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Girl Talk: Reverse Dieting and Hormone Restoration

9/27/2014

19 Comments

 
Y'all. This week has been straight up INSANE in the membrane. Before I type any further, I must put up a disclaimer for all the GUYS out there who read my blog.

WARNING: If you are a dude you may not want to read this!! Especially if you get weirded out by girl hormones/periods/stuff like that. Just wanted to give a heads up so you can spare yourself the details. K? K. Earmuffs.

I was somewhat hesitant to make a blog post about this, but I feel that it is important to share... especially for girls out there who have struggled like me with eating disorder and loss of menstrual cycle. This is something that I originally hoped would happen as a result of the reverse diet.. and this week it finally did!

On Wednesday, I got my period for the first time in almost a YEAR. I am SO HAPPY. I know it might sound crazy, but this means that my hormones are being restored to more normal levels. This will definitely be helpful when trying to have kids one day… in the very, very distant future. ;)

I will say, this has been the most severely uncomfortable period I have ever experienced. Maybe my body is making up for lost time. :P When I used to get my period more regularly (before my ED), I had cramps but never this intense. These literally made me dizzy, but Midol seemed to help. Also, the bloat is REAL. I feel like I'm about to give birth to freaking Shamu.

So yes, mother nature threw a wrench in my experiment this week, but I am glad! This could very well be why I gained a few pounds recently without increasing my macros significantly. Or it might not be. There's really no telling! Either way, I'm still going to continue with the mini-cut just to try it out as a part of the experiment.

It will be super interesting to see how this affects my weight/BF% readings and how significantly those numbers may decrease after this week. I was talking with a good friend about it this week and she said that she once gained 10 lbs in a DAY. I'm glad that hasn't happened to me.. yet! But it makes me feel better. I actually used to wonder if telling myself I was "bloated" due to hormones was a placebo/way to make myself feel better about gaining weight during my period. I'm glad this is not the case. The bloat is REAL y'all.

Anyways! I just wanted to share my observations in case anyone else has struggled with this! Just another reason why reverse dieting is amazing! Now that it is Saturday and I finally have a chance to BREATHE, I am going to read the Reverse Dieting ebook by Sohee Lee and Layne Norton! I have been wanting to read it all week but had 0 time. So stoked. Stay tuned for a review. :)

- C
19 Comments
Elizabeth D.
9/27/2014 10:52:41 am

This definitely makes me feel hopeful! I stopped having a period back in February when I went off birth control, and it hasn't returned; however, I was also training for a half marathon around the same time, so yeah, that combined with eating about the same amount you were (pre- reverse diet) lead to no period. I also lost about 8 pounds unintentionally (not changing my intake whatsoever) from going off BC and my running (was 5 days a week at the time). I dealt with no period for over a year back in high school (03-04) when I first was diagnosed with ED, but got it back in 04 after the DR gave me Provera to restart it. Since starting to reverse diet ( I started about a month after you), I have not gained any weight other than some fluctuations of 1-2lbs, but I'm now up to 1500 calories a day and only running 3x a week with weights 3x. I'm hoping that I get "Aunt Flo" soon, because every month when I used to get it, I do get slight cramps, just nothing to show for it.

Sorry for writing a book, haha, but your site def made me feel a lot more hopeful for my future well-being and for my future children!

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Cait link
9/29/2014 09:14:05 pm

Hey Elizabeth! Oh my gosh, yeah, running a lot will definitely affect getting a period. I used to run 10 miles a day and quit getting my period during that time (BF% was much higher than it is now!). So interesting and mysterious how the body works. I can't wait to get to heaven and ask God a ton of questions! Haha :)

I might suggest tapering off the running amount a little bit. That might *possibly* help bring back your period sooner. Maybe switch that running time for some more lifting time! Just a little thought I had. :)

Keep me updated on your progress and "aunt flo"! Haha I know that sounds weird but I love hearing about others' reverse diets and observations! It's so interesting to me! Have a blessed day!

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Melanie
9/27/2014 10:39:48 pm

I'm so happy for you and really glad you shared as it gives others (me) hope.
I haven't had mine in 2 years :( When I tell people that I WANT my period they look at me like I'm crazy and say they wish they didn't get their period as its "annoying"... how I can't wait to have mine so I know my body is functioning right.

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Cait link
9/29/2014 09:16:06 pm

YES! Have hope! If you are not already, I definitely recommend reverse dieting and lifting heavy in the gym. Let me know if you ever have any questions :) Check out the "metab rehab" section of this blog to get some more info on how I did it! <3

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Katie @ Katiesfitscript.com link
9/30/2014 09:03:36 am

Oh my goodness girl!!! This makes my heart so so happy!!! You have made such incredible progress is such a short amount of time! So happy for you <3 I remember when I got my period back, I cried from joy because that means that we can have babies :)

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Cait link
10/2/2014 07:35:10 am

Thanks girl!! Ahhhh I know, it's an amazing feeling to actually feel HEALTHY and HAPPY! Yay for babies!!!!!

