Struggling with unexplained symptoms like fatigue after meals, intense sugar cravings, and gaining belly fat even whilst working out? These are just some of the early signs of insulin resistance.

In this guide, hormone health expert Leslie Kutcha (FDNP) breaks down the 5 earliest signs of insulin resistance in women, why they’re so often missed, and how to start reversing them before they become bigger hormonal or metabolic issues.

Some of them might surprise you.

What Is Insulin Resistance and Why It Matters Beyond Blood Sugar

Insulin resistance is a metabolic condition where your body stops responding efficiently to insulin, the hormone that moves glucose from your bloodstream into your cells. It’s not just about diabetes risk. Insulin resistance impacts everything from energy, weight, mood, skin, to fertility. And often, the signs appear years before a formal diagnosis.

If you’ve ever felt like your body is giving you mixed signals, like doing all the “right” things and still feeling off, this might be why. Insulin resistance often flies under the radar, and it’s deeply frustrating when your symptoms are dismissed or explained away as unrelated. But in reality, so much of what women experience daily, fatigue, mood swings, stubborn weight, weird skin changes, can trace back to how well their metabolism is working behind the scenes.

Hormone health expert Leslie Kutcha, a Bodology advisor, breaks down the 5 most overlooked signs of insulin resistance in her TikTok series. Here's what to watch for:

1. Fatigue After Meals

@mybodology Do carbs wipe you out? Don’t ignore the signs. Follow for sign 2 💙 #MetabolicHealth #InsulinResistance #TiredAfterEating #BloodSugarCrash #WomensHealth #GlucoseSpikes #hormonebalance #pcosawareness ♬ original sound - Bodology

If you're exhausted 30–60 minutes after eating, even a balanced meal, it may be a blood sugar regulation issue. When cells resist insulin, glucose stays in the blood instead of entering cells to be used for energy. This leads to post-meal crashes, brain fog, and an afternoon slump that caffeine can’t fix.

That sluggish, foggy, almost hungover feeling after eating isn’t just “food coma”, it’s your cells not getting the energy they need from food. When your fuel system is broken, it doesn’t matter how clean your plate looks or how many macros you’re hitting, your body’s still running on empty.

2. Constant Sugar or Carb Cravings

@mybodology Repeat after me: sugar cravings aren’t a lack of willpower!! It’s science. Follow for sign 3 💙 #InsulinResistance #SugarCravings #MetabolicHealth #HormoneHealth #WomensHealth #PCOSAwareness #BloodSugarBalance #hormonebalance ♬ original sound - Bodology

Craving sweets after eating isn’t about willpower or having a “seeet tooth”. It’s a biochemical signal. Poor insulin function creates a state of cellular “starvation,” which tricks your brain into craving fast energy: sugar. This cycle fuels overeating, bloat, and mood dips. For ideas on how to balance sugar and support insulin signaling through your diet, check out our Inositol Recipes: Sugar‑Balancing Holiday Swaps.

This is why so many people feel stuck in the eat-crave-repeat cycle. You eat, but your body doesn’t feel satisfied, because your cells never truly got the energy. So your brain sends out an SOS for more sugar. It’s not a lack of discipline, it’s a lack of fuel delivery.

3. Belly Fat That Won’t Budge

@mybodology ‘Lose weight to fix your insulin’ is backwards. Here’s the truth: your insulin might be WHY you can’t lose weight. It’s not about discipline, it’s about metabolism. Follow for sign 4 💙 #HormoneHealth #InsulinResistance #BellyFat #Metabolism #WeightLossjourney #PCOSAwareness ♬ original sound - Bodology

Struggling with abdominal fat even when eating clean and exercising? Chronically elevated insulin promotes visceral fat storage, especially in the belly. This type of fat is hormonally active, raising inflammation and affecting fertility, testosterone, and cortisol.

We’ve been taught that belly fat is just about calories, but the truth is it’s often about hormones. When insulin stays high, your body is stuck in fat-storage mode no matter how “healthy” your lifestyle looks. This is why stubborn belly weight feels so resistant, it’s not just stubborn, it’s metabolically driven.

4. Skin Issues That No Skincare Fixes

@mybodology What if it’s not your products… but your insulin? Sign 4 is here! Follow for the final sign no.5 💙 #HormoneBalance #InsulinResistance #PCOSawareness #PCOSskin #MetabolicHealth ♬ original sound - Bodology

Dark patches on the neck or armpits (acanthosis nigricans), skin tags, or jawline acne are often signs of metabolic dysfunction, not just hormonal shifts. These changes reflect insulin and androgen imbalance, particularly common in women with PCOS or thyroid disorders.

Your skin can tell you more than your labs sometimes. If you're constantly chasing breakouts, wondering why nothing topical works, or suddenly getting skin tags or discoloration, it's worth looking deeper. Skin is often the messenger, not the problem itself.

5. Mood Swings, Anxiety, or Low Motivation

@mybodology If this hit, go watch the rest of the 5 signs! #metabolichealth #insulinresistance #moodswings #pcosawareness #pmddawareness #womenshealthcare ♬ original sound - Bodology

Blood sugar instability from insulin resistance affects neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, impacting focus, mood, and emotional regulation. If you feel off after meals or during fasting, your brain may be under-fueled due to poor glucose handling.

