Sometimes you feel like a nut.
And sometimes you don’t. 😛
I felt like a nut today. At least I felt like one for snack time. 😉
I was feeling more colorful for lunch.
Open faced sandwich with fig jam (!), swiss cheese, arugula, and sunflower seeds.
I felt gourmet. 🙂
And a dollop of PB with fresh carrots on the side.
My Period Post Part II
*Disclaimer*
The rest of this post is about my period. If this topic makes you uncomfortable please do not read.
In case you missed the original check it out here.
It’s update time!
Now, let’s see, where did I leave off? No period for over a year, torn and confused, no answers, umm…. I think that’s it.
Before I wrote my last post I had been trying to make a few changes with my diet and after consulting a few medical professionals and a handful of RDs, I decided to try a few other things. I began by cutting back on the fiber, eating more fats and protein, and sticking with my regular doses of calcium, multi vitamin, and fish oil.
The fiber was the toughest – and one I still struggle with– while most Americans don’t eat enough, I had been consuming more than DOUBLE the recommended daily amount. Fortunately for me this wasn’t causing any ahem ‘stomach issues’ (I’m probably as regular as they come), but it was more than likely preventing other key nutrients from being dissolved into my system. So, I cut back.
- I stayed away from all processed foods that were ‘fiber enhanced’
- Opted for all purpose white flour instead of whole wheat in my recent baking experiments
- Cut back on beans
- Cut back on nuts
In addition to cutting out fiber I upped my protein and fat intake. The easiest way for me to do that was to eat more animal products.
- I ate more chicken
- Switched to low fat yogurt instead of fat free
- Ate more cheese
- Cooked with lots of EVOO and REAL butter
I still continued to run and ate as much as I did before.
These changes slowly came into place at the beginning of October, but I began to really stick to it after I wrote my post.
Well… you know that saying ‘build it and they will come’? Well, ‘blog about it and it will come.’
I got my period on Friday.
I was shocked, surprised, and really confused.
I called my doctor and she told me ‘congrats’ and there was no need to come in and see her (though I’m dying to know what my estrogen levels are at the moment). Instead, she told me to wait and come during my already scheduled appointment in January.
I guess the real test will be to see if it comes again next month just to make sure this wasn’t a ‘fake’ period. I’m pretty sure there’s no way all those diet changes could have worked that quickly, but I’m not looking a gift horse in the mouth.
So, there’s my update. We’ll reconvene in a month and see what the final verdict is. Until then bring on those delicious fats and proteins!
same here! i had similar issues. i hadn’t gotten my period for like two years…then i started eating more fat and low and behold, it came two months in a row! buttttt, this month it hasn’t? ha. good luck in your period adventures 🙂 lol.
As much as I HATE getting my period, I know that it’s what’s normal and so HOORAY! 🙂 Congrats. We’ll wait for next month’s update.
suki @ [Super Duper Fantastic] recently posted..While you were out doing what girls do…
Yay! That has to be a great feeling after all the uncertainty. 🙂
Dorry recently posted..Hello Holidays
Haha well that’s exciting! It would drive me crazy to not get mine every month, you know for obvious reasons 😉 I feel like I’d go insane with nerves.
Kelly recently posted..It’s Almost Over
Meghann, I have a similar problem. I went off my BC and didn’t get my period for 1 year. I went back on BC because I my doctor didn’t want me to have such low estrogen levels. I currently want to get pregnant and am so worried that it won’t happen. I’ve been making an effort to increase my fat intake. Can I asked if you gained any weight? I’m just curious if weight gain made you get your period. Thanks!
I’ve gained like 10 pounds in the last year. This was a gradual weight gain. As far as in the last month? I have no clue. I don’t weigh myself regulary.
Thanks for the response! I have gained about 5 pounds recently. I’m hoping that the weight gain combined with my diet changes will help me get lucky too! Never thought I would say that getting my period is lucky!
If you don’t mind sharing, how much do you weigh now (approx.)? And how tall are you?
that was for meghann btw
Yay, that is great news!
Your period may not be regular for a little while still, so it may not come back in exactly a month. Your body’s just getting used to ovulating again. In the meantime, congratulations and enjoy the cramps!
Amy recently posted..as toilsome i wander’d virginia’s woods
YAY!!! I’m so happy for you! That’s really interesting to hear about the fiber- probably something I should look into because it’s never been mentioned by my doctors before. Thanks for the insight, and congrats again! (I just hope you’re not in too much pain!!) 😀
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat recently posted..I’ve never been to heaven…
Oh yay! And you’d be surprised how fast our bodies can adapt girl! So it’s quite possible that the little changes in that short time were the reason for your “success” 🙂
Also why do you think your diet changes wouldn’t have made that much of a difference in 6 weeks?
