The Period Recovery Podcast

In this episode, Cynthia discusses the five biggest mistakes women make when trying to recover their periods from Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA).

These mistakes include:

Not eating enough
Over-exercising
Not gaining enough weight
Staying in a constant state of stress
Lacking patience with the recovery process

Cynthia emphasizes the importance of addressing these mistakes in order to restore hormonal balance, improve overall health, and achieve long-term period recovery. She also highlights the need for support and guidance throughout the journey because it's much easier said than done to let your body find its equilibrium.

Apply for coaching w/Cynthia:  https://p.bttr.to/3ybjfOb 

Need guidance in eating? Check out this FREE Meal Plan from Cynthia

Website: https://www.periodnutritionist.com  

Instagram: www.instagram.com/period.nutritionist

For the full show notes - please visit my website: periodnutritionist.com

Sarah shares her journey of regulating her menstrual cycle and conceiving two children. She initially experienced irregular periods after coming off birth control, which led her to make lifestyle changes. She stopped intermittent fasting, ate more balanced meals, and dialed back her intense exercise routine. Through these changes, she was able to regulate her cycle and conceive her first child. After nursing her first child, she got her period back and was able to conceive her second child. Sarah's perspective on exercise and eating has shifted, and she now focuses on enjoying movement, listening to her body, and being present with her children.

Takeaways

• Coming off birth control can lead to irregular periods, even if a period is initially present.
• Lifestyle changes, such as balanced eating and dialing back intense exercise, can help regulate the menstrual cycle.
• Being present and enjoying movement is more important than pushing oneself to meet certain exercise goals.
• Listening to the body's needs and adjusting exercise and eating habits accordingly is key to overall health and well-being.
• Regulating the menstrual cycle can increase the chances of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy.

Apply for coaching w/Cynthia:  https://p.bttr.to/3ybjfOb 

Need guidance in eating? Check out this FREE Meal Plan from Cynthia

Website: https://www.periodnutritionist.com  

Instagram: www.instagram.com/period.nutritionist

For the full show notes - please visit my website: periodnutritionist.com

Natalie Rose shares her journey of struggling with body image, dieting, and disordered eating, as well as her path to recovery and becoming a therapist specializing in disordered eating. She emphasizes that disordered eating and body image issues can impact quality of life, even if a person hasn't lost their period.

Natalie discusses the normalization of calorie counting and dieting, and how these behaviors can become obsessive and harmful. She also highlights the importance of community support and finding meaning in the recovery process. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the unknown timeline of recovery and the importance of self-compassion and self-awareness.

Takeaways

• Disordered eating and body image issues can impact quality of life, even if a person hasn't lost their period.
• Calorie counting and dieting can become obsessive and harmful, and it's important to assess the impact on mental well-being.
• Community support is crucial in the recovery process, providing validation, understanding, and connection.
• Finding meaning in the recovery process can help navigate the unknown timeline and challenges.
• Self-compassion and self-awareness are key in cultivating a healthy relationship with food and body.

Apply for coaching w/Cynthia:  https://p.bttr.to/3ybjfOb 

Need guidance in eating? Check out this FREE Meal Plan from Cynthia

Website: https://www.periodnutritionist.com  

Instagram: www.instagram.com/period.nutritionist


Natalie Rose, a Registered Psychotherapist with a Masters in Psychology, is much more than just a therapist and virtual coach. She stands as a beacon of hope and expertise in the realm of disordered eating — a multifaceted issue deeply intertwined with emotions and self-perception.

What distinguishes Natalie is her personal journey of triumph over chronic dieting, binge eating, orthorexia, and a decades-long tumultuous relationship with food and body image. This first-hand experience fuels the passion and authenticity behind her brand, Wake Up and Smell The Rosay.

What began as a modest Instagram account where Natalie shared inspiring breakfast bowls (a vital yet often neglected meal for those struggling with disordered eating) has blossomed into a vibrant sanctuary uniting over 100,000 women. Together, they embark on a journey towards achieving
a balanced relationship with food and nurturing a positive relationship with themselves.

