By When it comes to making lifestyle changes, be aware of where you are in your cycle, what kind of impact it’s having on you, and just go with it.
In the later part of a cycle, I feel a somewhat healthy level of dissatisfaction with how I live my life. I spend time contemplating the things I want to change. I crave better routines and habits. I dream up new personal or spiritual goals. I regret binging…
It can be tempting to feel dumpy. Recognize the fact that your hormones are influencing how you see yourself right now. Since you’ve got the measuring stick out in your mind anyway, think about what you’ve accomplished. Maybe you started a new job, went back to school, been taking care of sick relative, had a baby! So I ate too much spaghetti, some pastries, two bags of popcorn and a chocolate bar… that’s nothing compared to what it used to be. What have you overcome? Maybe you did well to survive the semester. Instead of listing your all your shortcomings, think about what you’ve learned about yourself, and pick one small thing you want to work on.
As I approach the next phase of my cycle, I feel braver than usual. I usually start piling things on my calendar. I have greater discipline and motivation. This is the time to implement a change, to try something new.
Anticipate a surge of motivation and milk it. Make a new recipe. Sign up for that zumba class. Give up dairy. Clean that cupboard that always has things falling out. Read that book you bought last year. Get up early.
Then there’s an inevitable turning point in the cycle that correlates to a dip in mood. I start to feel a little down, a little emotionally drained, a little more interested in finding a snack, a little less in control. Throw a rough day in the mix, and I start to almost feel sorry for myself. I start to crave all things bad for me, and whatever finds it’s way into the house will find it’s way into my mouth!
Here’s what I’ve learned: Don’t sweat it too much. Try to minimize the damage by being ready for it, have some healthy meals prepped and ready to eat, eat your vegetables, and stock up on your favorite healthy sweets. You binged for 4 days? Move on. Couldn’t go 2 days without dairy? It’s okay. Accidentally ate your feelings? Dust yourself off. Call a empathetic friend. Take a hot bath. Watch a movie. Go to bed. This too shall pass.
We are complicated creatures with deeply ingrained biological drives to eat calorie rich foods. On top of that, we live in world where highly processed and addictive foods are far too abundant and easy to access. Don’t be so hard on yourself.
Instead, study yourself!
Make those connections. Learn your weaknesses. Embrace your cycle!
For strategies on how to start tracking your patterns, see my next post Step Up Your Cycle Awareness.
She Shapes 