Amy recently posted..as toilsome i wander’d virginia’s woods
I was told diet changes would take a while to make a difference. I guess 6 weeks is a while?
Yeah, like Heather says above our bodies adapt fast!
Amy recently posted..as toilsome i wander’d virginia’s woods
I think 3 weeks is the point at which your standard diet clears out from your system after a dietary change.
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday recently posted..Ma’amool B’Jowz
Wahoo!! Good for you!! That is really interesting about the fiber….
janae @hungryrunnergirl.com recently posted..Snack Attack
SO glad to hear. Congrats!
Rachel @ Fit Fun and Fabulous recently posted..Busy Bee
Woo! Congrats on getting Aunt Flo back 😀
Allie recently posted..Monday- Check
Ah congrats! I hope it keeps up!
Jess@atasteofconfidence recently posted..Formallin’ it up
I got nothing!! expect usually its the man in your life that is really excited about that!!
Lew (ashandlewplus2.com) recently posted..My Love Affair with Leftovers!
I’ve been thinking about this since your last post!! Congratulations! Who knew the arrival of Aunt Flow would be such a celebration! I would be anxious about my estrogen levels as well!! January will show up soon enough! 🙂
Alicia recently posted..How to get the most out of your pomegranate
Haha, congrats! 🙂
I feel like we’re twelve and you’re telling me this in the girls bathroom—congratulations on getting your period!
It’s amazing what our bodies can do, isn’t it?
When i got my period back from not having it for well over a year, getting it again was joyous. it’ll be a year in january that its been back and i’ve had it every single month like clock work. Keep up with what your doing and i bet it’ll be regular!!
Yay for you! hehe
Its amazing what different foods can do to and for our bodies. Keep on keeping on!
Congrats!
Matt recently posted..Eating Like A Kid- Sloppy Joes
Why do you think the food couldn’t make it happen this fast? Hell, eat a twinkie and it winds up on your hips in a day 🙂 Every meal is a new beginning. I did notice the increase in protein and fat in your diet. Congrats
Meghann, thats awesome! I went 3 years without one, and the day I got it back I felt like CELEBRATING! btw…Since I got it back, I have been having cold like symptoms every month around my period..maybe this is what u are experiencing. Everyones immunity takes a dip around that time, and for us active people, we really notice the energy loss and other effects. Just a thought. SO Happy for you!
Is it weird to say congrats? 😉 Wonder what it ended up being!
Heather @ Side of Sneakers recently posted..No Butternut for You!
AHHH congratulations!! It feels SO SO good to get that little message that says “yay my body is healthy”. Not that you weren’t before, you’re just womanly healthy now 😉
I’ve been trying to up my fats and proteins too. I have been getting my period, probably due to the excessive amount of fats I get from sweets, but I want to do it with oils and avacados and nutbutters instead.
Clare @ Fitting It All In recently posted..Surprise on a Surprise
YAYY
Caitlin recently posted..A Silent Run
I am a huge believer in fat consumption for women! Based on my research, we definitely need it (those fatty acids are “essential”, after all), and they are also necessary for absorbing several important vitamins.
I am definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next month. Good luck!!
Alina @ Duty Free Foodie recently posted..Tragic Pumpkin Demise
yaaay! i’m so happy for you! do you feel better? do you feel more relieved?
Pearl Lee recently posted..a little distraction
I think the diet changes could be 100% the explanation and they DO work quickly!! That’s the beauty of food 🙂
Kath Younger recently posted..I Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
I am happy that you got your period, but I really didn’t see much of an increase in your fats or protein. Your lunch today looks very small too. Why only one piece of bread instead of 2?!
Yay!!!! I’m SO SO SO happy to hear this. I know it must be a huge relief to you to see it and know that you can get it. Keep up with those changes as they seem to have helped and hopefully things will gradually get more and more regular for you. I’m literally grinning ear to ear for you because I know how it feels to see such a part of our health as women again. 😀
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun recently posted..back to life with good surprises
Congrats! You can be miserable every month with the rest of us now! 😉 I kid, I kid. Very good news that your body is starting to work the way it needs to now. I’m excited to hear how it all pans out over the coming months!
Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf recently posted..Before and After
I thought you were eating alot more meat than you usually do. I was surprised when you bought that whole chicken for the week! CONGRATS!
