A question for the Ladies

sublimedelirium

Honestly, I find that going out on a good run helps allieviate my cramping and is a good way to banish that nasty, bloated feel I get around that TOM. Also beats the depression which I tend to get around then too - what with the good endorphins. I get the chocolate cravings but I just make room for it, or if I want a LOT of chocolate, I just go for a longer run. Best of both worlds. I feel better afterwards, and I get to eat more chocolate.

DanniB423

I keep more fruits and veggies on hand that week than usual at that time! Baby carrots.. cucumber slices.. grapes.. Because for me it isn't really about cravings so much as just an impulse to snack on anything! I am like a deranged impulsive snacker during that time. I try to grab healthier options and daydream that it is Doritos :laugh:

DanniB423

haha shark week...LOVE it.

1Cor1510

There are days when I could eat the house and all it's contents. I log everything and make sure not to go over maintenence those days. I only get that about once every 2-3 months, don't get TOM due to hyst.

skinnykittydabitty

I totally sympathize with you! When it's my time of the month, I want to go live in a hole of chocolate cakes and no gyms. Alas, I know this will hurt me more than help me in the long run, and I get my butt to the gym, and stay below my calorie limits. No, the cravings to go to Starbucks for a sugary caramel frap don't go away, but I've actually found that exercise (and a midol or two) actually HELP the cramping (TMI alert: I'm on day 3 of the dreaded red wave, and I just did an hour of cardio and I feel better than before I worked out). Just keep going. You will be happy you did afterword.

Lindzpnc

IM so glad someone posted on this topic... seriously I got my first cycle after 14 months and man it came back full force and worse than I can ever remember... ok that might be a slight exaggeration but still.... and the moment It was here it was like a switch

---

I WANT CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I too feel like since im miserable than I should be able to eat whatever I WANT but its only been a few hours so I don't know how I am going to manage this first time around.

it was weird however yesterday I had almost no urge to snack..

ew_david

I could really make an excuse for any and everything, but I don't (usually). I'm not perfect, but I don't want to be either.

Lindzpnc

The day I stopped having excuses was the day I started seeing results.

so you are absolutely always at or below goal and you never mess up?

wow that's willpower... almost perfection

marisarinde

Oh, I most definitely use it as an excuse. I have endometriosis so my periods are especially painful. I still try to eat healthy (chocolate and strawberries, anyone? Haha) but I definitely don't exercise. It sucks because it's like a week lost in regards to exercise, but I literally can't because of the pain. Hope no one has to relate to this!

marisarinde

I don't use anything as an excuse to reach my goals. Women have been having periods for centuries. Make room for your cravings and you won't go over.

Wait, periods are not a recent invention? *blink* Blink*

I know right? Mind blowing...

You both are hilariously sarcastic haha my kind of people!

sarainiowa

No excuses. Excuses become a slippery slope to not reaching goals. Can't workout for periods, cramps, headaches, heart breaks, worked to late, kid was sick and on it goes. There's no excuses.

MelsAuntie

I don't use anything as an excuse to reach my goals. Women have been having periods for centuries. Make room for your cravings and you won't go over.

THIS ^^^ All day long.
( I'm past that now, but I'd feel so pain wracked and nauseous during that time I would usually eat very little. The only "cravings" I got were for pain killers, NOT food of any sort.)

williams969

The day I stopped having excuses was the day I started seeing results.

^^This. Excuses (I had one for every/any occasion) got me where I'm at. Every (except for those who don't) woman "deals" with this, since the dawn of time. I just said one day, "Enough." Done with the lame &ss excuses. Now, I will set a "buffer," meaning my usual 100-200 kcal snack may be replaced by a carefully measured junk food snack (mmm, I LOVE potato chips), but I will maintain my calorie deficit appropriately.

ethompso0105

Oh, I most definitely use it as an excuse. I have endometriosis so my periods are especially painful. I still try to eat healthy (chocolate and strawberries, anyone? Haha) but I definitely don't exercise. It sucks because it's like a week lost in regards to exercise, but I literally can't because of the pain. Hope no one has to relate to this!

I'm with you. I don't have diagnosed endometriosis, but it's suspected that I may. I hurt FAR too much during my TOM to work out, or even walk, typically. I try to be good with my food choices, but some days that just doesn't happen. I always try to remind myself, though, that if I go over for a day or two, I need to work hard to make up for that down the line.

I wish I had the willpower most of these other women have!!!

kmash32

I usually know I am going to go over a little on the first two days, so I exercise more the rest of the week to make up for it and I am good. But I don't tell myself that "oh it is that time of the month, just eat what you want", I will listen to my body though and if it really wants a chocolate chip cookie and I can't fit it in that day I will probably still have it just make up for it over the next few days.

shanesemathis

Believe it or not, exercising actually HELPS with the cramps! My main form of exercise is ZUMBA, so it not only distracts my mind from the cramps but also gets all of the blood circulating throughout my body to the point where I don't really feel the crams when I'm dancing. It is better to get up and get distracted from your period by a really good workout (AND burn those extra calories) than to sit the whole day and wallow in the pain of your cramps and eat treats. Furthermore, if you workout during your period, you can afford to have a little treat during the that week without wrecking your diet.

brookemart81

I sympathize. I get super hungry- I could just eat all day. And while of course I still have the ability to control myself- we all do- I find that my willpower is really weak just before and in the first few days of my period. It's suddenly 1000 times harder for me to get myself to do or not do things. Even for stuff that isn't related to food cravings or not wanting to exercise- I feel tired, painful, foggy and unmotivated- I have difficulty focusing on work, difficulty paying attention, and difficulty managing my impulses and emotions. I think some of us may just be more sensitive to hormonal changes.

