I’m sorry we have been at war, sorry I have been a jerk, and sorry I have been ignoring you even when I know you are right.
I’m sorry that I think I am miss healthy diva and representing my name wrong, I guess we all can be blind sometimes.
I’m sorry that I feel like I need to work out daily to find happiness and to have my high I get from it daily, damn that high is my drug and it is not good for me right now.
I’m sorry I thought I was properly fueling you, I guess maybe I am not and this is why you are not giving me my period.
I’m sorry I have let this just linger on and pretended that with no change that things would magically get better.
I’m sorry body because I should love, honor, and respect you every single day. You are the only body I will have and I am grateful for all you do.
I’m sorry that you had to hear the fertility doctor tell me what you have already been telling me, this is why I broke down in tears in his office last week. I was ashamed .
I’m sorry that I have been putting you through this stress and things are going to change, I swear.
I’m sorry body, you are so smart and I hope we can end this war and love each other again just like we did when I was a child. We always had the best relationship then, I never looked at you in the mirror and felt ugly, never cared about feeding you too many cookies, and just felt so free.
I love you body and we are going to be ok. Positivity , strength, and love will end this war.
Friends, please read these words above and know that I am always going to be honest, caring, and loving to all of YOU. We all go through rough times, my rough time right now is the no period issue and it is just a rocky road that I need to push through and will. Nothing is easy in life, the mind is a powerful thing, and being a healthy living blogger can be tough when it comes to this situation.
I love working out, it makes me feel good and I love the tone I get, but I have a hate with it too. I have always been very lean and build muscle SUPER fast, hence very low body fat. I eat but I don’t eat enough obviously to fuel my body and well look where I am right now. I am not underweight but I obviously have some low BMI issue going on.
I talked about this period problem with you guys before, I should of stopped exercising intense all together, I did for about 4 weeks, and then went back at it again. DUMB decision, I set myself back again now and I was eating more fat but “DUH” I was still not eating enough.
Eat more, move less is what I am going for. I obviously can’t find that happy place with properly fueling and working out, so I am going this route and staying positive it will work.
Well I have to say this is mentally tough, I have had a rough time since the doctor appt last Monday. My fertility doctor said he thinks I have Hypothalamic amenorrhea, so therefore I need to cut exercise drastically and gain weight. My only other option is a fertility drug where I give myself shots for 16 days, get blood work every other day during this , and there will be a higher chance for multiple births with that.
I really do not want to go the drug option, I have never been a big “drug” in my body person, plus I do know that there is a 90% chance this is the first thing he said. I am going to go with the no intense exercise and gain weight route, I will follow through this time and we will see from there.
I got blood work done again when I was there, I have some more to get done and Mike has to get some tests done too, just to make sure that he is all good down there too.
My husband has been my savior, rock, and just has been amazing to me through all this. I really am so thankful for him and his love, support, and encouragement. He has been putting up with one bitchy diva, let me tell you, haha!
I have been very irritable, crabby, down, and these are things that I am trying to overcome. You have to understand, working out is a high for me, it is my drug and boom it’s gone. It’s very hard, but you know what? ALL worth it!
I know it will be all worth it, I am grateful that I am alive to have struggles, able to hopefully have a child again, and thankful for my body.
Always keeping the positive in my mind, we all have these tests in life and if you stay strong, positive, and grateful, you will get through it.
Thanks to all of you for listening and I hope I might help a reader or two out there that is going through a similar thing.
DON’T ever think it is normal to NOT get your period and NEVER mask it with the birth control pill. Please listen to me when I say that. I do not care if you are 18, 20, or whatever age and if you are far from thinking of having a child. Not getting a period is not good, women are supposed to get a period, that is a sign of something wrong if you are missing one and it is not due to pregnancy.
Do not ignore the no period, I wish I could turn back time to when I was 24 and had no period, I would of figured out the problem and changed it. My ob/gyn put me on the pill to bring my period, never once thought to guide me in the right direction, he just masked the problem with the pill. Don’t let that happen to you.
Listen to your body, honor it, and love it.
Thanks for the love and support friends. I was nervous to write this post, I was ashamed, and I was also feeling like I would not be fitting in with the no exercise now besides very light exercise. It is very hard to be in this community when everyone is running, cross fitting, or whatever and I have to sit here and watch.
Guess what though?
I am sitting here doing what is best for MY BODY, and that my friends is pretty damn awesome 
Katie xoxo
{ 201 comments… read them below or add one }
Aww Katie, this is so touching. Not too long ago I myself lost my period because I was overdoing the exercise. I thought it was normal as sometimes girls have irregular periods but I knew it was not. My mom DID NOT want me on the pill so I had to tone down the exercise and eat a lot more which was quite tough for me. My automatic stress reliever was going to the gym and making sure I couldn’t breathe because THAT was what I considered an effective and intense workout. Stay strong, you are incredibly smart and one of the most generous people out there. You were wise enough to realize what was going on and now you’re on a journey to make things right. You should be SO proud of yourself! Of course I, as well as many other of your blogger friends and family, will have your back. <3 I look up to you as someone who I hope to look like when I am older–taking care of a family, being healthy, and motivating others to be happy. YOU GOT THIS!
Awwww thank you SO much <3 You are seriously so sweet, I always want to be honest and real on here, it can always help others too <3
I am glad you decided to fix things with your body, the no period is not good and I am hoping you got it back once you slowed down and ate more. Thank you for your comment girl, I will get through it, just mentally tough some days <3
I’m a first-time commenter, but I’ve been reading for a while. I am really happy for you. I have been concerned. I have anorexia and an exercise disorder, and have been struggling with them for years. Like you, it was not until I was faced with the prospect of never having children that I woke up. I don’t know if I can ever have them. But I hope all the best for you.
Hello and thank you so much for deciding to say hi and to leave a comment.
I am sorry to hear you went through that, anorexia I am sure is not a great thing to go through, I have had a couple friends who have battled that. Thank you for your support, its funny when I think I am being so healthy by working out and such, it really wasn’t, I was overdoing it and glad I can work on getting myself on the right track <3
Katie this was such an honest and open post, you are so brave and so strong! We all make mistakes with our bodies, when I think of how I ate when I was little and how I hated fruits and veggies and went out of my way to not eat them it makes me cringe. The most important thing is to not regret the past, its done and over with, all we can focus on is the now. And you are making the right choices for your body now! I am sending happy, healthy body thoughts your way, I really hope everything works out and that you get your period back soon!
Katie, you are amazing for being so honest. It is so helpful to you and to everyone around you that you opened up about this. I have never had the too low BMI issue. However, I too skip my period sometimes. I did approach my doctor about this and he said that the hormones in my birth control can make this happen. Now you are making me want to get a second opinion. Thank you! I will definitely be looking into this some more.
I also have not been eating the best for my body. I love cereal and I love fruit and sometimes I have a habit of eating foods that do not “fuel” my body. I was working out at this dance fitness studio yesterday and during the workout I had to run to the bathroom because I was getting sick. It was so awful, especially because there really wasn’t any food in my system to get sick. I never want that to happen again; I got super overheated and it made me feel awful.
Thanks Katie for sharing. I am with you all the way!
Thanks so much!
We are all so unique and different, every situation can be so different, ya know?
I hope you figure out yours and I am thinking of you! Keep me posted if you get a second opinion!
<3
Thank you for sharing. I think the beautiful thing about this community is that we All understand that not everything works for everyone and we don’t judge others for doing what they need to do to care for their body. You’re doing what’s right for you and giving your body the rest and proper fuel it needs. All the best on this leg of your journey!
Katie thank you so much for your honest post!! I really appreciate you opening up about this. I know how hard it can be to go less intense with the exercise, but I think it’s awesome that you’re really listening to and honoring what your body needs! That is inspirational in itself
. I wish you all the best and can’t wait to hear your updates!
You are so beautiful and this is a great post that so many women need to read! I know you can do this. Instead of intense exercise, go for walks with Mike (and Anthony) and spend some time together as a family outside, or go play in a park and throw a frisbee around to still get some activity in, but nothing intense. You know how to eat healthy, so just eat more. You can do it! Love you girl!! xoxo
Katie – you are a strong, STRONG girl. What you are going to do.. is basically jumping into a territory you are uncomfortable with.. maybe even scared of. No intense exercise.. gaining weight. It might not be where you thought your life would be going..but it is something you need to do to get to a place in your life where you want to be more than anything… able to have a baby with the love of your life.
I have read your blog for a long time now.. and if there is anything I’ve learned about you . it is that you are dedicated, motivated, and passionate about what you do. I have no doubt that you will reach this goal – and will conquer any “dear body” issues that may arise along the way!
xoxo
You can do it! And I’m glad you’re taking the time to realize that you need to respect your body.
