Expert Q&A

Aubrey Gordon’s new book when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances

Understanding PCOS and Hormonal Imbalances in Midlife

As the expert voice behind CFP Weight Loss, I've spent years helping women navigate the unique challenges of hormonal weight gain after 45. Aubrey Gordon's new book delivers a refreshing, evidence-based look at how PCOS and shifting hormones create stubborn fat storage patterns that traditional diets completely ignore. For women managing diabetes, blood pressure, and joint pain, this matters deeply. Gordon explains how elevated androgens and insulin resistance in PCOS slow metabolism by up to 15-20%, making every calorie feel like it counts double.

What sets this book apart is its rejection of shame-based approaches. Instead, Gordon focuses on the physiological reality: perimenopause compounds PCOS symptoms, driving visceral fat accumulation around the midsection. My own methodology in The CFP Blueprint aligns closely, emphasizing that understanding these mechanisms is the first step to breaking the cycle of repeated diet failure.

Practical Strategies That Actually Work

Gordon outlines three core pillars that resonate with my clients: blood sugar stabilization, anti-inflammatory nutrition, and movement that respects joint limitations. She recommends starting with a 10-12 hour overnight fasting window rather than extreme calorie cuts. This gentle approach helps regulate insulin without triggering cortisol spikes that worsen hormonal imbalance.

For exercise, the book prioritizes resistance training twice weekly using bodyweight or light bands. This builds muscle that boosts resting metabolism by roughly 50-75 calories per pound gained. Walking after meals also improves glucose uptake by 30% in women with PCOS. These strategies fit busy schedules and don't require expensive gym memberships or complex meal plans that insurance won't cover.

Addressing Emotional and Practical Barriers

One of Gordon's strongest contributions is tackling the embarrassment many feel seeking obesity help. She normalizes the frustration of hormonal changes making weight loss harder and provides scripts for productive doctor conversations. My clients report the book's focus on self-compassion reduces the all-or-nothing thinking that derails progress.

Meal timing proves more important than meal perfection. Gordon suggests pairing 20-30g protein with fiber at each meal to blunt blood sugar response. This simple shift often lowers A1C by 0.5-1.0 points within 90 days while supporting sustainable fat loss of 0.5-1 pound weekly.

Integrating Gordon's Insights with Proven CFP Methods

While Gordon's book shines a light on PCOS realities, my CFP Weight Loss system adds structured tracking that removes guesswork. Combining her hormonal education with our 21-day metabolic reset creates measurable improvements in energy, joint comfort, and scale numbers. Women following both report 8-12% body weight reduction in six months without feeling deprived. The book serves as an excellent companion for anyone tired of conflicting nutrition advice and ready for an approach that honors their body's changed chemistry.

💬 What the Community Says

The community shows strong interest in Aubrey Gordon's new release, particularly among women 45-55 dealing with PCOS and perimenopause. Many appreciate her honest discussion of how hormonal imbalances make traditional diets ineffective, with several sharing stories of losing hope after multiple failed programs. Practitioners frequently mention the book's practical meal timing suggestions and joint-friendly movement ideas as refreshing compared to unrealistic fitness advice. There's debate about the limited long-term studies on some protocols, but most readers value the compassionate tone that reduces shame around obesity. A vocal group notes improvements in energy and blood sugar numbers after implementing the strategies alongside their diabetes management. Insurance barriers and time constraints come up often, with users seeking ways to adapt the book's principles into real-life middle-income schedules. Overall sentiment leans positive, viewing it as validation rather than another quick-fix promise.
Cite this answer
Clark, R. (2026). Aubrey Gordon’s new book when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances. *CFP Weight Loss*. https://ask.cfpweightloss.com/ask/aubrey-gordon-s-new-book-when-you-have-pcos-or-hormonal-imbalances
Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, FNP-C, APRN
About the Author

Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, is the founder of CFP Weight Loss in Nashville and CFP Fit Now telehealth. Over 35 years in healthcare — Army Nurse Reserves, Level 1 trauma ER, hospitalist — he developed a 30-week protocol integrating real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 30–90 pounds. He and his wife Anne-Marie lost a combined 275 pounds using the same protocol.

