The word hormone is widely misunderstood. Bring it up, and people immediately think about sex, mood swings, PMS, or menopause.
The truth is, each of us is one big hormone casserole!
Hormones are a part of your endocrine system, and in short, they are chemical messengers that control and are affected by every single thing you do. Do you want to sleep? Eat? Get a blanket and warm up? Turn on a fan? Get a coffee? Have sex? Take a walk? They also directly impact how you look, from your weight to your skin and hair.
If you want to improve anything (and more) that I just listed, then the answer is to balance your hormones. We often do this without knowing it, especially because healthy lifestyle behaviors tend to have a balancing effect. But we can do an even better job once we understand how it works! The favorite of hormone balancing topics are weight loss or maintenance and strength gains or body composition improvements. I have some awesome effective tips to share…and they’ll clear up some common misconceptions about eating and exercise.
It has taken me a really long time to start this post because it’s so hard to wrap my head around approaching the topic in an understandable and interesting way. But I do think it’s super relevant to everyone—after all, we can’t live without hormones, and their ability to function affects our ability to thrive.
I want to pick one at a time, and talk about it in a context of metabolism support, general health, and maximizing happiness! Does this not sound riveting to you? I hope it does–I promise it will help you in at least one way, and hopefully more 🙂
Now, onto the topic of life changers.
I think I’m in the middle of one!
I’m not complaining when I say I’m overworked—I totally did this to myself, and I will absolutely enjoy the money that is coming from this situation. I fully plan to treat myself to a California girls trip with my BFF #1(mom) in June, a weekend trip with BFF #2 (Joe) in May, and a super awesome Disney trip with BFF#1 and #3 (Matthew) in July. And we have to stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge because it’s the only place that has acceptable food (Sanaa). Oh yeah, I might save some money for retirement too (I mentioned that one for you, Dad!).
I also have some free airline miles to use—so anyone near the ocean want a visitor? I’ll make you juice 🙂
I have life changing decisions to make. It’s fun—I used to be stressed about it, but I’m throwing the choices out there and seeing what I come up with in relaxed kind of way.
The recipe for figuring it out?
H2O and O2
Drinking water, taking deep breaths, asking for answers to just fall in my lap…and going to the gym (for some reason after I go to the gym, the answers fall more easily into my lap—I think it has to do with the exertion).
I’ll have to fill you in on the outcomes when I reach the answers. But I’m really excited about my new opportunities!
Do you care about hormone balance or know much about it?
What do you do when you have decisions to make that will affect your future?
Don’t forget to enter my Avocado giveaway!
I usually talk to family and friends when I have a big decision to make. I'm so indecisive!
I would be super interested in the hormone stuff!! I just went off of BC because my hormones were WAY to out of balance!
As for the decision, I talk it through with everyone, but in my heart, I always know the answer… The best things in my life happened when I stepped out of my comfort zone!! 🙂
Good luck!!
I would love to learn more abut hormones and how to balance them. I don't know much about that topic at all!
For big decisions, I talk to Jason about and I also pray about it/think/dwell on it. Sometimes writing it out helps too. It may take some time, but I eventually know what feels “right” to me.
I'm thinking about you as you find your answers right now! I write or cook or run to clearly think through all major decisions. I often think about hormone balance. I know that eating well and physical exercise is the best natural attempt at having hormonal balance but I haven't studied it at length. Educate me please. 🙂
oh, that's so fun that you have upcoming travel to look forward to, lisa! and with your favourite people – bonus! lots of variety in the vacations, and all look great.
can't wait to hear about your new opportunities. go with your heart!
when i have big decisions to make, i like to think while i work out, too. i have a clear mind and uninterrupted time during which i can ponder and reflect. i also like to make a list of positives and negatives (i don't write this while working out, haha!). but you know, generally, my heart DOES know what is “right.”
that chocolate looks verrrry tasty!
wow, this really made me think. I think a lot about the adrenal glands and what happends during stress. It allows me to think more about sitting back, nourishing my mind, body, and soul. I can wait to hear more about where life's taking you.
NO WAY Lori's is having a sale?! Let's go raid the store mmk?
Slash if that chocolate is at Lori's I am going to buy it asap, I have never had raw chocolate before!
I care so much about hormone balance, I can tell a huge difference when I am on or off balance, because I am either super grumpy, tired, sluggish, or super happy, glowing, and awake. Darn fruit always gets me off!
When I have to make big decisions, I research, research, research. I am a self-defined research-everything-ist and I will not buy a new product, try a new food/ingredient, or CHOOSE A COLLEGE (wink wink) without researching until I have exhausted every resource. What can I say, I like to be sure!:)
I agree — breathing and water is so important…I hope the answers come at the perfect time and that they make things brighter.
I almost got super excited when I saw the hummus — i read it quickly and thought it said “lois' naturals” which is a store near me — I was like Woah! we're neighbors — but not.
Hormone casserole sounds really unappetizing!
I have major hormone issues — thank you, PCOS — and I am often amazed at how much of our personalities are based off of our hormones. It can kind of mess with your sense of self!