Eat more, move less sounds way better and more natural than the drug route – which may or may not work (I have a friend with experience, where it didn’t for a long time and, when she finally did get her period and have a kid through the drugs, the poor guy had a lot of health issues because of it – including some brain development issues, as the brain is all fat). Natural is definitely the way to go. And I’m not exercising much either and totally get it when you look at the blogosphere and everyone with their hour long near-daily workout and body pump and crossfit and running and HIIT. But you have to do what’s right for *your* body. You can do it! 
Awesome post! Thank you so much for sharing!
You are not alone…I am in the same exact spot…we can be bitchy together;-) (haha) how about we just fuel our bodies properly, move less, and LIVE each day in the moment and think of the greater reward in the end…I KNOW we can do it!
I only got my period on the pill. I went off it March 2010 and it took until December 2011 for it to come back. I cut back exercising intensely. Try yoga or walking. I would say it takes about a 10 pound gain. Don’t expect immediate results though. It takes time.
I love you Katie! I know making those life changes are really hard – been there, done that. It is absolutely 100% worth it though. Believe me when I say that!!! If you need anything, please let me know.
Oh Katie, do not be ashamed <3 be proud of yourself!!!!!
I am truly proud of you for sharing this with us today. Is there any chance you would be willing to submit this as a high five for this weeks HFF post? <3 I know it is personal, but you are doing something so good for your body AND inspiring people at the same time! You are amazing Katie and need to be recognized <3
I support you 100% Katie. If you ever get that itch to exercise to feel the high (which I totally know what you are talking about) I am an email/tweet away <3
I love you
Katie,
I am so sorry things have been rough lately. You are courageous and strong though for honoring your body. You will get through this. You can always call/email me is you ever want to talk. I’m always here. You should also check out Ashley’s blog–myfoodandfitnessdiaries.com. She dealt
With the exact same issue and overcame it!! She even has a link on her blog with info all about it!! I’ll be thinking of you. Stay strong. You can do this!
Thank you Katie for being so honest and posting about this. I think so many women go through problems in relation to their period. I know that I have/do. I have pcos. It scares me because I know it’s going to be process to try and have children. That is why once we are married, I don’t want to wait very long before trying. I want to take all of the necessary steps with my health that so that it can happen for us. I know that it will happen again for you too! Stay strong, Katie! You WILL get through this! If you need anything, you know I’m only an email away! <3
I love you for posting this Katie. I am emailing you later on a personal email! Xxxoo you are such an inspiration <3
Wow! This post is a wakeup call for me that really got me thinking. I’ve had issues with periods as well and just dismissed it as my body was different than the norm. I hit the gym hard and monitor everything that I eat. I never thought anything about it. Your post is a huge wakeup call for me. I focus on pushing myself to be my very best, lift more weights, go harder on the treadmill, eat the healthiest/cleanest/leanest but I don’t focus on making sure that I am getting enough to prosper. Thanks for the post. It was honest, real and touching. You really hit home with it.
God bless you in your health issues and thanks for putting the word out.
Love u, here for you….<3 everything will be ok.
You brought tears to my eyes reading this post this morning. I love your strength, honesty and your determination to stay positive. I am so happy that you have such great support from your husband, and I hope that you can continue to remain positive and find the right balance for your body. Your words speak to me, and I ache for you for the frustration you are going through. I wish I could reach through the computer and give you a big hug right now!! As difficult as it may seem to sit back and read about others in the healthy living community working out and being active, you are doing what is best for you and your body and I applaud you for actively listening to your body’s needs and knowing what you need to do to be at peace with your changes. You are inspiring and so full of positivity and I love you and your blog for it!!
Keep your head held high
I have all of the confidence in the world that great things are on the horizon for you, and I’m so happy that you choose to share your inspiring journey with all of us!! Lots of love 
KATIE!! This post made me cry. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Here’s the deal: I love these things too. I’ve never not gotten my period before (I’ve probably come close), but if you want to get pregnant … sit back and enjoy eating some things you maybe normally wouldn’t. Maybe walk and lift instead of doing whatever you’re doing … or yoga. Lighten it up. I love fitness. I know you do too, but maybe take a little “vacation”.
I’m not saying to go out and eat all the pizza and french fries in the world (please don’t!), but work with your doctor and get a plan that works for you guys!
<3<3<3
Well said, Michelle and I are so glad that you are listening to your body. We both still have issues with getting our periods, I get mine almost every other month (sometimes it is every 2 months or so), while Michelle did not get hers for about 6 months, so she went to the doctor which they gave her a progesterone pill to get her period. It did provide her with a period, but then the next month…no period for Michelle. She got back on the pill for about 2 weeks, then just stopped again.
We are both unsure of what to do any more with our hormones and bodies. We are trying to listen to our bodies as well.
We are thinking of slowly cutting back on our HIIT workouts to see how our bodies do, just hard as well love them.
We are both thinking of you during this time, we are in the same boat as you, as we do not get our periods that often.
Sending lots of hugs. hopefully soon we all will figure out our issues!
xoxo
you. are. amazing.
and I’m rooting for you!
YOU are amazing and I love you <3 Thank you love! It’s tough but I will get through it!
Thanks for sharing your personal struggle. I know how difficult it can be to not exercise intensely because it becomes addicting. I recently took the intensity down because I felt my life was controlled by my workouts. I know you will be able to over come this and get pregnant because you are one strong diva!! We are all here to support you <3
<3 <3 <3
Extra time for hanging out with blog friends, perhaps?! Everything will work out. It will be SO worth it.
YES!
Katie,
I haven’t been writing much or commenting much lately, but I want you to know that I have continued coming back here and reading. I feel like you were one of the first people here for me as a blogger, and I want you to know that I am here for you! I am sorry you are going through this tough time, but I know you will make it out elegantly. I am praying for you my friend!
ang
Hi Angela! I have missed you and thank you so much for popping in to give me some love and support, means a lot!! Thank you! <3
I’ve been waiting for this post..and I could have written every single word myself. You and I are one in the same with our struggles, Katie, so please know that you have someone (actually, a LOT of women) who can completely relate and are going through THE SAME THINGS. You’re not alone!
As you know, I gave up working out COMPLETELY (not even any yoga!). Initially it was so difficult, but I can’t tell you the energy that I’ve gained and how much more optimistic I feel in life. Please take the plunge. You are so strong and courageous, I know you can do it!
I have a post up and ready to go in a little bit about why women (especially those who don’t have their calories) NEED upwards of 2500 calories, and I think it might really help put things in perspective for you!
Love you so much HD!
I know personally how hard this is. I am at the same spot. I have reduced my exercises and starting eating more but it is not enough and deep down inside I know that but cannot seem to take the next step to change it, it is a struggle. It is only just starting to hit home with weekly doctor visits, tests etc. I have been putting off taking HRT since I am not a huge believer but was told last week I needed it to bring my period back. I am considered to be a healthy weight now after a 5lb weight gain but my body is still telling me something, especially when I can barely stay awake at 8pm.
I wish you nothing but success, and know you can do this, and I will too
I am sorry to hear about your struggle, maybe you just need to gain a little more, who knows, everyone is so different and I hope it works out for you! I am sending love and thoughts your way <3 You will get it back, I have faith!
Katie, you know you are definitely not alone. I’ve been thinking about you quite a bit lately! Please feel free to email me if you need to talk – we can vent to each other
Hey love! Thank you SO much, you know I am always here for you too! I would love you to email me or I will email you! <3
okay this was such a relate-able topic for me. Katie first off, I’m sorry!! I understand how hard this is on you, I understand because I’m in the same boat… Although to me (as ignorant as it may sound) i dont think of it as being as important as obviously i should. But i have had my demons because of it.
Last year i lost a good amount of weight and got sooooooooooooooooo lean, underweight for my height and build that i lost my period. I suffer from hypothyroidism and long story short i got SO obsessed with working out that i reached about 105-110lbs (I’m 5’6 and naturally don’t drop below 125lbs) and with a BMI under 12% i believe. Needless to say my hormones went crazy. I had a complete imbalance going on. Physically, mentally, and emotionally i was a wreck. I had a Dr (therapist) that i went too because I learned due to my mothers battle with cancer and I taking on the care taker role, i used exercise and weight obsession as a coping mechanism to deal. I couldn’t control her cancer but i could control what i was going and feeling with working out, if that makes any sense. It took me about 8months to see the light again. I went into full blown depression.
Well since then i’ve never been regular again. My OBGYN put me on birth control but ive never taken it and don’t want to start now. I hate medication. I’m not active so why take the damn pill. Ive gotten my period a total of maybe 3 times this year. I started seeing a herbalist Chinese medicine man and he gives me natural herbs to help with everything i’ve been going through and he’s trying to regulate my period but so far no luck.
