I earnestly joined slowtwitch JUST to seek advice on this topic.
I am 22 and really struggling with my period. I guess I am really struggling with physically "growing-up" in general. It sucks when you want to be competitive!
I eat pretty healthy, exercise at least an hour a day 5 days a week, drink lots of water.... but for the last 2-3 years I have noticed my female issues still getting worse.
I don't want to be that girl who starts starving herself or over-working out just to avoid being "too curvy" or to even try and minimize the effects of my cycle.
My main issues are: Having to take 2-3 days off of exercise completely. A week of sub-par performance. Getting bad headaches or nausea. Not being able to fit into my normal sports bras.
The third issue is actually what bothers me the most because I am not small-chested and already struggle with this almost every day of the year. Running is becoming very uncomfortable.
I've tried 3 different types of birth control, but I never feel well on the stuff. Even though I don't suffer from one HORRIBLE week a month, I feel blah every single day on BC pills. I figure being able to train at 100% most days is better than being at 50% all the time.
Maybe it is just genetic and I should stop fighting it? It just seems like the majority of girls in my age group are more consistent and less "womanly" looking (no offense, cause I am definitely jealous!).
My parents signed me up for the Miami Man Half- Iron distance last month. The race is in November. I REALLY want to do well and not worry so much about so many problems. Perhaps actually training for the half will "cure" many of the issues I am currently having, but like I said I don't want to become obsessive.
If anyone can relate and give some good advice I would appreciate it. My general doctor and gyno always just suggest birth control, but I feel like there has to be some other solution.
I am 22 and really struggling with my period. I guess I am really struggling with physically "growing-up" in general. It sucks when you want to be competitive!
I eat pretty healthy, exercise at least an hour a day 5 days a week, drink lots of water.... but for the last 2-3 years I have noticed my female issues still getting worse.
I don't want to be that girl who starts starving herself or over-working out just to avoid being "too curvy" or to even try and minimize the effects of my cycle.
My main issues are: Having to take 2-3 days off of exercise completely. A week of sub-par performance. Getting bad headaches or nausea. Not being able to fit into my normal sports bras.
The third issue is actually what bothers me the most because I am not small-chested and already struggle with this almost every day of the year. Running is becoming very uncomfortable.
I've tried 3 different types of birth control, but I never feel well on the stuff. Even though I don't suffer from one HORRIBLE week a month, I feel blah every single day on BC pills. I figure being able to train at 100% most days is better than being at 50% all the time.
Maybe it is just genetic and I should stop fighting it? It just seems like the majority of girls in my age group are more consistent and less "womanly" looking (no offense, cause I am definitely jealous!).
My parents signed me up for the Miami Man Half- Iron distance last month. The race is in November. I REALLY want to do well and not worry so much about so many problems. Perhaps actually training for the half will "cure" many of the issues I am currently having, but like I said I don't want to become obsessive.
If anyone can relate and give some good advice I would appreciate it. My general doctor and gyno always just suggest birth control, but I feel like there has to be some other solution.