Ladies....do you give yourself a "pass" during THAT time?

AKNMHunt

I just started yesterday and I am having a really REALLY hard time not shoving crap in my face. I want all the sweets and junk out there. I was bad and had two cookies and a fudge bar yesterday and I want MORE.

I'm also hoping that this is why I haven't lost much.

melanieliving

Nope, I modify my workout slightly(no inverted poses), but it's something that happens every month and it's not a disability so I keep at it. Treating yourself is fine as long as you stay accountable in my books.

Keep in mind weight fluctuation is VERY common and normal to fluctuate 0-5lbs (or so) during menstruation, and 0-3lbs (or so) during ovulation, this is common, temporary and normal.

tulips_and_tea

No. And I think allowing it only sets you up for repeated slip-ups each month because in your mind you've already convinced yourself that you need to. Granted, I don't have periods anymore - had a medical procedure done when I was done having kids and haven't had to bother with that nonsense ever since.

I do understand that some have more trouble than others, but my first sentence still stands: if you allow it once, you will probably just continue a bad pattern when it probably isn't even necessary.

futuremanda

I do my best, and often that means I do as well as any other day. But sometimes I will eat 100-300 more calories, or work in a treat or snack that I wouldn't otherwise have had. I operate the same as usual, it's just that I may have more cravings and more hunger that fall into what I don't ignore. (ex. feeling physically weak or sick from hunger or emotionally unstable from hunger, a craving that WILL NOT leave me in peace so why not just go eat the thing, etc) <-- All of these times, I will usually do the best I can to address them in a smart, minimally damaging to progress, but effective way. They just come up a bit more frequently at time of the month. (And I don't think doing this has ever hurt my progress.)

One thing that works for me in general is to have treats in the evening. If I have cookies with breakfast, that's totally like, past me who had those cookies. Current me wants more cookies. You know? Then you're stuck all day like, well, I already ate it so... Instead, if I want something extra special, I plan to have it at night. Not restrict all day and cave at night... plan. It works well for me. I could easily have had those two cookies and fudge bar, but like well after dinner, and then not felt like I needed more and more and more forever. It would feel super satisfying to me, whereas if I had it at lunch, after dinner, I'd be wanting more cookies.

Another trick is to pair my treat with something satisfying and healthy. It ups the calories, but it also will really fill me up. So instead of two cookies, but still hungry, ugh, it's two cookies and some greek yoghurt (full fat, flavoured). Way better than four cookies, or cookies and a fudge bar, or two cookies and still hungry, still bugged by cravings.

I'd also recommend trying extra hard not to have carb-heavy meals and snacks. Get your proteins and fats, as well as extra water. It will help with the hunger and the general uck feelings.

terar21

Oops. Ignore.

terar21

Phone accidental entered my last post unwritten.

Anyway, no. I don't give myself a pass. It's a week out of our month in which "passing" could easily negate all of our hard work. Try to focus on exercise during that time. It'll help a lot with pain. Eat things you enjoy within reason so you don't feel deprived.

cgrooms676

The only pass I give myself is that I don't weigh myself during that week as I know the number will always be more than it actually is.

jemhh

I sometimes allow myself to eat ~200 calories more for a couple of days. My biggest symptom is extreme tiredness so eating extra isn't generally an issue for me. Oh, and I usually have one day when I pretty much hate everything about everything. It would be nice if all of that internal rage would burn extra calories but, alas, it does not.

Altagracia220

BZAH10 wrote: »

No. And I think allowing it only sets you up for repeated slip-ups each month because in your mind you've already convinced yourself that you need to. Granted, I don't have periods anymore - had a medical procedure done when I was done having kids and haven't had to bother with that nonsense ever since.

I do understand that some have more trouble than others, but my first sentence still stands: if you allow it once, you will probably just continue a bad pattern when it probably isn't even necessary.

I agree with this post.

Altagracia220

jazmin220 wrote: »

BZAH10 wrote: »

No. And I think allowing it only sets you up for repeated slip-ups each month because in your mind you've already convinced yourself that you need to. Granted, I don't have periods anymore - had a medical procedure done when I was done having kids and haven't had to bother with that nonsense ever since.

I do understand that some have more trouble than others, but my first sentence still stands: if you allow it once, you will probably just continue a bad pattern when it probably isn't even necessary.

I agree with this post.

Also, I don't weigh myself during that time.

Francl27

I never give myself a pass except for Holidays, my anniversary, and my birthday.

I do however have to eat more a few days before my period, because I'm just ravenous.. I just turn into a bottomless pit but I'm not giving myself a pass... I still try not to eat if I'm not hungry (which unfortunately doesn't seem to happen unless I'm way over my goal lately), and I feel bad for overeating (but the alternative is to pass out or throw up, I think). And every month I just hope the next one will be easier, because it sets me off two weeks sometimes, and it sucks.

But once my period is here, honestly I'm just not that hungry, so I don't really have that excuse.

HaggisWhisperer

Normally I try to eat about 100 - 200 cals under my allowance for the day so I can save some up for the weekend. At "that time of the month" however I find I have to eat my full allowance for a couple of days as I an just so hungry. In the past if I didn't eat the extra I'd end up going nuts and eating even more calories (and those were not healthy choices).

malibu927

Nope. I fit a treat into my day no matter where I am in my cycle and I don't feel the need to go after all the food.