I want to have children but not now but i guess without a period, at 29yrs old that will never happen. I’m not underweight. I am at about 127-129lbs right no w (i think since i haven’t weighed myself) my size in clothes is descent, its a 4 (back then i was pushing double zero) and i eat fairly good. But i still dont know what my BMI is, i’m scared to know. What if its still low? I have a fear of putting weight on though…. Told ya before remember, I’ve struggled with body issues a good chunk of my life. I’ve battled eating disorders which is why I’m so passionate about being healthy, because its saved my life. That and god and my dogs.
email me, you have my email address…. i’d love to more know about what you did to know what was wrong and so on. sending love and prayers your way my friend <3.
Do not say never for kids, it is not too late to get that period back and who knows if one day you meet the man of your dreams, you want to be healthy and have that period girl!!!
I am sorry for ALL the struggles you have been through, never realized how much! I am always here for you and please email me!
Gosh I wish we lived closer, we could drink a bottle of wine and chat <3
I wish we lived closer too, we would never get tired of one another!! food shopping trips, wine, and on and on and on!!
I do want kids, boy do i ever. I have three kids (animals) and i am the best mommy to them makes me think how i would be with my very own children. Thank you for being kind and expressing your thoughtfulness with things i’ve dealt with – it means the world to me. I will definitely email you and get more into depth. I’ll even message you my number!! Yay!! texting buddies! lol!! You’re in my thoughts and continued prayers!! To a healthy happy diva life!!! Muah! xoxoxo!
You are such a role model for sharing this, I love your blog for that reason. Honesty and openness is so real. I am sorry you are going through this, I know it all too well. You are a rock star and I hope things start to fall into place. You are taking care of yourself and that is what you have to do!
Thank you Alex! Thank you a million! <3
I just want to add that there’s no need to be worried about fitting in this community and sitting and watching when everyone else is exercising. I bet everyone else can agree with me that we come to your site not to hear about you exercising but how unique and funny your writing comes across. You talk about stuff not seen anywhere else and I just can’t get enough of your crazy families, dogs, adventures with Mike, etc. I also love your honesty and you talk about taboo things that most other people won’t touch. Sending thoughts and hugs your way
Haha! THANK YOU!! You are so sweet!!!
<3 <3 <3
I am so sorry to hear what you are dealing with. I’ve been there. And I had to ultimately do fertility treatments for 3 years — tons of shots, tons of money, tons of stress with IUIs, IVFs etc. the thing is, even those don’t work often if you arent at a good weight and dont ovulate regualarly. It’s brutal and the hardest thing to do, but it will be worth it. I cut out running completely and did only light exercise for a while and ate more. We still had to do fertility treatments to get pregnant but they didn’t work until I took these measures. I now have a two week old baby boy who is the is the love of my life. It was 1000% worth skipped runs. Sending lots of thoughts.
How beautiful! Congrats to you and your husband on your baby boy <3
Thank you for sharing what you went through, I am so glad it all worked out for you! <3
I had the same problems for 4 years, but now everything is ok.
I was vary hard and it is still very hard.
But you can make it, remember Life is a journey.
There isn’t a point in which you can say ‘Well ok I work out this problem’, it’s an evelution without an end, you have to work hard but it always pays off.
Lots of love
I am so glad you got through it and are better now, thank you so much for the support!
Sorry my english sucks, I’m Italian…
I hope you could understand what I feel. This problems go beyond nationality, age or status. Strive with your body everyday not against it!!! you are so beautiful and you give so much everyday trough your posts. Don’t let this thing control your happiness!!! Be BRAVE!
Lots of hugs from Italy Azzurra
Oh Katie. I am so sorry that you are going through this. It takes a strong woman to admit any kinds of problems, especially when it comes to the body. This is why I love your blog – you always keep it real. If I lived close I’d def do my part to help by bringing over some baked goods! Stay strong girl!
Awwww thanks so much love!!!
Haha, would love that!
Awe that is terrible Katie, I’m sorry. My mother had the same problem when she was my age cause she used to run alot and they had one hell of a time trying to bring me into the picture. She has all sorts of objections to me doing crossfit for this very same reason. Hang in there, and stay focused on whats best for you. We all love ya!
Thank you SO much! Love you!
Thank you so much for sharing, Katie. You are such a strong woman, and I know you will be able to get through this! You have the entire blogging community backing you up and rooting for you along the way
I know it will be tough, but I’m glad that you will be listening to your body and giving it what it needs. Stay strong, love! <3
Thanks Brittany so much! <3
Hope your new job is going good!
This is a very sweet honest post. Take it from someone who had to take the fertility drugs, it is not fun and it is way better to take care of your body in the right way. I know that you treat yourself right and get your body back on track! If you want to email me with any questions, I’d be happy to share my story and what worked for me. <3 easturner@gmail.com
I am so happy though that they worked for you Erin! I just hope to not go that route, but it is nice to hear that it worked for you and is comforting <3 Thank you Erin! Congrats again! <3
Katie,
this post was so touching and so inspiring. i am not a crier but i couldnt help myself this morning. you convey yourself so well with your words and you are one of the most strong people I know. I hope you never feel like you have to present the positive, ultra perfect person all the time because you think it is what i (we) as readers expect from you. You are a person who might need support too and that is ok.
I say this also for my own ears because i am going through a very similar situation (as you know, I think from my previous e-mail during the may giveaways) and yesterday I got some very bad news that made me come to terms with the fact that i either need to take the appropriate steps necessary at home, or enter a treatment facility, or something worse which i dare to even mention.
you CAN do this. You are beautiful inside and out and the best mother ever. You are also blessed with a husband who loves you more than life and would do anything to help you.
I am here if you ever need anything, as I am sure everyone else is, as well!
sending you so much love.
CJ
You and I need to chat more, you are such an amazing and beautiful person too and I am SO SO SO thankful for you always saying the “right” things I need to hear, you are truly one of a kind.
I am always here for you too and I only wish you the best and want you to get better girl. Please let me know if there is anything I can do <3
Sending you love, support, and hugs <3
You are such a genuine, raw person. You put your life out there for all of us to read and never hold back. That is why i love this blog. Just know that you have so much support from all of us and everything will work out the way its supposed to! I know you are meant to be a mommy again because you seem like such an amazing mom to your son.
Thanks Emily, I really appreciate that so much <3
Sometimes I get nervous to share too much, but then I remember I am human, I am NOT perfect and these are life lessons. I also hope to help someone else by posting this, thank you!
Kaite you are beautiful now and will be even more beautiful gaining a few pounds and letting your body get it’s cycle back and hopefully be able to get pregnant on your own. Having a doctor tell you to change your exercise habits is hard news. I remember getting put on strict bed rest when I was pregnant and being told basically not to move it such a blow from when you’re body is used to intense exercise and the high it gives! Hang in there, you are such a positive role model and I’m sure everything will work out! I like you never think ‘drugs’ are the answer and try and keep them out of my body!
Thank you so MUCH love! Seeing your beautiful baby gives me lots of strength and I know I will get it back! Thank you love! <3
Katie- I was so touched to read your sincere words this morning.
I am a daily reader, a college student in recovery from an eating and exercise disorder, and am experiencing the same feelings. My passion for exercise and fitness have made the beginning of this journey feel like an impossible road.
However, I am confident that I must finally, after 3 years, take the right steps to redeem my body and mind. I understand your war with your body and I hope that you are able to come through in happiness and health. Wishing you all the best in this endeavor and know you are never alone
<3
Thank you Amy <3
I wish you the best in your recovery too, I know you will make a full recovery, just remember we only get one life and one body <3
Hi Katie! I’m so glad you decided to write this post. Thanks for being real and pointing out that life isn’t always sunshine and happiness, and that it’s OK! You took the words right out of me about listening to and honoring your body. I’m going through a rough patch of my own except it’s the opposite (I’ve been turning TO food and sweets and not listening to my body when it’s asking me to stop so that I feel sick every night). Your words are helping me to see that everyone goes through ups and downs, so thank you. You seem to be an amazing and very genuine person and I really hope you can become a mom again soon.
Liz,
YES nobody is perfect! Just like when you see pics of models in magazines, that is not real, well the blog world is same! No blogger is living this wonderful and perfect life 24/7, it may seem that way, but we only know so much and some like to keep more closed too which is totally fine. I just wanted to open up and hope to help someone else too, we all have struggles in life, why not share and help each other!
I hope you get through your tough time, always here for you <3
Was it freeing to write this? I bet it was. I’m so glad you did. I’ve been afraid lately of not being able to get pregnant. We aren’t quite at that point in our lives, but I know it’s coming and I want to have all the hurdles out of the way. I recently had a physical so I know my BMI and body fat is decent for my size. I do also get my period, but I want (and need) to make sure I don’t let myself get any leaner. I need to learn to maintain what I have going on.
I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this. However now you’re on top of everything and I have faith everything will come full circle when the time’s right. All the best to you!
It did feel amazing, writing can be so freeing, I love it <3
It’s great that you are at a good bmi and such, it is so important to have a healthy body and to get a period. Good for you!
