly and cravings increase. Common stressors at this stage include kids in college, caring for aging parents, and today’s fast-paced world.</p>
<p>Sleep: Hormone changes, busy schedules, and stress often disrupt sleep. Poor sleep throws off hunger hormones and worsens insulin resistance. For many of my clients, late-night scrolling or Netflix binges make things even harder.</p>
<p>Movement: Even if you exercise, your overall activity may be lower than in your younger years. Desk jobs, long commutes, or joint aches often reduce natural movement. Since the pandemic, I’ve noticed many clients working from home more — and moving less throughout the day.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>4. Gut Health &amp; Aging</strong></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">As we age, the diversity of gut microbes often declines. A less diverse microbiome is linked to slower metabolism, more inflammation, and more cravings for processed foods.</p>
<p>On the other hand, people with healthier, more diverse gut bacteria generally have an easier time managing their weight and blood sugar.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f449.png" alt="👉" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> Want to dive deeper? Check out my post: <a class="decorated-link" href="#" rel="noopener" data-start="577" data-end="648"><strong data-start="578" data-end="644">Gut Health 101: Why It Matters and How to Support It Naturally</strong></a>.</p>
<h2 style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><br />
</strong>How to Achieve Weight Loss Over 40</h2>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">I have good news for you. While your body changes with age, you can take control by making a few key shifts. These strategies will help you work </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">with</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> your metabolism and hormones instead of </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">against</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> them:</span></p>
<ul style="font-weight: 400;">
<li>Prioritize protein at every meal. Aim for 25–30 grams to protect lean muscle, keep metabolism strong, and help you feel fuller for longer.</li>
<li>Strength train 2–3 times per week. This builds and preserves lean muscle — one of the best defenses against age-related metabolic slowdown.</li>
<li><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-full wp-image-42017" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/neat-movement-weight-loss-over-40.png" alt="Incorporating NEAT movement like taking the stairs supports weight loss over 40" width="600" height="400" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/neat-movement-weight-loss-over-40.png 600w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/neat-movement-weight-loss-over-40-300x200.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" />Add cardio and HIIT  in balance with risk walking, biking, swimming, or short bursts of high–intensity interval training (HIIT) can boost heart health and insulin sensitivity.</li>
<li>Do not rely on just cardio alone. Research shows results are often modest because the body compensates by increasing hunger or reducing movement later.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A 2021 overview of 12 systematic reviews (149 studies) in Obesity Reviews found that combining aerobic and resistance training most effectively supports weight and fat loss, while resistance training helps preserve lean muscle mass during weight loss.</span></li>
<li>Increase NEAT movement. NEAT stands for <em data-start="154" data-end="191">non-exercise activity thermogenesis. </em>It  includes all the calories you burn from everyday activities outside of formal exercise. Think taking the stairs, standing while on calls, doing light chores, or stretching during TV time. These small movements might not feel like much, but they add up over the day and can give your metabolism a real boost.</li>
<li>Aim for at least 7,000 steps a day. Studies show around 7,000 steps daily is linked to better health and easier weight control. If you’re already there, building toward 8,000–10,000 and mixing in some brisk walking provides even more benefits.</li>
<li>Boost your body’s natural weight-loss hormones. Your gut produces hormones like GLP-1 that regulate appetite, blood sugar, and metabolism. You can boost their release by eating protein, fiber-rich foods (beans, veggies, berries), and polyphenol-rich foods (green tea, olive oil, dark chocolate). Good sleep and stress management also play a big role.</li>
<li>Keep insulin levels steady. Pair carbs with protein or healthy fats, eat more fiber, and stay active throughout the day to improve insulin sensitivity.</li>
<li>Lower cortisol with stress management. Even 5 minutes of deep breathing, journaling, or stepping outside can help lower stress, reduce cravings, and support fat loss.</li>
<li>Prioritize sleep. Aim for 7–9 hours per night. Good sleep keeps hunger hormones in check, reduces cravings, and supports metabolism.</li>
<li>Support gut health. Feed your microbiome with fiber, probiotics (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut), and a wide variety of plant foods.</li>
<li>Keep a food journal or track intake. Even when you feel like you’re doing everything right, hidden calories or low protein can stall progress. Research shows food tracking supports greater weight loss. Apps like <a href="https://cronometer.com">Cronometer</a> or <a href="https://www.myfitnesspal.com">MyFitnessPal</a> can help you monitor calories, carbs, fiber, protein, and fat.</li>
<li>Seek medical support if needed. Sometimes lifestyle changes aren’t enough. GLP-1 medications and other medical tools can be very effective when combined with healthy habits.</li>
<li>Be patient and look for multiple signs of progress. The scale is only one measure of success. Pay attention to other wins like more energy, better sleep, clothes fitting looser, lower body fat percentage, or improved cholesterol and blood sugar.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-42011 size-full" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/waist-measurement-weight-loss-over-40.png" alt="Measuring waistline to track progress with weight loss over 40" width="600" height="400" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/waist-measurement-weight-loss-over-40.png 600w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/waist-measurement-weight-loss-over-40-300x200.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></li>