Meghann,
CONGRATS!! I was so intrigued when I read the title of your post. To make a long story short, after 6 years of dealing with Anorexia, and the last 3 years going without a regular period, I popped into the bathroom at the gym this morning and I GOT IT!! FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 3 YEARS! Amazing what a balanced diet and a little extra weight can do for a woman! My exact words were “Holy Crap, Thank you Jesus!” HA! I think the people in the locker room thought I was crazy.
So from one healthy woman to another, CONGRATS!
Exciting news! Glad you changes helped… I can only imagine how challenging reducing fiber would be for me too. Sounds like you’re keeping it pretty tasty though 🙂
Congrats! You’re once again a lady!
It feels weird to congratulate you for that, but I’m happy for you! I know you must have been super stressed about it! Yay!
Yay! Congrats! I’m hopeful everything would be fine by the time January approaches. Our bodies are made with complexities. Sigh.
Kiran recently posted..Curried Pumpkin
That’s got to be a relief (if you were worried about it of course). I remember after I had my son earlier this year that I didn’t have my period for about eight weeks and I had started to worry. Then it appeared. 🙂
Tab- Just Weighing In recently posted..Weekend Recap
Thanks for sharing about this. 🙂 I had the same issue for a long time. Cutting out starches and adding in a lot more fat and protein is exactly what I did and it worked indefinitely…
Honey B. recently posted..The Journey as the Roadblock
What a stress relief for you 🙂
Lisa (bakebikeblog) recently posted..Pantry mission
Woot Woot!!!
Huh, I know fiber inhibits iron absorption, but I honestly never connected that to eating TOO many veggies… Wow, definitely food for thought!
Congrats!! 🙂
Hope recently posted..So I Might Forget You…
It’s impressive to me that you’re so willing to do what it takes to get your period back… running less, eating more fats, etc. Congratulations that you seem to have found the answer! I personally run around 50 miles a week and have always been as regular as clockwork, but I don’t limit fats at all. I eat A LOT of ice cream and I always notice that right before my period starts I have cravings for eggs and cheese and chocolate, of course 🙂 You’ll find that healthy balance!
yay!!!!!! i was all happy for u hahaha keep it up!
Congrats on the surprise event!
I had no idea fiber could block absorption of other nutrients. That makes me kind of nervous about my high fiber diet.
Rachel recently posted..Everyone’s Muffins
yeah, it came.
i’m lucky (read: very very unlucky) because mine comes every month, to the day.
Laura (Starloz) recently posted..Doubles
Thanks for this post – I know it’s an easy topic to shy away from but you really provided me with a lot of insight into my own diet/period issues. I’m going to try some of the same changes you did and hopefully get the same result. I have been getting a lot of fiber in my diet for a while now.
ah! SO glad to hear it <3
Erica recently posted..E- Apple Granola Cake
That is awesome! Congrats to you, and I hope it’s around for good now!
grocery goddess jen recently posted..Acorn Squash- Sweet Potato- and Honey Crisp Apple Soup
My jaw dropped when I read this. Congrats!!!! I hope mine comes back soon as well. 🙁
Krystina recently posted..Gingerbread Cake
I feel sheltered now because I’ve never heard of anyone not getting their period like that! wow! I would loooove to never get mine again, but then again, I have two kiddos! And I’ve wondered before if I have a hormonal imbalance but my doc never did any blood tests. I’ll definitely be requesting some next time!
Tangy @ A Taste of Tangy recently posted..Meals away from home
Congrats!!! I take having a period for granted! I don’t know what I would do if I stopped getting it!
Sana recently posted..Costco 1 Sana 0
WOw that’s great Meghann, really inspiring! Crazy to think it can/could/did change that quickly – i guess you’re right, you’ll have to wait and see if it comes again next month.
I’m curious, as this is your *first* period since almost a year ago, if it’s the same length, etc as they used to be??
Jaclyn recently posted..A Mountain of Work
It was on par with what was normal for me a year a go 🙂
Congratulations! That is great news!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I feel rather silly congratulating you on your period, but this is a big thing. 🙂
Katy (The Singing Runner) recently posted..Ice Ice Baby
Congrats!!! And thank you so much for sharing your story and information about the topic. I have not had a period in going on a year and a half now!! I didn’t think too much about it for a while because I had just gone off bc, but now after some basic tests have come up with no direct explanation I am starting to get more concerned. Good to know what seems to work for you and I may try to make similar dietary adjustments. Hope yours straightens out for good:)
Congratulations!!
I’ve always been plagued with horrible periods that least forever and have cramps that leave me practically paralyzed for the first few days… So I wouldn’t mind not getting mine (with my current bc I don’t really!) But maybe eating better would help my natural periods when I’m off my bc! Definitely something to look into, thank you so much for sharing!
