166. The Truth About Running and Getting Your Period Back

In this episode of Eat More Carbs, Reilly and Jenna are joined by Ava, a collegiate runner who shares her incredible journey of moving from a missing period to some of the best performances of her career. Ava’s story is a powerful rebuttal to the common fear that period recovery and weight restoration will lead to a decline in athletic performance. Ava discusses how fueling her body to restore her menstrual cycle served as the literal fuel for hitting massive PRs on the track and cross country course. We explore the reality of being a college runner navigating high volume training and the common misconception that amenorrhea is just a side effect of the sport. Ava is transparent about the challenges of increasing her energy availability and the moment she realized that her previous under fueling was actually holding her performance back. We discuss the nutritional strategies that allowed her to recover and race at the collegiate level.This episode provides the inspiration and the evidence needed to trust the recovery process. Ava’s experience highlights the performance wins that come when an athlete finally gives their body the energy it requires to function at its peak. Join us as we celebrate Ava’s success and break down why getting your period back is the ultimate competitive advantage for any female runner looking to improve their performance.The Eat More Carbs Podcast is the go-to podcast for the GIRLIES who want to fuel their body properly with easy, fun, and simple nutrition! Hosted by Reilly Beatty and Jenna Fisher, two registered dietitians who bring you weekly episodes to help you meet your goals while breaking free of diet culture. You can follow Reilly, Jenna and Lilly on Instagram @reilly.beatty.nutrition @jenna.fisher.nutrition @lillyreimer.nutritionStruggle with figuring out what advice you should be following to achieve your goal of period recovery? Visit teamsteadystate.com or click here for more information about the Period Recovery Program