GreenIceFloes

Yep, totally. I give myself an extra 100-200 calories when it's really bad. I often fill myself up with the stuff I'm craving instead of my usual meals. Like, I'll stick to my calorie goal most of the time, but instead of having a sandwich for lunch, I'll have a scoop of Haagen Dazs - you get the picture. Not the most nutritious week in terms of hitting my macros and micros, but very satisfying.

jemhh

I don't believe that allowing oneself a monthly indulgence is a "bad pattern."

MrsRuh

I get one cheat day a week where I allow myself an additional 500 calories of food or alcohol (it's almost always alcohol) with any nutritional content provided I met my activity goals so I feel like it's a treat but it doesn't affect my progress. I don't weigh myself "that week" because bloating only discourages us. Getting healthy doesn't mean punishing ourselves all the time, but we don't get to take a break from being women, embrace it and continue to hold yourself accountable.

SabrinaLovesPandora

Nope, I try not to allow myself anything that I can turn into an excuse to eat the things I shouldn't be eating.

Like many other ladies here, I don't weigh myself during that week either.

LookAWalrus

No, but I don't really have intense cravings or a ravenous feeling. Mostly just rage and hatred for everything. I eat chocolate and candy almost every day anyway so meh.

Lounmoun

No. I continue pretty normally. I do notice my hunger level spikes for maybe a day sometimes but I still log, try to eat pretty close to my calorie limit and exercise. Sometimes I eat a piece of dark chocolate... not a giant bag of chocolate or a gallon of ice cream.
If my weigh in day happens when I have my period I do weigh myself and record it with a note that my period started.
I have my period starting today actually and kind of don't feel like eating much. I feel more like sleeping.

LAWoman72

No, I do not give myself a pass. I will eat my exercise calories if I'm really hungry (normally I don't), but overeating will only keep me fat. It may be a cruel fact of life but there it is. I can't take my case to Mother Nature and have Her approve my extra calories for pass-through rather than absorption just because I'm exhausted, in pain and my 'mones are roiling (and God do they roil). I just can't, not happening.

So it's up to me...do I want to go crazy and stay fat, or do I want to stay on-plan and keep losing? That's not self-tough love or strong sassiness or determination or...anything but, well, biology. I can cry about it and stay fat or I can cry about it, stay on-plan and get thinner. (Or I could just not cry, hmm, never thought of that...well...nope. No. Gonna keep crying. That's just how I roll...)

Now, as far as certain specific things...I may eat overall crappier things (crapper as compared to an average non-hormone-ravaged day, I mean...everyone's definition of "crappy" is different), yes. I suppose in that way you could say I'm giving myself a pass, of sorts. Chocolate is everyone's PMS stand-by but I generally eat chocolate anyway on non-PMS days...I just plain like it. I may crave, say, some sort of takeout, which I will account for in my calorie goal. But sure, I eat it and enjoy it.

And yes, I get Godawful PMS...always have.

primrose2572

No I don't give myself a "pass" as such but I do give into my craving during that time ie chocolate. One thing for sure is that i ensure I stick within my calories goal for that day. Some months are harder than others, so I just go with the flow (no pun intended)

Justygirl77

Yes, I let the first 2-3 days be a gentler exercise schedule, like just walking. But I never eat a bunch of crappy foods....super unproductive. Besides there's so many amazing tasty healthful foods like coconut butter or dark chocolate or smoothie shakes.

FrownWellington

No, I don't give myself a pass. I do crave more chocolate than usual, but I make sure to fit it into my goals for the day. I am really awful about cheat meals turning into days into weeks, etc. That's what brought me here, heavier than I've ever been. So for where I am right now, it is just normal days like any other.

_whatsherface

I don't give myself a pass but it is definitely hard. I just try to make sure the damage isn't too significant. Though last night I did go over 300 cals -_-

BlackRoseSin

Nope. I crave sweets- mostly chocolate and pocky sticks- but it gets factored in. At most, I'll cut the exercise down to working days only, instead of every day.

Dragn77

Thats 5 days a month! Every month! Two months in a year! Noooo way I have goals to achieve here!! LoL

jennifer_417

I try not to, but I usually end up going over my calorie goal during TOM. I also know that, no matter what I do, I'm going to post a gain that week. But I know to expect it, so it doesn't bother me.

Unknown

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HOOKEM13

I try to watch my eating even more the first couple days because chances are I am too cramped and tired to make it to the gym or to do a workout worth counting. Perhaps try to find an alternative that fulfills your craving but doesn't kill your calorie intake. Sounds like maybe chocolate was your thing with the fudge and cookies so perhaps try to have a glass of chocolate milk. You are getting your sweet fix but not as much sugar and carbs and junk.

AKNMHunt

My periods are only 3 days. A few days vefore I go through my "eat and hate it all" phase and then on day two I am in a ton of pain and just want cookies and candy. I am not saying I would go 1,000 over or anything, maybe.

Adc7225

No way! I think it helps with the cravings if you keep track. They tend to sort sneak up on you and if you know when to really expect those cravings are going to start you can get ahead of them. If I know what is going on and just go ahead and have whatever I am craving at the moment I tend to then just get over it - usually because as much as my mind tells me I need it once I eat it I really don't get any satisfaction from it.

I still workout as usual if not harder to work out the mood swings!