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Megan link
10/3/2014 03:10:10 pm

Haha "yay for babies!" that made me laugh! This most is soo cool Cait! I'm so glad you had the courage to post it even though you were hesitant! I've struggled with this for years too! Good to know I'm not alone. I didn't get my period for 1.5 years when i had my ED 2010-11. It came back for a bit but then I went on the pill and I don't take the inactive tablets so I never got a period. I came off the pill for a few months and still no sign of a period...Ive been back on ever since. So essentially Ive barely had a real period for a good 5 years. I've always put my body through so much training for surf, swimming and now for a bikini comp...its always been up to 3 hours a day, so my period has always been inconsistent and Ive just gotten so used to not getting it! The doctors seem pretty unconcerned but I'm fairly concerned for my future children! I would love to get a period and have the comfort of knowing my body is functioning how it should be...i cant even remember what that feels like! I think my hormones are actually pretty imbalanced because lately Ive been getting bad PMS-like symptoms. I should probably go get my hormones checked...sorry for writing a novel i just got excited to find people with the same worries as me! I'm so happy for you, I agree with Katie you're progress in such a short space of time is so great to see! xxx

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Cait link
10/3/2014 09:00:17 pm

Wow it's amazing how many people struggle with this. It's for sure nice to know we are not alone. <3 Mine has always been super inconsistent too, like it would just randomly show up for a couple days every 2-3 months. This last one was like 6 days long! Haha that is probably way TMI but I thought that was interesting too. The symptoms were super hardcore as well (CRAZY cramps).

Have you ever reverse dieted? When is your show? I definitely recommend reverse dieting to come out of your show… you can basically get your calories CRAZY HIGH (eat a TON more) and not get fat. It's amazing. Seriously like a miracle. And I believe THAT is what brought my period back. I have a little "how to" in the "metab rehab" section of the blog <3

Thank you so much for the message, and please please keep me updated with your progress!! XO

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Kristi
5/13/2015 09:32:00 pm

I've been struggling with no period for almost a year after going off BC. My doctor wants me to gain weight because she thinks my regular exercise and low body fat percentage are the cause of the period disappearance. I just recently found reverse dieting and thought this might help so I am so glad to have read your post to know that there is hope for me! I want to have babies soon so I need my period to come back! :)

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Vavanana95
8/20/2015 03:40:14 pm

I had to coment this, OMG i start counting macros two weeks ago. Three days after i started my period come back after seven months haha I'm happy for you too

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Jen
6/28/2016 10:36:20 pm

How long did it take for your period to come back ? After the birth of my now 6 year old triplets my hormones are whack. Have had 1 period in 6 years. Exercise and lot and am lean. However started reverse dieting about 3 months ago and now my calories are up to about 2000. Love all the foods I get to eat. 220 carbs a day

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Cait link
12/21/2017 12:55:41 pm

Thats so awesome!!! Keep reversing!!! Sometimes you just need to gain some body fat (probably not too much) to get your period back. Don't be afraid of it, the most important thing is to be healthy!!

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Becky Crenshaw link
12/12/2017 06:40:36 am

Thank you for your article. Is there a post on your site that gives more details about your journey? (How long it took you to resume your period, did you exercise? What types of food/calories/macros did you eat?). I am currently working with a dietitian to overcome this but love hearing of other's journey.

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Cait link
12/21/2017 12:54:26 pm

Hey there!! Counting macros and reverse dieting is what I believe helped me to restore my period, and of course gaining some weight and body fat. Sometimes that's just necessary to live a healthy life! The crazy thing is, I know some girls who are able to get their periods on super low body fat percentages, and some aren't able to (like me). It's just the bell curve of life ya know? But I would definitely recommend reverse dieting (slowly add in calories over time) and maybe reducing cardio if you are currently doing a ton of that. Feel free to email me too, you can always pick my brain and I'm always here for ya -- themacroexperimentcait@gmail.com <3

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Olivia
2/20/2019 10:29:56 am

Hello, I’ve been eating around 1200 calories for about a year now and finally reached my goal weight of 105 pounds (I’m 5ft btw). Although I started my period when I was 13 and around 95 pounds I haven’t gotten it in about 4 months at 18 and 105. Would reverse dieting be beneficial in my situation. I barely exercise, and if I do it is body weight exercise, no longer than 40 minutes, including warm up and cool down. How fast should I increase my calories and how much weight should I expect to gain? Thanks in advance :)

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Paige
1/1/2020 02:52:11 pm

Hi, I have struggled with an eating disorder in the past and have yet to get my period back. I am just starting reverse dieting in hopes it will regulate my hormones. Did you get to your "goal weight" or gain weight in order for your period to come back?

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Ro
1/19/2020 12:38:48 pm

Same here ☹️ not with an ED, but after my fitness journey... No signs of period and I dont want to gain all what I've accomplish ☹️ Im back at maintenance, counting macros...

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    About Cait:
    I'm a singer/songwriter/fitness enthusiast and self-proclaimed nerd from Nashville, TN. Follow me along my journey to a healthy, balanced life! 


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