I have been working out for almost 6 months. I started with too much cardio, but then learned a few things, well, okay, a lot of things, and then started lifting weights.

Then, I learned even more things, and dropped the cardio, and started lifting wieghts 3X a week, using the "new wieghtlifting for women" as a guide. I am on week 10 of that program. Hellish at times, crazy hell, hard work.

I usually have a pretty normal period, 5 days, first few days were heavier, last few were light.

Then aboout 4 months ago, I started noticing I would have 1 heavy day, then about 2 light days and then nothing. I might spot slightly for the last 2 days, but really nothing. So the whole thing was only 3 days.

So, I figured this was just some kind of natural change, and life went on. I just had a 3 day period.

Then last month it was only a day. 1 day! very minor spotting for a few days after, but really, just a day. huh.

Now this month it is late. -- NOT pregnant. I know this for sure.
5 days late, ish.

I lift wieghts with some gusto. I mean, I really push myself. I go full force. I am not some girl who worries about how i look while I am lifting, I try really hard, "lift like a man, look like a goddess" -- the book states.:)

I have a protien shake after I do wieghts.

I thought I was eating enough, but did fit day today, and I don't think I am anymore. I worry now that I wasn't keeping track, and really fell off that whole deal.

I eat clean, cheat day once a week. I avoid sugar and processed foods. I don't even eat processed lunch meat. We cook chicken breast and make wraps instead.

I try to eat more protien, -- snacks like cottage cheese...

But anyways, i'll be lucky to get 1500 calories today with the day I have planned. without entering in my dinner, I am only at 953.

Attached a pic....

is this too little calories? I don't feel that hungry, well, sometimes, but wow, I think i need more food?!:confused:

thoughts?

yup, i definitely think you should raise ur calories.

what are your goals regarding body comp??

yup, i definitely think you should raise ur calories.

what are your goals regarding body comp??

I honestly am not 100% sure. I want to be healthy, fit and strong. At first it was a vanity thing, want to look in my jeans, not worry about a shirt that fits tight over the middle, that sort of thing. I am a little self conscious.:o

But then it became more about being healthy, living a longer better life. And looking good in jeans is a definite + of course.

I am 35 next month, 5'7, and 123 lbs. lowest I've seen is 122 lbs. I was 130ish when I started 5 months ago.

I don't want to be rail or anything, I like muscle and muscle definition, but not overdone, I don't want to look like heman, although with my current calorie intake that would be near impossible.

I don't want to be rail or anything, I like muscle and muscle definition, but not overdone, I don't want to look like heman, although with my current calorie intake that would be near impossible.

exactly. :nod:

if i were you i'd aim for at least 1900-2100 calories a day. if you have a hard time eating that much (which is pretty hard to imagine lol) then use a shake or whole milk or peanut butter or something to fill those extra calories.

see how a couple weeks at that level go and then you might even be able to raise them higher. kind of depends on ur metabolism and how much physical stuff you do.

ideally someone like urself..... who is trying for a very slight recomp.... but pretty happy with where they are..... would want their maintenence calorie level to be as high as possible. eating 1300-1500 calories day in and day out is going to make ur "metabolic fire" slow down. the more fuel you can put on that fire and still not gain (burn through workouts, raised metabolism) the better you are probably going to feel.

the missing period would be a sign ur body is definitely NOT happy with the calorie level ur at now. and especially if ur not worried about losing fat..... there is no reason to have them that low. :tucool:

edit: you might want to google john berardi's articles on "g-flux"

Hi there, not enough good fats can also cuase hormonal problems. I think your fats are a little on the low side and in general full fat (rather than modified stuff) products are better for you and will help increase your fats... you can also add olive oil, walnut oil, fatty fish, avocadoes etc etc... are you taking extra fish oil?

Hi there, not enough good fats can also cuase hormonal problems. I think your fats are a little on the low side and in general full fat (rather than modified stuff) products are better for you and will help increase your fats... you can also add olive oil, walnut oil, fatty fish, avocadoes etc etc... are you taking extra fish oil?

Trying to add more fish to my diet, a bit of bitch, not a big fan...arg, but had salmon last week and didn't hate it, it was a miracle.

Hubby bought some flax oil, and I started adding it to my breakfast just a couple of weeks ago, but i havn't stuck to a routine with it, miss it most days, i forget we have it in the fridge.

I should add it to my protein shakes.

I agree - not enough fat going on in the diet.

We cook with olive oil, but other than that and margarine, not a whole lot going on there.

I have found, working with female clients, that the leaner they become, (usually before a show) they lose it.. If you're body fat % gets too low that will play a part in it..

