HACK YOUR HORMONES for fitness

Listen to your body each month to get the most out of your workouts

- AMBER BRAMBLE

From puberty to periods to menopause, women experience a roller-coaster of ever-changing hormones. And that can play a big role in a number of things – including the way we eat and exercise.

“Women will experience a great variance in their oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels (to name a few),” Madeline Calfas, nutritionist, naturopath and founder of The Wellness Group (thewellnessgroup.net.au) explains. “These hormonal changes can affect the way that women respond to nutrition and training.”

So, if you’re struggling to make it to your HIIT because it’s that time of the month, or have a sudden urge to eat everything in the fridge, your hormones could be responsible!

As frustrating as that might sound, Calfas says it’s important not to fight Mother Nature. Instead, there are ways to make your body’s natural rhythms work for you.

“The key takeaway here is to listen to your body and work with it to ensure you optimise your gains and reach your goals faster,” she says. “You’ll look and feel much better than if you just try to push through.”

PLAN YOUR WORKOUTS