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LADIES... How do you deal with the cravings?

pianoplaya94
pianoplaya94 Posts: 185 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Before you TOM, if you get any, how do you deal with the sweet cravings? For the past couple of days I have ONLY been craving sugar. I am pretty sure I gained atleast a pound (maybe 2) from these crazy cravings.

Replies

  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,055 Member
    I used to have pre-menstrual sugar cravings for a week or so and dealt with them by eating a pint or two of Ben & Jerry's. However, over the past three months, I have made some changes and while this month I did have a few thoughts like "French bread would be nice" I didn't have those intense CRAVINGS. Changes I made:
    1. More exercise
    2. More protein
    3. More veggies
    4. Less overall carbs by reducing bread/pasta/baked goods, etc.
    5. More fruit

    I also take a magnesium supplement - chocolate cravings can be a sign of a magnesium deficiency. (I still eat small amounts of high quality chocolate, but I no longer CRAVE it.)
  • PixelPuff
    PixelPuff Posts: 902 Member
    I plan to include some chocolate into my calories, or I ignore the cravings entirely.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Eat something sweet.
  • macgurlnet
    macgurlnet Posts: 1,946 Member
    I'm going to second everything @kshama2001 has said.

    If you're craving chocolate and/or sugar, definitely try the magnesium supplement. I used to down Mountain Dew and M&Ms all day long during my period. I don't feel that need anymore, though I tend to have extra treats those days.

    If you tend to eat a ton of potato chips or similar, try increasing your sodium intake in the week or so leading up to it. Even just having something like pickles could help.

    ~Lyssa
  • griffinca2
    griffinca2 Posts: 672 Member
    I'm w/PixelPuff, I allow myself abt 1 1/3 TBSP of Nestle' Dark Chocolate Chips after dinner most nights. If you think something isn't allowed or you "can't eat _____ (fill in the blank" any more you set yourself up for failure. If you look at it as a lifestyle change that you can stay with (rather than a short lived diet) you have a better chance of losing the weight and keeping it off.
  • Kriistabell
    Kriistabell Posts: 181 Member
    IIFYM. Plan your proteins for the day, eat the fat and carbs to what you'd like :)

    Check my diary if you're curious what I ate today. I just had an ice cream cone and am hundreds of calories below my goal!

    FYI - 4 pounds down in 1 week with 4-5 days of heavy lifting and no cardio. I love life again! :sunglasses:
  • Kriistabell
    Kriistabell Posts: 181 Member
    Oh, if it is private, then add me.
  • maggiemay530
    maggiemay530 Posts: 123 Member
    Yes! Fill up with good healthy foods... have them on hand and ready to grab. Also, really accept that no food has to be forbidden and when those cravings come just tell yourself, " I can have that cupcake or donut (whatever) whenever I want, but I'm choosing not to right now". Some days it's saying that a million times.
    Just assure yourself you can pass through that craving by shaking it out and getting busy with something else; focus thoughts elsewhere. oftentimes cravings pass after a few weeks of putting them off... I even got to the point of great satisfaction from just smelling a bag of chocolate chips. Before that I was eating 10 or so and of course before that I could consume the whole bag! So it can be done and can actually become natural to walk away.
    Don't beat yourself up if you do have that special treat...
    Just make sure you do it consciously, savor it, enjoy it and know it was a decision you made, not your head convincing you that you HAVE to do it! A cheat here and there amounts to nothing. The danger lies in reviving the old craves and letting them in and giving in to them daily.
  • cld111
    cld111 Posts: 300 Member
    I don't necessarily have sweet cravings, but I'm STARVING all during the week before TOM. I give up and go over my calories for the week. It usually balances out the next week when I'm not as hungry and I go way under calories at least a couple of days. I think if you have a strong craving, fit it in. Otherwise, it may drive you to madness. :)
  • hekla90
    hekla90 Posts: 595 Member
    edited July 2015
    Kriistabell wrote: »
    IIFYM. Plan your proteins for the day, eat the fat and carbs to what you'd like :)

    Check my diary if you're curious what I ate today. I just had an ice cream cone and am hundreds of calories below my goal!

    FYI - 4 pounds down in 1 week with 4-5 days of heavy lifting and no cardio. I love life again! :sunglasses:

    Your deficit for the week was 14,000 calories? That seems excessive or it is water weight. I would have to fast and burn 500 calories a day to get close to that lol. Admittedly calories to maintain for me are low since I'm very small...
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    This is kind of coming to an end for me, but I'd eat more. It worked out just fine because the week after - you know, the good week - I'd have next to no appetite. So I overate before it and under-ate afterwards. :)

  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,055 Member
    I wish menopause would hurry up already. I'm almost 50 and don't have a SINGLE SIGN of it yet, with the possible exception of the fibroid, which puffed up to the size of a pommelo this month >.<
  • pianoplaya94
    pianoplaya94 Posts: 185 Member
    Great, thanks! I'll go pickup magnesium supplements tomorrow! Does it have an immediate effect, or do you need to continuously take it before you see a reduction in cravings?
This discussion has been closed.

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