I'm excited for you that you're going to Disney World! I love Disney =)
Thanks—I think the “stepping out of the comfort zone” is a big part of
getting the best outcomes and most happiness in many cases. It can be scary,
but totally worth the risk!
Love the term hormone casserole. Perfect. You have to be excited about those getaways. Sometimes it's things like that that make extra work or tightened budgets all worth it. Oh, big decisions….discuss with the hubs!
Well…I wouldn't exactly call it a sale, but the hummus was on sale because
it was dated “use by” today. And I sure did 🙂 I figured by the time I
bought all those ingredients to make it, I would spend way more than $3.
Totally justified!
The chocolate is in the raw section—it's so smooth. I have no idea how
they do it!
I wish we were neighbors!
It does sound unappetizing doesn't it?
Hormones really are wacky. Since I've been studying the science of it more,
I am totally amazed…and also see how much it matters how we treat
ourselves!
Lori's is one of my favorite stores! Their hummus looks delish! And no, you can't beat that ingredient list 😛 Is the chocolate from Lori's as well? Have a great time at Disney! We are going next week.
I used to live by the seat of my pants and not plan for anything. But I realize that the older I get, the more impossible it becomes to live like that. I've definitely grown accustomed to planning things out!
I am no hormone expert so I can't wait to hear what you have to say!!! I am pretty bad about stressing about the future. I am a chronic planner so I like to have back up plans for my backup plans! I am really trying to get better at going with the flow and letting things just fall into my lap like you said. I do agree that things seem to “fall” in place better after a nice run! 🙂
Can't wait for the upcoming posts! =D
Ever wan t to visit brazil?? we're on the coast!
I've very intrigued and looking forward to learning more!
I'm kind of a non-decision maker in a lot of ways. I let life happen to me – which can be both a positive and a negative thing, depending on how you look at it. Because my husband is in the military, we have a “life reset” every 4-6 years, so I have frequent opportunities to reinvent myself.
Hormones …can't live with them, can't thrive without them! Am SO looking forward to more posts on this topic. Great post, by the way! 🙂
As far as decision making … my Mom is my “go-to” person. She's an awesome sounding board whose never steered me wrong! 🙂
And yes, make sure your glass is more than half full (of H2o, of course) and take a deep breath (or two). 🙂
I wish I knew more about hormone balancing because I sure do need to do some of it! I haven't had too many life changing decisions to make but a lot of them just feel natural to me…hopefully it will stay that way!
I don't know much about hormone balance but I would LOVE to learn about it! I'm so fascinated by the idea that they can make you want to curl up with a blanket or turn on a fan…
When I have a big decision to make I usually go for a run… my head just gets clearer as I go!
I'd love to learn about hormones. I lost my mom when I was 19 (well, I didn't lose,lose her) and since then, I feel confused about these women kinds of things.
I just don't know who to ask! I don't trust traditional western medicine doctors because I don't like all the pills they try to stuff down your throat. Anyway, the point is YES, PLEASE tell us what you know about hormones!!
I've dabbled in Progestorone cream when my bloated belly started happening (and has taken a life of it's own regardless of the cream), but didn't really have a plan.
Can't wait for your post!
Nellie
Me me…I have a place on the ocean (well, at least for a couple more months) and we will work on making this happen. The catch is that you may have to help me pack. 🙁
Hormones! As you've been helping me thru this celiac-Candida-IBS nightmare, I really think that started the ball rolling when I went on bio identical hormones last year in an attempt not let menopause take me down the same road as my girlfriends. Its really difficult to zero in on the right testosterone/progest. replacement ratios!
that curry looks delicious!
I live by the ocean, but I'm thinking the Long Island sound is not the beach destination you're looking for 😉
I know more about hormones than ever right now 🙂 I had a few hormonal issues when we started working at the baby thing, but once I got those balanced out, we got pregnant! That hummus looks sooooo yummy.
I am the worst when it comes to tough decisions. I tend to over think everything. Usually at the end of the day going with my gut feeling works out the best!
I'm a really indecisive person so life-changing ones are really difficult for me! Luckily, I have a great support system (my mom & dad) to help guide me through 🙂
i would absolutely love to know more about hormone balance. teach us!
thank you for your sweet comments on my little blog 🙂
Best of luck with your decisions Lisa! I think what often happens in situations where there is a big decision is you think and think and think and all of a sudden the right choice just arrives. Sometimes it's best to just let go a little and trust the process :).
– Beth @ http://www.DiningAndDishing.com
I LOVE the endocrine system! That has been my favorite part of my studies thus far in massage therapy school, and I am reading so much more on my own… the body is AMAZING and MIRACULOUS in all it does, and the endocrine system makes me giddy! (<– super nerd)
yes i care hugely about my hormone balance! when they are not balanced, NOTHING in life goes well…from digestion to mood to physical energy levels.
love the post, Lisa!
thinking of you with this post! so many good thoughts (I know it doesn't do that much, but I drink yogi tea just because the box says it balances hormones)
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