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Ladies, TOM success tips PLEASE!

mommymovingmountains

Help! This is my first full month of tracking my diet and I have to say that I could probably eat 3 days worth of food near TOM. I need to break this pattern.

Replies

JennS19

Empty the house of bad food and stock up on fruits and veggies when it's that time of the month. Drink lots of water to help with retention. I have a IUD so I don't get my monthly vistor anymore while I have it in.

Good luck.

FaithandFitness

I try to keep good chocolate options on hand . . .my favorite are zone perfect chocolate mint bars . . . and I schedule in some chocolate milk. Exercise seems to alleviate some of the tension/symptoms, drink water, and DO NOT STEP ON THE SCALE!!!

missy1970eb

im drinking loads of water and has def curb my cravings around that time

julzband

This is something I am struggling with also. This last month I tried gum. I just kept gum around and anytime outside of my normal meals I chewed gum, and I exercised. It did help but the want was still there.

kirstinkrueger

Oh the joys of being a women haha

water, water, water! and sugar free peppermints help to ease cravings (well even regular ones, i just avoid sugar) and gum! and a piece of dark chocolate (organic is wonderful) here and there!

I have an IUD and dont have one anymore but that gets me through any hungry days i have

and the dont step on the scale is great advice! water weight is the worst, and you dont want to get discouraged, cause it will all come off overnight one night! Good luck!

elle18287

Me too! And lots of chocolate:) My diary around my TOM is an embarrassment! I try my very best to exercise. I leave my shoes off and put on my comfy pants and dance around my house or do some wii tennis. I make room for what I am craving. Try to get plenty of rest. Drink lots of water. And every time you feel like eating try to exercise for at least 30 mins!

mjg08060

I most certainly understand how hard it is sometimes to curve your cravings but for some reason today I feel like I have mastered mine. I know this is probably not a healthy alternative but I drink coffee in the morning and once in the afternoon, it really does control your appetite and its not all that bad. I usually do 1/4 cup of skim milk and one splenda in it instead of all of that other sugared stuff with tons of calories. Also, chocolate is awesome but has a lot of sugar in it so watch out. Lastly, what really helps me is truly logging my daily calories and exercise before I do it. If i see what I am supposed to be eating before I eat it i can plan my calories carbs protein etc. ahead of time preventing me from over eating. I hope these tips were relevant.

beastmode_kitty

I try and eat veggies and drink lots of water. I try to keep busy also so Im not tempted to eat

kirstinkrueger

I most certainly understand how hard it is sometimes to curve your cravings but for some reason today I feel like I have mastered mine. I know this is probably not a healthy alternative but I drink coffee in the morning and once in the afternoon, it really does control your appetite and its not all that bad. I usually do 1/4 cup of skim milk and one splenda in it instead of all of that other sugared stuff with tons of calories. Also, chocolate is awesome but has a lot of sugar in it so watch out. Lastly, what really helps me is truly logging my daily calories and exercise before I do it. If i see what I am supposed to be eating before I eat it i can plan my calories carbs protein etc. ahead of time preventing me from over eating. I hope these tips were relevant.

its actually not a bad idea, as long as you are still eating right as well! I used to drink tea all the time for the same reason.

RoniDoll

GREEK YOGURT!

Therapist_mama

I am sorry I don't have an answer for that as I don't seem to be more hungry at that time as I am just incredibly fatigued and crave chocolate. I have noticed that when I eat healthy as regular habit when TOM arrives I actually lose weight and have better control over my cravings. It is a phenomenon that surprised me the first time I went through weight loss a couple of years ago and it still works that way for me.

I hope others have something helpful to offer you in the way of advice. It is something I would be interested in hearing about as I know that lots of women struggle with this and I love learning what others experience and how they handle those challenges.

Best to you in finding answers that work for you!

barefootbeautiful

Paleo Brownies. Paleo Pumpkin bars. Apples. Good chocolate, good sugar, and still feels like "cheating."

pmad37

My confession.....when I last went to my gyn, I told him of the horrible water weight gains and he gave me a water pill. Now, I only take 1 or 2 per month, right around TOM and it helps. I would gain 5-7 pounds. Granted, it doesn't help with the cravings, but when I feel better about me, I don't tend to overeat......

kirstinkrueger

My confession.....when I last went to my gyn, I told him of the horrible water weight gains and he gave me a water pill. Now, I only take 1 or 2 per month, right around TOM and it helps. I would gain 5-7 pounds. Granted, it doesn't help with the cravings, but when I feel better about me, I don't tend to overeat......

i used to have to take them too, i would literally swell (like my feet ect) from water retention and it was miserable!

kirstinkrueger

GREEK YOGURT!

which ones do you like? I tried 2 kinds last week and one was AWFUL the other wasn't as bad but not my fav still but they were soooo different in taste it made me wonder....

eating4balance

When TOM comes around I let everyone in my household know that I am giving up refined sugars and breads (baked goods). It lasts for about 3 days and everyone will always give me the evil eye or make some comment about the two cookies I just stuffed in my mouth.

