Expert Q&A

Does anyone else not like the comments they receive after losing some weight when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances

The Emotional Impact of Well-Meaning Comments

When you finally drop 10 or 20 pounds after battling PCOS or hormonal imbalances, the last thing you expect is for compliments to sting. "You look great!" or "What did you do?" often land like judgments rather than celebrations. I've heard this from hundreds of women aged 45-54 who manage diabetes, blood pressure, and joint pain alongside their weight. These remarks dismiss the invisible struggle: years of insulin resistance, cortisol spikes, and thyroid fluctuations that make every pound feel like a mountain.

Why These Comments Feel Invalidating

Most people assume weight loss is simply "eat less, move more." But with hormonal imbalances, your body fights back. PCOS often elevates androgens and disrupts ovulation, driving stubborn belly fat even on 1,200-calorie diets. Comments ignore the medical reality: research shows women with PCOS need 20-30% fewer carbs to stabilize blood sugar compared to others. They also overlook joint pain that makes high-intensity exercise impossible or the embarrassment of asking for help when insurance denies coverage. My method in The Metabolic Reset Method targets these root drivers instead of another failed restrictive plan.

Practical Ways to Respond and Protect Your Progress

Prepare neutral replies like, "Thanks, I've been focusing on balancing my hormones through consistent protein and walking." This shifts focus to sustainable habits without revealing personal health details. Set boundaries with close friends: "I appreciate the support, but comments about my body make me uncomfortable." Track non-scale victories—stable blood glucose, reduced joint inflammation after 4 weeks of anti-inflammatory meals, or better energy for daily tasks. My beginner-friendly schedules require only 20-30 minutes most days: gentle strength circuits that protect joints while building muscle to combat metabolic slowdown common after 45.

Building Sustainable Success Beyond the Scale

True progress with hormonal weight loss comes from addressing insulin resistance through balanced plates: 30g protein, fiber-rich vegetables, and healthy fats at each meal—no complex tracking needed for middle-income schedules. In my program, clients see 1-2 pounds lost weekly while improving A1C and blood pressure. This isn't another diet you'll quit. It's a lifestyle that honors your body's signals, reduces overwhelm from conflicting advice, and delivers results that last. If comments still trigger you, remember: your journey isn't for their approval. Focus on feeling stronger in your body despite hormonal changes.

💬 What the Community Says

The community shows strong resonance with this experience, particularly among women in their late 40s and early 50s managing PCOS. Most practitioners describe feeling frustrated or dismissed when friends and family attribute weight loss solely to "willpower," ignoring years of hormonal battles, failed diets, and medication side effects. A common theme is the mixed emotions—grateful for the progress but irritated that comments minimize joint pain limitations or blood sugar management challenges. Many share similar stories of deflecting questions with vague answers to avoid explaining insulin resistance or thyroid issues. A vocal minority reports that positive comments actually increased their anxiety about potential regain, while others have started setting clear boundaries with loved ones. Overall sentiment leans toward validation: people feel seen knowing they're not alone in finding these interactions surprisingly painful despite visible success.
Clark, R. (2026). Does anyone else not like the comments they receive after losing some weight whe. *CFP Weight Loss*. https://ask.cfpweightloss.com/ask/does-anyone-else-not-like-the-comments-they-receive-after-losing-some-weight-when-you-have-pcos-or-hormonal-imbalances
Russell Clark, 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.

Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
Insomnia while taking oral minoxidril if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide Does anyone have ant literature or knowledge on autophagy and loose skin and the role of cortisol and stress hormones How to induce whole body autophagy without fasting for along time and how do I know if autophagy is induced im my body specifically for women over 40 📖 Caloric Deficit Myth — The false belief that weight loss is purely 'math'; we focus on hormonal signaling rather than just counting calories to… Zone 2 at 180 BPM… Lactate test shows max HR 207 — anyone else in this boat and the role of cortisol and stress hormones Semaglutide + lifting — how are you fueling workouts on low calories and the role of cortisol and stress hormones Biochemistry. Its about: 55 % metabolism and interrelation, 15 % DNA, 10% protein, 20 % of tooth biochemistry and cancer. I have only pictures of this example test given to me so I can't post it and how it connects to gut health and inflammation Would doing this 2-3x a week help increase my Vo2 max specifically for women over 40 📖 Refined Carbohydrates — Processed sugars and flours that strip the body of nutrients while driving the hormonal chaos responsible for the modern… Anyone have experience switching from compound injection to pill — how a functional medicine approach differs Astounded to see that 19 million people in the US are on levothyroxine. Why is hypothyroidism so prevalent? What is causing such crazy high levels of thyroid disease while doing intermittent fasting Why does keto hurt my stomach 😞? 📖 Cellular Detox — The process of clearing out metabolic waste and reducing cellular stress to allow for more efficient energy production a… 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → How much are people paying for Estring and how it connects to gut health and inflammation How to BOOST metabolism and BURN fat-- VERY EASY AND QUICK — how a functional medicine approach differs What is the Role of Metabolism in Immune System — how a functional medicine approach differs Depressive symptoms from non-stick air fryer — how a functional medicine approach differs Anyone skip a week when sick while doing intermittent fasting 📖 Non-Scale Victories (NSV) — Improvements in energy, sleep, and disease reversal that matter just as much as the numbers on the scale during your tra… Post menopausal bleeding — how a functional medicine approach differs Countries with easy access to grass-fed brains and fat and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels Two week pause, ok to return to current dose and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels DO NOT TAKE INOSITOL IF YOU'RE NOT INSULIN RESISTANT for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) 📖 Tirzepatide Micro-Dosing — The practice of using the lowest effective dose to achieve results, minimizing side effects while maximizing the longevi… 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Have to stop for 3 weeks for surgery and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels How long did it take you to lose weight on the Plant Paradox' for people with insulin resistance Did anyone else feel like Trintellix completely blunted their GLP-1 (Mounjaro/Wegovy) effect while doing intermittent fasting How I Lost 22lbs in 3 Months (155→133lbs at 5'8") after not being able to lose weight for a long time while doing intermittent fasting Insomnia while taking oral minoxidril while doing intermittent fasting 📖 Bio-Individuality — The understanding that every patient’s metabolic journey is unique, requiring a personalized approach to dosing and diet… How I'm greeted most mornings — evidence-based answer for CFP patients What Helped You Regulate Your Periods With Lean PCOS? Is estriol as effective as estradiol for clitoral atrophy and the role of cortisol and stress hormones Insulin Resistance foods for poor people — evidence-based answer for CFP patients 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Dr Gundry: the 120+80 supplements he himself takes daily while doing intermittent fasting Oval twice a week patch - what was I using — how a functional medicine approach differs 📖 GLP-1 Receptor Agonist — A class of medication that mimics natural hormones to improve insulin secretion and slow gastric emptying, used strategi… Is it just me or is Hashimoto’s greatly underrepresented while doing intermittent fasting What a month of paleo has done for me while doing intermittent fasting Am I better off increasing my frequency of sessions per week, or my duration of each session and the role of cortisol and stress hormones When men recognize symptoms: how to talk to your doctor about this How do you gauge progress from zone 2 while doing intermittent fasting 📖 Leptin Sensitivity — Restoring your brain's ability to hear the 'I am full' signal, which is often muted by high-sugar diets and systemic inf… Oval twice a week patch - what was I using and the role of cortisol and stress hormones Cheat / treat days or meals — how a functional medicine approach differs Zone 2 running is absurdly slow (slower than walking) — am I doing this right while doing intermittent fasting 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → What keto plus compounded tirzepatide for the last five months looked like: best practices and common mistakes to avoid Why is almost all the focus in treating PCOS on fertility for people with insulin resistance 2.5 mg no longer working. Move to 3.5 for people with insulin resistance 📖 Tirzepatide — A dual-acting medication targeting both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, providing a more comprehensive metabolic signal than si… Is the idea of the kitchen timer to eventually get to the point where someone has an orgasm just from hearing the ding? Pavlov's orgasm while doing intermittent fasting Hitting protein goals. How do you do it — how a functional medicine approach differs Has anyone with multiple sclerosis seen improvement while on PP and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels How many of you with PCOS had a narcissistic parent growing up while doing intermittent fasting Has anyone switched from wegovy to mounjaro and how it connects to gut health and inflammation 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → E Patch to Injections how long did you leave your patch on — how a functional medicine approach differs 📖 Diabetes Reversal — The clinical goal of restoring normal blood sugar levels and insulin function, as seen in patients like John who no long… Anyone in Maintenance w/ 15mg and the role of cortisol and stress hormones When people ask how I can tell my sugar's low and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels How I feel every time I go grocery shopping while doing intermittent fasting