I do not fast during the week leading up to my period, and only reintroduce it about the 3rd or 4th day of my actual cycle.
If my body wants more calories, it gets more calories, though I try to go for protein sources first rather than sweets.
Fasting is a stressor on the body. So is menstruation. Sometimes a little stress is good, but too much stress is not, so I try to be mindful of all the things I am asking my body to do. If I have calorie restriction, fasting, cardio, and strength training already going on, and then here comes menstruation… well, then I have to pick some things to drop. Depending on the day, it might be all of them. Or maybe I am fine doing 20-30 minutes of cardio, but then I’m going to eat right after instead of waiting several hours.
Some cycles I can fast as usual, and some I need to stop early. I just try to follow my bodys cues. I’m a few days out from my period starting, and today I was ravenous. I stopped at 15hrs (I usually go 18-22) and ate at maintenance. I usually only need to do a short fast for a day or two before and then the first 2-3 days of, and then I’m right back at it.
It depends. If I have enough magnesium and iron in my system during the pre menstrual time I’m better off. I recommend looking what what you’re eating and not when and see if you are missing anything including good carbs, and micro nutrients
i can only manage a 16:8 on my period. every other day of the month i can go longer, 18-20 hour fasts and the occasional OMAD, but damn those hormones just GET me and i can’t go longer. i like schedules though so have that 16 hour benchmark just helps me feel normal.
I hate the hormone monster. She literally undoes everything I’ve been trying to do all month. I’m literally at my wits end and about to go back on birth control so I don’t have to deal with this anymore.
I do not have issues fasting (16:8 /18:6) before or during my period. I always noticed that in a week before I want more red meat, so I do eat it. Once my period starts my appetite is actually low, so fasting then is actually easy.
I usually have a lot of nausea during my period so even before IF I literally never ate during my period. IF has helped with my other gastrointestinal symptoms that I used to get. Do what works for you and take care of your needs first.
I don’t stop per se during my period but some days I break and eat every carb and candy on the planet. I still track it though and if that happens I just log it in my app anyway and get right back to it. Some days be like that.