04/30/2025
𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲, 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫… 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐩? 🎢🩸
Same. But turns out, your cycle is the map. And once you know how to read it, you can potentially sync your food + workouts to feel more like Wonder Woman and less like a gremlin with a snack drawer. 🍫💪
You know your body...my advice is to learn your cycle/body and pay attention to it and learn what works for you. Every BODY is different. Here's what some of the science says...
🩸 Cycle Syncing: What to Eat + How to Train in Every Phase of your cycle.
Your menstrual cycle isn’t just about your period — it’s a powerful tool to optimize your fitness and nutrition. Here's how to work with your hormones, not against them.
1. MENSTRUAL PHASE (DAYS 1–5): REST + REPLENISH
🩸 Hormones: Estrogen + progesterone are low. Energy may dip.
🏋️♀️ Workouts: Light movement — think walking, gentle yoga, or rest.
🥗 Foods: Warm, iron-rich meals like soups, stews, leafy greens, beets, and grass-fed red meat. Add magnesium (dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds) for cramps.
(You may not feel like it, but doing a few short 20 sec HIIT intervals (running up stairs) will produce growth hormone and an anti-inflammatory response to say goodbye to cramping!)
2. FOLLICULAR PHASE (DAYS 6–13): BUILD + BLOOM
🌱 Hormones: Estrogen rising, testosterone increases = ENERGY!
🏋️♀️ Workouts: High intensity! Strength training, cardio, HIIT.
🥗 Foods: Lean proteins, sprouted grains, fresh veggies, omega-3s. Support gut health with fermented foods.
3. OVULATION PHASE (DAYS 14–16): POWER UP
🔥 Hormones: Peak estrogen + testosterone. You're at your strongest.
🏋️♀️ Workouts: Go for PRs! Lifting heavy, circuit training, running.
🥗 Foods: Anti-inflammatory foods: berries, cruciferous veggies, zinc-rich foods like oysters or pumpkin seeds.
4. LUTEAL PHASE (DAYS 17–28): SLOW + NOURISH
🌕 Hormones: Progesterone rises, energy tapers. Mood + cravings may shift.
🏋️♀️ Workouts: Moderate effort. Pilates, strength, low-impact cardio.
🥗 Foods: Complex carbs (sweet potatoes, quinoa), B vitamins, magnesium. Avoid sugar spikes.
Why it matters:
Research shows syncing fitness and nutrition with your cycle may improve performance, reduce PMS, and balance hormones. 🌿💪
PERIMENOPAUSE AND MENOPAUSE LADIES...YOUR POST IS COMING!
📚 Sources:
International Journal of Sports Medicine
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Dr. Stacy Sims, "Roar" and "Hustle & Habits" Podcast