MY PERIOD IS RUINING MY PROGRESS

Amberlynnek

Have you ever asked your doctor about PMDD? I don't know what your other symptoms are when you get your period but I was diagnosed with it a few years ago. My period would force me into a binge cycle for a week and my mood levels were all out of whack. I'd launch into a full blown depression when I'm otherwise a very happy person. I would have a very controlled diet up until the week before my period and I could eat 10,000 calories in a day and continue on that path for a week. I also had an outrageous appetite that seemed like it could never be satiated. I lost all my energy to the point where I would need to sleep for about 10 -12 hours a night just to feel remotely useful. As you know, period symptoms and periods can take 2 weeks out of your month. Once I was diagnosed and given a prescription (serafim - its basically a mild dose of prozak) I am back to normal and my period no longer affects my diet or launches me into a binge cycle. Talk to you doctor about it.

timberowl

One thing I saw someone recommend once (though I have yet to try) is chocolate flavored tea. Throw a little Truvia or Stevia in there and you've got yourself 0-calorie chocolate to satisfy those cravings.

Graelwyn75

Yes, every woman is different and the fact that I have seen this topic turn up more times than I can count, suggests that cravings during that time of the month are more the norm, rather than the exception.

Or, you know, the fact that if you live in the developed world, we blame all unwanted behavior on "hormones" and that "time of the month" because somehow, if it's unavoidable, then it's socially ok to be short with people, overeat, not exercise, fail to meet obligations and otherwise engage in behavior that we couldn't easily excuse.

Your period is not a free pass or an excuse. Like the girls who skipped gym class a week every month in middle school, all it does is embolden the rest of the population to not take you seriously, and worse, to not take other women seriously.

Eat badly, treat others badly, exercise, don't exercise, but don't blame your hormones or your uterus - neither are running the show. Your brain runs the show, and it makes choices. Own them.

I was not speaking of myself personally, my dear. I continue to workout thank you very much, but I will also listen to my body rather than punish it needlessly if I do not feel up to the task. Maybe direct your comment at people in general rather than assuming that I am one of those who uses it as an excuse.
I also suggest you remember that there are some women who get such severe issues with their periods that they vomit from the pain or pass out from the heaviness of their bleeding.

Ophidion

Yes, every woman is different and the fact that I have seen this topic turn up more times than I can count, suggests that cravings during that time of the month are more the norm, rather than the exception.

Or, you know, the fact that if you live in the developed world, we blame all unwanted behavior on "hormones" and that "time of the month" because somehow, if it's unavoidable, then it's socially ok to be short with people, overeat, not exercise, fail to meet obligations and otherwise engage in behavior that we couldn't easily excuse.

Your period is not a free pass or an excuse. Like the girls who skipped gym class a week every month in middle school, all it does is embolden the rest of the population to not take you seriously, and worse, to not take other women seriously.

Eat badly, treat others badly, exercise, don't exercise, but don't blame your hormones or your uterus - neither are running the show. Your brain runs the show, and it makes choices. Own them.

Awesome, I'll remember it's all in my head and just an excuse when I'm sobbing uncontrollably and wishing I were dead during the one day of the month I lose control of my PMS and lay in bed all day. It's all just an excuse!! I can own this! All these hormones surging around my body are just my imagination and I can overcome them with healthy eating and a positive attitude!!
I am super englightened now.

Because really....complaining is better than seeking medical treatment.....yup

And making blanket statements that are both condescending and rude should help.

Also if the person you quoted has one bad day a month should she be required to seek out medical procedures or expensive tests for something that is natural and can for some be quite difficult to deal with, but she is aware of it and deals with it as do most woman.

Not all bad periods are medical emergencies or conditions.

Yes she is on my FL and have never seen her give up, whine, seek sympathy on these bad days.

Maybe you should be a little more understanding in the sense you seem to be all to ready to debate everyone who has difficult TOM.

Who made you mistress of the menstruation cycle?

Yes I am male and do not have first hand experience with having a period but I do not have to be to notice your arrogance concerning the topic and other peoples experiences.

Greytfish

I live in a country where treatment for these issues is not common.
ETA: I'm not trying to make this thread about me, but when you make a broad sweeping statement about how we blame "all unwanted behaviour on hormones" I believe you need to check yourself. I'm very pleased for you for never having had a problem with your periods, I do NOT use mine as an "excuse" to over eat or to slack off my exercise. I keep a close track of my cycle and plan accordingly.

