Did you know that menstruation is the best time for women to lose weight? During this period, you can eat whatever you want without gaining weight. Beauticians say that seizing this crucial time for weight loss can achieve the best results.
Four stages of weight loss during menstruation
1. Weight loss plateau
Time period: Days 1 to 7 after the start of menstruation
During menstruation, the drop in progesterone levels can cause feelings of sullenness, low mood, and high stress, often leading to unexplained sadness and irritability. Insufficient sleep or excessive fatigue during this period can cause temporary pigmentation around the eyes. In the days leading up to menstruation, the skin becomes very sensitive and less resistant, potentially causing menstrual cramps and mood swings. Combined with decreased hormone levels, the skin becomes extremely dry, and pores become enlarged. These changes usually disappear naturally by the fourth or fifth day after the start of menstruation.
The recommended exercise time during this stage is 3-5 hours per week. - Do not attempt to lose weight through dieting or excessive exercise during this stage; instead, focus on "body shaping." The early stages of menstruation are also a good time to sculpt a healthy figure, while excessive dieting can easily lead to dehydration without reducing fat. Suitable exercises include tennis, ball sports, long-distance running, and hiking.
2. Accelerated weight loss period
Time period: Days 7 to 14 after menstruation
Women typically ovulate on day 14 of their menstrual cycle. Estrogen levels peak at this time and then begin to decline, while progesterone levels rise. When estrogen and androgen levels are high, the body absorbs and metabolizes carbohydrates, fats, and proteins more quickly. Therefore, the week leading up to ovulation is the best time to engage in aerobic exercise. This is the time of year when you feel your best, both mentally and physically, and you'll enjoy exercise and challenges.
Aim for at least 2 hours of exercise daily or every other day, totaling at least 7 hours per week. Suitable activities include running, swimming, and cycling. You can also try various aerobic exercises that interest you, such as rhythmic gymnastics, Latin dance, or ballet. Since your physical fitness and receptiveness are at their peak during this period, not exercising would be a waste.
3. The period of slow weight loss
Time period: Days 14 to 21 after menstruation
In the week following ovulation, the effects of follicle-stimulating hormones intensify, but due to increased progesterone secretion, skin conditions become unstable. You won't feel anything particularly special during this time, but problems from the week before your period are brewing. Your sebum production increases, melanin is activated, and you may develop acne. Your mood may also fluctuate, sometimes calm, sometimes irritable.
If you don't have time to go to the gym, you can choose to jump rope as a way to lose weight. Jumping 200 times or more every morning and evening will have a very noticeable effect on weight loss.
4. Slowing down the weight loss period
Time period: Days 21 to 28 after menstruation
Progesterone secretion peaks in the third week and begins to decline from the fourth week. From days 20 to 24, you can engage in longer periods of aerobic exercise, but from days 24 to 28, the duration, frequency, and intensity of exercise should be gradually reduced. Your feelings during this period are complex; you'll have relatively high energy levels initially, but become easily fatigued later. Due to hormonal influences, the secretion of progesterone in a woman's body is very active, which also causes increased subcutaneous fat production, leading to instability in both physical and mental health. You may experience oily skin and acne. At this point, you're almost back to your initial physiological state.
You can continue with the aerobic exercise from the previous stage, while also needing some strength training. You can maintain an exercise time of about 3 hours per week.
Try practicing yoga for 30 minutes every day. It can make your body more flexible and your mind more peaceful. At the same time, proper pelvic stretching postures can promote blood circulation and reduce edema and menstrual cramps.
Two recommended diets for weight loss during menstruation
Soup: Oolong tea soup
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of oolong tea leaves, 4-5 konjac slices, 3 small shiitake mushrooms, 1 small piece of carrot, 4-5 bean pods, 2 ounces of pork.
practice:
1. Slice the pork thinly and marinate it with a little salt, pepper, sesame oil, and cornstarch.
2. Soak the shiitake mushrooms, slice the carrots, and remove the tough strings from the green beans.
3. Pour boiling water into the oolong tea leaves, then pour it out. Pour in about 5 bowls of boiling water again, let it stand for about 1 to 2 minutes, and then pour out the tea.
4. Bring the tea to a boil in a pot, then add the shiitake mushrooms, carrots, and konjac. Once the shiitake mushrooms release their aroma, quickly add the sliced meat and green beans to the pot and cook for about 2 minutes. Then turn off the heat. Finally, add some salt to taste.
Benefits: Reduces phlegm and fat, prevents cancer and promotes weight loss. Oolong tea can lower cholesterol, and konjac contains no calories, making it suitable for those who want to lose weight but cannot diet. Tea can be harsh on the stomach; those with stomach ulcers should avoid it, and those with insomnia should not consume it in the afternoon.
Dish: Sakura Shrimp with Gourd Sauce
Ingredients: 1/2 bottle gourd, 1/2 bowl of sakura shrimp, 1 sprig of cilantro, salt to taste, sesame oil to taste, a little sesame.
practice:
1. Peel and wash the bottle gourd, then shred it finely; after shredding, add a little salt and mix well, then set aside.
2. Put oil in the pan, and once the oil is hot, put in the sakura shrimp. Once the sakura shrimp turn red, turn off the heat and remove them from the pan.
3. After draining the shrimp from step 1, place it on a plate; then place the sakura shrimp from step 2 on top, and finally add cilantro, sesame oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds, and it is ready to eat.
Benefits: Diuretic and anti-edema properties, anti-cancer and weight loss. Bottle gourd can promote diuresis and reduce swelling, making it suitable for those with poor fluid metabolism and edema. Those with weak spleen and stomach should not consume too much.
Three things to note when trying to lose weight during your period:
Menstruation is a crucial period for women to be mindful of during weight loss. Changes in physical condition and mood during this time can directly impact weight loss results. Therefore, women should adjust their weight loss plans during their menstrual cycle. Furthermore, the following points should be noted:
1. Avoid strenuous exercise: Choose gentle and relaxing exercises (such as Pilates, simplified Tai Chi, etc.)
2. Control your intake of sweets: Compared to the ovulation period, appetite increases before menstruation, and mood is irritable and unstable, making it easy to consume excessive amounts of sugar.
3. Avoid taking diet pills: If menstrual irregularities occur, stop taking diet pills immediately.
