The exercises you should avoid with PCOS are daily high-intensity interval training (HIIT), excessive, long-duration cardio, and overtraining as these can spike cortisol, worsen insulin resistance, and cause fatigue. Many women find that extreme, high intensity interval training (HIIT) can sometimes do more harm than good. If you do a very intense workout and feel completely exhausted or "wired" for hours afterward, it might be spiking your cortisol too much. This can actually lead to more inflammation and make it harder to lose weight. You don't necessarily have to avoid it entirely, but pay attention to how your body feels. If you're already very stressed or not sleeping well, it’s usually better to swap the intense cardio for a long walk or a slow strength session.
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