I made a general statement about a general trend amongst women in the developed world. A whole lot of people self-identified themselves as subjects of that phenomenon and then went on to argue that they don't engage in that phenomenon, which is illogical. If you don't promote the idea that hormones rather than conscious choice are responsible for your behavior, you don't need to point out that you aren't part of that trend. Unless, of course, you just want to fabricate reason for righteous indignation.

Also, it helps if you're going to debate something that you have actually read before responding. If you had, you would not have posted something as flippantly or ignorantly as that you are "pleased for you for never having had a problem with your period" immediately after I've repeatedly disclosed that I have, in fact, had multiple very significant problems.

And making blanket statements that are both condescending and rude should help.

Also if the person you quoted has one bad day a month should she be required to seek out medical procedures or expensive tests for something that is natural and can for some be quite difficult to deal with, but she is aware of it and deals with it as do most woman.

Not all bad periods are medical emergencies or conditions.

Yes she is on my FL and have never seen her give up, whine, seek sympathy on these bad days.

Maybe you should be a little more understanding in the sense you seem to be ready to debate everyone who a difficult TOM.

Yes I am male and do not have first hand experience with having a period but I do not have to be to notice your arrogance concerning the topic and other peoples experiences.

I know as a male you probably wouldn't know this, even women often don't know this (frighteningly because many doctors tell you it's just normal and you have to learn to live with it - yikes), but if a woman is sobbing uncontrollably and wishing she were dead during the one day of the month and lays in bed all day there really is something terribly wrong. Sure, it's not a life or death ememregncy like a heart attack, but it is a sign of serious dysfunction. It can have multiple sources, and you can find a great many doctors who will dismiss it as something you have to tolerate, but that does not mean that serious, sometimes irreversible, damage isn't being done to the endocrine system and the woman's health and future fertility. It also does not mean that something as simple as a more detailed blood panel cannot pinpoint the problem so it can be resolved before further suffering or harm.

Why do doctors not treat symptoms like this more aggressively? Traditionally they have handled it in a lassiaz faire way ebcause most of the fertility consequences are somewhat delayed and their pateints were reporducing in their late teens and early 20s. Also, it's much easier to convince a woman to live with dysfunction and discomfort because we already deal with inconvenience. Try selling a man on the idea that something could be done to avoid uncontrollable sobbing and the inability to get out of bed, but that he should just live with it....

Ophidion

This is why women shouldn't be in the military!!!!

Now that is a low blow. I'm a 2 time combat veteran. You haven't lived until you have changed a tampon on the side of the road at night in full battle gear while someone in a Humvee covers you. I do agree if you are big whiney baby, male or female, the military is NOT the place for you. My period has never affected my service. If anything it helps, as I'm more hostile than the majority of my male teammates.

determinedbutlazy

I do not overeat during my period, but I occasionally have severe bouts of uncontrollable depression and suicidal thoughts that I can't control... It is not a large leap for me to make to identify with women who demonstrate "out of control" behaviour during their menstrual cycle, be it eating or otherwise.

You're fantastic at telling me to read, by the way... Like, REALLY good at it. I wish you had been my literature teacher.

Oh wait, no I don't, because I read anyway.

And yes, I would love to go to a doctor and get loaded up on pills to help me with the days that are really hard, I really would. That would be great. But that isn't available to me. So if I want to eat at maintenance and spend a day in bed, should I feel like I'm "wimping out" or "letting myself down" or "making excuses"? No. And I won't. Not even if you ask me really nicely.

Ophidion

I live in a country where treatment for these issues is not common.
ETA: I'm not trying to make this thread about me, but when you make a broad sweeping statement about how we blame "all unwanted behaviour on hormones" I believe you need to check yourself. I'm very pleased for you for never having had a problem with your periods, I do NOT use mine as an "excuse" to over eat or to slack off my exercise. I keep a close track of my cycle and plan accordingly.

I made a general statement about a general trend amongst women in the developed world. A whole lot of people self-identified themselves as subjects of that phenomenon and then went on to argue that they don't engage in that phenomenon, which is illogical. If you don't promote the idea that hormones rather than conscious choice are responsible for your behavior, you don't need to point out that you aren't part of that trend. Unless, of course, you just want to fabricate reason for righteous indignation.

Also, it helps if you're going to debate something that you have actually read before responding. If you had, you would not have posted something as flippantly or ignorantly as that you are "pleased for you for never having had a problem with your period" immediately after I've repeatedly disclosed that I have, in fact, had multiple very significant problems.

And making blanket statements that are both condescending and rude should help.

Also if the person you quoted has one bad day a month should she be required to seek out medical procedures or expensive tests for something that is natural and can for some be quite difficult to deal with, but she is aware of it and deals with it as do most woman.