Connect with Natalie Rose:

Website

Instagram

For the full show notes - please visit my website: periodnutritionist.com

In this conversation, Cynthia and Caitie discuss body image and the challenges that come with it, particularly during the summer season. They emphasize the importance of working towards healing for your overall well-being. They also explore the normalization of body image struggles and the need to redefine what is considered normal. The conversation touches on topics such as bathing suits, social events, and the vulnerability of exposing one's body. They encourage listeners to prioritize their body image healing journey and not delay it based on external factors. In this conversation, Caitie and Cynthia address the normalization of the beach body concept and the pressure to be thin during the summer. They emphasize the need for support and the benefits of body image healing, including improved mental and physical health. They also discuss the role of somatic experiences in collaborating with the body and processing emotions. The conversation concludes with a reminder to take baby steps and approach the healing journey with childlike curiosity.

Takeaways

• Body image issues can consume a significant amount of mental space and impact daily life.
• Healing body image does not mean always loving your body, but rather not allowing negative thoughts to ruin your day or disrupt your relationship with your body.
• Challenges with body image during the summer include wearing bathing suits and exposing the body more, as well as dealing with social events and potential judgments from others.
• It is important to prioritize body image healing and not delay it based on external factors or seasons.
• Working on the relationship with your body is like any other relationship, with ups and downs, but ultimately building resilience and love. Healing from body image issues is vulnerable but important work that should not be delayed.
• The normalization of the beach body concept and societal pressure to be thin during the summer can make body image healing challenging.
• Support from others is crucial in the healing process.
• Body image healing can lead to improved mental and physical health, as well as a greater sense of freedom and presence in life.
• Somatic experiences, such as deep breathing and movement, can help connect with the body and process emotions.
• Approach the healing journey with childlike curiosity and take baby steps towards a healthier relationship with your body.

Apply for coaching w/Cynthia:  https://p.bttr.to/3ybjfOb 

Need guidance in eating? Check out this FREE Meal Plan from Cynthia

Website: https://www.periodnutritionist.com  

Instagram: www.instagram.com/period.nutritionist


Connect with our guest Caitie Corrandino, Full Soul Nutrition and the retreats she offers!

IG @Caitie.c.rd. 

Caitie Corradino is a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, eating disorder recovery coach, body image expert, Personal Trainer, Registered Yoga Teacher, and breathwork facilitator. She combines nutrition counseling with movement and a powerful toolkit of somatic healing modalities to help women heal from binge eating, yo-yo dieting, food anxiety, eating disorders, disordered eating, body dysmorphia, GI issues, and more. She provides 1:1 counseling services and group retreats at her practice, Full Soul Nutrition.

For the full show notes - please visit my website: periodnutritionist.com

Erietta is from Greece and lost her period due to a combination of stress, excessive exercise, and weight loss even though she never was pursuing trying to change her body or become 'more fit'.

She initially ignored the signs that her body was giving her that something was up with her period and continued her lifestyle. Prior to working with Cynthia she decided to pursue fertility treatment and successfully got pregnant through IVF.

However, after her Son was 1 years old, she still felt the need to address her missing period even though she was still breastfeeding. After working with Cynthia, Erietta was able to regain her period, get pregnant naturally and live a more fulfilling life. 

Takeaways

• Excessive exercise, stress, and weight loss can contribute to the loss of a period, no matter your intentions.
• It's important to listen to the signs that your body is giving you and make changes to support your health.
• Joining a community of women going through the same journey can provide valuable support and encouragement.
• Recovering your period is possible through small changes in eating and movement habits.
• Living a fulfilling life involves prioritizing your health and well-being.

