MFP LADIES

xomorganjc
xomorganjc Posts: 106 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
MFP ladies - how do you deal with PMS cravings? These next couple of weeks will be the death of me.
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Replies

  • wolfsbayne
    wolfsbayne Posts: 3,116 Member
    I give in and don't sweat it. It happens.
  • gnalani
    gnalani Posts: 126
    Find a bunch of low low calorie snacks. 40cal fudgesicles help me!

    Stay busy!

    Drink water, tea, etc.

    Don't beat yourself up if you go over, but don't use PMS as an excuse to go over.

    Remember that you'll be PMS-ing twelve times a year for the next twenty-ish years (judging your age from your profile pic), and you don't want to make this time of the month a free for all. Don't restrict yourself too much (its ultimately just calories in vs. calories out), but don't set a precedent that every time you're PMS-ing you have an all access pass to the ice cream :)

    Also it helps me to remember that the hunger is a mental/hormonal thing. My stomach and body aren't actually screaming at me to eat an entire jar of nutella lol. I love the feeling of being stronger than my cravings!
  • quellybelly
    quellybelly Posts: 827 Member
    Don't restrict yourself too much (its ultimately just calories in vs. calories out), but don't set a precedent that every time you're PMS-ing you have an all access pass to the ice cream :)

    ^ I second this.
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    I don't really have a problem with them.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    As with the rest of this process, it's about portion control. Want chocolate? Fine, have a bar and leave it at that.

    Know your limitations. If you buy a container of ice cream and know you're just going to eat it all in a day or two, that's not a good idea. Find something different like those fudgecicles mentioned or almond/coconut milk ice cream or just go to the corner store and get one novelty ice cream bar. I personally like the McD's cones - only 170 cal and pretty darn good. You can also get the chocolate dipped now for, I think only 270 cal, but don't try to eat them in the car. Messy! :)

    And keep working out even if you don't feel like it. I tend to get really whiny but I still push through.
  • mabelbabel1
    mabelbabel1 Posts: 391 Member
    I give in and don't sweat it. It happens.


    Yep, me too!
  • Cranquistador
    Cranquistador Posts: 39,744 Member
    The title reminded me of:
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    Plan treats in your day... Always room for something yumtastic.
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    I rarely experience an increase in hunger/cravings before/during my period. I also don't usually bloat or cramp. So it's business as usual for me.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    I'm hoping menopause will take care of it.
  • logg1e
    logg1e Posts: 1,208 Member
    Plan the food you crave in to your day in advance (I have a small chocolate bar nearly every evening).

    Drink lots of water (I set a timer to drink a beaker of water every hour).

    Distract yourself. Go to the gym.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    My BC eliminated my periods so I don't really have cravings etc...sorry.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    I usually wind up eating more chocolate over all and I go hungry at night because I'm not adding to my day significantly.


    But I'm confused when you say "the next couple of weeks"

    I mean- it happens every month- if its a couple of weeks long process and you blow your diet off for that time frame- then you're not going to move very quickly.
  • micheleld73
    micheleld73 Posts: 914 Member
    I give in and don't sweat it. It happens.


    Yep, me too!

    I just don't OVERindulge, but I do give in and enjoy it!
  • jessakittyis
    jessakittyis Posts: 159 Member
    I try to stick to my calories the best I can but when I'm feeling crappy and having mood swings I just let myself grab what I want but try to keep it in moderation. A little indulgence won't kill you or ruin your whole diet ;)
  • sugargirl223
    sugargirl223 Posts: 10
    I let myself give in one day and try to eat normal the other days I have cravings.
  • Lasmartchika
    Lasmartchika Posts: 3,440 Member
    I somewhat give in... :grumble: i need more!!
  • lishie_rebooted
    lishie_rebooted Posts: 2,973 Member
    I usually wind up eating more chocolate over all and I go hungry at night because I'm not adding to my day significantly.


    But I'm confused when you say "the next couple of weeks"

    I mean- it happens every month- if its a couple of weeks long process and you blow your diet off for that time frame- then you're not going to move very quickly.

    I'm glad I'm not the only to notice that the OP said "WEEKS"

    I feel like that'd be a reason to talk to a gyno if it's lasting weeks - pretty sure that's not good...
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    But I'm confused when you say "the next couple of weeks"

    I mean- it happens every month- if its a couple of weeks long process and you blow your diet off for that time frame- then you're not going to move very quickly.
    I was wondering about that too. You make it sound like you spend half of your life (every two weeks) trying to fight off cravings that are period related.

    Make sure that your intake is accurate overall. If you are eating too little every day, you may just be hungry. If you intake is spot on, try to account for the treats. And if you have problems for several weeks, you need to work on increasing your willpower overall. (And if you really have PMS for multiple weeks, you should see your doctor. I believe there is an actual disease that is essentially severe and very long PMS and there is medication for it.)
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    I do better some periods than others. It helps when I see them coming. This month I started earlier than I expected (because I'm bad at math) and it wasn't great.

    If you need a chocolate fix, fudgesicles are great. So are things like chocolate Greek yogurt or Yoplait's chocolate whipped yogurt. Chocolate powder mixed with vanilla Greek yogurt makes a good mousse that can be mixed with fruit or eaten alone. There are chocolate flavored teas that are pretty good, too. I might also buy chocolate pudding snacks to keep around or a couple of high quality dark chocolate bars that I can savor (also high in iron).

