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For many women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), the journey toward health feels like an uphill battle that never quite ends. It is a condition that affects how your ovaries work, often leading to irregular periods, hormonal imbalances, and a stubborn resistance to weight loss.
Nicola knew this cycle all too well. For years, she navigated the complexities of PCOS, trying every traditional diet under the sun. Like many others searching for weight loss with PCOS , she found herself stuck in a loop of restriction and hunger that rarely led to lasting results.
Everything changed in 2020 when she discovered a different way of eating. By switching to a ketogenic lifestyle, Nicola didn't just lose weight. She reclaimed her hormonal health, regulated her cycle, and found a way of living that has remained sustainable for over six years. This is her story of how she lost 4 stone and finally felt in control of her body.
If you have PCOS, you've likely been told to "just eat less and move more." On the surface, it sounds like sound advice. However, for a body dealing with insulin resistance, traditional low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets can often do more harm than good.
Nicola found that traditional dieting left her in a constant state of "diet brain." She was always hungry, always counting down the minutes until her next meal, and constantly battling cravings. This is because many "diet" foods are packed with hidden sugars or refined carbohydrates that spike insulin levels.
For someone with PCOS, high insulin levels act as a signal for the body to store fat rather than burn it. It creates a physiological barrier to weight loss. You can read more about how keto can support blood sugar control here to understand why lowering insulin is so vital.
When Nicola shifted her focus to a ketogenic approach, the primary goal wasn't just the scales. It was about managing the internal environment of her body. By reducing her intake to under 20g of carbohydrates per day, she allowed her insulin levels to drop, finally giving her body permission to use stored fat for energy.
One of the most profound changes Nicola experienced wasn't actually visible on the outside. Within just two months of starting her keto journey, her menstrual cycle returned to normal.
For many women with PCOS, irregular or absent periods are a source of significant stress and a sign of deeper hormonal dysfunction. The science behind this is becoming increasingly clear. Research, including small-scale clinical trials, has shown that a ketogenic diet can significantly improve fertility and hormonal markers in women with PCOS.
By reducing the insulin load on the body, the ovaries are often able to function more effectively. Testosterone levels frequently drop, and the balance between different reproductive hormones begins to level out. For Nicola, seeing her body start to "work" again after just eight weeks was the ultimate validation that she was on the right track.
It wasn't a "quick fix" or a temporary fad. It was a fundamental shift in how her biology was responding to the food she ate.
The biggest hurdle for most people seeking sustainable weight loss keto is the fear that they will feel deprived. Nicola found the exact opposite to be true. The "problem" of traditional dieting is the constant hunger; the "solution" found in keto is satiety.
When you prioritise healthy fats and high-quality proteins, your body produces different signals. Instead of the blood sugar roller coaster that leads to "hangry" outbursts, you experience a steady stream of energy. Nicola often mentions that she stopped thinking about food all day long.
She began using our ready-to-eat meal plans to help manage her busy schedule. For Nicola, the convenience was a game-changer. She didn't have to spend hours calculating ingredients or worrying about whether a meal was truly "keto."
She started bringing her keto meals to work for breakfast and lunch. Having a portion-controlled, freshly cooked meal ready to go meant she never had to rely on the limited (and often sugar-heavy) options available at the office or on the high street. If you're wondering what to eat on keto when you can't be bothered cooking, you can find some inspiration here.
Losing 4 stone is an incredible achievement. Keeping it off for over half a decade is even more impressive. Many people find that they can lose weight on a restrictive plan, but they struggle to maintain it once the "diet" ends.
Nicola’s success comes from the fact that she doesn't view this as a diet. It is simply how she eats. Because the food is delicious and she never feels hungry, there is no urge to "cheat" or go back to old habits that made her feel unwell.
She has found a balance that works for her lifestyle. She enjoys hearty, comforting meals like our Keto Sausage and Mash, which provides all the flavour of a classic British dish without the carbohydrate heavy-load that would normally trigger her PCOS symptoms.
Nicola's story isn't just an outlier. It aligns with what we see every day at Keto Kitchen Lytham and what researchers are beginning to document more widely.
Keto for PCOS UK is becoming a significant movement because it addresses the root cause of the symptoms rather than just masking them. In simple terms:
Nicola found that by focusing on whole, real foods, her energy levels soared. She was no longer crashing in the afternoon or feeling the need for sugary snacks to get through the day.
For Nicola, the transition was made easier by focusing on what she could have rather than what she was avoiding. She didn't feel like she was missing out on treats because she could still enjoy things like our Keto Carrot Cake Squares, made with almond flour and natural sweeteners.
She also leaned into the community and the ease of having meals delivered. We know that the hardest part of any lifestyle change is the mental energy required to make decisions every single day. By removing the guesswork, Nicola could focus on how good she was feeling rather than the logistics of meal prep.
Our founding was actually based on a very similar personal health journey. You can read about the founding of Keto Kitchen here to see how personal struggle often leads to the most effective solutions.
If you are struggling with PCOS and feel like you've tried everything, Nicola’s story is a reminder that there is another way. It isn't about perfection; it's about finding a way of eating that supports your biology rather than fighting it.
Sustainable weight loss keto is possible when you move away from the "always hungry" model of dieting and embrace the satiety and hormonal balance that low-carb living provides. Whether you want to lose 4 stone like Nicola or simply want to feel more in tune with your own body, the first step is often the simplest: changing what is on your plate.
Nicola continues to be an inspiration to our community in Lytham and beyond. Her journey from 2020 to today shows that with the right approach and the right support, reclaiming your health is entirely within reach.
If you’re ready to see how a ketogenic lifestyle could work for you, you can explore our range of freshly cooked, ready-to-eat meals on our homepage. We take the stress out of keto so you can focus on your own success story.