Not all bad periods are medical emergencies or conditions.

Yes she is on my FL and have never seen her give up, whine, seek sympathy on these bad days.

Maybe you should be a little more understanding in the sense you seem to be ready to debate everyone who a difficult TOM.

Yes I am male and do not have first hand experience with having a period but I do not have to be to notice your arrogance concerning the topic and other peoples experiences.

I know as a male you probably wouldn't know this, even women often don't know this (frighteningly because many doctors tell you it's just normal and you have to learn to live with it - yikes), but if a woman is sobbing uncontrollably and wishing she were dead during the one day of the month and lays in bed all day there really is something terribly wrong. Sure, it's not a life or death ememregncy like a heart attack, but it is a sign of serious dysfunction. It can have multiple sources, and you can find a great many doctors who will dismiss it as something you have to tolerate, but that does not mean that serious, sometimes irreversible, damage isn't being done to the endocrine system and the woman's health and future fertility. It also does not mean that something as simple as a more detailed blood panel cannot pinpoint the problem so it can be resolved before further suffering or harm.

Why do doctors not treat symptoms like this more aggressively? Traditionally they have handled it in a lassiaz faire way ebcause most of the fertility consequences are somewhat delayed and their pateints were reporducing in their late teens and early 20s. Also, it's much easier to convince a woman to live with dysfunction and discomfort because we already deal with inconvenience. Try selling a man on the idea that something could be done to avoid uncontrollable sobbing and the inability to get out of bed, but that he should just live with it....

and your arrogance and blanket statements continue, I imagine a majority of women who have symptoms as severe as you describe seek treatment and testing.

By all means feel free to give out helpful and useful advice concerning health and well being, even advice based on your own personal experiences but do you have to be such an arrogant condescending person about it.

I recommend you read over your replies and see the level of arrogance and lack of humility you have shown and see how it may negate any useful advice you may give.

KendaVSG

With only one small meal, no wonder! It sounds like you're trying to fill up on snacky/sweet stuff. Try filling up with protein and some fat. It really does help with hunger.

MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY!!

Libertysfate

Also how old are you? Your period is not an excuse...it's going to happen for a very long time so you've got to figure out how to deal with it.

Ditto to this. I tend to be more hungry during this time, probably due to the blood loss, but I also read that it's the best time to get in an intense workout, too, something about hormones. I read it in an article in passing months ago and don't remember the exact details. I've managed to lose weight steadily and keep it off without any problems or having to starve myself. You probably just need more protein.

Nikoruo

I eat a lot on my shark week. Though it doesn't/hasn't ruined my progress. I may gain a slight amount during that time but it always falls back off. I've continually lost 10lbs/month for the last... well almost year now. That is the highest healthy amount to lose... aka 2lbs a week approximately. So don't let your time control you, you control it. So control your portions (don't worry about eating slightly more or slightly unhealthier, i feel our body craves more in general during this time), just make sure to jump right on track once it's passed and you'll see it's only a small stone on your run to victory. goodluck!

Lannister80

Honestly, I would just recommend watching your sodium intake...and then if you're like, screw that, I needed that handful of Doritos (*shifts eyes*), drink plenty of water and plain tea. I am one of those people who was so against exercising while PMSing/on my period because I just wanted to lie in bed and wallow, but I've truly realized how much it really helps relieve pain and cravings. When my legs start to hurt, I just look at my pills for confirmation and go Ok, bloat week's coming, gotta be careful. If you eat a balanced diet during that time (with some little treats, we're human), the water weight will shed easily. Right now my face is puffy and I'm cranky, but I'm not going to eat a junior bacon cheeseburger out of spite, nor am I going to just subside on a small serving of Wegman's sushi (options are limited around my work). It's all about balance and watching salt.

xscat

Yep we have to figure out a way to deal with it....

But geez people are mean!! As someone who has literally passed out from the pain and waken up in the middle of the night randomly and started crying during my TOM, I truly doubt the statement of "it's all a lame excuse".

Not everybody reacts the same to menstrual periods.... And did I mention that my doctor gave me the pill to fix and regulate my periods but they messed it further up instead? And by the end of it my doctor just told me "I think you are just prone to this" and gave me iron pills... Cuz she didn't have anything better for me.

Point is, you don't ACTUALLY know what's going on in another woman's body, or how SHE feels; hell most of the time you don't even know what's going on in yours. Why do you have to been so harsh on others???

Are you going to tell someone suffering depression and having trouble getting out of bed "no blame game" and just "snap out of it and stop using it as an excuse"????

