Anyone else get HUNGRY AF for a week solid...then realise why? Aunt flo is a hungry lady!
However, you are hungry for a very valid reason. Your cycle increases your metabolic rate, with the week before burning more calories than any other! Your body is gearing up for a release + rebuild, it needs fuelling.
So get the calories in BUT as well as the chocolate you absolutely need add in some of these helpful foods:
Magnesium rich foods - help with those cramps.
Fruit - for the sweet tooth.
Complex carbs - to keep those sugar levels (and mood) stable .
Dark leafy greens - rich in iron which needs replenishing during your cycle.
What about Training?
For me, it's the day before + day of that I'm sluggish, sleepy + hungry...a great recipie for a training session. That slump in energy + feeling a bit weak...
In the week before your period, steroid hormones oestrogen + progesterone drop. You'll be knee deep in PMS + not quiet at beast mode for a few days. You're more receptive to pain, a drop in progesterone affects your endurance + most things will feel hard. This is normal.
You won't necessarily feel like you want to workout but, exercise can actually really help with cramps + improve your mood!
During menses your testosterone levels are higher meaning your spatial awareness is heightened + coordination improves! As well as lowered progesterone (which can impact muscle repair) your menses is actually a good time to keep pushing on with your strength training!
You are more vulnerable to injury during menstruation so pay particular attention to your warm ups! Make them specific + thorough!
If you just feel meh go lighter + higher rep + avoid those super intense workouts you know will make you feel worse. Do your reps with a more comfortable weight + enjoy the pump. You'll get an emotional boost + feel generally better that you've working with your body rather than battling with your energy levels.
My advice for this week is to be kind to your body + listen to it!
Once the first day of menses is out the way both oestrogen + progesterone are on the rise again + for me I'm sometimes at my strongest on days 3-5 of my cycle?!
The main takeaway of this is that while we all tend to follow the same general layout, the main focus should be on listening to + understanding our bodies. Eating well alongside the insatiable cravings will keep you feeling level. Knowing your cycle can allow you to be more gentle with yourself + more accepting of those (seemingly) shitty workouts!
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