</ul>
<h2 style="font-weight: 400;">Final Thoughts</h2>
<p data-start="262" data-end="480">Yes, weight loss gets harder with age but not impossible if you understand how metabolism, hormones, lifestyle, and gut health change over time, you can make smart adjustments that actually work for your body.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Taking action with small changes adds up. Start by adding 20 grams of protein to breakfast, taking a 10-minute walk after dinner, or committing to two strength-training sessions this week. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re feeling frustrated, know that you don’t have to figure it out alone. Together, we can build a personalized plan to support your metabolism and hormones so weight loss feels realistic and sustainable. No crash dieting or gimmicks required.</span></p>
<p><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f449.png" alt="👉" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> <em>Ready to get started? <u style="font-weight: 400;">Book a virtual session</u> and let’s create your personalized plan for weight loss. </em></p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
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		<item>
		<title>Is High Intensity Exercise Bad for PCOS?</title>
		<link>https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/is-high-intensity-exercise-bad-for-pcos/</link>
					<comments>https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/is-high-intensity-exercise-bad-for-pcos/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Martha Mckittrick RD]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Jul 2021 02:23:26 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[PCOS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIIT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[insulin resistance]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://marthamckittricknutrition.com/?p=35440</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<img width="768" height="384" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Is-intense-exercise-bad-for-PCOS-768x384.png" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="intense exercise and PCOS" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 15px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Is-intense-exercise-bad-for-PCOS-768x384.png 768w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Is-intense-exercise-bad-for-PCOS-300x150.png 300w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Is-intense-exercise-bad-for-PCOS-200x100.png 200w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Is-intense-exercise-bad-for-PCOS.png 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" />If you have PCOS and spend any time on social media, you’ve probably heard the word “cortisol” quite a bit! You may also have heard you should avoid intense types of exercise as it can cause cortisol spikes and worsen PCOS. Yet other research says high intensity exercise has many benefits for PCOS. It’s confusing&#8230;]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="768" height="384" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Is-intense-exercise-bad-for-PCOS-768x384.png" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="intense exercise and PCOS" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 15px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Is-intense-exercise-bad-for-PCOS-768x384.png 768w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Is-intense-exercise-bad-for-PCOS-300x150.png 300w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Is-intense-exercise-bad-for-PCOS-200x100.png 200w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Is-intense-exercise-bad-for-PCOS.png 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><p>If you have PCOS and spend any time on social media, you’ve probably heard the word “cortisol” quite a bit! You may also have heard you should avoid intense types of exercise as it can cause cortisol spikes and worsen PCOS. Yet other research says high intensity exercise has many benefits for PCOS. It’s confusing to say the least!  To learn more about cortisol and find out if high intensity exercise is bad for PCOS, read guest blog post by Tedi Nikova, RD.</p>
<h3><strong>What is cortisol?</strong></h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-35445 alignright" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/high-cortisol-levels-.png" alt="" width="250" height="250" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/high-cortisol-levels-.png 250w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/high-cortisol-levels--150x150.png 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" />Cortisol is nicknamed the “stress hormone”, as it is usually connected with our bodies stress response. It’s a steroid hormone produced by our adrenal glands in response to stress; the secretion of this hormone is controlled by the pituitary gland, located in our brain. Not only does cortisol help you deal with stress, <a href="https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z/hormones/cortisol">research shows</a> it plays a significant role in blood sugar control, metabolism, blood pressure regulation, assists with memory formation, and even supports the development of the fetus during pregnancy.</p>
<p>Now keep in mind that stress can come in many forms, including emotional, mental, or physical. Even sneaky things like eating too few calories, too little sleep or exercising too much can cause stress. It&#8217;s also important to make the distinction between short term and long term stress.</p>
<h3><strong>Chronic stress and PCOS<br />
</strong></h3>
