@helenlaverickpt: Raise your hand if your clothes suddenly feel tighter and it feels like the whole world is against you 🙋‍♀️ Oh wait… it’s just the luteal phase 👀 The cravings... The mood swings... The exhaustion... The “I hate everything and everyone including myself” phase! Yep, been there this week 😂 I seriously wish this kind of education was around when I was younger. When I was in school and college, I would literally hate myself during this part of my cycle. I didn’t know what was going on. I just thought I was doing something wrong! But here’s the truth: ✨This is normal✨ And more importantly...this phase will pass. The luteal phase is the second half of your cycle, it begins after ovulation and leads up to your period. During this time, progesterone rises, which can trigger a whole list of fun things (yay hormones!): - Increased cravings (especially for carbs and sugar) - Bloating and water retention (hence the tight jeans 👖) - Mood changes...from snappy to low to anxious and back again - Fatigue and dips in motivation - Slower digestion or constipation - Disrupted sleep or restlessness - Body image wobbles Sound familiar? 🙃 It doesn’t have to be miserable though gal... You don’t need to “power through” & feel like a mess every month. You can actually work with your body, not against it, just by making a few intentional tweaks: ✔️ Focus on complex carbs (oats, sweet potato, rice) to support energy + reduce cravings ✔️ Prioritise sleep + stress management (think walks, journaling, or just saying NO more often) ✔️ Stay hydrated to ease bloating and improve digestion ✔️ Add magnesium-rich foods (like dark chocolate, spinach, pumpkin seeds) to support mood + cramps ✔️ Don’t be afraid to pull back slightly in training if energy dips, strength won’t disappear overnight ✔️ Stick to structure with your meals, eating enough and consistently will help more than you think Most importantly, be kinder to yourself. This phase doesn’t define you. It doesn’t undo your progress. And you are not broken for feeling off! You’re human. And hormonal. And that’s completely okay 🤍 #mindsetmotivation #lutealphase #cycle #women #gym #fitnessmotivation #GymTok #Fitness

Helen Laverick PT

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Region: GB

Thursday 17 July 2025 18:00:44 GMT