The FLO Living protocol has its foundation in the 4 phases of the menstrual cycle. Many women are only familiar with one or two phases of this cycle - usually menstruation and the premenstrual phase. Menstruation is obvious, because that’s when we bleed, and the premenstrual phase tends to come with many negative connotations as well as lived symptoms that make up our understanding of PMS - like mood swings, cravings, bloating, and acne.
Yet, there are 4 full phases of the menstrual cycle throughout which your hormone levels dance and interplay to release an egg, prepare your uterus for pregnancy, and finally, prepare for a new menstrual cycle. Every phase has different hormones that are peaking and others that are on their low ebb. Every phase carries with it a different energetic pattern or focus that hinges on the fluctuation of your hormones.
The FLO Living protocol is about tapping into that shifting energy to get the most out of your hormones, and your life. In this series we’ll look at the 4 phases of the menstrual cycle and, starting with the follicular phase, share what you can expect to learn from the Monthly FLO program, about harnessing your hormones for your health and happiness.
Once you know the basics, you will discover how the Cycle Syncing® Method can make your menstrual cycle your power center & your best asset all at once!
The follicular phase: the hormone science
The follicular phase is when your body is developing follicles in your ovary, ready for ovulation to occur. High amounts of the aptly-named follicle stimulating hormone is flooding your body at this time. Of the follicles that are being stimulated, one will burst to release the egg or ovum at ovulation. Estrogen is also peaking as it spurs on your uterus to prepare for a potential fertilized egg. Luteinizing hormone is released to support the follicles to maturation.
The follicular phase begins on the first day after the end of your period bleeding. It is the first day of your cycle and sometimes called Cycle Day 1 or CD1.
The length of your follicular phase can vary because ovulation can be delayed for days, weeks, or months because of your body’s inability to undertake the task. In a healthy cycle, the follicular phase would last 7-10 days, but your body needs help in achieving healthy cycles. There is a food & hormone connection - too little and our cycles will stop; too much of those hormone-disruptive foods and we will not ovulate; too little of the hormone-boosting foods and we won’t make enough hormones.
The Monthly FLO program provides a meal plan that will fuel your body to stimulate those follicles, ensuring the return of ovulation and regular menstrual cycles. Find out if you’re ovulating and where you are in your cycle today
The follicular phase: the energy science
Once you have menstrual cycle awareness, you will notice that you feel differently throughout your whole cycle. Download our MyFLO app to tune into your body and get reminders of where your hormones are at and how best to harness them for your benefit.
During the follicular phase, your physical energy is at its height. You have more stamina, you feel less tired, you can workout without much fatigue, you can tackle long hikes and long work meetings without flagging. You will be happy to socialize and pack your schedule with activities, and you’ll have the reserves to conquer it all.
Inside your body, it’s the beginning of a creative process - building to the potential creation of a new life (although, the energy is the same whether you’re planning or avoiding pregnancy at this time). It’s all about ideation, inspiration, project planning, and your whole self emerging in this new cycle, onto a new path.
During this time, as part of my Cycle Syncing® Method, I like to map out what I want to achieve in the weeks ahead of me. I set my intentions, I write down my goals and desires, I use my planner to draw up my schedule. If you’re more of a visual learner - you can use this phase to create a vision board for your new cycle. I carry a purple notebook with me during this phase, knowing that inspiration may strike at any time with new ideas for FLO Living.
The follicular phase: the Cycle Syncing® science
For your career: Begin a new project; host a brainstorming session with your team; take the team out for a celebratory dinner; welcome new teammates or employees; network; apply for a new job; start a new side business or creative project
For your social life: Say yes to all invitations, especially new experiences (a new exhibit, a band you’ve never seen, a new dance class, something outside of your usual comfort zone); pull a late-nighter and go out dancing with friends; try a new activity with your partner to bring you closer together; workout or hike with friends
For your workouts: Go hard on the cardio; try a bootcamp week; start a new kind of workout that’s complex or challenging for your body and brain; go on a yoga retreat
For your romance: Have a few date nights with your partner; do something new that you’re both curious to try; get experimental with your sex life; go on a dating app and meet someone new
Once you have menstrual cycle awareness, everything in life just FLOs. You’re choosing to work with your body, instead of against it. Cooperating with your hormones, hand-in-hand, leads you to getting all the best out of your life. Your body and mind is primed for these activities and it will all come easily and eagerly to you. Your body is encoded with the creative process happening inside your ovaries during the follicular phase via your hormone patterns.
First, recognize that you already feel this way during this phase - know it, love it, embrace it as part of your life. Second, give yourself the permission to do things that feel the most natural for you during this phase. Taking this step means banishing stress, moodiness, fatigue, and frustration - and leads straight to feeling more in your FLO every single day.
We believe that no woman should suffer simply because she has a period
And we also know that it’s not always possible to get access to functional and holistic healthcare solutions — sometimes they’re too far away and most of the time they are way too expensive. That’s why we offer phone and Skype consultation sessions with our FLO coaches.
All of our expert FLO coaches have been trained by Alisa on top of being certified health coaches and licensed acupuncturists. And they are all qualified to help you find the right next step to get out of hormonal chaos and into your FLO. Work with a FLO Coach and find your customized plan to solve your period symptoms.
