Lose weight by following your menstrual cycle ~ 4 stages of TCM to lose weight faster without getting stuck

I believe that when it comes to "period", most women tend to have a love-hate attitude towards it! In fact, the menstrual period is not only one of the indicators to judge whether the physiological functions of women are functioning normally. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, mastering the menstrual cycle and eating the right food can help women lose weight with "twice the result with half the effort"! As for how to use the "menstrual cycle weight loss method", let a professional Chinese medicine practitioner explain it to you.

Exclusive for women! Is the “menstrual cycle weight loss method” done right? TCM Doctor's Secrets

What is the "menstrual cycle weight loss method"? Zhou Zonghan, attending physician of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Ren'ai Branch of Taipei Municipal United Hospital, said that the so-called menstrual cycle weight loss method mainly refers to the daily diet and conditioning guidelines, which are used to coordinate with women's natural menstrual cycle to lose weight, rather than losing weight during the menstrual period. The specific operation method is to determine how to arrange the weight loss plan based on women's monthly physiological cycle and the changes in hormones in the body. Generally speaking, in clinical practice, Chinese medicine practitioners will divide the female menstrual cycle into 4 stages for discussion:

Phase 1 / Menstrual period: To prevent edema, get enough sleep and use liver-soothing and qi-regulating foods to relieve discomfort

The 1 to 5 days after the onset of menstruation is the menstrual period. Although this period is the stage when women's body metabolism is most active, more nutrition is needed. However, due to the decrease in progesterone secretion, women are particularly prone to experiencing discomfort such as loss of appetite, depression, and stress.

In addition, Chinese medicine believes that women’s physical constitution is at the stage of “transition from yang to yin” during menstruation. Therefore, in terms of daily care, female friends are advised to avoid raw, cold and cool foods (such as ice cream, fruits and vegetables, raw food), as well as stimulating foods such as alcohol that can easily cause emotional anxiety. Instead, moderate intake of herbs such as motherwort, cyperus rotundus, rose, etc., which help to soothe the liver and regulate qi, and regulate menstruation, is a good conditioning option.

In addition, it should be reminded that it is normal for women to gain 1 to 3 kilograms in weight due to edema during menstruation because of poor water metabolism and retention in the body. Therefore, based on the above reasons, female friends should avoid excessive dieting and excessive exercise at this time, and instead use this opportunity to adjust their physical condition and lay a good foundation for health in the next stage. The most important thing is that if you want to avoid problems such as swelling of the face and legs, getting enough rest and avoiding lack of sleep and excessive fatigue are the fundamental ways.

The follicular stage is also the golden period for women to lose weight! Therefore, friends who want to lose weight are advised to take advantage of this period to actively engage in aerobic exercise, and try to maintain a certain exercise frequency, and it is best to maintain at least 7 hours of exercise per week.

Phase 2 / Golden period for weight loss: Control your appetite and get active to lose weight faster

The 6th to 12th day after the onset of menstruation is the so-called preovulation period. At this time, menstruation has just ended, the ovarian follicles are in the development stage, and the basal body temperature is in the low temperature period. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that this is the period when women's "yin blood is generated". Therefore, in terms of conditioning, traditional Chinese medicine often uses medicines that have the effect of "nourishing yin and replenishing blood". For example, wolfberry, red dates, etc. are common medicinal materials that help the body absorb, renew and repair damaged cells.

In addition, the follicular stage is also the golden period for women to lose weight! Because at this time the body's hormone secretion is vigorous, and the metabolism and digestive functions are also in the best condition. Therefore, friends who want to lose weight are advised to take advantage of this period to actively engage in aerobic exercise, and try to maintain a certain exercise frequency, and it is best to maintain at least 7 hours of exercise per week.

However, it should be noted that since the body's consumption, digestion and absorption speed increase at this time, the absorption of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the body will also be accelerated. Therefore, if you are not careful about your diet and the calories you eat cannot be broken down quickly, they will be converted into fat and accumulated in the body, causing weight gain. Therefore, those who want to lose weight should avoid high-calorie, high-fat foods in their diet, and consume more iron- and fiber-rich foods. For example, spinach, kelp, grapes, etc. are good choices.

Stage 3 / Ovulation: Lose weight without shrinking your breasts. Take advantage of this time to supplement protein and lipids to make your breasts fuller.

If you want to create a graceful figure, losing weight without reducing your breasts is the key to maintaining curves! However, if you want to lose weight successfully without shrinking your breasts, what should you do? Chinese medicine practitioner Zhou Zonghan pointed out that the "ovulation period" from the 13th to the 16th day of the menstrual cycle is a transitional stage from "heavy yin to yang" in Chinese medicine theory. It is recommended to give appropriate amounts of drugs that are beneficial for nourishing yin and yang, regulating qi and activating blood circulation, to help with smooth ovulation.

In addition, at this time, you can do more chest massages to promote blood circulation around the chest, and at the same time, eat some Chinese medicinal materials that have the effect of promoting breast development, such as licorice soup, donkey-hide gelatin, and kudzu root, as well as foods containing lecithin and high-quality protein such as soybeans and peanuts, and nuts and seeds that can provide good fats, such as almonds, walnuts, and sesame seeds. These are simple dietary recipes that will help make your breasts look fuller.

During the "luteal phase", women's progesterone secretion begins to increase and the body's metabolic function slows down. Therefore, many people who want to lose weight often find that the rate of weight loss is significantly reduced at this time, and they tend to enter a weight loss wall period.

Phase 4/Luteal phase: Low GI diet + regular exercise to prevent fat accumulation and lose weight

The 17th to 28th day after menstruation is the luteal phase. At this time, the female ovaries will begin to ovulate and secrete a large amount of progesterone. The basal body temperature will gradually rise to a high temperature period, and the endometrium and glands will also thicken and proliferate. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that this is the stage when women's "yang energy is the strongest", and recommends the use of drugs that warm the yang and transform qi to help the proliferation of the endometrium.

In addition, because the secretion of progesterone in women begins to increase and the body's metabolic function slows down at this time, many people who want to lose weight often find that the rate of weight loss is significantly reduced at this time, and they tend to enter a weight loss wall period.

In view of this, Chinese medicine physician Zhou Zonghan recommends that when facing the annoying weight loss plateau, female friends should keep in mind the key points of the "low GI diet" and avoid consuming excessive high GI foods in their daily diet to prevent blood sugar from rising too quickly, causing a large amount of insulin to be secreted, and increasing the risk of fat formation and accumulation in the body. In addition, developing a habit of moderate exercise every day, eating more light food, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding salty food will naturally help prevent edema, reduce body fat accumulation, and consolidate previous weight loss results.