Short luteal phase - vitex causing it?? Or losing too much weight?

[honeybee37]

I am 9dpo. Yesterday I stupidly did a HPT and got the faintest of lines. Today I've started my period 4 days early, bright red blood so pretty sure not implantation. My luteal phase had been 12/13 days before swaying and I monitored them quite closely as when I was ttc number 1 they were only about ten days and I panicked not long enough. My question is, could the vitex be doing this? I had ov pains and a pos OPK last wed, FF thinks I o-ed thurs so today (Friday am) is obviously way too early for my period :( I am def stopping vitex this month but I've read a lot about B6 helping with LP defects... Can I take this (it helped when ttc ds1) or does it sway blue? And could the weight loss have caused it do you think? My bmi is now only 18.5. Any advice GREATLY received, am in a pickle :(

[honeybee37]

Ps did another HPT just now and totally negative as was this mornings

[honeybee37]

Or the cardio?? Been doing 70-75min a day which is a big change for me.

[maidentomother]

I don't think it's the Vitex, I think it's due to the CP. Is this the first month you've had a short LP swaying? I wouldn't take B6, it sways blue and it never helped my short LP, just delayed O.

I certainly would NOT lose any more weight, just hold steady, eating more cals as necessary. I would keep doing the cardio, that shouldn't affect your LP.

Could you get Clomid/Femara for the short LP?

[honeybee37]

It's gradually been getting shorter - December it was 13 days which is good for me, January was 11 (I'd started vitex and lost quite a lot of weight then), February was 10 and now this month, 7 or maybe 8. So you think I should keep taking the vitex? I used progesterone cream in the second half of my cycle to conceive my son. I don't know about clomid - GPs in England wouldn't probably prescribe it without doing a load of tests first...

[honeybee37]

I wonder if I'm just undernourished and have lost too much weight. Yesterday when I got the faint positive, I just couldn't stop eating - I was so happy to think I was pregnant and could eat well again! I've totally cut it eggs - maybe a couple of eggs a week could help, do you think? This week I have eaten a little more than normal and not put any weight on. Thanks for your advice maiden.

[maidentomother]

It could be related to low weight/lost fat. I theorise that is why my LP has always been short, bc I've always been underweight. Eating a bit mote can't hurt, though you don't need to eat specific foods, just more cals overall.

I'm so sorry about the CP, though at least you know you can conceive. Lots of women, including myself, have conceived despite short LPs

How long have you been taking the Vitex?

[maidentomother]

If you've been on Vitex for a full 3 months with no benefit to your LP, I might drop it. If it's only been 2 months, maybe try another month. What dose are you on?

[honeybee37]

I've been on it for three months with my LP gradually getting worse throughout that time. It says 1000mg on the packet. But then I question whether my LP would be even shorter without it?? Yes, I've always been underweight too and when I was ttc ds1, I was sure it was impossible because of my LP. It never got longer than 10 days but I managed to conceive and have a healthy pregnancy with him.
I'll up the kcal a bit this month. With the amount of cardio I'm doing, i can't see i would put weight on unless I went way over. I already upped from 1,200-1,400 to around 1,600 this month and have maintained my weight. Just feel so upset that I've inadvertently jeopardised my own chances of even conceiving at all, through my desire at wanting a girl!! Really gutted today!!

[atomic sagebrush]

PLEASE do not take B6. It doesn't work most of the time, it takes at least 3 months TO work anyway (by which point your LP will many times have completely fixed itself even if you had done nothing), it delays ovulation hugely and can even stop it, and additionally it sways BLUE.

Drop vitex, and do WHATEVER it takes to stop the weight loss. I want you to add in a serving of full fat dairy a day, 4-6 eggs a week, and a serving of salmon and/or red meat every week. And also drop fiber. This is my cure for short LP. Yes, I suspect a combo of V and weight loss caused a short LP but the good news is that your body is not a closed system that you now have to "repair" it will be working to fix it all on its own (which it knows how to do way better than a bottle of B6 does) and you just need to give it the raw materials to allow it to do that.

You guys, I say this again and again (and not intending this to be a rebuke, but for others reading this) When you get to BMI 21 you need to STOP LOSING WEIGHT. 18.5 is the absolute barest minimum. It is not a goal. The reason I leave a cushion between 21 and 18.5 is because it can be only a couple pounds for many people and it sometimes takes time to learn to stabilize on weight. BMI 21 is where you should stop losing weight and that way if another pound or two sneak off over time it won't mess up your cycle. I don't want anyone to go to BMI 18.5 and THEN attempt to stop weight loss. Most of us will have already stopped ovulating at this point.