That said, it's not an excuse- like others have mentioned already, it's GONNA happen every month, so you need to figure out how to manage it. It's hard but it's not impossible.

Things I've done to keep myself on track foodwise:

-planning out small treats throughout the day to keep snacking urges satisfied.

-not keeping a lot of junk food in the house! The tiredness will trump the craving most of the time, so I if I have to make a trip out to get a snack it's easier for me to stop myself.

-giving myself one day where I don't worry so much about going over my calories. I still log everything so I am aware of what I'm eating and I can keep it from getting out of hand. Sometimes you will feel better if you just let yourself have what you are craving. You can balance it out by eating better the rest of the week. You could even eat at maintenance for those few days a month your body is demanding more food- you're not going to gain from it and even if you didn't make it up later it's not going to make a huge difference overall. It's all about balance.

FitnessLover001

No no no no no! Haha, this is when you have to push yourself the hardest because it's the time that you want to have an excuse to not workout. Try to stick to your healthy eating habits, but if you want, let the resistance off of the machines a little bit, but make sure you are still sweating! Trust me, I hate the time of month, but it only lasts a week, so just bear through it. Be strong, we are girls, we are not the weaker sex, that would be the fellas

marisarinde

ethompso0105 aw I'm so sorry! It sucks *kitten*, I wish no one had to deal with it. I'm having a laparoscopy in a couple weeks, so I know I definitely won't be able to exercise then. Not looking forward to it! I'm trying to work hard now in anticipation of my period next week and well as the procedure two weeks after. No bueno hope you feel better soon! And I agree, I wish I could work as hard as these other ladies all the time!

kittykat1994

I eat maintenance, sometimes for a couple of days if the cravings are bad. I plan my meals to my usual calorie goal, but if I crave peanut butter, ice-cream or chocolate at that time of the month, then I have about 500 calories to help satisfy my cravings. It's worked for me the last month.

uglycrying

I don't make excuses, I make decisions. If I make the decision to cater to my cravings, I do. I also accept the consequences of that decision.

Yep.

The concept of bending over backwards trying to find an excuse to eat something is strange to me. If I want something, I'll typically have it while being realistic about the consequences. I usually set aside some calories for something sweet. There are some days, not just period days, where I eat at maintenance and I can live with that... doing so hasn't been holding me back at all, at least not to a degree I care about. Though I try not to exceed maintenance. I've never really bought into the stereotypes surrounding periods... I find that the pain and water retention/bloating are real though.

I don't exercise on the first day as the pain is too much. If you exercise most days and can anticipate when yours will start, why not arrange it so the first day lands on a rest day?

DotPett

Having that right now, and frankly it sucks! Still try to eat sensibly and get plenty of protein. Drink lots of water. Exercise when you can.

runningagainstmyself

Only if there is legitimate need. If I am feeling weak, bloated, or any of the usual symptoms I will eat some iron-rich foods and get a little extra protein. However, I do not use it as an excuse to eat a pint of ice cream (in case that was where your questions was heading).

Drink lots of liquids, too. I find hot tea helps make nearly every TOM-related issue better.

Sora4ever

Usually the first two days are really tough for me because I'm super bloated and cramped up, and I tend to crave chocolate and sushi before and during my period. My appetite tends to change as well. Sometimes, it feels like I'm always starving no matter what I eat, and other times, I never feel hungry.

My best advise is don't starve yourself. Satisfy your cravings but also remember portion sizes.

paymentm

When you are feeling crampy that is the time to exercise. Walking, stretching, yoga anything to get that area moving will lessen the cramps and distract you from cravings.

segastler

I usually end up losing during that time because I throw up for the first 3 days and the last 4 days I have intense vomiting of the butt. I still work out, but I usually gain some back after its over because I actually eat.

rubbie78

I still try to stay in my calories and work out. My workout may be at 75% instead of 110% that week but I get it in. I actually feel better physically with the workout and definitely lose a pound or more after. My first period on here I CRIED on Day 1 and 2. Yes cried. I had gained 4lbs with the bloating and water retention. 4 days later 3lbs dropped off, then another 2 days 2lbs came off. So I was 1lb lighter.

I would say maybe not weigh yourself during the beginning of your cycle if you're emotional like me, but definitely try to keep to your workout and calories. I do allow myself more salty foods during this time within my calorie limit. that's my craving popcorn and baked chips.

QueenE_

I eat a lot during that time, no shame here..

augustah

I try my best to stick to my plan but if I am going absolutely crazy, I will just eat at maintenance for a day which I count as 2100 for me. And I skip the gym.

Branstin

I don't allow excuses to get in my way. I plan ahead of time for those days. There isn't anything wrong with eating at your maintenance level for a few days but I will not blow my deficiency or maintenance levels for something that I know I will have to deal with each month.