I’m an 18 year old female athlete. In the game I play, I have to watch my weight to fit in a certain weight category before competitions. Last year, I lost around 8 kg before a competition. Thank God I did well in that competition, but I stopped getting my period for 6 months. Right now I have to lose 5 to 6 kg, I want to know what is the best way to lose that weight without affecting my period and my health. Please help me, I should start working on losing that weight.
Wow, this is a tough situation.
Your ability to have periods is directly related to the amount of body fat you carry.
Less than 20% and you will stop getting periods.
More than 23-25% body fat, and you will start to flirt with health issues.
If you STOP getting periods, you will start to lose bone density (Given the content of your inquiry, however, I’m sure you’re already aware of this).
At about the age of 19 yrs., women tend to ossify (their cartilaginous growth plates turn into bone) thereby ending the skeletal growth process and giving the woman an additional 10-15 lbs. of non-fat bodyweight (the clothes still fit fine, you just weigh more …).
Please, please consider going up to another weight class, if this is an option.
I know that this can be quite scary, but your health and long-term well-being is at stake here (REALLY).
Good luck with this.