<p>While short term stress isn’t dangerous (it can actually be a good thing!),  chronic stress can have many negative health effects, especially for people with PCOS. <em>Here is an excerpt from Martha’s PCOS book (to be available fall 2021) “</em>It can affect non-essential functions like reproduction, digestion, and optimal thyroid functioning. <a href="https://www.ijem.in/article.asp?issn=2230-8210;year=2011;volume=15;issue=1;spage=18;epage=22;aulast=Ranabir">Research shows</a> chronic high levels of cortisol can cause inflammation, disrupt sleep, and keep blood sugar elevated, which increases insulin resistance, increases the risk of heart attack, causes ongoing digestive issues, and more. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19150179/">Studies</a> even suggest that people with PCOS may be more susceptible to stress as compared to people without PCOS. High levels of cortisol also influence weight gain around the mid-section. So, the last thing someone with PCOS wants is chronic high levels of cortisol! And if you have elevated levels of DHEAS, an adrenal androgen, you may be even more susceptible to stress.&#8221;</p>
<h3><b><span lang="EN-CA">High intensity exercise and PCOS</span></b></h3>
<p><span lang="EN-CA"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-35446 alignright" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/black-woman-running.png" alt="black woman running " width="250" height="250" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/black-woman-running.png 250w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/black-woman-running-150x150.png 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" />Exercise acts as a stressor on the body, especially when it comes to high intensity exercise. High i</span>ntensity cardio exercise can be described as a form of exercise that gets your heart rate up above 75% of your max heart rate (on average) for 10 minutes or more in duration. Two examples of high-intensity exercise include high intensity steady state training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). <span lang="EN-CA">HIIT involves alternating high-intensity exercise intervals with periods of lower-intensity intervals of active recovery.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-CA">So, does this mean you should avoid high intensity exercise if you have PCOS? It’s not as straight forward as you may think – and there are pros and cons!  </span><span lang="EN-CA">It will depend upon the individual person, including how their hormones respond to the exercise, as well as other factors including overall conditioning and hydration status.</span></p>
<div>
<h3><strong>Benefits of </strong><strong>high intensity exercise for PCOS<br />
</strong></h3>
</div>
<p>Let&#8217;s start with the positive.  <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4583183/">Studies have shown</a> HIIT in people with PCOS may reduce insulin resistance more than traditional endurance exercise. Other <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33467251/">studies</a> done in PCOS show vigorous exercise is most effect for improving insulin sensitivity. While not done in PCOS specifically, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27747847/">research</a> also shows that HIIT training can elevate the metabolic rate for a longer period after you stop exercising, as compared to steady state exercise. So contrary to what you often read on social media, high intensity exercise can have many benefits for PCOS!</p>
<h3><strong>Potential downsides of high intensity exercise for PCOS</strong></h3>
<p>But high intensity exercise is not for everyone. PCOS is a hormonal condition. And anything that disrupts hormonal balance can have a negative impact on PCOS symptoms. So while exercise can have numerous health benefits, &#8220;overdoing&#8221; exercise can act as a chronic stressor. In addition to the negative effects previously listed, chronically high levels of cortisol can cause disruptions in the menstrual cycle.</p>
<p><a href="https://health.gov/our-work/physical-activity/current-guidelines/scientific-report">Research suggests</a> that moderate to high-intensity exercise may increase cortisol acutely (in the short term) &#8211; this means the spike in cortisol won’t have long term effects. Additionally, r<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18787373/">esearch shows</a> that even low intensity exercise shows an increase in cortisol after 60 minutes. There is still no clarity regarding the effects of high-intensity training on rises of cortisol during the recovery period after exercise in trained and untrained individuals. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21944954/">Research shows</a> that endurance athletes performing long periods of intense exercise have elevated long term cortisol. Note: the above studies mentioned were not done on people with PCOS, but they are the best we have.</p>
<p><strong><em><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3435910/">General signs and symptoms</a> of too much cortisol include:</em></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Weight gain, mostly around the mid-section</li>
<li>Acne</li>
<li>Severe fatigue</li>
<li>Difficulty concentration</li>
<li>High blood pressure</li>
<li>Lack of sex drive<br />
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-35444 alignright" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-design-13.png" alt="" width="250" height="250" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-design-13.png 250w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-design-13-150x150.png 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" /></li>
<li>Muscle weakness</li>
<li>Insomnia</li>
<li>Anxiety, depression, and irritability</li>
<li>Osteoporosis</li>
<li>For more signs and symptoms <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000807.htm">CLICK HERE</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Of course, your best bet it to test, not guess, when it comes to cortisol. Very high levels of cortisol can indicate medical conditions such as Cushing&#8217;s disease.</p>
<p><em><strong>Signs that you may be overdoing your workouts:</strong></em><br />
The trick here is to pay attention to how your body feels in response to exercise. Signs that you may be over-doing your exercise include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Needing longer periods of rest</li>
<li>Trouble sleeping</li>
<li>Losing motivation</li>
<li>Getting frequent colds</li>
<li>Stressing about your workout, remember all stress can spike your cortisol, feel like you NEED to do your workout</li>
<li>Constant food cravings</li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>The bottom line &#8211;  is high intensity exercise bad for PCOS? </strong></h3>