Jillian @ Reshape Your Life recently posted..Mish Mosh
Wow congrats! I haven’t had my period for a year and a half so I wish I could say the same! I sent you an email about it but I know that you probably got hundreds after the first period post. I am a vegetarian and went to the doctor and they said I have normal hormone levels and fat levels. I eat lots of nuts and legumes and stuff so I don’t really know why I haven’t gotten it back. I am not going to take artificial stuff if I don’t need to, so I haven’t so far. I kinda enjoy not having it but I know it’s best if I do. Again, happy you got it back and hopefully you will get it again next month!
Congrats! I actually cheered for you when I read this post (thank goodness I’m home alone today or I’d have gotten some funny looks cheering with a mouth full of tea!). I hope it’s truly back and everything works out. 🙂
congratulations!!! i struggled with your same issues for almost a year too. and i refused all types of western medicine. i cut back on running, paid better attention to my diet, relaxed some and guess what? period returned a few months ago after almost a year. i think sometimes it just happens. and i think the pill is awful (i think it contributed big time to my loss of a period). never. again.
anyway, lovely news! hope all is well, still 🙂
I had the same problem, had no period for over a year so I FINALLY went to my doctor and told her about it. She put me on the lowest dose of birth control, I know that sounds funny, but actually the hormones in the pill were supposed to induce my period. She told me that at the end of the three weeks after taking the pill I should have a period and lo and behold it came! She ran some other tests on me to make sure I didn’t have any problems and luckily I didn’t. I haven’t changed my diet so for me diet wasn’t the issue I guess.
After not getting my period for a year and half, mine came today! I have no idea why… I thought I would be excited but I forgot how miserable cramps are!
After not getting my period for a year and half, mine came today! I have no idea why… I thought I would be excited but I forgot how miserable cramps are!
Didn’t it drive you crazy wondering if you were pregnant or not?!!!
I read your blog but have never commented before. Can I tell you that my story is the EXACT SAME??? I last got my period in August of 2009 and the only thing I’ve ever been told is that my thyroid is normal and I should go back on birth control. I didn’t want to, but thought my increased running and 30-pound weight loss over one year were probably the culprit, though I was never super skinny. I have done my fair share of research on my own, and came to the same conclusion you have.
I changed my eating habits literally last week, in the exact way you’ve changed yours – less fiber, more fat and protein. I bought chobani 2% instead of fat-free, got over my fear of baking with butter (I’d been only using applesauce), bought some eggs and other high-protein items, and have cut down on the tons of fiber I usually eat! I have hope now that this will work for me! Thank you for sharing 🙂
-Hannah
hahaaha your “monthly” gift horse.
Cat @Breakfast to Bed recently posted..Celebrity Smackdown
do you think decreasing fiber is what did it??? i just read your first post and this one (and in answer to your tweet about a third…YES would love to see it), and now i am SO intrigued. i’ve been going through the same thing too! i havent had a period since march, and prior to that, its been hit or miss with months and months in between. my blood tests are all completely normal (minus the estrogen thing) and ive tried sooo many different birth controls. ive been off it completely since may, and still no P!
doctors have told me to try to gain weight, run less, etc, but its hard to do that while marathon training!! i eat like crazy and just run what i need to to be prepared and avoid injury! any insight you have would be SOOO helpful!!
I reread your first period post and this one which was linked from your Twitter feed in regards to doing a Part 3 and I would love love to read your update. I feel like what I just read is what I’m going through right now – my husband and I are trying to get pregnant so I stopped BC 6 months ago and still no period. Dr. told me to lower my exercise and it’s been a month since that adjustment and still no period. You bring up an interesting point about fiber – I never heard of that helping by lowering it. I too eat a lot of fiber (I love my veggies!) and that makes sense that I may be getting too much, because I too am very regular (sorry too TMI! ;)). And I should probably get more fat in my diet too…
Thank you for sharing this all with us…I feel like this is a secret problem for all us women and there are no straight answers, very frustrating. I too look at women athletes who exercise more than me and get pregnant, skinnier than me and get pregnant, and here I am with these issues. But like you said, they may have gotten help to conceive and I only see whats on the outside. Thanks again Meghann and I look forward to reading Part 3! 🙂
Shayla @ The Good Life recently posted..16 Weird Facts About…Me!
I didn’t see a period post for december. Did you get aunt flo again? Curious.
Sorry, took awhile for me to find it your third post! Glad you weren’t in any pain while you were missing your cycle. I was in more pain missing my cycle then any cramping. You are so lucky! I’ve gone nearly a year without mine and I am having the worst back pain.
Comments on this entry are closed.
{ 2 trackbacks }