[atomic sagebrush]

Or the cardio?? Been doing 70-75min a day which is a big change for me.

reduce to 60 5 times a week

[atomic sagebrush]

Also, again not meant as a rebuke but virtually ALL swayers should start off at LEAST at 1500-1800 calories. The % of people who should start off at 1200 is MINISCULE (as in like 1%) the only people who should start off that low are very petite people who may only eat 1500-1800 cals normally or those who have a lot of weight to spare. Start off higher than you think you need, ladies, and anyone exercising a lot, breastfeeding, or 5-10 and up needs to start off even higher, more like 1800-2000.

ANYONE exercising who starts off at 1200 cals you are being very naughty. :nono:

Honeybee you ahve not jeopardized your chances of conceiving, we just need to relax a bit and your body will get wiht the program.

[honeybee37]

Thanks so much atomic. I just add, when I was 12-1400kcal, this was def before I started the cardio. I think you're totally right and I'm sorry!! I have struggling with eating disorders on and off and think I maybe went about things the wrong way...
I will stop the vitex for sure though. Thanks everyone so much xx

[honeybee37]

I really think I've been over exercising which may have caused this... I read this today: Exercise induces two types of human luteal dysfunction: confirmation by urinary free progesterone. - PubMed - NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/1902847/) Has anyone else had this problem? I started off doing 60-65min but then my obsessive nature led me to go up to 70-75 instead, and pretty much daily instead of 5x a week. Just hoping that lowering my exercise will rectify this, if this is the cause....

[atomic sagebrush]

Thanks so much atomic. I just add, when I was 12-1400kcal, this was def before I started the cardio. I think you're totally right and I'm sorry!! I have struggling with eating disorders on and off and think I maybe went about things the wrong way...
I will stop the vitex for sure though. Thanks everyone so much xx

You don't need to apologize, it's that I keep getting this type of post and I am wondering "am I not being proactive enough spreading the word about what I want people to do here?" So I'm being more emphatic of late and trying to put it in every thread where the topic comes up. :)

[atomic sagebrush]

I really think I've been over exercising which may have caused this... I read this today: Exercise induces two types of human luteal dysfunction: confirmation by urinary free progesterone. - PubMed - NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/1902847/) Has anyone else had this problem? I started off doing 60-65min but then my obsessive nature led me to go up to 70-75 instead, and pretty much daily instead of 5x a week. Just hoping that lowering my exercise will rectify this, if this is the cause....

It's not just that though. Diet, exercise, and vitex all can muck things up and so all three together is a triple whammy. So the way forward is to adjust on all these things but WITHOUT panicking and deciding "OMG I am now INFERTILE", you're not, we just have to turn the radio dial a teensy bit back in the other direction. People in this situation often decide they then have to boost their fertility in every conceivabe way and that is a good % of the people who have gotten blue opposites. The key is, not cutting back too far to start with, and then if you do, to GRADUALLY turn the dial back a bit. :)

[honeybee37]

You have definitely been proactive enough on the message. My problem is I was thin to start with and also, I'm impatient and tend to lose weight really quickly! Plus I wanted to do "everything possible" ha ha, typical boy mum, I reckon I am pretty much guaranteed to have a third boy!! I'm going to drop Vitex and cut back a bit on the exercise, also be a little more relaxed on the diet and make sure I'm getting enough kcal. Do you think 40g fat a day is ok if I'm exercising and eating about 17-1800 kcal?

[atomic sagebrush]

Haha apologies if OVERLY proactive, I feel like I've said it a billion times and people must be hearing something different. :)

40 g for sway or for health?? Fat is the shizz for restoring O so I do recommend at LEAST that much for you.

[3'sacharm]

Hmmm interesting... I have dropped my bmi to 20.4.... But keeping to limits of fat and protein (99% of the time) while doing 6 days per week of cardio thus allowing myself some additional calories to the 1500. Shall see what happens when I come off the pill...x

[honeybee37]

I meant 40g to try and get cycles in order whilst still swaying pink. I'd been sticking to 30g so maybe upping the fat to 40 could do the trick but not jeopardise my sway? I have had a couple of 'relaxed' days this weekend. Just felt like I was in need of more kcal and fat so I didn't count anything (still stayed veggie and no snacking)

[atomic sagebrush]

30 g is the absolute barest minimum of fat so yes yes I'd have you up that. You have up to 60 g fat and still remain in LE Diet range (with the reminder that needs to be majority vegetable fats and not, like, lard. ;) 40 g is def. superior to 30!

