Ever notice your jeans fitting a little tighter or your favorite dress feeling snug right before or during your period? You're not alone! Many girls experience weight gain during their period, but here's the good news: it's usually temporary.
However, the weight difference that disqualifies you from wrestling an opponent is generally very small, often just a pound or less. To compete, you must be within the same weight class, and exceeding the limit—even slightly—typically results in disqualification.
Don’t get cough of guard and don’t let your victory get taken from you due to weight.
Let’s dive into why weight gain happens during periods and what foods you might want to avoid to keep the bloat at bay.
Why the Sudden Weight Gain?
First off, that scale spike isn't all fat. Your body goes through hormonal changes during your menstrual cycle that can lead to water retention, bloating, and cravings. Here are the culprits:
- Hormones: Estrogen and progesterone fluctuate during your cycle, which can make your body hold on to extra water.
- Cravings: That sudden urge for chocolate, chips, or anything salty? It’s real! These cravings can cause you to consume more calories and foods that lead to bloating.
- Digestion slowdown: Your body might slow down digestion a bit, leading to constipation, which can also make you feel heavier.
But don’t worry! Once your period is over, your body typically goes back to normal. But the extra weight might stay.
Foods to Avoid During Your Period
To minimize bloating and discomfort, here are some foods that you might want to avoid:
- Salty foods: Chips, fries, or even processed meals are packed with salt. Sodium makes your body retain water, so skip the salt to avoid extra bloating.
- Caffeinated drinks: Coffee and energy drinks can be tempting when you're feeling sluggish, but caffeine can cause dehydration, making bloating worse. Plus, it can make you feel more anxious, which is not ideal when hormones are already out of whack!
- Sugary snacks: Yes, the chocolate cravings are real, but sugar can cause a spike in insulin, which can worsen bloating and make you feel more sluggish afterward. Opt for dark chocolate if you're craving something sweet – it’s lower in sugar and may help with cravings!
- Carbonated drinks: Bubbles might be fun, but they can also cause gas and bloat. Stick to water to stay hydrated without the extra air.
What you can indulge on during your periods is food that are actually good for you. Like Oatmeal’s, Yogurts and Salads. If you want add and extra layer of flavor while putting your period at bay, consider Beeya Wellness. Their superfoods and supplements have one purpose in mind, and that’s let you forget about your period.
While a little extra weight and bloat during your period might be frustrating, it’s usually nothing to worry about. Just watch out for salty snacks, sugary treats, and fizzy drinks, and your body will thank you. Plus, that favorite dress? It'll fit just right again soon enough!
But weight gain, is unfortunately not the only thing you need to worry about when it comes to your period and wrestling.
Practicing amateur wrestling can be tough, but doing it while on your period might feel like an extra challenge. However, with the right precautions, you can confidently step on the mat without worrying about leakage or discomfort. Here’s how to keep your focus on your moves, not your flow.
Choose the Right Protection
When it comes to wrestling, comfort and security are key. Consider using tampons menstrual cups, as these offer a more secure fit and less risk of leakage compared to pads, which can shift around during intense movement. Menstrual cups can be especially useful, as they can hold more and need fewer changes throughout the day. If you prefer pads, opt for thin, absorbent, and secure options designed for sports.
Wear Dark, Tight-Fitting Clothing
Wrestling often involves close contact and intense physical activity. Wearing dark-colored compression shorts or tights under your wrestling gear can give you an added layer of security. Dark fabrics can hide any accidental stains, while tight-fitting garments help keep your protection in place.
Time Your Changes
If you know you'll be on the mat for a long period, try to change your tampon, cup, or pad right before practice or a match. If your flow is heavy, consider setting a reminder to take breaks and change in between sessions, just in case. Better safe than leaking.
Stay Hydrated and Eat Right
While leakage might be your primary concern, don’t forget that staying hydrated and eating well also helps your body feel better during your period. Drink plenty of water and fuel your body with healthy snacks to keep your energy up.
Don’t be afraid, give it your all like always.
Practicing wrestling during your period is totally manageable! With the right protection, wardrobe choices, and a little planning, you can stay focused on your training without any worries.
Lastly how to avoid mood swings.
You don’t want your mood to affect your match.
We’ve all been there: one moment you're laughing, the next you feel irritated by the smallest thing. Mood swings during your period are totally normal, but that doesn’t make them any less frustrating. Luckily, there are some simple things you can do to avoid feeling like your emotions are on a rollercoaster ride.
Stay Active
It might be tempting to curl up in bed, but getting your body moving can actually help with mood swings. Exercise releases endorphins, the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals, which can improve your mood. Even a short walk, some light stretching, or yoga can make a big difference.
Eat Smart
What you eat can have a big impact on how you feel. Avoid sugar highs and crashes by choosing foods that keep your blood sugar stable, like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Also, adding foods rich in magnesium (like spinach, nuts, and dark chocolate) can help ease irritability and improve your mood.
Get Plenty of Sleep
When you're tired, everything feels worse, right? Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep a night to help balance your hormones and stabilize your mood. Try to create a relaxing bedtime routine to ensure you get quality rest, like turning off screens an hour before bed and keeping your room cool and dark.
Manage Stress
Stress can amplify your period mood swings, so practicing stress-relief techniques can help you stay calm. Whether it’s through deep breathing exercises, journaling, meditation, or simply talking to a friend, finding ways to relax is key.
Mood swings don’t have to take control during your period. By staying active, eating right, getting enough sleep, and managing stress, you can feel more balanced and keep your emotions in check.