Cycle issues: please help

jenngerpeacox

I've been keto for 44 days. I have lost a total of 12 lbs until now.
A little background on me, I am 37, I had my first child December of 2013, had one period October of 2014 and had my second child September of 2015. I breastfed with both, stopped 8 weeks ago and still no period. The past 2-3 days I've been cramping and having some obvious water weight gain (had to take my rings off and my lower stomach looks really bloated like before I started this WOE. I've started gaining a little too over the last couple of days and feel very emotional. Obvious PMS going on. Not sure exactly how to deal with the cravings, extreme appetite, water weight, constipation, etc., any advice? I'm hoping this period is not as bad as my last since I had to take an iron supp.

jafinnearty

Water weight-gain has been a thorn in my side for years and I didn't even know it until I started on Keto! I gain roughly 3 pounds not only when on my actual period, but also when I'm on my fertile days! Talk about frustrating. Fortunately, though, the water always "falls off" by the time that part of the cycle is done...but only if I drink lots of water during that time. That sounds so counter-intuitive to me, but it actually is true.

I've been watching my cycle very closely for the past four months and it is quite consistent! The day before my expected fertile days, and two days before my expected period...BAM! 3 pounds higher on the scale!

Then the last day of each part...I get up on average 4 times in the night because my body is getting rid of it. That helps with the psychological back and forth on the scale.

AS for cravings...the only thing that has worked for me has been to remind myself of my goal (in my case it's being able to play and run with my little boy). Going through the grocery store is torture as there is no way to avoid some aisles that have the good stuff that would destroy my progress because I need to get the healthy stuff that will help me keep going! Will-power was never my friend when dieting before, so it's all about reminding myself of that goal.

Good luck to you! Please keep us posted!