Thank you so much! <3
Don’t be ashamed Katie, I think we’ve all been there in some way or another. I remember a year or so ago I would workout for 2 or 3 hours a day and ate about 1600-1700 cals which wasn’t fueling my body for the amount of time I was doing. Even up til the wedding I was sort of the perfectionist working out crazily and “punishing” myself if i went over my given amt of calories. But you know what my body rebelled I needed at least 2000 cals closer to the wedding because I was constantly hungry. I want to rely more on my intuitive eating. Since living with my inlaws til we find a house my biggest fear is that I am going to ballon up. My mother in law is an amazing cook but still I think calories in, calories out. Thankfully his mom is vegetarian close to vegan even and his family has their own garden full of veggies. I actually started to eat alittle bit of meat recently bc I was craving it so bad. (more specifically steak). I plan on going off of bc pills when we come back from Asia. I wanted to do it after the wedding but I didn’t want my body to go haywire since we we’re abroad. Hang in there doll- if you ever need an ear to listen I’m here. Not that our hubbys are not amazing but sonetimes you need a female to talk to. Thank you for posting this, you are amazing! Love you!
Ps sorry for the long post– I could talk about this for a bit.
Oh Beth, you are a beautiful and damn amazing friend
I know how that stress can feel, oh boy do I
I am glad you have found a happy place though and I hope when you get off the pill that your period still comes, that was my fear when I got off mine, that it wouldn’t. I have been stressed ever since, I hope it does come back and I know it will if I do what is right for my body!
Love you!
you are definitely an inspiration and motivate us daily by sharing all of the awesomeness that is YOU!!! you are most certainly in my prayers & thoughts. I am sure everything will be okay very soon. We are all here for you sending you tons of love and support your way. *big hugs* your #1 chicago reader.. Jen!
Jenna, Oh I love you dear! Thank you! <3
Katie,
This is my first time commenting on your blog but I have been a ready for a long time. Thank you for sharing your story. I only wished I had read this when I was a teenager. Perhaps it would have given me a boost to seek help sooner. I am 27 now but when I was 15 I lost my period. I went a crazy no fat/low calorie diet and lost a lot of weight. I became addicted to eating as little as I possibly could so I could maintain my weight loss. I look back on pictures from that time in my life and am so ashamed. I looked sick! I lost my period for 4 years. I concealed it from everyone. I ignored the problem because I didn’t want to face it. Finally, I remember the night I just broke down. My body was so brittle and I was sick of always being cold and always hiding behind baggy cloths and a fake smile. I sought out help and I am so glad I did. It took almost a year but I will never forget the day my period returned. I was crying. Happy tears. It was such an amazing day. I hope you realize that you are doing the right thing. You recognize you have a problem and you are trying to fix it. I can’t wait for you to cry those happy tears when your period comes. Most girls hate getting their periods but when you don’t have it for so long when you should be and then it finally comes, you truly appreciate your body and all it does. You can do this! I can tell you I have seen the light at the end of the tunnel and it is worth it. Stay strong!
* been a reader for a long time….not ready for a long time. Gah i need to proof read before I click submit
Becca,
Hi beautiful friend, thank you for commenting, I really appreciate it when a reader that doesn’t comment comes by and does on a certain post and gives me love and support! I greatly appreciate this and appreciate you being open and sharing your story!
You are SO right, I already told my husband when I get my period back I am popping a bottle and celebrating! I might run through the damn neighborhood with joy, lol! Thank you! <3
Thinking of you.
Thank you so much <3
Thank you for sharing this Katie! It takes a lot of bravery but you are making the right choices for yourself NOW and that’s what matters. I think writing a letter to your body is a great idea! I’ve done it before (just in journals) and it really seems to help reset any misguided thinking I might have. You are so silly! You don’t need to feel left out! You can still rock your lulus diva style! I can understand that it must be tough to cut back and I hope that you are able to find something that is low impact enough and gives you those good endorphins that you love!
I wish you all the best! Keep strong lady!
p.s. I think you need a puppy!
Yes, it is very freeing writing things, a great stress relief for me too
Haha, yeah I can still rock them for sure! Thank you so much Meg, you are a great friend!!
Oh no, puppy way too much right now!
as always, thank u so much for sharing. I hope all goes well for u guys! I’m also trying to get my body fat back in the healthy range so me and my husband can have a baby, and it’s definitely tough, but I’m hoping and praying we’ll get there, just like u guys. also, I just baked your protein cookies – wow! what a delicious way to get some extra healthy fats! you rock girly! so, chin up, and I hope u get back on track soon. x
I am going to keep you in my thoughts too love, we will get through this! <3
Yay, they are so good! Glad you liked them!
Dear Dollface. I love you! I know this is so tough right now and I thank you so much for being so open with us…I had a similar issue, my homeopath was able to fix me and get me back on track with my periods. She does sessions over skype if you want her info, she is not too expensive and FABULOUS!
I’m here for you lovie, sending you positive, healthy, period flowing vibes
xxoo
Hi love!
I am so glad things worked out for you, I remember you telling me before you had the same issue. Thank you so much for the love and support, and if I decide I want to talk to her I will contact you! Thank you! <3
Oh girl, sending you hugs. Once of my other friends has HA and is trying to honor her body as well in hopes of getting her period.
It’s easy to think from the outside that this is a quick fix, but I know it will take some time and a change of habits. You are strong and you will find a way to make it all happen.
xo
Thank you so much beautiful friend! I can say I know how hard it must be for your friend <3 Thinking of her!
I really admire you so much for writing this! I myself “lost” my period about four years ago and had to also eat more/exercise less to get it back. People always assumed I had an eating disorder, but thank you for writing about this other “grey” area; it’s not an eating disorder because I, like you, genuinely thought I was doing what was best/healthiest for my body (exercise was always a great stress reliever for me too) but it clearly wasn’t. I wish I was as smart and well-informed as you at the time! Don’t worry, everything will all work out, hang in there, we are all rooting for you
So comforting to hear and have support from someone who went through the same, thank you so much Vanessa for taking the time to share your story and your support <3
Thanks for sharing something so personal Katie. Support from friends and family can really help get us through tough times in our lives. I’ll keep you and your family in my thoughts and if I can ever do anything to help, don’t hesitate to ask
Send me some cupcakes
haha! Thanks Rob! 
Thank you so much for sharing this! I also do not get my period. I have known for a while that I need to slow down on my exercising. I am only 20, and your post really hit home for me. My doctor just through birth control at me. I didn’t take it though. I am definitely going to take action and do what is best for my body. Thank you so much!!! <3 And I wish you the best, God bless.
First off, I know it took a lot for you to post this!!! You have a lot of support and I know you can get through it!
I went through a similar situation. Lost a lot of weight in 2009, but nope, I was not fueling myself properly after a pro-longed amount of time. Bad symptoms started to happen and the first one? Bye bye period. I lost mine for 9 months before finding out that my estrogen and progesterone were realllllllllllly low, so my ob recommended I get on the pill to bring it back. I didn’t want to, since I had NEVER taken the pill but I did it anyway and I did get my period back. Few months later, I didn’t like how I felt on the pill, so I went off but thankfully, my period stayed too! I started binging on foods spring 2010, so by the time I went on the pill and got my period back, I was still binging… but I guess that helped in some ways and I fought hard over time to get my binging under control. I did back off the exercise too because I felt so bad at the time and I was binging and felt heavy. Anyway, my lowered immune system from all of the above also intensified my dental problems and I have been dealing with symptoms from that for over a year and didn’t realize it was dental until recently. Gonna get those fixed in August!! Fast forward to now and I’m back into intense exercise and starting to feel good again – however, I make sure to eat healthy fats and I eat around 2,000 calories a day but I gained a chunk of weight from all this, so now I’m fighting to lose that.
Sorry so long! Just wanted to say that you are not alone!!!!!!!!!!!! *hugs hugs*
This was so heartbreaking to read and must have been either harder to write, so thank you so much for sharing. I’m so sorry to hear of your struggles and I really hope everything sorts itself out soon. Take good care of yourself.
I love you girl! Listen to your body it is SO important and definitely something that we all struggle with from time to time. I’ve been having a lot of lady issues in the last 9-10 months, had surgery, took medication to actually STOP my period and now we’re trying to start it back up again (with little success). It’s challenging and definitely plays with your emotions. But you’re strong and beautiful and you got this girl!
Oh my goodness, I never knew that such a condition existed! But I have done research when I started working out (after never really doing it, lol), and I learned that I didn’t get much of a period because of it. Working out is major stress on the body and women are advised to do more cardio even, than lift weights. I hope everything gets worked out for you soon ;/ You should just take long walks every day
Thanks for your honesty and opening up about a hard issue. Praying for your strength to carry through with this new plan, lots of encouragement and love from those around you, and your body to get that cycle going!