<p>We are all unique individuals so you&#8217;ll have to listen to your body! For some people, intense exercise can dramatically improve insulin sensitivity and raise your metabolic rate. But for others it may cause more stress and worsen symptoms. Many of us already have chronic stress in our lives. As previously discussed, chronic stress can cause high levels of cortisol which can lead to blood sugar imbalances and diabetes, inflammation and worsened insulin resistance, weight gain and obesity and more. But there is no scientific evidence that intense exercise causes this reaction in everyone with PCOS. So the bottom line is that there is NO right answer to the question &#8211; it depends on the individual. So forget what you read on social media and listen to your body.</p>
<h3><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-35447 alignright" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/woman-doing-yoga.png" alt="" width="250" height="250" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/woman-doing-yoga.png 250w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/woman-doing-yoga-150x150.png 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" />Tips to reduce exercise related cortisol</h3>
<ul>
<li>Do not fear to change up your exercise routine to include higher intensity workouts</li>
<li>Prioritize sleep and recovery time</li>
<li>Focus on good nutrition and hydration pre and post workout</li>
<li>Do NOT STRESS about your exercise routine!</li>
<li>Practice mindful movement. Base your activity level on your bodies ques.</li>
<li>Having a nighttime unwinding routine: Avoid stressors in the evening such as stressful work emails, intense tv, and stress provoking conversations.</li>
<li>If you wish to include high intensity exercise in your program, also include weight training and lighter exercises (yoga, pilates) to help balance things out</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>How does intense exercise make you feel?</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-35451 alignright" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/tedi-2.png" alt="" width="250" height="250" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/tedi-2.png 250w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/tedi-2-150x150.png 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" /></p>
<p>I&#8217;d like to thank Tedi Nikova for writing this blog post. Tedi is a Toronto based Registered Dietitian. She has a Master’s degree in Public Health, and a specialization in women’s health from The University of Toronto. Tedi has a passion, and commitment to help women feel confident, energized, and healthy in their own body, through nutrition therapy. Tedi’s areas of interest in nutrition therapy include women’s health conditions including PCOS, as well as clinical obesity.</p>
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		<title>What are the best types of exercise for PCOS?</title>
		<link>https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/what-are-the-best-types-of-exercise-for-pcos/</link>
					<comments>https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/what-are-the-best-types-of-exercise-for-pcos/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Martha Mckittrick RD]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2019 01:57:57 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[PCOS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cardio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIIT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pilates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[resistance training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[weight training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[weights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yoga]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://71c263ce31.nxcli.net/?p=24447</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<img width="768" height="384" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Best-exercises-for-PCOS-768x384.png" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 15px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Best-exercises-for-PCOS-768x384.png 768w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Best-exercises-for-PCOS-300x150.png 300w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Best-exercises-for-PCOS.png 1024w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Best-exercises-for-PCOS-200x100.png 200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" />Exercise plays a major role in treating PCOS. But what are the best types of exercise for PCOS? There’s so much confusion on the internet that you may feel like doing nothing at all. But it doesn’t have to be this way. My mission is to help clear the confusion for women with PCOS when&#8230;]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="768" height="384" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Best-exercises-for-PCOS-768x384.png" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 15px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Best-exercises-for-PCOS-768x384.png 768w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Best-exercises-for-PCOS-300x150.png 300w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Best-exercises-for-PCOS.png 1024w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Best-exercises-for-PCOS-200x100.png 200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><p>Exercise plays a major role in treating PCOS. But what are the best types of exercise for PCOS? There’s so much confusion on the internet that you may feel like doing nothing at all. But it doesn’t have to be this way. My mission is to help clear the confusion for women with PCOS when it comes to diet and exercise. So, I’ve interviewed 6 top PCOS exercise experts to get their advice. Read the bio&#8217;s of the 6 exercise experts below.</p>
<p>This is the second of my series of blog posts on PCOS and exercise. Last week we talked about <a href="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/pcos-and-exercise-tips-to-get-started/">barriers to exercise with PCOS</a> and gave some tips to get started.</p>
<h3>Confusing exercise myths</h3>
<p>First, let’s start by looking at some of the crazy myths on the internet:</p>
<p><strong>Martha:</strong> &#8220;Spinning classes cause PCOS&#8221; and &#8220;Don&#8217;t do HITT if you have PCOS&#8221;.  &#8220;You need to avoid XYZ exercise if you have a certain type of PCOS&#8221;  Intense exercise does not cause PCOS. We aren&#8217;t 100% sure what causes it, but it&#8217;s not exercise. Numerous studies have shown that HITT is a great exercise for PCOS. But it&#8217;s not for every single woman.</p>
