Ladies... Help for that time of the month

katebuggie28

Today I didn't go to the gym because it is about that time of the month. I have no energy, and I wanted to eat everything in sight. Disgusted with myself today. What helps with cravings? Do you force yourself to workout or allow yourself the break?

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LessCookiess

I allow myself the break. If I have cravings I tend to act on it and just enjoy the food I'm eating.

kimny72

I sit on my butt and eat maintenance calories for 2 days every month. It affects every woman differently, but making yourself miserable or feeling guilty are pointless. Just do what you can do. You don't gain or lose weight based on what you do for a couple of days every month, unless you let it get in your head and get out of control.

Is the exercising new for you? When I first started working out, I wouldn't even try to exercise for most of my TOM, but now that it's a routine for me I find it can actually help my mood and physical symptoms if I stick to my schedule. I still take a couple of days off, because at that point moving at all makes me want to punch someone in the face

katebuggie28

I have been going to the gym 1-2 times a day 5 days a week for about two mths now. I usually look forward to it, but I just can't seem to drag myself out of bed to go. I usually do well with my calories, but i blew it today because of
Cravings. I have a slew of health issues including anemia, so maybe that is why I am feeling so tired.

mgobluetx12

I give in to cravings. I always know the night before I'm going to start because I'm ravenous. It usually doesn't show up much on the scale and you need a few more calories during TOM anyway, so do what's natural.

kshama2001

I don't workout on my heavy days because I am too debilitated to do so, but I get in as much exercise as possible beforehand - exercise helps me with PMS symptoms and cravings in general.

Increased appetite premenstrually is not the same as cravings - it's a normal reaction to the slight metabolism increase that happens at this time.

When I do the following, I don't have cravings:

1. Get sufficient sleep
2. Exercise regularly - when I get the happy hormones from exercise, I'm not prone to seeking them from food.
3. Get sufficient protein in relationship to carbs. I'm not low carb, but reducing carbs and upping protein worked for cravings for me. See also http://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthyliving/fuller/understanding-satiety-feeling-full-after-a-meal.html
4. Eat moderate amounts of fruit. This makes me less interested in higher calorie sweets.
5. Take a magnesium supplement. This can be especially helpful for women premenstrually.
6. Save foods like chocolate for after dinner, in small amounts
7. Stay hydrated
8. Have a calorie deficit that is appropriate for the amount of weight I need to lose. An overly aggressive goal can definitely lead to cravings.
9. Eat at maintenance when my appetite goes up premenstrually.

bbell1985

If I'm supposed to train, I train. No period is going to stop me from reaching my fitness goals.

And I eat halo top and giant salads.

stewartt3260

I totally understand where you coming from... I hate working out when it's my TOM and I'm " new" to committing to this new lifestyle of being active and eating right. So my solution to this was to just skip my period all together.