Thank you for sharing with all of us. It’s too often that many of us in the “healthy” lifestyle strive to push ourselves to be this ideal healthy, but one that is actually harmful to ourselves mentally and physically. Your realness is appreciated because I know I can relate. It’s a helpful reminder to stop being so hard on myself. Enjoy life. And with your positivity, you can get through it all! I’m sure.
Our bodies can tell us so much yet somehow, even when we know what it is telling us, we still decide to ignore it. Several years ago I dealt with a random injury that left me on crutches and going from doctor to doctor trying to find answers. A year after the experience the pieces started falling together and I realized I had to listen to my body and the warning signs it had been giving me. I know what the warning signs are now but I still don’t always listen
Thank you for being honest and I am glad that you have support from family and from others!
LADY I love you. You are so strong and will get your body to where you need to be. I know it. XO
LOVE you, I am a bad diva :p going to be better though!
Katie you are beautiful inside and out! I struggled with these issues also. I lost 2 babies before i could have my son, i am so glad you are listening to the doc and your body. I see all the time how “better” I can be, and I am learning whats better for some isn’t what is better for me. I will continue to lift you girl in prayers and encourage you on your journey. You bring so many smiles to all of us, and you are so REAL, thank you for being true to yourself and to your readers.
I am so sorry to hear about that , gosh I am sure those were tough times, but I love that you are strong and got through it.
Your comment brought me a smile, so thank you!
I have tears in my eyes….Katie, please do not be ashamed. I’m thankful for you that you can change all of this around–some people are even in circumstances where gaining weight (or making another lifestyle change) wouldn’t be an option for helping them have children. It’s going to be really hard for a while as you adjust to a new lifestyle, but that doesn’t make that new lifestyle unhealthy. It’s still going to be healthy because I know you’ll still be fueling your body with healthy foods, maybe just more of them…Thank you so much for sharing this, and I think you’ll be glad that you did because we’re all here to support you! Love you girl!!
Awww Danica you are so sweet love, thank you <3
It is just really tough to own up to things sometimes, but I always do it in life, makes me a honest and genuine person
Thank you for the support and love!
I’m SUPER proud of you for writing this post, because it shows that you have taken responsibility for what’s going on! I don’t think you should feel ashamed or guilty – you were just doing what makes you feel good and who would have ever thought exercise was detrimental? But now you know what’s right and you’re on a great path. I have my fingers crossed, I am praying my heart out for you and know that you will be rewarded for all of your hard work! xxxxxx
Thank you! Damn I feel so much better by writing it, I felt like I was living a lie behind my blog the past couple months, feels good to be opening up about it <3
Thanks for your love and support!
Thank you so much for sharing this with us!! I will be thinking about you.
Thank you <3
Oh Katie, I just LOVE this post! As you probably know I am going through the same thing as you! You are so beautiful and such an inspiration to me! And I hope one day I can be as strong as you show that you are. You are helping so many young woman with this problem, I just know it. I’m so proud you wrote this out, because I know many people can relate to these struggles. I think its so important to know that even if you are not trying to conceive losing your period is no joke, I have osteopenia because I haven’t had a period in 3 years, and I need to get my menstrual cycle back because I don’t want to end up not being able to conceive a child ever or break bones when I’m older. This is a huge step and I know you will be able to get your body back to health! Love you Katie! <3
I know you are and I am sending love and strength to you Lisa! I know you will get through this too and I am always here for you!
Love you!
I’m so sorry you are still struggling with this.
You are inspiring me to try going off the pill to make sure everything is working ok! It scary to think that because I’ve been on it so long, my body may not be able to function properly on its own!
Thanks girl, yes don’t do it late like I did! <3
I have only been reading you for a couple of months now (and following you on instagram!!), but i feel like I know you, and I hate knowing you are having to go through all of this. ::virtual hug::
My sis in law had fertility issues, and while I am pretty sure her issues weren’t with over exercising or not eating enough, she did have success with accupunture. Just to share…
And just so you know, I will read your blog whether it is about exercise, food or you!! I read your blog because of YOU!
Awwww hugs right back! I love instagram, it truly is the best! Have made great friends like you through it!
Thank you so much love!
Katie, I’m sorry you are going through this. Please know that there are tons of people out here supporting you (ME!) and keeping you in our thoughts. It is a tough lesson to learn, but ultimately you know your body best, and you will do what it means. Like you said, we only have one body. Love you. xoxo
I love you Katie. I know I’ve never met you, but I feel lke I know you already and you are a wonderful person. Thank you for sharing this with us and for being honest with yourself and your body. I didn’t realize missing periods is bad, I had this happen to me a few times. Not for a long time but once I had my period that only lasted half a day (when it’s normally around 4) and it would just be super irregular. I am not underweight or with low BMI thought so I didn’t know hwat it could be, except for maybe the fact that I started exercising a lot. It’s been more on point recently and I’m definitely trying to listen to my body a lot more now.
Awww love you too, it is amazing how you can feel you really know someone in the blog world <3
Yes, just listen and honor your body girl, best thing you can do!
Long time reader, first time commenter. I know that this is probably been repeated over and over in the comments above, but I was in the same boat as you are not too long ago. I started accupuncture to get my “flows” regular and one thing she suggested was to take a break, cut back on the intensity of my exercise. I still walked, occasionally ran, and I started yoga and pilaties. I really took a break on the intense stuff. Started eating more healthy fats and added lots more variety to my diet. Two years later, sitting here typing this, listening to my little baby laugh and squeal. You can do this. Your body can do this. Will be praying for you and Mike
Hi Steph,
Oh thank you SO much, I feel like some little weight just lifted when I read what you said. I am so happy things worked out for you! Yes, no intense exercising anymore for me, just walks and I was thinking yoga too. I might actually go get accupuncture done soon, heard SO many good things.
Thank you so much again <3
well you know you aren’t alone! however, i have hardly exercised for months and still no period :/ my doc said it can take 1-2 yrs before things regular. i’m not worried yet but i can imagine your patience waning in the hopes of becoming pregnant. i don’t think i have HA due to the fact that the progesterone challenge worked for me..well at least it did a couple years ago when i tried it. i haven’t had bloodwork in a couple years so it will be interesting to see what the story is now. i’m being patient and realizing that stressing over it will never bring it back. my thoughts are with you! x
I so admire your honesty and your strength. It takes a special person to own up to things, and even moreso to share publicly.
You CAN do this, and you WILL! Just think of the many rewards that await on the other end. <3
I lost my period for 2 years straight, got it back about 5x on and off and now haven’t had it for about 3 months.
I had an ED, and now struggle with bulimia. I haven’t ever talked to a doctor about it but it’s good to know others go through similar situations.
Good luck with fertility and doctors, sometimes they make it scary but you have so many rooting for you. <3 your blog and wishing you get pregnant soon!
Katie, you’ve got so many beautiful comments already so I hope this one doesn’t get lost – but I just wanted to let you know you are NOT alone. I have problems with my period too, and like you I was just told to go on the pill. After six years on the pill I finally decided to go off it in January and see how my body works naturally. Still no period, and my skin has broken out like a teenage boy’s! I’m not getting many answers from the medical community, but I know I would be absolutely devastated if I was told to stop exercising. Lifting weights is a huge part of my life – it’s who I am. I barely do any cardio, which I initially blamed for my lack of period years ago.
I have emailed a lot of ladies who have blogs and lift weights, and it seems to be a very common issue. The one thing I know I do right is eat – I average around 2500 calories a day and I know my diet is spot on.
The point of my comment is that I want to offer you my help, if you need it, with nutrition. As you probably know through Sara, I do online training and nutrition programs. If you’re feeling stuck with nutrition, I would be happy to help – completely free of charge. You are such a beautiful person, and I love reading your blog every day, so I would be happy to do it. Every single woman who comes to me for help is not eating enough, and I know the Fitmixer plan is very low on calories (although I’m not sure if you were/are still following that). I train more than 30 women now, and they’ve all seen positive results since eating more with my help. Even if you just want to chat about things, please never hesitate to get in touch. Big hugs xoxo
Sending love your way, Katie! You’re so brave and smart to share what’s going on — from the looks of the comments (such an outpouring of love!!), it will help a lot of other women in similar situations. I’ve known for a while now that my cycle is not irregular (was diagnosed w/ probable pcos) without the pill, and I’m nervous to go off the pill again because of what happens to my skin without it. In some ways, I think the pill has a lot of us “hooked” because it prevents breakouts and “seems” to keep hormones in check and “treats” things like pcos, or so my docs have said. (But now I think otherwise!) It sounds like you have a great support team around you. Mike and your medical team will help you, and I know you’ll figure this out! I need to find a new OB/GYN and dermatologist and try to figure out my issues as well. As always, thank you for sharing and inspiring
Dearest Katie,
I was at school all day so I didn’t read this until about an hour ago on my phone..I had to tweet you immediately! I JUST wrote a post on this yesterday…and your words…they were just what I needed to make it through another day. I have HA and haven’t had a period for more than a year now..I have been on Clomid twice and Famara but obviously they didn’t work. I saw a reproductive endocrinologist, and I’m def not ready to go through IVF…I want to have a healthy baby all on my own which means I MUST get healthy first! Yes, I eat really clean and I work out like crazy..but this doesn’t mean that I’m indeed healthy. In fact, I’m far from it, and my body is angry with me right now. My problem is balance. I simply just cannot give it my all when I’m working out..I know I need to focus on low-intensity workouts, but…I can’t…and I’ve now simply stopped all together..