<p><strong>Ginny:</strong> “If you lose weight you can cure your PCOS”. I hate this every time I read it.  There is no cure. You can help yourself control it by making a move towards healthier habits, but it will always be there.  Symptoms can change with time.  I’m learning this more and more as I age.</p>
<p><strong>Erika:</strong> “A particular type of exercise is bad for PCOS. It&#8217;s a ridiculous inaccurate statement. In my ten years of training I have never encountered a specific kind of workout, that is bad for all women with PCOS. Some workouts do a better job of achieving certain goals and overtraining or pushing yourself can cause harm.”</p>
<p><strong>Despina: </strong>“You need to exercise more and eat less. But this is often not the case for women with PCOS. A lot of women with PCOS are already over exercising and not eating enough, so being told to do more of that doesn&#8217;t seem helpful. But more importantly it doesn&#8217;t work. The focus must be on getting to the root cause and nourishing your body.”</p>
<p><strong>Letisha</strong>: “Lose weight and your PCOS will be cured. There is no cure for PCOS. Yes, symptoms can be reversed or reduced. Losing weight can help with that but also losing weight with PCOS is extremely difficult. Women are often not educated on insulin resistance that goes along with the diagnosis and the nutrition that is most beneficial for them. This myth is essentially setting women up for disappointment.”</p>
<p><strong>Maria:</strong> &#8216;Workouts have to be on hour or longer&#8217;  This is non-sense. My workouts average 20-25 minutes. Although I enjoy 30-40 minute workouts, I don’t need to bust my chops for that long to reap many of the benefits of exercise. Neither do you. It is true that longer routines will likely burn fat, it all depends on the foods and beverages we consume pre and post your workouts and when you consume.  Your performance and results are a result of multiple factors including nutrition, hydration, timing sleep, energy level, and mindset.</p>
<p>Now let’s start busting myths!</p>
<h3>Types of exercise</h3>
<p>Stay tuned for another detailed blog post on the health benefits of different types of exercise. Here is a quick list of the different types of exercise:<br />
-Strength training can involve weights, bands, balls, your own body weight<br />
-Cardio – includes HIIT, steady state<br />
-Stretching<br />
-Yoga<br />
-Pilates<br />
-Walking and everyday steps</p>
<h3>What are the best types of exercise for PCOS?</h3>
<p>So here is where we get to the questions I get asked all the time! Read what the experts have to say.</p>
<h4>Ginny</h4>
<div id="attachment_24457" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-24457" class="wp-image-24457 size-square" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ginny-run--300x300.jpg" alt="Ginny Silvestro running " width="300" height="300" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ginny-run--300x300.jpg 300w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ginny-run--150x150.jpg 150w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ginny-run--768x768.jpg 768w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ginny-run-.jpg 960w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-24457" class="wp-caption-text">Ginny Silvestro</p></div>
<p>Patients with PCOS come in all shapes and sizes.  There is no one-size-fits-all solution.  What works for one may not work for another.  I work with each of my clients to find the best solution for them.  My programs include all of the above.  Clients get a mix of HIIT cardio, strength training, pilates, yoga and some even have walking routines.</p>
<p>-HIIT has many health benefits from lowering blood pressure, to increasing your metabolic rate, helping to reduce insulin levels. It is also efficient.<br />
-Strength training helps to burn calories long after your workout is over.  The higher your muscle to fat ratio, the better your body can regulate insulin.<br />
-Pilates and Yoga both can build strength, lower your heart rate and are known to reduce stress.<br />
-Walking can help balance blood glucose levels.  It is also a weight bearing activity so it can help to fight against osteoporosis – a risk that some PCOS patients may have due to low Vitamin D levels.</p>
<p>In general, the type of activity I recommend depends on what a client’s starting point is.  My theory is any exercise is good exercise.  Some types of activities may have quicker results than others, but if you don’t enjoy the activity you are doing it won’t lead you to success.</p>
<div id="attachment_24460" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-24460" class="wp-image-24460 size-square" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Lindsay-pink-pants-e1558559115998-300x300.jpg" alt="Lindsay Martin working out with exercise ball " width="300" height="300" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Lindsay-pink-pants-e1558559115998-300x300.jpg 300w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Lindsay-pink-pants-e1558559115998-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-24460" class="wp-caption-text">Lindsay Martin</p></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">Lindsay</h4>
<p style="text-align: left;">I believe HIIT and strength training are the best types of exercise for PCOS. HIIT is going to really kick your fat loss into gear. When you use HIIT, whether it’s cardio or with weights, your heart rate will be consistently up &amp; down, hence being able to burn fat quicker.</p>
<p>Long duration cardio and strength training is where you build better &#8211; and no, not bulk building. When I train, I interchange these exercises. One day is longer duration training and another day is HIIT form, and somedays I combine the two. It depends on my energy, my mood, and what I’ve already worked out for the week.</p>
<p>Yoga, pilates, and walking are great forms of exercise for mental and emotional health. You can also get a great workout with yoga and pilates. Combine all of these into your routine and you’ll be really kickin’ it in gear!</p>
<h4>Erika</h4>
