Period is a monthly shedding of a female’s uterus lining (also known as menstruation); it lasts about 3 to 5 days (average) and contains blood and tissue that exits her body through the cervix and vagina. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long.
The menstrual cycle has 4 distinct phases:
During menstrual cycle, leptin hormone in the body changes accordingly. Leptin is been called the “obesity hormone”, “fat hormone” or the “starvation hormone”. It is lowest during menstruation, gradually increasing after menstruation. It starts to increase after Day 7 of menstruation, hit the peak during ovulation (usually about Day 14) then slowly decrease during luteal phase until reach the lowest which then symbolises another menstrual cycle begins. Thus, the best timing for slimming would be during Day 7 to Day 20 of menstrual cycle.
Day 1 – 7
The estrogen and progesterone levels are low. The body metabolic rate will be lower, meaning body ‘energy’ will be lower too. Water circulation in the body will be easily stagnated and cause retention in the body. Edema easily occurs at this stage thus many people will experience some weight gain.
Day 7 – 14
After Day 7 onwards, estrogen level will start to increase. This is the best timing to achieve the slimming effects. Therefore at this stage, healthy diet is very important. Theoretically, significant slimming effects can be seen at this phase mostly because the water retention in the body is already excreted out. Usually the average weight lose is about 1 to 2 kg (minimum).
Day 14 – 21
The body metabolic rate will start to decrease. Control diet and have appropriate exercise. If you feel hungry easily, take more fruits instead of unhealthy snacks.
Day 21 – 28
This is the slowest stage of slimming. No matter how aggressive methods you use to slim down it would be less effective in this stage. Instead, many people will start to have pimples or even slight weight gain symptoms. If you don’t feel fulfilling after meal or get hungry easily after meal, please select appropriate food that contained low calories such as cucumber and tomato.
So, a common perception is that women gain weight during their menstrual cycle. However, that is not always the case. The most common cause of weight gain is water retention, and that’s only occurring for a short period of time.
Know your menstruation cycle & stay in shape!