Anyway, I’m continuously amazed by how different we all are, and yet we are so similar at the same time! KT, let’s do this together! We can do it!! We shall overcome all obstacles and challenges…and we WILL be victorioius! As we, Koreans, like to say to encourage one another (with our fists clenched), FIGHTING!! AJA AJA AJA!!!
Oh, and I’ve started herbal medicine too. I can’t say anything about it just yet, but I will let you know if I see any positive results! Hope you are having a marvelous day!! MUAH
Aww love you! You are such an amazing person and I thank you for sharing your struggles. I think this is something that so many women struggle with yet so few women feel the need to address and I think it takes all the strength in the world to realize what you are doing, own up to it, and improve it! Take care of your body and you will be healthy in no time. I’ve struggled before with underfueling overexercising and the lost period and none of it is fun. But the hardest part of it all is actually realizing that something is not right and you have already accomplished the biggest hurdle
Hang in there and know that we all want you to do what is best for you! Nothing more and nothing less. You are fabulous!!!!
It just kills me when one of the kindest people I’ve ever met is going through something as challenging as this. Sweet, sweet Katie, I love you dearly and I KNOW that you will get through this! You have the most positive outlook and sunshiney spirit. Sometimes I become too obsessed with working out + eating clean (or whatever) and I have to step away from reading other blogs entirely. Occasionally they have too much of an influence on me. Taking time to separate yourself and focus on YOU might be a huge help.
Anyway, advice doesn’t work. LIVING IT does. Love you and please know I’m always here!
xoxoxo
LOVE YOU!
Thank you so much love, yeah I have been not reading some blogs that mainly focus on exercise, does not help me!
I appreciate your love and support!!! <3
Keep rocking it girl and doing YOU! <3
I’m right there with you katie! It can be a little scary and I have had my share of second guessing myself but I know what I need to do. We can do this! Love you!
I just did a LONG comment telling you how beautiful your post was and I lost it. I have been a fan for a while because you are honest, raw, funny, relatable and optimistic. Words cannot express just how important I think this particular post is. I hope other women struggling with the same things come accross it, but I also hope physicians, nurses and therapists find it so they can share it with patients.
I think all of us at some point wage anywhere from a mini fight to an all out war with our bodies through over-eating, undereating, not exercising enough, exercising too much, eating too much junk, getting too much non-healthy fat in our diet, not getting enough fat, etc. Our body whispers to us something is wrong and gradually the message gets louder and louder. Thank goodness you are listening to your body. There are women who go too long without their periods who develop osteoperosis and a host of other issues. T
hank you again for sharing this all!
Maddy,
thank you for writing another comment even after your other was lost, thank you!
Thanks for the support, love, and thoughts! We all do at some point have a fight with our bodies! I just wish all of us could come out strong always!
Happy Thursday! <3
You are gorgeous and I love you for telling us your story. I have been struggling with these exact same issues myself and I know I will need to gain more weight because my husband and I eventually want to have kids. I’ve gained some weight but not nearly enough. I look forward to hearing about your progress because it will help inspire me as well.
and because of this, you are inspiring others to LIVE now and take care of yourself now! Including me! so thank YOU!
p.s.
not working out it extremely hard when are surrounded by it. Thank GOODNESS for YOGA!
Katie, I can’t even put into words how proud I am of you. Not only does it take an immeasurable amount of strength to write a post like this, but the fact that you do it with such compassion blows my mind.
You are a GORGEOUS lady, inside and out, and I believe that you WILL get past this difficult time! It’s something that I dealt with myself a few months back and I can very much understand how annoying it is. Thank you for writing this!!
Thinking of you Katie!! Thank you for sharing something so personal — you are so strong!!
(P.S. … if you wanna send some of that will power for exercise my way, I sure could use it! …. heheh just kidding
I really hate the phrase “everything happens for a reason” — you and I have both experienced some really unfortunate things in life and I have a hard time believing there is a reason for that. BUT — I will say that maybe there is a certain time that things are supposed to happen. You ARE taking good care of yourself. Patience is THE HARDEST thing in these situations (we’re in a similar one…)
I <3 you darlin'!! Good thoughts and prayers headed your way
you're so strong, you'll make it through this little hiccup!
Girrrrrllll look at all the people you inspire!! Think about that when you’re battling your head monsters. Love you mama you know I’m here for you!
what a honest post and very touching, you are such a courageous girl, I’m so proud of you. I know sometimes even we what’s the problem and how to solve it, it’s still hard to actually make the change. but if you are really determined about your goal, a strong girl like you can definitey do it!
Thank you so much love, I appreciate it!! <3
Katie,
There are SO many of us going through this! I’m so glad that so many bloggers are coming out and being honest. I think it is going to make a HUGE impact for women everywhere! We need to chat!!!
I am sorry to hear you are too! I am always here for you!!!! Yes we do! <3
Ohh girl I am so sorry! I can’t imagine how tough it is, but I have to say I do relate. I am having problems with undereating too. I completely destroyed my metabolism and now I’m burnt out 99% of the time. I have to slowly add calories in, little by little, and test it out for a couple weeks at a time to see if it’s enough, and it hasn’t been enough yet… so frustrating! I am overweight by a lot and to workout so hard and not lose a single lb in 6 months then realize I was starving myself even though I was following solid advice for the “right” amount of calories… so frustrating!! So I am not going thru the same thing but I 100% relate! And yeah, it does suck when we have to sit around watching all these seemingly healthy people have so much fun and success while we’re stuck, but at least we’re stuck together and are filled with positivity… so many people would get down on themselves and even go into a depression. That was me 12 months ago before I found your blog, actually!
So all I can say is thank you from the bottom of my heart. For inspiring me daily. For always being honest with us and always sharing and having SO MUCH love in your heart that you wanna help others with the same thing rather than cowering in the corner and stuffing your face with cookies and refusing to talk about it (like me! haha!!) and for ALWAYS showing so much love, hope, positivity and joy…no matter what you’re going thru! You have picked me up and helped me to change in ways you’ll never know. My prayers are with you and will remain there every day… I know you’ll be back to fully healthy soon, I have faith!
<3 you girl!!
Darla,
Your comment I want to print out and keep forever, it makes me feel like a million dollars and makes me SO HAPPY I started this blog. You are so kind and so sweet!
I appreciate your love and support and I will be thinking of you!
You really just made me so happy with this comment, thank you <3
Can I just say that I love you and your blog? You are so sweet and so strong. I know that you can get through this and overcome ANYTHING. I actually went through a similar thing last year when I had my ED and lost my period for 15 months. I had to gain weight and cut back on exercise, and finally it returned! My doctor as well suggested BC or another drug that would make it happen, but deep down I knew that wasn’t a good option. You can get through this and just remember you are amazing and everyone will love your blog just as much, even if you’re not working out. You do what’s best for you<3
I can say…..I love you too!!!
Thank you, I am so happy you got things in order, it can be hard and you are a strong girl for doing that! I know how much stress and more you went through I am sure, but yay for getting it back and being better now!
Thank you <3
I’m so sorry you’re going through this! It’s such a challenge sometimes being a part of the healthy living community…everyone seems to be working out ALL THE TIME and it starts to seem normal. It also starts to seem normal to have an uber-healthy diet with all of the crazy exercise. These two are not necessarily bad…but we ladies do have to be careful!
I’m glad you posted about this! I hope you can keep a positive attitude about this and don’t get down on yourself too much! You were just doing what you thought was right by your body. <3
Thank you so much for sharing. It is so heartening to hear such a frank account of what’s happening to/with you. I’m so sorry for all you’re going through. I too have no period. I haven’t had one for about 8 months and I’m in the process of trying to figure out what’s wrong. After all my testing was normal and now they want to do a progesterone challenge. The problem is that the pills are something like $70 and that’s just not in the cards for me right now. It sucks to be stuck between a rock and a hard place. I just want my period back. I know it’s not a great thing not to have it and I don’t want to go back on BC until I have a natural cycle. You are in my prayers. Thank you again for such a candid talk.