<div id="attachment_24458" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-24458" class="wp-image-24458 size-square" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Erika-Volk-plank-300x300.jpg" alt="Erika Volk doing planks with her son" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Erika-Volk-plank-300x300.jpg 300w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Erika-Volk-plank-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-24458" class="wp-caption-text">Erika Volk</p></div>
<p style="text-align: left;">I&#8217;m a big believer in strength training for PCOS management. In addition to all of the good things it does for PCOS, strength training is good for most people. It prevents many of the side effects of aging like heart disease, osteoporosis, and age-related weight gain. Plus, muscle is what gives the female body beautiful firm curves. I don&#8217;t know about you but, I&#8217;m not above a little vanity when it comes to my workout motivation.</p>
<p>For cardio exercise, I recommend HIIT workouts because they do a little bit better than traditional cardio at improving insulin resistance. I&#8217;m also a big fan of yoga. I think it is an incredible tool for stress management and it can help with recovering from intense workouts.</p>
<h4>Despina</h4>
<div id="attachment_24455" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-24455" class="wp-image-24455 size-square" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Despina-Pavlou-Photo-weights-300x300.jpg" alt="Despina Pavlou with weights " width="300" height="300" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Despina-Pavlou-Photo-weights-300x300.jpg 300w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Despina-Pavlou-Photo-weights-150x150.jpg 150w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Despina-Pavlou-Photo-weights.jpg 320w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-24455" class="wp-caption-text">Despina Pavlou:</p></div>
<p>I believe all forms of exercise can be beneficial for women with PCOS. Each type of exercise from strength training, HIIT to yoga provides the body with something different.</p>
<p>The best form of exercise will however depend on the type of PCOS the woman is suffering from.</p>
<p>Walking is not intense or taxing on the body, which means it doesn&#8217;t raise cortisol levels like intense exercise would. Therefore, it is an exercise all women can do regardless of their type of PCOS or hormone imbalance.</p>
<p>Strength training is the second type of exercise all women with PCOS can do to help with their hormone imbalance. Focus on the compound lifts like the squat, deadlift, bench press and overhead press. Strength training helps us build muscle and research has found for each 10% increase in muscle there is an 11% relative reduction in insulin resistance. In addition to strength training increasing insulin sensitivity, it can also help lower testosterone levels in women with PCOS.</p>
<p>If a woman is just suffering from the insulin resistant PCOS, a combination of strength training and HIIT can be really beneficial in increasing insulin sensitivity and getting the glucose in the muscle and in the blood stream being burned.</p>
<h4>Letisha:</h4>
<div id="attachment_24456" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-24456" class="wp-image-24456 size-square" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Letisha-Bates-walk--e1558556783233-300x300.jpg" alt="Letisha Bates speed walking " width="300" height="300" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Letisha-Bates-walk--e1558556783233-300x300.jpg 300w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Letisha-Bates-walk--e1558556783233-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-24456" class="wp-caption-text">Letisha Bates</p></div>
<p>I love the benefits of strength training and am a huge advocate for weight lifting. Couple that with some LISS (low intensity steady state cardio) and yoga- you have a perfectly balanced combo. Our health is not just about our physical self, we must take care of our mental health as well so I also like to add some meditation in the mix as well.</p>
<p>A great workout schedule would look like weight training followed by 20-30min of LISS cardio 3x per week, with a day of rest in between. Yoga 2-3x per week. 5 minutes or more of mediation daily. And let’s not forget that the activity you do outside of your workout matters a lot. It’s where you spend most of your time. So become more active. Take the stairs, walk more, get up and move!</p>
<h4>Maria:</h4>
<div id="attachment_24459" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-24459" class="wp-image-24459 size-medium" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Client-Training-e1558558848656-300x246.jpg" alt="Maria Horstmann training a client " width="300" height="246" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Client-Training-e1558558848656-300x246.jpg 300w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Client-Training-e1558558848656-768x631.jpg 768w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Client-Training-e1558558848656-1024x841.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-24459" class="wp-caption-text">Maria Horstmann</p></div>
<p>The best types of exercise for PCOS are those that women will start, grow into it, enjoy, and incorporate into their lifestyle. Everyone woman is unique and deserves the learn and adopt practices that are best for her.</p>
<p>The most effective and efficient type of exercise is HIIT &#8212; a combination of strength training and cardio for improved cardiovascular health, measure of glucose and insulin, bone health, and brain health by maximizing neurotransmitters and other brain chemicals.</p>
<p>Lastly, in order to support all types of physical activities, aging, and overall mobility, I recommend yoga and/or exercises to improve flexibility.</p>
<h3>Here are my top 10 exercise tips for PCOS:</h3>
<ol>
<li>Listen to your body. Rather than focusing the type of exercise you are &#8220;supposed&#8221; to do for your type of PCOS, tune in to how your body feels. If you feel crappy and exhausted after a HITT session, a more moderate 30 minute session on the elliptical machine may be better for you.  If you feel invigorated after HITT, then go for it!  If you get too get bulky from lifting heavy weights, try lighter weights and superset different body parts. This still work your muscles, help you get toned &#8211; and give you the insulin lowering effect.</li>
