Running Too Much? How to Tell What's Healthy: Cynthia Donovan

What is the difference between good, challenging training and over-exercise? After all, running for hours and hours training for long distance events is definitely far more exercise that we need to be healthy and fit. But when is it really considered over-exercise? It can happen pretty quickly when we undereat. Undereating paired with high amounts of training will start to set off alarm bells in the body. One of the first things that the body will sacrifice in women is reproductive health. In this state, your body has decided that there’s not enough food for you as well as another life, so it prepares for survival instead of fertility. Once you’ve lost your period, consider yourself warned that you’ve crossed a very dangerous line for your health. And what you might not know is that this doesn’t just happen to skinny people. You can be at risk no matter what your size, even if you have weight to lose. Welcome to the Planted Runner. I’m Coach Claire Bartholic and my mission is to help you improve your running, your mindset, and your life with science-backed training and plant-based nutrition. Today, I’m talking with Cynthia Donovan, also known as the Period Nutritionist. She’s a registered dietician who works with women with Hypothalamic Amenorrhea to help them get their period back, restore their health, fertility & find balance with food & exercise. Today you’ll learn: Why under fueling during running can be so detrimental How to work with your body to train hard and fuel well And how to re-evaluate the image you have of an athletic body and what it can do properly fueled Clearly this episode is mostly geared towards pre-menopausal women, but the theme of fueling properly is critical to everyone, no matter what your age or gender. So please share this one with all your running buddies. Don’t forget to stay tuned all the way to the end of the episode for another Mental Strength Minute. Fortify your mind in 60 seconds or less. LINKS: Find Cynthia @period.nutritionist and periodnutritionist.com Cynthia mentioned two Instagram accounts: @menopause.nutritionist @periomenopause_nutritionist ➡️FOLLOW The Planted Runner on Instagram @theplantedrunner for more running, plant-based nutrition and mental strength tips.  📣FREE Ultimate Fueling Guide for runners:  theplantedrunner.com/join 📖The Planted Runner: Running Your Best With Plant-Based Nutrition is available here or wherever books are sold. Enter to win a FREE signed copy by writing a review of the show on Apple Podcasts. One winner chosen each month in 2023! 📣Invest in a custom training plan for your next race. Or get a plan to keep you fit in between race. Get one created just for you at theplantedrunner.com/plans RECENT REVIEWS: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Concise helpful advice I liked Claire on run to the top, and I like that she has her own show now! My family is plant-based and loves to run, so it’s a good fit for us. Plus Claire is great at summarizing and making sense of sound running advice which is very much appreciated. Watson R via Apple Podcasts ·United States of America ·03/04/2023 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Amazing running podcast Claire gives such great information and breaks things down so well. Not just about plant based running, though she also goes into that sometimes, of course. Highly recommend!! HandfulOfChips via Apple Podcasts ·United States of America ·03/02/2023 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Great Running Content Very educational podcast that covers a wide array of running topics. Claire breaks down concepts for all levels of runners and the way she formats the show keeps it interesting Nodnarb Runs via Apple Podcasts ·United States of America ·02/26/2023