the best exercise to beat period problems
Do you feel guilty for taking a few rest days from exercise around your period? Do you feel like you’ve “wasted” that time? Or maybe you get frustrated thinking “why haven't I pushed myself more this week?” or “why haven’t I got my ass off the sofa, I’m so lazy!”
That’s the exact internal dialogue I used to have, my inner mean girl was so loud SO I JUST PUSHED THROUGH. In my CrossFit days my body would be screaming for a rest around the time of my period but I felt too guilty to miss a training session. SO I JUST PUSHED THROUGH. I wanted to eat lots so I needed to train to earn my food and feed my cravigns (hello extra chocolate brownies!). I would finish those training sessions EXHAUSTED and needing to nap all weekend to recover. Wearing that exhaustion like a CrossFit badge of honour.
I was exhausted, I had brain fog and my skin was inflamed with adult acne. I thought all the sweating was causing my adult acne, turns out that the stress from the over exercising and expecting my body to perform the same every day of the week was actually causing my acne, brain fog and fatigue.
As part of my hormone healing journey I had to take a hard look at how I was moving my body. I will be honest this was one of the hardest changes for me as I was addicted to CrossFit and training intensely 5+ times a week. I had some serious un-learning to do around moving to “earn food/ treats”.
Over the last few years I have developed a movement strategy that has helped me achieve my fitness goals (continue to get stronger and have body confidence) whilst also healing my adult acne, brain fog and chronic fatigue.
This strategy includes doing a variety of movement types and intensity throughout my cycle and resting more. Contrary to what I thought resting more did not mean I lost strength or gained weight.
As soon as I started to feel more rested, I started to perform better in the gym. I also started to love training again instead of feeling it was a punishment.
I know it’s hard to believe but when you listen to your body, work in alignment with your cycle and in harmony with your hormones you can rest more and achieve your fitness goals.
Myself and my clients are walking examples of this. As part of Hormone Harmony Academy (my 3 month coaching programme) I share my tried and tested movement strategies so my clients can heal their hormonal symptoms whilst also cultivating a movement strategy that they LOVE. Because the best type of exercise to heal your period problems is the one that you will do regularly but that takes into consideration your cycle day so you can determine the best intensity to push yourself at.
I’ve created a 10 page guide which will get you started cultivating your hormone nourishing movement plan.
The top reasons my clients love putting this cycle movement strategy in place:
ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS BY DOING LESS. For instance if losing weight is your goal - intense training all the time (contrary to what you might think) is actually going to cause stress and signal your body to maintain fat stores whilst also causing muscle wasting.
STRESS LESS. You’ll minimise the stress that results from doing the wrong activities/ intensity at the less than ideal phases of your cycle. Less stress= less PMS + more energy and better moods.
You’re nourishing your hormones and not causing any further hormonal imbalances. BYE BYE hormonal problems.
Develop a routine unique to yourself that will leave you feeling energised and not depleted.
If you’re ready to experience these results too, download your guide today!
Or if you have specific questions and would like to chat, book in a FREE coaching call here: