The “Aunt Flow” talk comes up frequently when working with our demographic of women in the fitness studio. The big questions that comes up: “How do I stay on track when I am hormonal?” and “How do I battle THE CRAVINGS?”

My best advice: give into the emotions and cravings a little.

My best advice: give into the emotions and cravings a little. Yes, I do mean this in a moderate way. This is not what you would expect coming from a person who absolutely loves to see transformation and change in others, but with this piece of advice comes some major check and balances. For the ladies, this is part of the process of learning about yourself and your physical bodies. A little indulgence and self-love is better than throwing it all out the window.

Here are some helpful tips to help keep you on track with your fitness goals and tackle roadblocks when the "monthly friend" calls.

1 | Download a period app.

Having a period app has been a life saver for me. It reminds me when “Aunt Flow” will strike so I’m better prepared each month. For instance, if I am having crying spells or feel more agitated than usual, I will know why! Also, the app reminds me that when I’m 10-14 days away, to be READY to stock the fridge.

We recommend P Tracker (for iPhone or Android), but other recommendations can be found here.

2 | Pay attention to what you are craving and what your body needs.

There are specific foods my body craves during this "time of the month." I generally prefer savory foods over sweets and desserts. I enjoy foods such as cheese, tomatoes, egg yolks, avocado, hot sauce, and herbs and peppers. I guess my body needs extra doses of calcium, iron, good fats, vitamin C, antioxidants, and some yummy, bold flavors when my "monthly friend" comes to visit!

Others may crave sweets or salty foods. If this is you, go right ahead and enjoy that piece of chocolate or a slice of pizza. A little extra boost of serotonin or fiber is helpful for everybody.

If your cravings are more regular and outside of your monthly, you may want to check your sleep pattern and stress levels. Also, make sure you are completely hydrated as cravings can be confused with dehydration.

3 | Get Moving!

Lastly, make sure to get moving to release the “happy” endorphins and to make you feel energized. Remember: it’s all about making sure you have the right balance in the long haul for a happy and healthy life!

In health,

Coach Huong