Jillian,
I am so sorry and if you EVER want to email me, please do. I will keep you in my prayers too. Yeah those pills didn’t work for me, and they can be pricey. You are SMART to not just go on the pill to get it back, don’t make mistake I did. I am glad you are taking the right route with that! <3
Great post to read, thank you for being so real..and I definitely don’t read for the fitness, more so for the positive attitude, honesty and stories!! I have always thought about this issue, I had an irregular (but existent) period in my teens, I was a competitive dancer, so my doc said it was normal for my activity level, and put me on the pill… have been on it for 10 years, have taken few month breaks here and there, and it has never come back at those times. I am the same size (pretty much ) as high school.. I think I am healthy, eat/exercise in moderation, but I do worry. Maybe what I think is healthy, isn’t for me anymore. This society gives us crazy images/ideas of healthy.. hard to know what is right. You have really opened my eyes, made me think, thank you Katie
Your welcome Shira!
Yes society can really warp your mind, I agree on that!
I am hoping you get things worked out girl, thinking of you!
Girl, be strong! Don’t blame yourself for anything. Daggum biology. I’ve always been active, and I’ve never been regular in my life, even at an healthy BMI. Never. I thought it was a huge concern…I only started BC on my own terms, to be “normal” and to keep everything in working order. My OBGyn (who primarily serves active, health conscious women who generally choose diets lower in sugar and saturated fats and lead active lifestyles) is also super active (with 5 kids), and she assured me that irregularity isn’t bad if you are properly fueling your body (i.e. you aren’t starving yourself or restricting food). It’s hard for women these days because body fat is biologically necessary for reproduction…you know this already, but the reason your period goes away is because (biologically) your body doesn’t think it can support a baby. ARGHH!! If only your body knew that you are actually in prime condition to do so. You haven’t been abusing your body. It kills me that a man can be 7% body fat with no repercussions. But if a women is less than like 18%, your body puts up a fertility wall. But it sounds like you’re taking all the right steps to move forward. We can’t fight nature. It just won’t work naturally if you don’t make some adjustments. Fertility drugs are risky. You definitely don’t want to end up with 8 healthy buggers in your tummy! But if you turned your blog into “HealthyOctoMomEats”, I’d still read. You’re a rockstar, take it step by step. You’ll make it. =) Happy thoughts and prayers to you!
LOL! I love you Mary, I love you! Haha! You started my day off with a huge laugh! Thank you!!! “HealthyOctoMomEats” lol!! Yeah I would rather go natural route to get period instead of drugs!
I know, it’s crazy how the body is for sure, I am not underweight at all either but obviously the body fat is an issue :p I will figure this little body of mine out and get it back on track for sure!
Your kind words, thoughts, and support mean so much! Thank you!!! <3
I can’t imagine what this might be like for you, but I know that you have a strong, positive attitude and will make it through. You have a strong support system behind you, from your husband and the rest of your family, friends and your readers.
Keep your chin up and that beautiful smile on your face. <3
Thanks Becky! Thank you so much <3
I’m so sorry you have to go through this right now! But the important thing is that you finally realize what you need to do to get your period back, and you will not let anything get in the way of this. I’m dealing with the same problem and the most important lesson to learn is to listen to your body because it always knows best! Good luck pretty lady, I know all will be great!!!
Thank you and I am thinking of you too girl! I hope things all get better for you as well! <3
Katie! Oh my goodness…your post honestly nearly moved me to tears. it makes me so sad to see you going through any sort of pain like this. you are so kind and so genuine…you dont deserve this. but everything happens for a reason and i know that you will come out on top. you are going to kick butt! its really hard…i know because ive been there too…but you are so strong. you can do this babe! Live you so much.
Thank you Heather!
I love you to pieces and your words of support and love mean so much to me! Thank you!
Beautiful heartfelt post Katie (Sara told me to be sure to read this one). I’m sending you strength and good wishes. Stay positive and good things will come your way! xo
Oh you are SO sweet
thank you so much! <3
you are amazing, Katie – really an inspiration! This is such a hard thing to do, and you have taken it on full force. <3
Your body will thank you
Thank you love! You are pretty damn amazing too
You are such a strong woman to open up to your readers like this! Thank you so much for sharing your heart, your vulnerabilities… it really just makes you seem more REAL to the outside world. I think there is a stigma of perfectionism associated with healthy living bloggers, like we have to balance the perfect amount of exercise with the perfect healthy foods, but blah! Sometimes all I want to do is sit on my butt and eat cookies. lol, but do I blog that? usually not. But this post got me thinking that the more honest we are in blog land the more REAL these virtual friendships can actually be. It’s not about being all showy and superficial, it’s about being completely open and honest with each other through our strengths, and most of all our weaknesses. Thank you for being a shining light in an area that needs some sun!!!
Your welcome, thank you for being so supportive and kind! Honesty is KEY!
Happy almost weekend! <3
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!! I’m sending you a million hugs right now. Wish I could be there to give you a real one (or 100) too!! I read this post on my way home tonight and started crying in the middle of the street…Thank you for being so honest, love–I know we talked about this when you were in DC, but it takes true strength and a huge leap of faith to open up your heart to the world. By sharing your story, you are helping and inspiring SO many women! You’re inspiring us to go to our doctors and ask for answers; to take our health into our OWN hands; to treat our bodies with love and respect; to nourish ourselves! I am with you 110% in this, Katie…I’m going through the same thing and know how challenging it is to let go of that “drug.” We, and so many others in this blogging community, are passionate about fitness, but what it really comes down to is HEALTH—we’re passionate about health, and right now, the healthiest thing we can do is listen to our bodies and rest. You’ve got this! ANY time you need support or want to chat, I’m just a phone call away. Love you to the moon and back! HUGE HUGS! xoxo <3
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!
I know we have talked about this, and I want us BOTH to find that healthy place with our bodies, I know we can! I really wish we lived closer damn it! You know sometimes it can be scary to open up too much on my blog, but then again I know it is comforting or offering support to someone as well. Makes it all worth it, plus when I am feeling down I can just go to this post and read all the comments of love and support and feel better!
I am with you 110% too girl! I am proud of how hard you have been working at getting things better!
Love you to the moon and back too and ALWAYS a phone call or text away! I saw you texted me last night, I was sleeping already! Love you!
Katie,this was SO touching,seriously. I understand you o well,believe,me,because I have similar problems/ struggles and I NEED to do something,heck yes,for the sake of my body!
You are so inspiring,so strong and so encouraging for me,please hang in there and do what’s best for you. Yes,working out is good,but you are better. Always remember that.
You’re worth it!
Thank you Kat!
Yes working out can be great for some when they find that balance with their body, I have not and I will get through this!
<3
This is so brave of you…. I commend you – it’s never too late to start listening to your body.
Good luck, and with all the love + support you have around you, things can only look up
Thank you Lou, I appreciate that so much!
This post really moved me, Katie. I can relate on all levels, and I’m still working on being more kind to myself. It’s definitely gotten WAY better in the past year, but it’s still hard sometimes. Thank you for this xoxo
Well you are amazing, beautiful, and a wonderful person, so continue to be kind to your body love! Proud of you! <3
My heart aches for you, there is NO reason to be ashamed of this. I have not gotten my period since March, and my boyfriend finally sat me down on Saturday and we had a talk about my eating habits. Its really a smack in the face when I realized my boyfriend knew all about something I *thought* I was struggling with privately for the past year. My eating habits are not healthy at all, my body doesn’t even understand hunger and fullness satiety cues anymore! I am working on recovery, if you get my gist. Eating “normally” is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I am committed to my health. Sunday morning I enjoyed my first bowl of overnight oats ever
As long as you commit to getting more calories and healthy fats in your diet, and cutting out/down the working out, your period should come back eventually!
Good luck with everything, I’m sure it was cathartic for you to write out this post. I am so grateful you wrote it because of my situation, thank you so much Katie!
Casey,
First off, you are missing out for sure, overnight oats you finally had?! YAY! I love oats anything, oats are usually are star of my breakfast!
I am so glad you have a loving and supportive boyfriend that cares and sat you down, that is a good man right there
It’s so hard to figure out what is “normal” too, I thought I was leading a healthy and normal lifestyle but nope, now I have to find what makes my body happy. It is like a science project for sure at times too.
I am so glad this post could help you! Always here for you! <3
Thinking of you Katie. You constantly motivate me to be a better, more positive person, so I know you have the right attitude to move forward with your life and eating/exercising habits!
Love you girl. Be strong! You will overcome this!
xoxo
Oh thank you love! Thank you so much! You are a beautiful person!
<3 xoxo
i love you katie!!! i wish i could give you one of our amazing hugs right now. you are so, so beautiful and brave too to share this with us. i’m fighting the same war, the same battle. we all are. you are in my thoughts and i’m so proud of you for doing what is healthy for you. believe me, i know it’s hard. don’t beat yourself up too much, that exercise addiction, those endorphins, they are hard to let go of. all we can do is fight that initial hump of stopping intense workouts and eventually get used to doing things a little less intensely. i know you can do it. <3
Being able to honestly look at your situation and make the right decision for your body AND share it with the world shows more strength than any muscle could. I love that you apologized to your body too
I think we all do that mentally, but it is comforting to know there are others who do the same.
