As you will have seen on my blog about why I am ditching cardio exercise, I am focusing the next few months of getting my hormones happy and balanced.

Being Super Naturally Healthy is not just about eating carrots and celery (although I do love a good carrot)  it’s also about learning to listen to our bodies and allowing them to heal. My little body has been on a massive journey of healing over the last 2 years in particular (read more about it here) as I have responded to all the discomforts, pains or symptoms that have presented themselves. I followed the GAPS diet for a year to help heal my gut and currently stick to a strict grain free diet to enable my previously messed up digestive system get  in tip top shape and although my body is in a MUCH happier (not to mention slimmer) place than it ever has been  I am always learning to listen to it and respect it. Why? Because I am utterly convinced that god made me (and you) to be well and that when we provide the right environment for our bodies through nutrition, lifestyle, exercise, reducing stress, detoxify and fun, then our bodies will thrive.

But I have been aware for some time that my hormones are out of whack. So now my stomach is in a happier, painless, and non pregnant looking state, its time to address it.

What are hormones?

Whats the big deal, surely hormones aren’t that important!
Well from my own research hormones area foundational aspect to our health and well being. Ever experience the moody rages of a women with PMS or worse remember those teenage years when hormones surged around our bodies like roller coasters? Hormones, my friend are a big ass deal.

“A hormone is a chemical that is made by specialist cells, usually within an endocrine gland, and it is released into the bloodstream to send a message to another part of the body. It is often referred to as a ‘chemical messenger’. Hormones are found in all multicellular organisms and their role is to provide an internal communication system between cells located in distant parts of the body.
In the human body, hormones are used for two types of communication. The first is for communication between two endocrine glands, where one gland releases a hormone which stimulates another target gland to change the levels of hormones that it is releasing. The second is between an endocrine gland and a target organ, for example when the pancreas releases insulin which causes muscle and fat cells to take up glucose from the bloodstream. ” source

and

“They work slowly, over time, and affect many different processes, including

• Growth and development
• Metabolism – how your body gets energy from the foods you eat
• Sexual function
• Reproduction
• Mood

Endocrine glands, which are special groups of cells, make hormones. The major endocrine glands are the pituitary, pineal, thymus, thyroid, adrenal glands, and pancreas.” source

So that are a big deal in the world of our body and health. They impact our mood fertility, skin, growth etc etc.

Why are they out of balance and what does that mean?

When we say our hormones are out of balance what we basically mean is that they are not at their more effective and ‘normal’ levels. Our bodies are created to have the perfect balance and equilibrium of everything but often things in life or modern practices cause them to go out of their natural sync.

What could cause your hormones to go topsy turvey?

• Taking the contraceptive pill or any artificial hormones of any kind at some point.
• Long periods of stress, trauma or over working/burn out.
• Poor gut health and lack of gut bacteria.
• Menopause.
• Fertility treatment.
• Insomnia
• Medication
• Other health issues.

These are just a selection and there are many factor that could contribute to an imbalance.
*Also remember  I am no doctor nor am I trying to be one, I speak from personal experience and from a holistic nutritional view point, if you are concerned speak with your local doctor – they are wonderful caring professional who are very wise!*

So what are the symptoms?

Again this could be a number of things but I know for me and for other people I have read about the following point to possible hormone imbalance

• Irregular periods or too frequent periods
• Very painful periods 
• Bad PMS
• Acne
• Problems conceiving 
• Unable to lose weight
• Gaining weight (even though you are consciously eating healthily)
• More weight around the tummy
• Poly Cystic ovaries 
• Extreme fatigue
• Depression
• Brittle bones 
• plus many more…

Now before you all freak out, get depressed and in despair about the fact that you were on the pill at some point/ are now  or at some point gotten stressed ( me stressed, no, never….) remember that you body actually wants to be healthy and I believe its natural inclination is to heal and be well. So over the next few week we will be looking at all the simple ways you can begin to restore the natural balance to you hormones. So remain calm, love you body were it is right now and remember fear is the enemy of health.
Even if this has been a light bulb moment for you when you think ‘ maybe this is the reason for my inability to lose weight even though I eat well and run 10 miles a week’ or ‘ you mean I don’t have to have excruciating pain every period!!” , accept your body were it is right now.

Next week I will begin to share with you different strategies to restore balance and help you out. I am on this journey with you and trialing all this out before I share it with you, but I am so happy to report that my last period was the first pain free/drug free one I have had for about 10 years!

If you want to do something right now then check our my vblog about cardio exercise and read all about maca powder here.

Think you have a hormone imbalance? Have you tried to balance out your hormones or found anything that works for you?