Apply for coaching w/Cynthia:  https://p.bttr.to/3ybjfOb 

Need guidance in eating? Check out this FREE Meal Plan from Cynthia

Website: https://www.periodnutritionist.com  

Instagram: www.instagram.com/period.nutritionist

For the full show notes - please visit my website: periodnutritionist.com

In this conversation, Bria Gadd and Cynthia discuss the topic of periods and the challenges faced by women in their mid to late thirties and beyond. They explore the impact of factors such as exercise, nutrition, stress, and sleep on menstrual health. Bria shares her personal experience of losing her period and the journey to understanding the role of hormones and the transition of menopause. They emphasize the importance of listening to our bodies, finding balance in our lifestyle, and recognizing the symptoms that indicate hormonal imbalances.


Takeaways

• Menstrual health can be affected by factors such as exercise, nutrition, stress, and sleep.
• Symptoms like irregular periods, disrupted sleep, cravings, bloating, and digestive issues can indicate hormonal imbalances.
• Listening to our bodies and finding balance in our lifestyle is crucial for maintaining menstrual health.
• Understanding our menstrual cycle can help us have more self-compassion and adjust our activities and expectations accordingly.
• It's important to seek professional help and not dismiss symptoms as 'normal' or 'just hormones.' Overexercising and under-eating can lead to hormonal imbalances and other health issues.
• Having a regular menstrual cycle can bring increased energy and productivity during the follicular phase.
• Self-care and setting boundaries are important during the luteal phase.
• Stress management and pleasure contribute to overall well-being.
• Age is just a number, and it's never too late to prioritize our health.

Apply for coaching w/Cynthia:  https://p.bttr.to/3ybjfOb 

Need guidance in eating? Check out this FREE Meal Plan from Cynthia

Website: https://www.periodnutritionist.com  

Instagram: www.instagram.com/period.nutritionist

Learn more about our guest:
Bria Gadd is a functional diagnostic practitioner, holistic health coach, and certified personal trainer, who specializes in female hormones, helping women with weight release and energy gain in pre and post menopause, and finding clarity in hormonal chaos.

Her podcast The Period Whisperer is a top 2% wellness podcast in the world with an instagram following of over 17,000. Bria has been featured in Fox News, Women's Health and top women's podcasts such as The MidLife Makeover Show to name a few. 

For the full show notes - please visit my website: periodnutritionist.com

In this solo podcast episode, Cynthia discusses the five biggest myths and misconceptions surrounding hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) or missing periods. She starts by addressing the mainstream medical approach to HA, which often involves prescribing birth control pills. Cynthia emphasizes that her approach as a registered dietitian is different and aims to provide better information for making informed decisions. She also highlights that HA is a global issue and can affect individuals of all shapes and sizes. Cynthia then explores the misconception that HA is often misdiagnosed as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the importance of asking the right questions to differentiate between the two conditions. She also addresses the misconception that getting your period back is only important for fertility, when in fact it has significant implications for overall health, including heart disease and osteoporosis. Cynthia also discusses the misconception that you don't need to gain weight or make further changes if you've already made some progress in recovering from HA. Lastly, she emphasizes the importance of seeking support and not giving up if you've tried various approaches and haven't seen progress in getting your period back.

Takeaways

• The mainstream medical approach to hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) often involves prescribing birth control pills, but there are alternative approaches that focus on better information and individualized care.
• HA is a global issue that can affect individuals of all shapes and sizes, not just those with low BMI or specific body types.
• It is important to ask the right questions and differentiate between HA and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
• Getting your period back is not just important for fertility, but also for overall health, including reducing the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.
• If you've already made some progress in recovering from HA, it may be necessary to make further changes, including weight gain, to fully restore your menstrual cycle.
• Seeking support and not giving up are crucial if you've tried various approaches and haven't seen progress in getting your period back.

For the full show notes - please visit my website: periodnutritionist.com

Bailee a teacher & nature enthusiast from Utah, shares her journey of losing her period and struggling with infertility. She discusses the societal pressures and body comparisons that contributed to her disordered eating and exercise habits.

Bailee recounts her experiences with various doctors who were unable to provide a clear diagnosis or effective treatment.  She hired a functional med doctor which drew her deeper into HA.