Stay positive! You’ll be just fine
Katie,
I really appreciate your encouragement <3
Thank you so much
Rays of sunshine your way!!!
Thank you!
This post hits hard and I really appreciate your honesty! I lost my period due to amenorrhea at 16/17 and only got it back with birth control a couple of years later. Since then I have not allowed my body to have a natural period and am honestly terrified! I want to get off the pill but I’m so scared!
thank you for sharing this very personal post. someone on instagram told me about it because i wrote a post about some issues i have been having. you will get your period….be good to yourself and it will come
and you are right about the bc pill. i was on it for 20 years and i am still getting my body back to normal after almost a year. it is bad news…..
Thank you love! You had a great post too that I know will inspire lots of people!
Wow, did this post hit home. I read it yesterday morning and have been researching and reading through all the comments since then. I never would have guessed this would happen to someone like you. You seem to eat such a variety of foods and take care of your body. It’s not fair! I am only 22 but lost my period when I was 18. My ob-gyn wanted to put me on birth control since she said most college girls do that anyways, and I blindly obliged because I didn’t know any better. I asked her if it would prevent me from having kids when I’m older and she said definitely not. Well now I’ve been on the pill for four years and am terrified that I won’t have it when I go off. The past few months my period has been really light even WITH the pill. I am a healthy weight and eat really well (much like you, hence why I love the blog!!!), but am an active runner. I’m only 22 and don’t even have a boyfriend but being a mom is a HUGE dream of mine. Thanks for your honesty. I’m going to make an appointment with my ob-gyn and probably go off of the pill. One request-will you keep us updated? I’d be so interested in knowing what kinds of things the doctors tell you to eat and do. I always read about increasing fat to get it back. It’s confusing though-I already LOVE eating almonds and pb. It kinda makes me just wanna go dive into a jar of PB haha.
I am SO glad this post could be a wake up call! I seriously am SO sorry I did not get off the pill way earlier so things could have been sorted out by now, but I can’t look at past, have to move to future.
I am glad you are going to make an appt, so important that your body gets a period on its own, getting one with the pill is a fake period, it is just not the same.
I will be keeping all of you guys posted on here! <3
Diva into that jar! Ha!
Thank you for your post~ and sharing with us! I am sure that was not easy, but admire you for doing that. I think that there are so many people in your same boat,myself included, and at times you think you are all alone!! I love your positive outlook~ would you ever mind talking?
Heather
I am a bit late to this-just catching up after surgery. I think it’s great that you are so open & honest in your posts. My husband & I had fertility issues and ended up doing IVF twice to conceive out twin daughters, so I can understand how you’re feeling. But, it sounds like you have such an optimistic & upbeat attitude. You know your body better than anyone and it sounds like you are doing what is best for you. I wish you nothing but the best and look forward to the day when you announce that you’re pregnant!
All I want to say right now is thank you for this post. Please update us on how things are going because updates will be inspirations for all of us going through similar things as well. YOU ROCK GIRL!
Thank you SO much girl!! I will for sure!
I’m just starting to catch up on blogs after being sick for a week.
My darling. You are so amazing and so brave for speaking out about this so publicly and it’s part of the reason why I admire you so much. You don’t pretend that you are perfect and untouchable to things that go wrong in life and you don’t sugarcoat it. You are inspiring, my dear. I am so incredibly sorry that it has to be you going through this right now, but know that you have a huge support network around you and that many people are only wishing you the very best so take all the time in the world that you need to get your body back to a place of balance.
Take care of you first and everything else will follow suit. Lots of hugs and you are in my thoughts.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Oh Kirstie,
Thank you so much, your words mean SO much to me, thank you! I do keep it real over here, I want girls to read my page and to feel good about themselves and feel like they are normal, instead of reading a magazine with distorted ways society portrays normal with skinny models and more. I want girls to know we are all beautiful, nobody is perfect, and we all should just embrace what we have and find happiness in each day.
Thank you so much! <3
Katie, I stumbled upon this post at the most coincidental time. I was just talking to my mom today about how I need to make a doctor’s appointment to get birth control because my period is so irregular, and I went ahead and made the appointment for tomorrow. I went without a period for four months, and then all of a sudden got one in May. I thought everything would be fine and it would come back in June, but it didn’t. Now I know that I should discuss with the doctor that I might be working out too much. I never really thought about it that way, but if taking birth control is just masking a bigger problem, that’s not the path I want to take. Thank you for this eye-opening post.
I am SO happy you stumbled on this! Pretty much fate!
YES, do not make the same mistake I did, I am so happy you will NOW ask your doctor questions and tell him your concerns. I really wish I would of read about this or knew about it when I was at my gyno and put on the pill. Just a mask, getting a period on the pill is a fake period, and I wish I would of realized that I need to get one on my own, no pill to bring one.
Please keep me posted and good luck!
Hey — I am back here because I remembered you talking about this and Courtney (sweet tooth sweet life) just talked about this. Something has been bothering me the past month and has been amped up b/c of my desire to go off BC.
When you say “mask with BC” do you mean that you still get your “period” on BC even if you have HA (so you might never know it)?
I’ve considered going off b/c my anxiety/depression all links back to when I started it. I have been on it to help with endometriosis symptoms, but since we’re not 100% sure if I have that (it’s hereditary, but you have to be sliced open to find out), I want to go off it and see what “normal” is. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have HA now, but I’m just curious if you could have it and not know because that is SCARY. I probably could have had it in 2007 when I ran all the time.
<3
Hey love!
Yes that is what I am saying, I got on birth control when I was 25 because I was not getting my period for about a year, so the gyno put me on to get one. If I wasn’t on the pill I would not have one, it is basically a fake period when you are on the pill. I don’t get one without the pill, but now I am glad to be off and on the right track!
I am thinking of you and if you are thinking of kids in the future, you might want to just make sure all is ok! Love ya!
Hi Katie,
I’ve been reading your blog for almost a year but never had the courage to comment til now. I just wanted to say thank you for being a voice for so many women going through the same thing. I too haven’t had my period for around 6 months and recently went to a women’s health specialist who recommended I gain weight but in a healthful way. It’s been a struggle for the past few weeks, knowing that it’s ok to eat more and to miss a workout or two but at the same time hating what I see in the mirror or in pictures.
I’ve thought (and cried) a lot about it and have come to the realization that we, as women, are so pressured to look a certain way. We try so hard to reach that goal only to find out that we weren’t meant to be that way or that we can achieve it but it won’t necessarily make us happy. I’m so glad you’re sharing your story and hopefully it can help a lot of other women speak up or even prevent it from happening to others.
You’re fabulous and your strength gives me strength!
Thank you!
Hello!
I am SO happy that I can be a positive and a strength for you! When I wrote this post, all the wonderful comments and support have been so much strength to me. When I was first diagnosed with the issue, I was good half and half, I ate more BUT then I still worked out way too much, I was a jerk! It really is hard to break that habit, so hard BUT I came to find peace and realize I was being stupid to the one and ONLY body I have.
Trust me it gets better, things are GREAT for me right now, meaning something came back VERY recent! Yes! I have only done yoga and light walks, nothing intense and I have added more fats. Something worked for me, sometimes it can take time and you have to be patient and just look at the big picture in the end. You have to know too, you only have one body, you have to honor it!
There is SO much pressure on us girls! I want to have a healthy diva retreat next summer and this is one of the reasons why! I want women to have a weekend to forget about the negativity, feel beautiful, find that inner love, and confidence!
Thank you for your comment and thinking of you! <3
Hello! I came across your blog today for the first time, I do love it. I will be back often
I too, like many others above, am thankful for you speaking out about an issue I didn’t understand was so common. I find comfort knowing others know how horrible it feels to go through this. This particularly hits home for me. I am currently dealing with a very similar situation, got off the pill did not get a period for 10 months, bled once (2 months ago) and haven’t bled again. I have seen dr. ( I refuse to take provera to induce period), I have cut back on soy (I am a veggie) but no one ever told me to gain weight. I am curious as to what your BMI and body fat were? Mine are in “healthy” ranges.. 18% fody fat, BMI of 19. Is there any other advice to someone trying to regulate their cycle? As you know, its incredibly frustrated. I am 25 yo, married, and want to begin having babies soon. Its definitely an emotional roller coaster.
How exciting!
Congratulations on your blessing
Hello Lizzy!
I am so happy you found my blog! I am sorry to hear though you are struggling with a lost period. I had a healthy bmi and body fat, I think it was just the over exercising and not eating enough. I gained only 5 lbs, didn’t even notice the gain in my clothes really, so it was weird. I really am happy to be in a better place with my body, I had to quit all exercise except for walking and very light yoga. Yes it was tough, I missed that “High” I got from my intense workouts, but I am so happy in the end and it is so rewarding.
I am always here for you, please email me anytime <3
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