[atomic sagebrush]

I meant 40g to try and get cycles in order whilst still swaying pink. I'd been sticking to 30g so maybe upping the fat to 40 could do the trick but not jeopardise my sway? I have had a couple of 'relaxed' days this weekend. Just felt like I was in need of more kcal and fat so I didn't count anything (still stayed veggie and no snacking)

That is FINE!! I'm very happy to hear it.

[maidentomother]

Lard is actually pretty pink friendly, especially for an animal fat. Way better than butter.

I have never found intense exercise (I'm talking 1.5-3hrs of running or walking and an hour of yoga daily) to affect my LP. Diet doesn't seem to matter either. I think it's just natural for me, and it seems that way for some other women too. I've found a SMALL correlation with my weight, but it's subtle and not consistent.

I really wish there were a cheap, easy and accurate way to measure body fat percentage bc that would be a much better gauge of whether someone is at risk of losing O. Someone like me with high body fat and low BMI can actually safely lose some weight without risking O. But there is no way to recommend that without knowing body composition.

[atomic sagebrush]

That was kind of a joke about the lard. :)

I have seen people get a short LP with JUST exercise (and more commonly, people correct diet and still have short LP till they cut back on exercise as well) so I stick with my thinking that it does make a difference and for fastest correction, increase cals, cut exercise, and people can always switch it up after things get better. :agree:

I'm not totally convinced it IS body fat %. I use that because it's handy but I actualy HAVE stopped my O once before from diet/exercise, mostly exercise, and I still had plenty o chunk on me. I knew a lady IRL from IG who also had 4 boys and she had like negative 3% body fat and ovulated normally. There seems to be some interaction between what your body is used to, some kind of genetics/natural build kind of thing, and I am built like a human version of a Jack Russel terrier LOL short and muscly and prone to pudginess if I'm not careful, but I have seen some very waiflike women who can O at really low BMI. I can't (or at least without a long transitionary period)

I wish we knew more about it! :)

[honeybee37]

With me, I'm pretty sure it's exercise. When I was trying to conceive my eldest, I worked out around 5x a week. My LP was about 10 days, which ended up being enough to get pregnant and stay pregnant. When I don't exercise at all, it goes up to 12-13 days. Now I'm doing loads, it's gone down to 8. I've been stick-thin and not don't cardio, normal LP. I'm going to give it one month on the slightly lower cardio regime (60 min 5x a week), and see if that helps. If it doesn't, I'm tempted to stick with the diet strictly but go couch potato. What do you think? Would sudden couch potato after a few months of daily cardio be ok for a girl sway?

[atomic sagebrush]

That's one of those crystal ball questions that I honestly don't have the data to really answer. The thing is, since we KNOW exercise is working, I hate to see anyone who CAN technicaly exercise, giving up on it. Even a 10 day LP should be enough. One month I feel like may not be giving it a fair shake either because you were not eating enough either.

Let's try 4 days a week and eating more and see where we are at next month, and at that point I may try to convince you to give it two if LP is 10 days (not shorter)

Also thanks for keeping us all updated about your experiences with exercise and your LP. This is how I end up knowing what I know and thinking the way I do is because you guys fill me in what has happened with you, not only swaying but just in general. :)

[honeybee37]

I don't want to quit the exercise either, not least because I really feel it's helping with my ongoing anxiety issues (which probably sway boy!) if my LP is up to 10 I won't worry cos I know I've conceived easily on this before. Hopefully it was just s blip and I've quit the vitex this month so we will see! I'm actually feeling tons more relaxed about this cycle, partly because it would be due at Christmas so in my head that reduces the pressure (I don't know why - maybe because it wouldn't be ideal so I know it's not the be all and end all this month?) and partly cos I'm expecting to have s messed up cycle.... So maybe those chilled out factors will help?! Who knows! Thanks atomic for your constant help! You are ace ��

[maidentomother]

I know you were joking about the lard but couldn't resist commenting for the record. I know you understand that urge!

I do definitely think diet and exercise can shorten LPs. Just saying it doesn't seem to matter for me. When I was very thin (16% body fat, 14 BMI) and doing hardcore intermittent fasting BUT high fat intake and normal overall cal intake, my cycles were more erratic than usual, in every aspect. Cycle length, O day, and LP length. This is true also while on the LE diet, but to a lesser extent.

