180 Days Later — My Body Finally Felt Safe Again
After months of intense prep and structure, I wanted to share a little personal update about life post-show and one of the biggest signs of healing — getting my cycle back (yay!). Not having my period was something that didn’t feel right. I lost my cycle for almost 180 days — which is crazy to think about, but honestly not uncommon in the sport of bodybuilding.
Why Hormone Health Matters So Much
When it comes to hormone health, it’s so important to work with your body, not against it. Your hormones are like messengers — constantly communicating between your brain, metabolism, digestion, energy, and reproductive system. When they’re in sync, you feel grounded, energized, emotionally balanced, and strong. But when they’re out of balance, everything feels off.
Your body doesn’t just want to survive — it wants to feel safe. And that safety is what allows your hormones to function properly.
When we push too hard for too long (whether that’s through dieting, overtraining, lack of sleep, or constant stress), the body senses danger. In response, it prioritizes the systems that keep you alive — your heart, brain, and lungs — and conserves energy by slowing down or shutting off what it doesn’t view as “essential” in that moment, like reproduction.
So, if your cycle goes missing or becomes irregular, it’s not because your body is failing you — it’s because it’s protecting you. Your body is incredibly intelligent. It’s doing what it can to conserve energy and bring you back into balance.
That’s why supporting hormone health isn’t just about eating a certain way — it’s about shifting your entire approach to wellness. It’s learning to:
Nourish your body with enough calories and nutrients to feel safe.
Give yourself permission to rest instead of overtrain.
Manage stress in a way that supports your nervous system.
Create routines that bring your body back into a state of calm and trust.
When your body finally feels safe again — that’s when your hormones can start to do their job properly. And that’s when the magic happens: your energy improves, your mood stabilizes, your digestion feels better, and for many women (like me), your cycle returns.
What Helped Me Get My Cycle Back Naturally
Here’s what truly supported my healing process post-show:
Bringing my food up slowly week by week (reverse dieting mindfully):
I gradually increased calories instead of going all-in at once. This helped my metabolism adjust, my energy levels improve, and my body feel safe again without shocking it.
Resting more + cutting back on cardio:
After months of high-intensity workouts, my body needed recovery. I swapped some cardio for walks and active recovery giving my body this time to rest & allowed my hormones to reset and function properly.
Prioritizing hormone-supporting foods daily:
I focused on foods that nourish my body from the inside out — healthy fats, proteins, carbs, and micronutrients. These weren’t just for fuel; they were signals to my body that it was safe to restart normal hormonal functions.
Letting go of the fear of gaining weight post-show:
One of the hardest shifts was accepting that weight gain was part of healing. My body needed space and nourishment to rebuild balance. Letting go of fear allowed me to focus on health over aesthetics.
Having FUN & truly living and enjoying life:
Hormone health isn’t just about food or rest — it’s about joy and life balance. My favorite fricking part! Laughing, traveling, spending time with friends, and enjoying food without guilt reminded my body that life isn’t all stress. This sense of safety and ease played a huge role in my healing journey.
Hormone-Supporting Foods I Ate daily
Healthy Fats:
Avocado, almond butter, ground flax seed, pumpkin seeds, extra virgin olive oil, wild-caught salmon
Proteins:
Eggs, grass-fed beef, chicken, Greek yogurt (Fage), Good Culture cottage cheese, wild-caught salmon
Carbs:
Oats, sweet potatoes, squash, rice, fruit (banana, berries, apples)
Micronutrients:
Leafy greens, berries, sea salt, magnesium-rich foods like dark chocolate or cacao, and plenty of water + electrolytes
The Role of Stress + Slowing Down
Funny enough, my period returned while I was on vacation — which says so much about the power of slowing down. It’s clear that our hormones thrive when we do less, not more. Your body is always speaking to you — sometimes it just needs rest, nourishment, and reassurance that it’s safe.
If you’ve been feeling off hormonally or struggling with a consistent cycle, I created a free Cycle-Syncing Guide to help you understand how to align with your body’s natural rhythms and feel your best again.
Access your free guide here.
With love and balance,
Dani