<li>Include some form of strength training. The general recommendation is 2-3x/wk, however the frequency, duration of session and the amount of weight you choose to use depend on your goals. Example: I had a client with PCOS who was doing spin classes and light weight training several times a week. One of her goals was to lose inches. She felt great and lost dropped 2 pant sizes but plateaued. She started working out with a trainer doing heavy weights and was finally able to reach her goal of dropping another pant size. Of course, she was careful with her diet as well.</li>
<li>Include a cardio component. Not only does this also improve insulin resistance, but it’s also important for heart health and blood sugar control. Women with PCOS have<a href="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/pcos-and-heart-disease-what-you-need-to-know/"> increased rates of heart disease</a> and diabetes.</li>
<li>Make sure are add in a stretching component</li>
<li>More is not better. Over-exercising can cause injury, fatigue, mental burnout, stress, and inflammation – not what a woman with PCOS wants!  This can worsen symptoms of PCOS. So pay attention to your body. Here’s an example: if a spin class or super intense HITT session knocks you out for hours (or days!) then that may not be the exercise for you. In addition, exercising too much and consuming too few calories can slow your metabolism.</li>
<li>Focus more on inches, body fat percentage or how your clothes fit as opposed to weight on the scale. Exercise, especially weight training builds muscle, which can initially add weight on the scale. But you’ll notice your jeans aren’t as tight!</li>
<li>Vary your type of exercise. For example, doing JUST yoga or barre or spin is not recommended. Different types of exercise have different benefits.</li>
<li>Be active throughout the day. While working out formally 3-4x/wk is great, it should not end there. Aim for 10,000 steps a day. Every time you and move you are helping to lower insulin levels. Take the stairs when you can and aim for as close 10 K steps as possible. <a href="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/health-benefits-of-walking-after-meals/">Walking after meals</a> is especially helpful in lowering blood sugar (and insulin) levels.</li>
<li>Start where you are. Don’t feel you have to have the perfect exercise program that incorporates every type of exercise listed above! If you are currently not doing anything at all, maybe start with a 10 minute walk a few times a week. Then think about adding in a 10 minutes band workout 2x/wk.</li>
<li>Need help with motivation or guidance on a specific exercise plan? Consider working with an exercise coach. Check out some of the great coaches below.</li>
<li>But what is most important is that you find an activity that you enjoy, fits into your lifestyle, and makes you feel good physically and mentally!</li>
<li>If one of your goals is to lose weight, keep in mind that it’s easy to out eat your workout. Weight loss is still 80% diet. Of course, you want to nourish your body before and after your workout. Stay tuned for tips in this area.</li>
</ol>
<div id="attachment_24406" style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-24406" class="wp-image-24406" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ginny-head-300x300.jpg" alt="Ginny Silvestro PCOS exercise " width="150" height="150" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ginny-head-300x300.jpg 300w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ginny-head-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /><p id="caption-attachment-24406" class="wp-caption-text">Ginny Silvestro</p></div>
<h3>Meet the experts</h3>
<p><strong><br />
Ginny Silvestro:</strong>  As both a teacher and a coach, I’ve always strived to help others see the best in themselves and guide them to achieve their highest potential.  My number one goal as a personal trainer is to provide excellent support and tools to my clients so that they can enjoy a lifetime of success.  I offer both online and in-person training programs, the most popular being the BE Fit! Brigade 12-week program.<br />
Learn more at <a href="http://bodyenhancingfitness.com/">BodyEnhancingFitness.com</a><br />
Follow my personal fitness journey: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/coachginnybefit/">Facebook</a>    <a href="http://instagram.com/ginnybefit">Instagram</a>   <a href="https://twitter.com/coach_ginny">Twitter</a></p>
<div id="attachment_24451" style="width: 161px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-24451" class="wp-image-24451" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Screen-Shot-2019-05-22-at-12.51.36-PM.png" alt="Erika Volk PCOS exercise " width="151" height="152" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Screen-Shot-2019-05-22-at-12.51.36-PM.png 186w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Screen-Shot-2019-05-22-at-12.51.36-PM-150x150.png 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 151px) 100vw, 151px" /><p id="caption-attachment-24451" class="wp-caption-text">Erika Volk</p></div>
<p><strong>Erika Volk: </strong>Erika is the PCOS personal trainer. She guides women living with PCOS towards a lifestyle that gets their symptoms under control, so they have the time, energy, and confidence to thrive. She&#8217;s a certified personal trainer, a nutrition coach, and creator of the PCOS Fit Studio workout videos. You can read her blog at the pcospersonaltrainer.com, or follow her on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/esv646s/featured">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/erikavolk_pcospersonaltrainer/">Instagram,</a><a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/erikavolkfitness/"> Pinterest</a>, and<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ErikaVolkFitness"> FaceBook</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Despina Pavlou:</strong> Despina Pavlou is the founder of <a href="https://www.pcosoracle.com/">PCOS Oracle </a>and a Certified Personal Trainer. She is on a mission to raise awareness about PCOS and empower women with the knowledge they need to reverse their PCOS naturally.</p>