I don't think body fat is everything, but I do think it's a better gauge in general than BMI. I also think that oftentimes when women stop Oing, due to a new exercise regime or diet, despite having enough BF, it's frequently a temporary effect. Whenever I stop or start the LE diet, it delays O for me. In fact, my longest cycle ever with latest ever O was last April after I took a break from the LE. I've seen so many other women respond similarly to a sudden change in diet, without any change in weight. But usually O is only affected for a month or two.

[honeybee37]

Ok that's good to know, maiden. I'll hang fire before making any drastic changes! I feel like I have worked out how to maintain weight and continue the LE diet / cardio. If it's just a temporary effect, that would be great. I'm still optimistic for this month tho :)

[honeybee37]

Maiden, what eas the fasting you were doing? I used to fast but have quit that now. I actually feel like it made me stressed.

[maidentomother]

I was doing an extreme version of IF based on rodent research (adapted for human metabolism). I alternated 12 hours of eating as much as I like (2000-4000 cals) and 36 hours of complete fasting (just water/calorie free drinks, though at one point I'd eat around 50-100cals during my fasting period bc I was on a med that had to be taken with food). It was both stressful and oddly peaceful. The physical/health benefits were amazing (other than constipation) but it made socialising awkward. Not bc I minded being around food while fasting, but I received a ton of judgement and just going out to eat when I couldn't wasn't very fun.

[atomic sagebrush]

I do want to mention that I don't like you guys fasting for swaying though. People tend to take things way too far when swaying and I think that people will take that idea and go WAYYY too far with it.

We are already doing a little intermittent fasting with skipping breakfast back.

[honeybee37]

Yeah that's what I thought. I used to do 5:2, for no particular reason other Han I am a total control freak with food. This month I have REALLY been trying to be more laid back, but somehow have managed to lose another pound and am now 7 stone 11 which I know is not enough for my height (5'7"). I'm on cycle day 18 which is way past when I normally ovulate and am showing 'low fertile' on my new clear blue digital monitor and not much ewcm☹️. Usually I have loads from day 11 and ovulate on day 16/17. Am also temping this month. The pay three days I've had 2,000 kcal and have cut back exercise to 60
Min from 75, inc some days where I've just done a big walk. What the hell is going on??? Could it be dropping vitex or am I just too thin??? I do actually feel like I'm gearing up to ovulate (more EWCM), but is later ovulation swaying blue or does it mean my body tried earlier (I had patches of EWCM and a few darker lines on OPKs but nothing proper, then faint lines and no temp rise), and it's now trying again, with a few more kcal behind it??!! Or am I talking nonsense as usual?! I really feel like I need to get pregnant soon..., am so so broody and am struggling to keep up the Le diet at a manageable level (ie, at a level which doesn't impinge my fertility and with my skinny body size anyway, is tricky...) help!!!!

[maidentomother]

Remember that it might take a cycle or two for your body to get back to normal now that you're eating more and weight loss has slowed/stopped. So don't freak out necessarily, your body was stressed but now, under less stress, it should normalise soon. I would add a can of soda or 100-200cals of fatfree candy to one of your meals to up your cals a bit more in the most pink friendly and weight loss halting manner. Keep up the exercise though at 60min or 75min of less intense cardio. Some women have really high metabolisms especially when exercising, I think that you are one of them! I am too and we are the same size.

It sucks to O later but it will sway pink for you (as will failed attempts to O, all these changes and cycle weirdness really seems to sway pink) and even Oing in the CD20s isn't THAT late or that big of a deal. I'd definitely switch to BD E4D if you were doing one attempt at positive OPK.
Or maybe even go to E3D if you've been TTC for 3+ cycles and on diet for 6+ months.

[honeybee37]

Thanks maiden. This morning I had 'high' on my digital OpK monitor - should we BD tonight or wait for a peak fertility day? I'm tempted to wait. Yeah I def have a high metabolism when exercising.i flit between panicking I'm eating too much to panicking I've rendered myself infertile!! Hope you're doing ok maiden!

[maidentomother]

Wait for Peak, it's normal to have 4 days of Highs but some women have several days, even weeks of Highs. You can't know how far away your Peak is until you've used it a few cycles.

I'm doing okay, I was able to improve my conception odds this cycle (3dpo today) via 2 attempts, increased fertile CM, and being on Clomid. I am very slightly hopeful. Next cycle I should be able to try with a new donor and I'm very optimistic about that.

