Ladies: Staying on track during that time of the month

kavonariyon

Am I the only that can do great on a diet/lifestyle change UNTIL my monthly gift comes, then I crash and burn! I crave sugary juices, candy, and fattening foods. I go so long with holding off on eating them until I become grumpy & aggressive then for the sake of my family & friends I give in. Any women out there found a way to win their battles?

Enthusiast84

I feel your pain sister and I'm pleased to tell you that for me anyway this has got so much easier the more weight I have lost. I don't fight it...

I do eat more but don't go overboard like I would before. I eat junk food in moderation as part of my normal diet but for the time of the month I'll eat more by going for nutrition so it's things like almonds, bananas etc as I find these satisfy me longer and can supresses my appetite.

If I go over 1-200 cals for a few days I don't sweat it as some other days I will go under so it balances itself out.

kimny72

I ate maintenance calories for 2 days every month when I was trying to lose. I would end up eating that or more anyway, and I found giving myself permission eliminated the guilt which was actually making me go overboard :drinker:

Sp1tfire

maintenance cals or even + 100 for me works.

babysaffy

I just work treats into my plan but I've found that all the exercising and healthier eating I'm doing has made my pre time of the months symptoms so much milder.

kommodevaran

Figure out if "do great" really means "undereating/deprivation" and that your period acts as an "excuse" to go "off track"; if demonizing foods you particularly like (calling them "sugary/fattening") helps you stay away, or just intensifies your desire/feeling of being out of control around them; and if you can find a way to reduce the amount of too-tempting-and-easy-to-overeat foods in your immediate surroundings.

Oh, I'm a woman too, and I don't have a battle.

JaiNicole7

This is a struggle for me too, but I actually just completed my cycle without cheating. I think it was because I was determined to stick within my cals as I had already recently cheated with Easter (and went beyond the holiday still cheating), and I really wanted to get back on track. I had a few things but kept them within my cal goals instead of usual eating almost with abandon during my period. I sipped hot tea, and opted for smaller versions of things-like a half meat ball sandwich instead of whole. It worked for the first time & I'm pretty excited about it.

Cheesy567

Eat at maintenance calories, and plan in foods that you tend to crave. For me, that’s steak and dark chocolate. Same plan for the two days around ovulation.

JaydedMiss

I havent had a period in 8 months i have PCOS but i swear its sort of like my hormones are ALWAYS high and i never get the release so i can say with experience its like a muscle, Practice ignoring it and it does get easier. That said its kind of hard to flex that muscle when you only have it a few days a month. I started by focusing hugely on getting in my greens and iron rich foods...Try to get out of the mindset that your period is a hormonal time of loss of control, Try to think of it as a time your body needs extra nourishment. I dont necessarily mean extra calories. Focus on solid meals with fat protein and carbs maybe even some fruit for dessert...whatever works. keeping it nutrient dense say with high vegetables gives your body what it needs always but even more so when on your period.

The mindset change you apply daily with your weight loss can be carried into a period, You just need to begin to let go of the "my period makes me lose control" mindset is all. Just like any other bad habit. If your hungry go make a proper meal, I can guarentee even if it takes you over calories your much less likely to do any real damage compared to just using the excuse to dive into every snack food ever. If you dont want a real healthy solid meal then your not hungry, Remind yourself that and go try to keep busy. Maybe a short walk and a big glass of water. Eespecially in the long run once youve broken that habit. Be kind to your body, Sure if you really want a cookie have a cookie but remember your body wants nourishment and balance. Being on your period doesnt change that. Its just habit and excuses, No matter how good that excuse is or feels at the time. Nothing about your period makes your body want junk, Just your mind and mouth.


edit to add: if your like me its also a good thing to begin to remind yourself, But with me when i begin eating the "bad" foods -coming from someone whose entirely for eating bad foods so take this as im intending it and dont read into it- But when i begin eating the "bad" it is 10000x harder to stop then if i just didnt start. Especially if hormonal. Remind yourself that. It will taste good for a few minutes but then it will be done and you will want more. Unless your willing to side step your goals and go ham on the junk sometimes its easier to just say no and make a choice based on your bodies true wants vs your current mental wants. Treats are great, But only when your in control.

RoxieDawn

Go to maintenance for 1-2-3 days and/or change your diet to work in 'sugary juices, candy, and fattening foods'. If you work them in you 'deficit' you will stay on point with weight loss, if you go to maintenance you will lose slower this week.

I don't get crazy cravings, just lower energy levels for a couple of days and mine is probably psychological thinking that increasing my carbs will give me that energy boost, it doesn't make me feel better or different. I try to stay in line with cals and adjust if want to have something different, but nothing any different the other days of the month really.

You will be dealing with this long past weight loss, so find a method or stategy that works for you.

happytree923

See a doctor about getting on birth control. I used to binge every single cycle no matter what. I started birth control for unrelated reasons and all the cravings, grumpiness, etc. went away completely. I suffered for years because I felt like birth control would be ‘cheating’ or unnaturally messing with my body, it was silly in retrospect.

nooshi713

No food cravings. I am so bloated that time of the month that the last thing I want to do is eat. My main symptom is menstrual migraines which sucks.

kavonariyon

happytree923 wrote: »

See a doctor about getting on birth control. I used to binge every single cycle no matter what. I started birth control for unrelated reasons and all the cravings, grumpiness, etc. went away completely. I suffered for years because I felt like birth control would be ‘cheating’ or unnaturally messing with my body, it was silly in retrospect.

I was on birth control for a few years and it helped everything from my pain, to my mood, and cravings. I thought about getting back on.