Member-only story
How I Stopped Exercising To Get My Period Back
When My Healthy Routine Made Me Extremely Unwell
Exercising had always been a fundamental part of my life; it was a way of controlling my emotions (and my body), challenging myself and others, and an easy escape from feeling anxious and overwhelmed.
My way of exercising was incredibly disciplined, and it didn’t allow spontaneity, distractions, and changes in the routine. If I had an injury, I would still show up to my morning run; if I had a cold, I would still exercise, if I was flat out at work or simply overtired, I still didn’t miss my exercise routine.
I honestly thought it was helping to manage my stress level (society says that exercise is good for you, right?), but the truth is that was making my situation much worse.
I was spreading myself too thin. I was obsessed with maintaining my body’s shape.
How did I know?
I felt tired and wired after exercising
I was always wired and very nervous, and I couldn’t sit still
My day was ruined, and my anxiety heightened if I skipped an exercise session
I had to exercise also while on holiday
I was really attached to numbers (walk 16,000 steps, run 5 km, Hiit for 30 minutes, etc.)
I restricted my food intake if I didn’t exercise
I didn’t have rest days
I worked…