[honeybee37]

That all sounds really positive. Fingers crossed this is your month.

[atomic sagebrush]

Later ovulation in and of itself DOES NOT SWAY. It is the REASON for later ovulation. Some people O late because they have PCO and they are also more "set" for blue. But that is NOT what is going on with you. I think you actually have impinged on your fertility a little (which is what we WANT for a pink sway) and you just need to stay the course and don't panic because it WILL come.

Please try not to panic, CD18 is not even late O yet really. Still in normal range.

[atomic sagebrush]

Thanks maiden. This morning I had 'high' on my digital OpK monitor - should we BD tonight or wait for a peak fertility day? I'm tempted to wait. Yeah I def have a high metabolism when exercising.i flit between panicking I'm eating too much to panicking I've rendered myself infertile!! Hope you're doing ok maiden!

Wait for peak!

I also want you to kick into e4d after this peak in case this is a faker. unprotected sex every 4 days from attempt thru AF arriving

[honeybee37]

Got it! I will go for e4d after the peak. If the peak ever comes!! Waaaay less EWCM than any other month and just don't 'feel' as fertile, it that makes sense. But also feel more chilled and less frantic about everything so hopefully that's everything kicking in.... I REALLY hope it works this month!!

[honeybee37]

Got a Peak this morning ☺️

[atomic sagebrush]

good luck!

[honeybee37]

So I got a Peak on clear blue digital on Tuesday morning. DTD Tuesday night. Today is Thursday 11am and I didn't have a temp rise this morning and still have EWCM, over 48 hours since Peak reading? Could it be that my Lh surge didn't 'work' and my body is still trying to ovulate or can it be normal to ovulate two full days after peak? This is my first month using the digital OPKs. I'm now on cd21 which is insanely late for me. Usually cd 14-17 but this is my first month off vitex after what happened last month with my 8 day LP... Any advice is welcome! Thank you!

[honeybee37]

Sorry for the crazy amount of panicky posts but I've just done another clear blue test and it says negative, as in, the empty circle sign. I'm thinking this is good and that the EWCM isn't indicative of being fertile but maybe just last estrogen surge right at ov and my temp will rise in the morning. I so hope so... Does that sound plausible?

[maidentomother]

Hard to say without seeing your chart, but I'd definitely BD Friday night just in case you O later than expected. Sometimes O doesn't happen until 3+ days after your first pos OPK. So I wouldn't assume that you won't O, but it may be later than you expect. It is definitely still well within normal range for it to take 2 full days to O, very common in fact. And even longer isn't that uncommon or abnormal.

[honeybee37]

Maiden can I somehow let you access my chart?? I don't know how I'd do this?

[honeybee37]

30689

I don't know if this has worked but can you see my chart? Big temp rise this morning but still have EWCM.... I am so confused. Really worried I am having Lh surges and failing to ovulate. Also had a massive meal last night with tons of chocolate cos I was pretty sure I'd ovulated and it was a safe time of the month to indulge... Now I'm worried I've not!!

[maidentomother]

I think you almost definitely Oed yesterday!

[honeybee37]

Thanks Maiden, I really hope you're right! Is that because of the big temp rise this morning that you say that?

[maidentomother]

Yep! Plus CM and OPK are supportive.

[atomic sagebrush]

I had CM for a couple days after I oed in the month I got my daughter. The idea that CM dries up immediately at ovulation isn't true

[honeybee37]

So following on from last month where I had a 7-8 LP... This month I O-ed on cd21 which is late for me and am now bleeding at 7dpo... So basically I am infertile with a 6 day LP, right? I stopped the vitex this month and am now questioning this decision. Whatever it is tho, (weight loss, exercise, vitex etc) I am feeling so down that I have been on the LE diet for 4.5 months, got hubby totally on board and even got the hang of OPKs (!) all for absolutely nothing! If I can't even get pregnant, I def can't conceive a girl, can I? Am feeling so upset right now :( DH wants me to stop exercising and put on some weight but I know this would be prime boy sway. When he agreed to a third child it was on the proviso that we tried Asap as he didn't want a massive age gap (it'll already be 6 years minimum). I really don't know what to do :(

[honeybee37]

Atomic? Maiden? Any ideas on why my LP might have got even shorter than last month? Do you think I should go back on vitex? 6 days def no good, is it?

[honeybee37]

Also, do you think I actually NEED to put on a few pounds to regulate things and if so, is there a 'safe' way to do this that doesn't sway blue?! I am guessing not. I just don't know what to do right now!!!