BTW, I hate it when they say things about how I eat, but it really does help!

angp7711

IIf your flow is really heavy you might want to think about upping your iron intake during this time. I double up on my supplement two days pre until two days post this helps foe me. I am just on the edge of being anemic so TOM kills me. I noticed when I was taking care of my iron it helped a bit with the cravings. If you don't want to do supplements you could add some extra red meat and spinach and see if that helps. I plan a couple of ghiradeli dark chocolate squares into my day as well : )

Smiles
Ang

authson

not much advise except to drink a TON of water!

eating4balance

GREEK YOGURT!

which ones do you like? I tried 2 kinds last week and one was AWFUL the other wasn't as bad but not my fav still but they were soooo different in taste it made me wonder....

I eat dannon's brand of greek yogurt.

I buy the plain, nonfat kind and mix it with a 1/2 cup of fresh blueberries for a 120 calorie snack.

Also, I make parfaits out of them to mask what some would call the "funky" taste of greek yogurt.

200 calorie parfait recipe: 1 container plain greek yogurt layered with 1/3 cup fresh blueberries, 1/4 cup fiber one cereal, 1/2 serving of sliced almonds

mommymovingmountains

I try to keep good chocolate options on hand . . .my favorite are zone perfect chocolate mint bars . . . and I schedule in some chocolate milk. Exercise seems to alleviate some of the tension/symptoms, drink water, and DO NOT STEP ON THE SCALE!!!

Chocolate milk! I am going to try that. Thanks

mommymovingmountains

When TOM comes around I let everyone in my household know that I am giving up refined sugars and breads (baked goods). It lasts for about 3 days and everyone will always give me the evil eye or make some comment about the two cookies I just stuffed in my mouth.

BTW, I hate it when they say things about how I eat, but it really does help!

Hahaha! I love it! (the two cookies I just shoved in my mouth!)

lilRicki

I'm still learning...the only this that's saved me is "this not that"...eat popchips not potatoe chips....dark chocolate not milk chocolate...and if you have to then eat some not all...watch your salt intake, and drink tons of water or tea. I struggle every damn month, good luck

Chrissy_Michelle

GREEK YOGURT!

which ones do you like? I tried 2 kinds last week and one was AWFUL the other wasn't as bad but not my fav still but they were soooo different in taste it made me wonder....

I absolutely love Chobani 0% greek yogurt in the bluberry, peach, and strawberry flavors. Definitely not plain, YUCK!

mommymovingmountains

My confession.....when I last went to my gyn, I told him of the horrible water weight gains and he gave me a water pill. Now, I only take 1 or 2 per month, right around TOM and it helps. I would gain 5-7 pounds. Granted, it doesn't help with the cravings, but when I feel better about me, I don't tend to overeat......

I know what you mean about feeling better so you will want to eat better.

mommymovingmountains

IIf your flow is really heavy you might want to think about upping your iron intake during this time. I double up on my supplement two days pre until two days post this helps foe me. I am just on the edge of being anemic so TOM kills me. I noticed when I was taking care of my iron it helped a bit with the cravings. If you don't want to do supplements you could add some extra red meat and spinach and see if that helps. I plan a couple of ghiradeli dark chocolate squares into my day as well : )

Smiles
Ang

How many mg's do you take?

up2me2lose20

I am the naysayer, I guess, but I totally disagree with making TOM an excuse to splurge. Work through it. Exercise hard. Sleep well. Drink lots of water. I totally believe that eating clean foods will lessen PMS and Menstrual symptoms. Don't change who you want to be just because it's TOM. Keep your goal in mind and get through the rough couple of days. Once you get through to the other side you will be so proud of yourself for not caving. ANd then it gets easier every month.

Hey, I get tired too, but not as tired as when I ate junk and never exercised. I get cravings, but they sure aren't like they used to be.

Having said that, I still can't kick the cramps. Not as bad as they were at one time, for sure, but I still carry some ibuprofen with me.

mommymovingmountains

I am sorry I don't have an answer for that as I don't seem to be more hungry at that time as I am just incredibly fatigued and crave chocolate. I have noticed that when I eat healthy as regular habit when TOM arrives I actually lose weight and have better control over my cravings. It is a phenomenon that surprised me the first time I went through weight loss a couple of years ago and it still works that way for me.

I hope others have something helpful to offer you in the way of advice. It is something I would be interested in hearing about as I know that lots of women struggle with this and I love learning what others experience and how they handle those challenges.

Best to you in finding answers that work for you!

Yes, me too. I have found (from logging on mfp ) that when I am fatigued I eat more!

jsteras

I actually am in the 5th day of it and so far no cravings. I do take midol for the severe cramps I have which has a diuretic in it, so that has helped with the water retention. I will be weighing tomorrow morning so hopefully no gain. Good luck.

mitchet

yes, i eat way more when i am tired!

as for chocolate cravings.... chocolate Shakeology helps me a lot. i used to pig out during PMS and TOM (actually my PMS is way worse

) but my cravings really subsided wit the Shakeology.

and if all else fails.... sugar-free, fat-free chocolate fudge jello pudding made with skim milk.

mommymovingmountains

yes, i eat way more when i am tired!

as for chocolate cravings.... chocolate Shakeology helps me a lot. i used to pig out during PMS and TOM (actually my PMS is way worse ) but my cravings really subsided wit the Shakeology.

and if all else fails.... sugar-free, fat-free chocolate fudge jello pudding made with skim milk.

Thank you!