Why is it, that sometimes, no matter how determined you are to kick the bad habits and hit the gym, your body persuades you to snuggle into your fluffiest PJ’s and reach for your favourite block of chocolate?

As the month rolls around and you start to feel that little niggle of irritability and those dreaded period pains, you’re not alone in finding comfort in carby, high fat and high sugar treats.

But WHY do women crave certain foods around the time of our period?

No matter your age, fitness, shape or size, as we move through the four phases of our cycle, our hormones play a huge part in energy levels, what we want to eat and how we behave. These changes in energy intake, expenditure and storage are all part of our cycle, preparing the body for the possibility of pregnancy.

Yes, those little guys that whiz around our body at different times of the month are strong mediators of our eating behaviours and anything from a poor night’s sleep to a stressful day a work can disrupt these hormones promote cravings for junk food.

The good news is, tracking your cycle means you can understand the patterns of your hormones and plan your diet accordingly.

Why not organise a treat meal at the time of the month you know it’s going to be most satisfying, and make the most of the days of your cycle that you know that it is going to be easier to stay on track?

When you understand your own unique rhythm, adjust your exercise regime to maximise results at different times the month. For example; when your energy levels are the lowest, stick to exercises like yoga, walking with friends or stretching in front of your favourite crappy reality show. While your energy levels are on the way up, why not increase your workout intensity? Hit weights at the gym and train in beast-mode!

When you are craving those sweet treats and energy dense foods, you should also have more energy – while you might be listening to your body and eating more, now is also the best time to run that 5k’s you’ve been meaning to smash out!

Use the Emgoddess tracking chart and mobile app to understand your body and hormone fluctuations –you’ll feel more confident in your decision-making and become more resilient when handling stresses and setbacks.

Create your own rituals each month to work around your phases. Instead of kicking yourself, be kind to yourself!