<div id="attachment_24409" style="width: 161px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-24409" class="wp-image-24409" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Despina-Pavlou-Headshot-Photo-300x300.jpg" alt="Despina Pavlou PCOS exercise" width="151" height="151" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Despina-Pavlou-Headshot-Photo-300x300.jpg 300w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Despina-Pavlou-Headshot-Photo-150x150.jpg 150w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Despina-Pavlou-Headshot-Photo-768x768.jpg 768w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Despina-Pavlou-Headshot-Photo.jpg 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 151px) 100vw, 151px" /><p id="caption-attachment-24409" class="wp-caption-text">Despina Pavlou</p></div>
<p><a href="https://www.pcosoracle.com/podcast/">PCOS and Nutrition Podcast:</a><u><br />
</u>Podcast link to<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/pcos-and-nutrition/id1366837960?mt=2%20%20%20%20%20%20"> iTunes</a><br />
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pcosoracle/">@pcosoracle</a><br />
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pcosoracle/">@pcosoracle</a><br />
Pinterest: <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pcosoracle/">@pcosoracle</a><br />
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/pcosoracle">@pcosoracle</a><br />
YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbYnFHF-MYi0Z-nRLbowC9A?view_as=subscriber">@Despina Pavlou</a></p>
<div id="attachment_24407" style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-24407" class="wp-image-24407" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/lindsay-full-body-e1558554203469-300x300.jpg" alt="Lindsay Martin PCOS exercise " width="150" height="150" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/lindsay-full-body-e1558554203469-300x300.jpg 300w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/lindsay-full-body-e1558554203469-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /><p id="caption-attachment-24407" class="wp-caption-text">Lindsay Martin</p></div>
<p><strong>Lindsay Martin: </strong>I want women to understand that just because you are dealt a different hand in life does not mean you can’t achieve the desires that are in your heart. When I created FitChick Squad programs, I knew my goal was to help ALL women achieve the lifestyle they desired. As women, we are surrounded by the pressure to be perfect and hide our “flaws” that society claims don’t fit. What I teach my ladies is that perfection does not exist, if you’re chasing something that can’t be achieved then you will never feel happy or satisfied. Work with a coach who is relatable, trustworthy, and has YOU in mind!<br />
<b></b>Find me on instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lindsayrenemartin/">@lindsayrenemartin </a><br />
<b></b></p>
<div id="attachment_24427" style="width: 162px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-24427" class="wp-image-24427" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Letisha-head-shot-e1558554370770-300x300.jpg" alt="Letisha Bates PCOS exercise " width="152" height="152" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Letisha-head-shot-e1558554370770-300x300.jpg 300w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Letisha-head-shot-e1558554370770-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 152px) 100vw, 152px" /><p id="caption-attachment-24427" class="wp-caption-text">Letisha Bates</p></div>
<p><b>Letisha Bates: </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can find me on Instagram@ </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://www.instagram.com/bateslovesweights/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">bateslovesweights</span></a> as well as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/livefreehealthcoaching/">Facebook  </a><span style="font-weight: 400;">or my website <a href="http://www.livefreehealthcoaching.com">LiveFreeHealthCoaching</a> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> where I offer a holistic approach to weight loss for women, especially those who struggle with PCOS</span></p>
<p><strong>Maria Horstmann:</strong> Maria Horstmann is the founder of <a href="http://www.befabbeyou.com/">www.BeFabBeYou.com</a>. As a Transformational Speaker, Health and Fitness Coach, and Corporate Wellness Consultant, she creates personalized experiences and programs for single clients, groups, and organizations. She has helped clients overcome struggles with weight, fatigue, burnout, belly fat, brain fog, insulin resistance, blood sugar and hormone imbalances. Step-by-step, virtually and/or in-person, she educates them on fitness and strength,mindfulness,smart nutritional choices, and management of stress and sleep.<br />
Website</p>
<div id="attachment_24412" style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-24412" class="wp-image-24412 size-thumbnail" src="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/maria--e1558554524274-150x150.jpg" alt="Maria Horstmann PCOS exercise " width="150" height="150" srcset="https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/maria--e1558554524274-150x150.jpg 150w, https://old.marthamckittricknutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/maria--e1558554524274-300x300.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /><p id="caption-attachment-24412" class="wp-caption-text">Maria Horstmann</p></div>
<p><a href="http://www.befabbeyou.com/">www.BeFabBeYou.com, </a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BeFabBeYouWellness">Facebook, </a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/be_fab_beyou/">Instagram</a><br />
<strong>3x 45-min Online Personal Training</strong> sessions for $99.00: Get it NOW at <a href="http://www.befabbeyou.com/pt/taster">www.BeFabBeYou.com/pt/taster</a><br />
<strong>FREE 30-Minute </strong>Energy Audit Strategy Session: Schedule it NOW at <a href="http://www.befabbeyou.com/energy-audit">www.BeFabBeYou.com/energy-audit</a></p>
<h3>Bottom line</h3>
<p>There is no ONE best type of exercise for PCOS. As mentioned above, the PCOS exercise experts agree on many things. But they do have slightly different opinions in other areas. This is because there is no one-size-fits-approach to exercise (or diet)  for anyone – whether you have PCOS or not! You need to find what works for you. Don&#8217;t get caught up in listening to some of those crazy myths on social media.</p>
<p>I&#8217;d love to hear what you are doing for exercise!</p>
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