Do you feel like you’re two different people, changing from week to week with no warning, and no explanation?
If the answer is yes, then I want you to know that you are not alone, and you are not crazy. You are a woman dealing with hormones. They can have an effect on how you feel, think, move, eat, sleep, spend and react.
Imagine being able to plan your life knowing how you are going to feel! Your hormones partly dictate this and as oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone fluctuate, so too do your thoughts, emotions and behaviours. It is important to note that there are other factors which affect us, such as stress, diet and environment, but this is one area worth understanding, both for you and others in your life.
Getting to grips with our reproductive cycle EMPOWERS women to take charge as the same pattern is repeated month by month, and so we can plan our lives knowing what the hormonal effects will be. So play to your hormonal strengths and weaknesses, by doing so you’ll be amazed how you can take charge, enjoy the ups and manage the downs.
Having seen hundreds of women over the years, I feel the area of hormones is for many, complex and not fully understood. PMT comes under our physiological triggers heading, and certainly can cause cravings, but this is only the tip of the iceberg, as in fact hormones affect everything in womens’ lives, from how you feel, how you think, how you act, how you sleep and of course how you eat. For some the fluctuations are manageable and don’t impact on life too much, for others it is a hormonal nightmare as they feel out of control and paralysed by the extreme swings in mood, energy and outlook on life.
For women to enjoy life, I feel it is so important to understand the monthly cycle and what to expect each week. This is especially important in the quest for weight loss and a sense of well-being as you can plan better and overcome hormone hurdles that might have frustrated you in the past.
I advise you to mark out your weeks on a calendar or in a diary, get familiar with your own cycle. I have found it to be remarkable in finally understanding myself and being able to get the most out of each phase, knowing how I am likely to feel.
Over the next 2 weeks we’ll look at hormones and how they fluctuate throughout the month. I hope you enjoy this 4 part series and get a little insight into what’s happening.
* This is by no means to be used medically, if you have any concerns please seek professional medical advice.