A PubMed‑indexed review from King’s College London found a significant cross‑sectional association between insulin resistance and depressive symptoms, including anxiety and emotional fatigue.

You might feel like your emotions are unpredictable or that you're more anxious than you “should” be. But when your brain is under-fueled, especially due to unstable blood sugar, it can be hard to feel like yourself. This isn’t about mental toughness or mindset, it’s about cellular energy.

Why These Signs Matter Even With “Normal” Labs

You can have normal blood glucose but still suffer from insulin resistance. Most doctors don’t routinely test fasting insulin, which means many women go undiagnosed. Relying only on fasting glucose misses early metabolic dysfunction.

Women with PCOS, thyroid conditions, or a history of restrictive eating are particularly vulnerable to insulin resistance, even at a healthy weight. This is one of the most frustrating parts, being told everything looks fine when it clearly doesn’t feel fine. Just because a lab range says you’re “normal” doesn’t mean you’re functioning optimally. You know your body best, and if something feels off, that’s worth trusting.

How to Reverse Insulin Resistance Naturally

Start with blood sugar balance:

• Build meals around protein, healthy fats, and fiber
• Avoid naked carbs or skipping meals
• Walk after eating to support glucose disposal
• Sleep 7–9 hours and manage daily stress

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. These foundational shifts are simple but powerful. Think of them like giving your metabolism the safety signals it’s been waiting for, a consistent flow of nutrients, movement, and rest that tells your body it's finally okay to come out of survival mode.

For extra support, Myo + D‑Chiro Inositol in a 40:1 ratio is one of the most researched supplements for insulin sensitivity.

• Lower insulin and testosterone
• Restore ovulation
• Improve mood and mental clarity
• Reduce cravings and acne

👉 Explore our Inositol Supplement →

Inositol isn’t just another supplement on the shelf, it’s one of the most well-researched tools for metabolic reset. When used consistently, it supports the very processes that most women with PCOS, cravings, and cycle irregularities are struggling with.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I have insulin resistance if I'm not overweight?
Yes. Thin women can be insulin resistant, especially if they have PCOS, anxiety, thyroid issues, or a history of disordered eating. Weight doesn't tell the full story. It's possible to look fine on the outside but be metabolically imbalanced underneath. That’s why so many women are overlooked, they don’t fit the stereotype.

What are the best tests to check for insulin resistance?
Fasting insulin (ideal: under 8 µIU/mL)
HOMA-IR (ideal: under 1.5)
Glucose tolerance test with insulin readings (not just glucose)
Most GPs don’t test insulin unless requested. Knowing these markers can be a game-changer. They give you a more honest picture of what your body is actually doing with the food you eat, not just how it looks on paper.

How long does it take to reverse insulin resistance?
You may notice changes in 8–12 weeks with consistent nutrition, supplements, and movement. Deeper healing can take 3–6 months or more, depending on individual factors. Metabolic healing is a process, not a switch. But every small change you make adds up, and your body responds when it feels safe, fueled, and supported.

Does inositol really work for insulin resistance and PCOS?
Yes. Clinical studies support Myo + D-Chiro Inositol’s ability to restore ovulation, reduce testosterone, and improve insulin response, especially in women with PCOS. If insulin resistance is the root, inositol is the reset button. It doesn’t mask symptoms, it helps correct the imbalance itself.

Is insulin resistance reversible?
Yes. With the right strategy, insulin resistance is highly reversible, particularly in its early stages. Your body is incredibly adaptable. Once you give it what it needs, it remembers how to function. Healing is possible, even if you’ve been stuck for a while.

Final Word

If you’re experiencing fatigue after meals, carb cravings, belly weight, acne, or mood changes, your metabolic health may be off, even if labs say you’re “fine.” The earlier you intervene, the easier it is to rebalance your body naturally.

This isn’t just about managing symptoms, it’s about reclaiming a sense of clarity, energy, and confidence in your body again. You deserve that, and you don’t have to do it alone.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen, especially if you have existing medical conditions.

ARTICLE BIOS

Jasmin McVeigh
Founder of Bodology™

Jasmin's personal health journey with PCOS, Hashimoto’s, and PMDD led to a transformative discovery: insulin resistance was at the root of her symptoms. After starting inositol, Jasmin saw a dramatic improvement in her cycles, mood, and cravings. This breakthrough inspired her to found Bodology™, a platform dedicated to decoding metabolic health and helping women reclaim control over their bodies. Through education and science-backed products, she’s empowering women to address the root causes of hormonal imbalances naturally.

Leslie Kutcha
Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner

With over 100,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram, Leslie Kutcha is a widely respected voice in women’s health and founder of Nourished With Leslie. A Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDNP), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) with a B.S. in Nutrition, Leslie specializes in women’s hormone health, gut dysfunction, and fertility support. She uses advanced lab testing and personalized protocols to uncover the root causes of imbalance. At Bodology, Leslie advises on clinical messaging and educational content, ensuring our science is both accessible and actionable. For more on Leslie’s work, connect with her at leslie@bodology.co.