    I reach for comfort foods on my period so I tend to stock lower cal versions of those. I also tend to go a little higher on carbs during my period. I don't think there's a science behind this, it's just what makes me feel better. I'll buy single serving cups of mac & cheese or even instant noodles and add meat & veg. Sloppy joes or meatloaf or other childhood favorites play a big role in my diet that time of month.

    Also, it helps me to be able to name it. When I'm going for the fridge or thinking about getting that second candy bar it helps to say "no, this is just my PMS." It doesn't always stop me, but I like to be able to put a reason to why I'm eating. I tend to be an anxiety eater. PMS and the hormones involved make me more anxious. If I can get in front of that anxiety and do some stress relief before I get to the food, sometimes that helps. Watch for your emotional triggers and see what helps you to stop them.

    And in the end, most of us slip up at some point or another. Forgive yourself, try not to stress about it, and learn from it. And if you're feeling emotionally vulnerable then stay off the scale for a week or two.
  • jdhcm2006
    jdhcm2006 Posts: 2,254 Member
    I might up my calories by about 100-200, but nothing beyond that. And it also depends on the month. Some months I get super hungry, others it doesn't really cause any excess hunger. But, if I'm hungry, I will eat something small.

    Don't use it as an excuse to go crazy. If you handle this time correctly, there should be no reason, why you won't still lose weight.
  • AglaeaC
    AglaeaC Posts: 1,974 Member
    They won't be the death of you of course. Why do you set yourself up for feeling so crappy about something so normal to most women? My mood can be in the basement and I can have cravings, but I do my best to distract myself in various ways. If there is pain, I might take ibuprofen, but otherwise the average reaction is slightly slowed down and sluggish; not actual hell, though. A period usually lasts 5-7 days; do you need to see your gynecologist?

    ETA
    Brain fart, sorry. PMS, not period. Is your PMS extreme rather than normal? Anything beyond average is tricky to ask for advice on here, but I suggest you talk to your gyno about it in that case.
  • ivygirl1937
    ivygirl1937 Posts: 899 Member
    As with the rest of this process, it's about portion control. Want chocolate? Fine, have a bar and leave it at that.

    Know your limitations. If you buy a container of ice cream and know you're just going to eat it all in a day or two, that's not a good idea. Find something different like those fudgecicles mentioned or almond/coconut milk ice cream or just go to the corner store and get one novelty ice cream bar. I personally like the McD's cones - only 170 cal and pretty darn good. You can also get the chocolate dipped now for, I think only 270 cal, but don't try to eat them in the car. Messy! :)

    And keep working out even if you don't feel like it. I tend to get really whiny but I still push through.

    ^^ This. I get really bad cravings too, so I feel you on that! But I know that I will probably want chocolate and so I leave some calories in my day for those. Like eat a salad or something low in calories for meals and I have enough calories left over usually for a chocolate ice cream sandwich or fries, whatever it is that I'm craving. If you go a little over, I wouldn't freak out about it, but like the above says, it's like everything else. Have your craving, but in moderation.
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    For cravings, have some self-control, or plan treats in your day.

    If it's cramps, it better be damn-near paralyzing to keep me from working out. If I push through it, I usually feel better post-workout anyway.

    It's been happening once a month since you were a teenager. If you don't want periods, get on a BC that eliminates them. If you do want periods, figure out a way to deal with it.
  • MiaisMIAinMiami
    MiaisMIAinMiami Posts: 196 Member
    Honestly, I just try not to keep anything that could be binge-worthy in the house. When I'm cramping, I can barely move let alone go somewhere to get chocolate or pizza. When I "prepare" for it, I end up eating crap because I go buy it knowing I'll want it. Take some ibuprofen and curl up in a ball until it goes away.
  • HypersonicFitNess
    HypersonicFitNess Posts: 1,219 Member
    1 - PMS tea is helpful - start drinking 10 days before you period is due to start
    2 - Eliminate dairy, grains and all sugar from your diet (at least during that 10 days before your period is due to start)

    Change to Paleo - no cravings, ever
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Get pregnant. Then you only have to deal with pregnancy cravings.

    :laugh:

    Seriously though, I just work them into my calorie goal. Cause if I don't give in, it's going to get ugly.
  • dcberlin10
    dcberlin10 Posts: 54 Member
    Frozen mini york peppermint patties.
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    Get pregnant. Then you only have to deal with pregnancy cravings.

    :laugh:

    Seriously though, I just work them into my calorie goal. Cause if I don't give in, it's going to get ugly.

    :heart:
  • sabified
    sabified Posts: 1,035 Member
    I don't worry about going up to maintenance level during TOM... I also give in (though aim to have moderation) because I'm seriously tired of thinking about food all the time when it rolls around.

    Something I am trying to do is continue exercising (cardio) during it. I know that I can't run as fast or far when I have it, but I don't cramp or crave as much either. Getting out of the house to do it is a struggle, but I always feel better when I do.
  • Marbella29660
    Marbella29660 Posts: 71 Member
    I'm hoping menopause will take care of it.

    ^^^ This

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