I have found, working with female clients, that the leaner they become, (usually before a show) they lose it.. If you're body fat % gets too low that will play a part in it..I've heard of that too, but it still could be all tied to nutrition. There was a member on this forums who had been exceptionally lean for a very long time (rockenmama) but had never lost her period. She attributed it to the fact that she was a huge runner, so that even when she is at very low body fat levels, she was taking in a huge amount of calories, which also meant plenty of fats and her full daily recommended dose of vitamins.

And if it is a physique problem rather than a dietary problem, I don't think it's actually a body fat percentage problem. It's more like an absolute amount of body fat that is protective. As far as my memory of random observations (which could very well be wrong), a woman who is 5'5" 135 pounds and 15% body fat is probably more likely to have healthy menstrual cycles than that same woman at 110 pounds, even if the 110 pound woman is at 18% body fat or more.

I usually have a pretty normal period, 5 days, first few days were heavier, last few were light.

Then aboout 4 months ago, I started noticing I would have 1 heavy day, then about 2 light days and then nothing. I might spot slightly for the last 2 days, but really nothing. So the whole thing was only 3 days.

So, I figured this was just some kind of natural change, and life went on. I just had a 3 day period.

Then last month it was only a day. 1 day! very minor spotting for a few days after, but really, just a day. huh.

Now this month it is late. -- NOT pregnant. I know this for sure.
5 days late, ish.



Attached a pic....

is this too little calories? I don't feel that hungry, well, sometimes, but wow, I think i need more food?!:confused:thoughts?

:)Had you considered the possibility you might be perimenopausal ? Below is a link……..of course there’s a plethora of other sites on the web........this just for a quick look see should you have an interest.
http://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/guide-perimenopause

As I look back now and recall my personal experience I now realize I was probably perimenopausal from about age 35 (the only symptom present initially, until I was about 39, was erratic periods, then minor night sweats made me consider menopause………I didn’t bother checking with my GP about it and then three months after I turned 41 I had my last period……….I tell you this to demonstrate that such can occur at a very early age depending on the individual. Just another thought for consideration;

Oh yes, one more thing……….I’m 5’8” and weigh right this minute 121.5lbs and I have to tell you when I looked at the picture you posted my immediate thought was “gee, chicken breast in the AM”………then I realized it wasn’t just breakfast………..;)

I find it so exciting to read what and how all the young women on the forum are lifting and doing now days but at the same time I feel sad for me and my generation that we didn't 'bumble' onto weightlifting when we were younger. :rolleyes: At any rate I wish you well and do know I will be enjoying reading your future posts and watching your progress........:claphigh:

Not eating enough can cause other serious problems as well.

My GF developed some serious medical issues requiring multiple surgeries from exercising too much on too little calories. Its been a real nightmare and she still isn't over it (this started when she was 23, now she is 27). And the thing is she wasn't THAT thin. She is 5'5" 115 and ran about 3-5 miles per day, plus some incidental activity on the side. When she stopped having her period I thought it was bad but she ignored it because she still felt fine. I didn't think it was a problem until the damage was done.

So I would suggest play it safe and ask your doctor.

Not eating enough can cause other serious problems as well.

My GF developed some serious medical issues requiring multiple surgeries from exercising too much on too little calories. Its been a real nightmare and she still isn't over it (this started when she was 23, now she is 27). And the thing is she wasn't THAT thin. She is 5'5" 115 and ran about 3-5 miles per day, plus some incidental activity on the side. When she stopped having her period I thought it was bad but she ignored it because she still felt fine. I didn't think it was a problem until the damage was done.

So I would suggest play it safe and ask your doctor.

Thank you for the tip....but i am okay now....it was just late, and I've been eating better since -- i don't do cardio, just weights, and I have noticed that I can eat quite a bit, and not gain fat....it's a difficult balance to gain muscle and lose fat, especially when you are a girl, who is on the thin side to begin with, but I have been staying at a steady wieght, which is great.

Also, trying to get enough calories when you are avoiding processed foods is a real challenge!

Thank you for the tip....but i am okay now....it was just late, and I've been eating better since -- i don't do cardio, just weights, and I have noticed that I can eat quite a bit, and not gain fat....it's a difficult balance to gain muscle and lose fat, especially when you are a girl, who is on the thin side to begin with, but I have been staying at a steady wieght, which is great.

Also, trying to get enough calories when you are avoiding processed foods is a real challenge!Agreed, but girls are supposed to have a higher BF%. As a guy I try to keep my BF% under 10 but as a girl that would probably cause problems. I suppose I am biased by what happened to her, but in retrospect I wish I had acted or at least tried to find out if something was wrong earlier. I had suspicions, but I thought she knew what she was doing and things were fine. The goal of losing another 5 lbs of fat when you are already healthy and in shape caused us a lot more heartache than it was worth. But YMMV, and good luck.