Despite being told she had PCOS, Bailee trusted her intuition and pursued healing from Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA) with Cynthia. She emphasizes the importance of listening to your body and not blindly trusting doctors. Bailee shares her journey of overcoming infertility and achieving pregnancy through period recovery.

Apply for coaching w/Cynthia: 

https://p.bttr.to/3ybjfOb 

Need guidance in period recovery eating? Check out this FREE Meal Plan from Cynthia

Website: https://www.periodnutritionist.com  

Instagram: www.instagram.com/period.nutritionist

For the full show notes - please visit my website: periodnutritionist.com

In today's episode, we sit down with Holly, a past client, a certified acupuncturist who shares her remarkable journey from missing periods + eating disorders to regular healthy cycles !

• Holly opens up about her experience with birth control, having been on and off it for over a decade.
• Seeking alternatives, she delved into Chinese medicine, hoping to restore her period without facing potential weight gain, a common concern with Hormonal Amenorrhea (HA).

Navigating Challenges:

• Despite her efforts, Holly found herself in and out of eating disorder treatment centers, where she would regain her period only to lose it again.
• Frustrated but determined, she discovered the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM), an approach to understanding and tracking fertility cycles.
• Holly emphasizes how FAM became a pivotal tool in her journey, allowing her to stay attuned to her body's needs in terms of exercise, nutrition, and rest.
• As an acupuncturist, she acknowledges the supportive role of Chinese Medicine in recovery but underscores that it doesn't directly address Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA).

Living Fully Recovered:

• Now fully recovered, Holly shares the profound impact it has had on her life, from flourishing in her acupuncture practice to embracing motherhood and reclaiming a sense of vitality.
• She reflects on how being in tune with her body through FAM has been instrumental in her overall well-being.

Apply for coaching w/Cynthia:
https://p.bttr.to/3ybjfOb 

Need guidance in eating? Check out this FREE Meal Plan from Cynthia

Website: https://www.periodnutritionist.com  

Instagram: www.instagram.com/period.nutritionist

Connect with Holly:
http://www.rosebudwellness.com/

Holly is a certified Fertility Awareness Method Educator, Licensed Acupuncturist and Arvigo Abdominal Massage Therapist. Her passion for working with periods and fertility stems from a long history of personal cycle issues. After struggling with hypothalamic amenorrhea for nearly 10 years, and trying every holistic treatment modality out there, Holly began studying the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM). Holly has personally used FAM for natural pregnancy prevention, conceiving her daughter and to restore her cycle in the postpartum phase. In her practice, Rosebud Wellness, Holly works with women all over the world teaching them to chart their cycles using FAM and to optimize their fertility for conception. She also has an in person body work space where she offers acupuncture and abdominal massage to her local community in Ojai, CA.

For the full show notes - please visit my website: periodnutritionist.com

Past client Sarah 41,  resides in Ireland and works in Ministry. 

Just like you, Sarah wondered- will I always be this weight?

When Sarah stepped into the spotlight to share her deeply personal journey of battling the fear of weight gain during period recovery, she not only opened her heart but also paved the way for a profound discussion about body image, health, and self-acceptance. This episode is a celebration of doing the healthiest thing for her body despite societal pressure.

The conversation takes an emotional turn as we tackle the shame and fear that often accompany discussions about weight and health. Sarah's candid account of her struggles and the support she found in the period recovery community and friends who looked beyond her size highlights the importance of redefining health on our own terms.

We recount the steps she took to regain her menstrual cycle, emphasizing the mental hurdles and societal misconceptions she overcame. Leaving you the motivation to do the same !

Listen in to hear how Sarah found a happy healthy weight for her while maintaining a regular period !

Apply for coaching w/Cynthia:
https://p.bttr.to/3ybjfOb 

Need guidance in eating? Check out this FREE Meal Plan from Cynthia

Website: https://www.periodnutritionist.com  

Instagram: www.instagram.com/period.nutritionist

For the full show notes - please visit my website: periodnutritionist.com