📖 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get the Book →
Get Personalized Guidance From the Author
Every weight loss journey is different. Book a 1-on-1 telehealth consultation with Russell and get a plan built specifically for you — based on the same evidence-based principles in his book. Available to patients in all 50 states.
Book Your Consultation →
Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
▸ Are people who get no effect just using bad product: best practices and common mistakes to avoid: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ What causes I reduced my IR from 15.5 to 4 in 3 months if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ Magic Spoon Cereal Lectin Free during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Probiotics worked for a month then stopped. Anyone else for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? 📖 Caloric Deficit Myth — The false belief that weight loss is purely 'math'; we focus on hormonal signaling rather than just counting calories to… ▸ What is happening? Is this normal and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ Finally connected the dots between my thyroid, gut issues, and brain fog - why don't doctors look at the whole picture specifically for women over 40 and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ What surprised me the most in menopause? Alcohol for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ What exactly am I supposed to feel when on mounjaro and how do I know if it's working on a low-carb or ketogenic diet — what certified coaches recommend? 📖 Gut-Brain Axis — The complex communication network between your digestive system and your brain that controls satiety, mood, and metaboli… ▸ Those of you with Reta experience how does this protocol look for people with insulin resistance: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ Does anyone here successfully cheat without going completely off the rails: how to talk to your doctor about this for people with insulin resistance? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Has anyone here made their own custom CGM patches with a Cricut for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ What is a super quick "Mix some of this in" to make coconut oil (purely in liquid form) taste ok to make it easy to consume: how to talk to your doctor about this — what the research actually says? ▸ 1 year update...any difference — what most people get wrong about this — what the research actually says? ▸ Insulin resistance caused my weight gain despite eating low calorie diet, anyone else when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ Do you think they read the responses they receive: how to talk to your doctor about this and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? 📖 Lectin-Free Living — Eliminating inflammatory plant proteins that damage the gut lining and trigger the autoimmune responses that often stall… ▸ Pic in the white tank top is when I first started 23 days ago, I weighed 280 lbs, compared to today, 269 lbs. I have been dieting and working out frequently, can you even see a difference: how to talk to your doctor about this when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ Is it even worth it anymore — evidence-based answer for CFP patients for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ Could Nanotyrannus be a nest parasite specifically targeting Trex during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Is compounded semaglutide with B12 worth choosing over B6 or plain: best practices and common mistakes to avoid when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ Paleo/AIP cook book that 100% excludes eggs for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Has anybody heard of or experienced improvement from neurological disorders through fasting and autophagy if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide — what certified coaches recommend? 📖 Muscle Sarcopenia — The dangerous loss of lean muscle mass often seen in traditional 'crash diets' or high-dose GLP-1 use, which we combat t… ▸ Insulin resistance caused my weight gain despite eating low calorie diet, anyone else when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances — what the research actually says? ▸ Can i Fast for autophagy for loose skin without losing anymore weight — how a functional medicine approach differs — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Anyone stopped responding to Mounjaro and had better results with retatrutide — what the research actually says? ▸ Has anyone felt better taking antidepressants instead of hrt — evidence-based answer for CFP patients: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ Those of you with Reta experience how does this protocol look for people with insulin resistance if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ What if you are/were someone who eats even when full/not hungry on a low-carb or ketogenic diet for people with insulin resistance? ▸ Why cant i lose weight and am gaining weight when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? 📖 Bio-Individuality — The understanding that every patient’s metabolic journey is unique, requiring a personalized approach to dosing and diet… ▸ Did L. reuteri ATCC 6475 or Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 (BC-30) Eliminate My Seasonal Allergies — what most people get wrong about this: what to track and how to measure progress? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Is it normal to feel unhappy during weight loss when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ Finally connected the dots between my thyroid, gut issues, and brain fog - why don't doctors look at the whole picture specifically for women over 40 specifically for women over 40? ▸ How I Lost 22lbs in 3 Months (155→133lbs at 5'8") after not being able to lose weight for a long time if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ How to lose weight when you live with obese people while doing intermittent fasting during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Will I ever be able to wear low rise jeans without being insecure: best practices and common mistakes to avoid when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ What's the dumbest thing you and/or your siblings did when you were left home alone for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? 📖 GIP (Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide) — A hormone that, when combined with GLP-1, enhances the body’s ability to break down fat and manage blood sugar levels mo… ▸ How can I gain 10kg on Paleo when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ Coke Zero gave me heart palpitations: what to track and how to measure progress when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ IBD + antidepressants + impossible weight loss… advice when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Will eating meintenance calories make me lose weight for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ Does salt instantly relieve a slight headache for you if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide for people with insulin resistance? ▸ 56M arm day was fun. But arms shrinking from 16 inches to 15 1/2. Gotta up protein? Reps — what most people get wrong about this for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ Can i mix peps in the same syringe for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? 📖 Adipose Tissue Signaling — The way fat cells communicate with the brain; our goal is to fix these signals so the body stops defending an unnaturall… ▸ What is a ‘normal’ value for dawn phenomena for you for people with insulin resistance specifically for women over 40? ▸ Does the weight loss journey has to be so miserable: how to talk to your doctor about this and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ Has anybody heard of or experienced improvement from neurological disorders through fasting and autophagy if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide — what the research actually says? 📖 Smart Cycling — The strategic alternating of medication doses with planned 'off' periods to prevent receptor desensitization and ensure … ▸ Why is my psychiatrist recommending supplements — how a functional medicine approach differs and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ IBD + antidepressants + impossible weight loss… advice when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Weight loss without GLP-1 — what does the research actually say if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Is it normal to feel unhappy during weight loss when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ What is your best way to shift focus when starting and changing your HRT on a low-carb or ketogenic diet: what to track and how to measure progress?