Food and exercise regime tailored to menstruation

As a former Ballerina turned personal trainer, Jessica Keniston has always been super fit. But even she noticed when teaching classes that she would get tight and sore, some weeks finding it much harder than others.

In her clients she noticed they would report small injuries at particular times of the month.

The owner of Fittsteps gym in Craughwell began to track a pattern that consistently fell in line with her menstrual cycle. She decided to tailor her workouts in line with her periods.

She also realised her cycle influenced her food habits. When menstruating she craved more carbohydrates, and a good deal more chocolate. She changed her diet to take these cravings into account but in a nourishing, healthy way, using her background as a nutrition therapist.

After noticing an Increase in energy, improved mood, inch loss and toning, she decided to set use her time in lockdown to set up an app, which tailors exercise programmes in line with the menstrual cycle. For those in perimenopause or menopause who have erratic periods or none, she recommends following the cycle of the moon.

“If you ignore the signals and push through with the dietary restrictions and heavy workouts, you can suffer additional pain, inflammation and exhaustion. Lean in a little, adjust the food intake, modify the workouts and you get natural pain relief, increased endorphins for better mood and the benefit of cell repair while your body is naturally focused on this. This can lead to better muscle tone and weight loss over all.”

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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