We’re often taught to push harder, achieve more and workout at our maximum, but is this really serving our bodies?
How many times have you expected the same from your bodies day after day, and become frustrated when you weren’t able to keep up?
Women are biochemically different to men.
Following a one-size-fits-all fitness plan doesn’t work for most people with a changing hormonal landscape.
The natural fluctuation in hormones causes shifts in energy and mood, so it makes sense to sync our exercise around these changes.
Altering your exercise plans throughout the month allows you to maximise the gifts of each phase rather than being frustrated by your body’s inconsistencies.
The cycle syncing exercise plan below is intended as a guide to get you thinking about the common shifts throughout each week of your cycle.
Ultimately, every cycle is different and it can take several months of paying attention to learn what serves your body best.
I encourage you to use the guide below as a starter.
Then, begin documenting how you feel on each day of your cycle, along with what type of exercise you did and how that felt.
Cycle syncing practices take time to develop because they require you to be inquisitive and pay attention (something many of us aren’t used to doing!).
I recommend starting a simple journal where you can rate your energy and mood out of 10, as well as record your exercise and whether or not that felt right for you that day.
After a few months, you will own one of the most valuable resources: a guide to your body.
Not even the best trainer in the world can make you such an individualised plan!
Your goal is to develop an intuitive sense of what your body needs each day, so you can respond to whatever changes come your way with compassion rather than frustration.
3 comments
Hey Lara,
Yeah progesterone is known as our natural anti-anxiety hormone but too much of it can cause you to be lethargic. It might be an idea to get your hormone levels checked with your doctor to make sure everything is in balance!
Progesterone really relaxes me (too much) on week 3 (day 15 – day 21). I find I’m super lethargic the same way you feel when you first fall pregnant.
I came across this on a perfect day. Today should be a run day according to my workout routine, but I am meant to start bleeding any minute now and am not up for that run. I was really bummed out, but this reminded me of where my body is, meeting it there, and having more compassion. I am looking forward to spending even more time cultivating this sort of relationship throughout the month. Thank you!