Greytfish

and your arrogance and blanket statements continue, I imagine a majority of women who have symptoms as severe as you describe seek treatment and testing.

By all means feel free to give out helpful and useful advice concerning health and well being, even advice based on your own personal experiences but do you have to be such an arrogant condescending person about it.

I recommend you read over your replies and see the level of arrogance and lack of humility you have shown and see how it may negate any useful advice you may give.

If you value form over content, you should really skip my posts all together. I've plenty of humility but I'm not a sugar coating type of person.

If you read back, you can note that we are discussing two different things: 1) normal women who choose to engage or not engage in behaviors they avoid during other points in their cycle; and 2) women who actually have medical dysfunction that should be medically addressed. They are worlds apart.

Some women do seek out treatment and testing, but many do not - a majority don't seek treatment unless or until thier condition deteriorates so as to exceed the amount of time they can miss work and meet their obligations. Of those that do, only a small percentage will have a doctor who does testing beyond a basic CBC./Chem/T4 the first withing the first 4 times they visit a specialist (OBGYN or fetritilty doc or endo). Almost none will have any testing at all if they complain to a GP or PCP.

The way doctors treat this will change over time, given that women are generally marrying and reproducing at later ages, but that still won't change anything for those who don't report problems. Until that changes generally, though not addressing dysfunction is a known cause of infertility and other complications, there's not way to definitively determine that untreated condition was the sole or primary cause and even if you can make a strong circumstantial case for that, not having insistently sought treatment for the dysfunction is used against the women who are denied or delayed services and treatment for both dysfunction and infertility issues on that basis.

tegalicious

Yep we have to figure out a way to deal with it....

But geez people are mean!! As someone who has literally passed out from the pain and waken up in the middle of the night randomly and started crying during my TOM, I truly doubt the statement of "it's all a lame excuse".

Not everybody reacts the same to menstrual periods.... And did I mention that my doctor gave me the pill to fix and regulate my periods but they messed it further up instead? And by the end of it my doctor just told me "I think you are just prone to this" and gave me iron pills... Cuz she didn't have anything better for me.

Point is, you don't ACTUALLY know what's going on in another woman's body, or how SHE feels; hell most of the time you don't even know what's going on in yours. Why do you have to been so harsh on others???

Are you going to tell someone suffering depression and having trouble getting out of bed "no blame game" and just "snap out of it and stop using it as an excuse"????

All of this!!

Greytfish

Yep we have to figure out a way to deal with it....

But geez people are mean!! As someone who has literally passed out from the pain and waken up in the middle of the night randomly and started crying during my TOM, I truly doubt the statement of "it's all a lame excuse".

Not everybody reacts the same to menstrual periods.... And did I mention that my doctor gave me the pill to fix and regulate my periods but they messed it further up instead? And by the end of it my doctor just told me "I think you are just prone to this" and gave me iron pills... Cuz she didn't have anything better for me.

Point is, you don't ACTUALLY know what's going on in another woman's body, or how SHE feels; hell most of the time you don't even know what's going on in yours. Why do you have to been so harsh on others???

Are you going to tell someone suffering depression and having trouble getting out of bed "no blame game" and just "snap out of it and stop using it as an excuse"????

You should get a second opinion. Maybe a third one if the second opinion is anything like the first. Seriously, in every med school someone graduates first and someone graduates last. Find someone who will listen to you and take you seriously.

AmyRhubarb

All of these helpful folks... with good questions....



C'mon OP. Help us help you.

Seriously!

I skimmed through - has the OP even responded? I didn't see it if she did. Just a bunch of posts with people arguing over who has the worst period pain? :huh:

To address the topic title - periods don't ruin progress, we do. Period is going to happen (unless you're preggers), so might as well learn to deal with it. I still exercise, even with pain, and have found that I take far less pain killers these days because of it.

As for cravings - yeah, I still get them, but they don't seem to be as bad, and I've learned to snack on healthier things, with a little of the goodies thrown in. A serving of chips with lunch (measure them out and then put the bag away!), snack on almonds and some dark chocolate, dip sliced apples in Nutella.

And of course it natural to show a gain on the scale during that time - totally normal, always drops off, so no need for despair. Be ready for it. Stay off the scale if it bugs ya.

It life, we're in this for life, right? So learn to roll with it.

TX_Rhon

Who made you mistress of the menstruation cycle?

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

mschicagocubs

This topic is out of hand.:grumble:

Sunshine2plus2

Well my goodness I dont know how I ever survived losing this weight!?! You control you!