PMS Pep Talk and Body Acceptance During the Menstrual Cycle

Someone asked what I do when I’m feeling bloated, retaining water, etc from my cycle.

Do I sweat extra from cardio or steam room?

Or something else to make the symptoms go away?

And in short, I realized that I don’t do anything besides A-C-C-E-P-T and support my body’s natural functioning on an ongoing basis with a healthy lifestyle so that the cycle side effects don’t crush me every month.

I used to be a body hater during certain times of my cycle.

Right around ovulation (mid cycle) and PMS (pre period), I can be bloated, skin breaks out (currently have a huge zit), and my body feels more ‘blah.’

After having a period for 20+ years, you learn to accept & support your body through the hormonal changes rather than hate on it.

When I’m crossing my Ts & dotting my Is with a healthy diet and active lifestyle, PMS is significantly less. But we women have those months that are just like PSYCH, you’re f’d.

And because of that…

I accept that hormones fluctuate.

I understand that my mood can be lower and it’s not the best time to peep your physical fitness progress because my mind is more critical & negative.

I know that in a matter of days I’ll feel back to myself.

And I allow my body to do its thang without the haterade or insecurities of looking bloated, having extra cellulite or a giant zit.

Sure, there are things that I do to support the hormone changes, but I don’t fight them anymore.

And the thing that has helped me MOST, by far, is tracking my cycle. That way, if I wake up feeling meh, I check the calendar and it never fails, it’s ovulation or PMS time. As soon as I have that awareness, it’s like “ok perfect I’m not going to flip TF out, it’s just my period and in a couple days I’ll feel sane again. The end.”

I DO focus on the daily habits that help me feel good:

•  Drinking water & limiting caffeine
•  Sticking to healthy foods
•  Sleep
•  Listening to my body re exercise

I DON’T:

•  Starve myself
•  Say F it and just eat junk food
•  Call myself names
•  Exercise extra
•  Hide inside because of my zits (I used to lol)

Instead, I take a breath, remind myself to be healthy to support my body’s changes, and go about my merry way.

Hope this helps you through your PMS distress!