[honeybee37]

Also (and so sorry for the many many posts here!) I've found an online pharmacy that sells clomid. Is it worth looking into this? What is the dose and how do you take it?

[maidentomother]

Honeybee, pm re buying Clomid online and dosing etc. I am a pharmacist. Most online pharmacies are not legit and will abuse/sell your credit card info.

I'm pretty stumped by your situation. For about 9 months while doing extreme IF and at a very low weight and BF% I had a particularly erratic LP including some cycles of 4-6 day LPs mixed in with more normal 8-10 day LP cycles. I can only guess that you are having an extreme reaction to the LE diet...I would consider dropping exercise completely, switching to AFD/PCOS version of LE, and eating 4 meals daily, no overnight fasting beyond 12hrs, in case that is a factor.

I also absolutely think you should get meds but I think you will do better of Femara over Clomid. Clomid is less reliable than Femara at extending short LPs in women with regular cycles. Plus I just have hunch in your case.

[honeybee37]

Thanks maiden. I can't understand it either. I've not even been that strict on the diet this past month... My LP has always been on the short side and with my first child I did use progesterone cream for the first twelve weeks as id had a CP and was convinced it was cos of my LpD. Whether t actually helped or not, I don't know.
I have read up on femara and it sounds the best option for LP. I'll pm you. Thanks.
Also, can I ask your opinion? On the evening of 5dpo (possibly 6 depending on when I actually ovulated) and all of that night, I had really weird cramps that I have only experienced with my second pregnancy and I attributed to implantation. Could it have been that an embryo was trying to implant, for whatever reason failed, and so my body just got rid of the uterine lining cos it worked out there wasn't going to be a successful pregnancy this month? Can that happen? I imagine I'm clutching at straws here but just wondered your opinion :)

[honeybee37]

Maiden / Atomic / anyone who knows! Do you think this would help with my cycles? Pregnitude Reproductive Support Dietary Supplement 60 packets:Amazon.co.uk:Health & Personal Care (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B008VR5MBQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1460732042&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=pregnitude)

I've not heard of it. Does it sway blue?

[maidentomother]

I don't think that is likely at all. I've had weird cramping mid LP sooooo many cycles since TTC. Also, 5dpo is too early to implant, and even 6dpo is rare; most embryos implant around 8dpo.

Pregnitude/inositol has never been shown to help with short LPs and can actually cause fertility issues in women who don't have PCOS/tendencies.

[honeybee37]

Yeah I think my two ds's implanted on 8dpo. Not that I've been scrutinising their charts or anything ;)

[atomic sagebrush]

Atomic? Maiden? Any ideas on why my LP might have got even shorter than last month? Do you think I should go back on vitex? 6 days def no good, is it?

Sometimes when you bump a post you will make it take longer for me to answer, since I go from oldest to newest and bumping makes it go to top of rotation.

I'd wait a week before bumping

[atomic sagebrush]

Also, do you think I actually NEED to put on a few pounds to regulate things and if so, is there a 'safe' way to do this that doesn't sway blue?! I am guessing not. I just don't know what to do right now!!!

Do not, I repeat DO NOT go back on vitex or start Pregnitude.

You do not need to toss everything out the window, we just need to GRADUALLY start turning the dial back the opposite direction. Do not worry that you'll sway blue doing this. If you do it gradually, you'll have time to adjust. The people who end up swaying blue are those who get where you are and totally give up.

I want you at 1800-2000 cals, 50-60 g protein, 50-60 g fat. I want you eating the full fat dairy every day, 4-6 eggs a week, and BOTH 1 serv. salmon and 1 serv. red meat a week (don't count the meat in your protein totals) If you need to add in a meal to do this, fine. 4 meals is still ok. But don't be snacking every 15 min. all day long. Exercise at 4 days a week. Be sure you're getting plenty of sleep. Drop fiber. I think switching to one of the alt. diets will make even more weight come off and I'd not want to remove the empty carbs totally, you do not have PCO tendencies, you have gone the other direction and do not need to lower your hormones any more, they're low enough!

I suspect this is a temporary bump in the road and may already be better by next month.

[atomic sagebrush]

5 DPO is too early for implantation anyway, and the cramping feeling does NOT come from the fertilized egg touching your uterus, it comes after the baby is already nestled in and your body starts sending tons of blood supply and hormones to the area to sustain a pregnancy.

How sure are you about when you ovulated.