Ladies Only Question

PANZERIA

Hello ladies.

So I have always been hungrier and, and the same time, lethargic around THAT time of the month. (Mother nature sucks, IMO) Is there a reason for it? Should I be adding certain nutrients to my diet specifically around that time? Is adding more calories the way to go?

shreddingit

oh i get hungrier the days before, im also thinking of adding more cals and maybe exercising a bit more too to stop cravings. :ohwell:

CrochetGator

I swear I was going to ask this yesterday. I feel like I can't eat enough and my food choices aren't the best around that time.

LosingTheWeight2014

I don't really have an answer for you, but for me right before and at least the first day or so I am like a bottomless pit. I never feel full no matter how much I eat and I hate it.

I try to eat more fruits and veggies right before that time because it satisfies me longer and seems to make my TOM lighter and shorter.

ajostraat

I tend to get sluggish when my iron is low, so try taking an iron supplement during *that* time. It seems to work well for me. plus you burn more calories when ToM is around.

Wendyma1

I have the exact same issues you mentioned!!! It sucks! I have tried adding more protein into my diet around that time, and also healthy carbs, nothing seemed to make a difference! I get tired real easily, just want to lay around and EAT! Just finishing now.......I did notice since starting here that if I increase my exercise level during that time, I have more energy! So I guess the key would be, make healthy eating choices and add an extra 15 minutes or so to your routine.

Hope this helps!

margieward82

Trying adding in an iron supplement and/or B-12 compound vitamin... Help give you more energy. Are you on any bc? I find that switching that can help lots!! These days there's no reason to let your period get in the way

smagee1973

Good question! I have no clue unfortunately. I do understand where you are coming from though. I too get more hungry around that time. I was thinking of actually eating my 1200 calories a day for a few days at that time. Possibly exercising more and drink more water. They say water fills you up.

momof2kiddos

I just drink more fluids--water, diet pepsi, juices--to retain any lost fluids

daddyssunshyne

Umm, I don't know the answer, but I am with you. I think it's pretty common.

I also get frustrated that the scale goes NUTS. I can gain like 4 pounds overnight. Then it fluctuates the whole time. I hope it returns to my lowest weight prior when done. GRRR.

Sarah

Brisin87

i feel the same way never full at all i hate mother nature lol so i just wait til dinner time anf try to eat

mamagooskie

I add chocolate to my diet around that time!! LOL

For serious though I'm hungrier too, you just need to allow for it, maybe up your workouts a bit to allow for the extra calories. some women may need more iron but for me that's not the case.

amberdaniels

Ok, it looks like no one here knows the answer to this question. I have an appointment with my neutritionist on Friday and I will ask. I have thought about that too. I will post as soon as I get home on Friday.

abalicious

Someone on here did an experiment where she upped her cals during TOM and she lost weight instead of gaining it. Just make sure to drink lots of water!!

Brisin87

i feel the same way never full at all i hate mother nature lol so i just wait til dinner time anf try to eat

cspence2270

I'm so glad to hear that other women have this problem. I am so hungry, tired and my weight loss drops off at mid cycle for me. I tried to explain this to my husband who works out with me and all he's said is to exercise harder- his suggestion was to do 2 a days. Which would probably work, but that means working out durning my lunch at work- which is the only time I have to myself all day. We have a 2 year old. Or I could add that second work out at 9:15 pm when the little one goes to bed and since we get up at 4:30 am to work out I'm usually wiped out by 9:00 PM. So now I can tell him it's something most of us women go through. Besides I think losing 1 lb a week durning that time period is just fine since I'm losing 2 to 4 lbs durning the rest of the month.
/

cspence2270

Ok, it looks like no one here knows the answer to this question. I have an appointment with my neutritionist on Friday and I will ask. I have thought about that too. I will post as soon as I get home on Friday.

Please post what she says-- looks like lots of us would be interested in her answer. Thanks.

lozf85

If you can do 2 workout's a day during your TOM you're a stronger woman than I!

fteale

Your body needs more carbs at that time. If you don't get enough it really exacerbates your mood swings, bloating, any depression or anxiety and general insanity you may have. I CRAVE carbs at that time of the month.

lucian25

I have the same issue and I take an iron and B12 supplement which has made a huge difference. I also make sure I get enough rest the week before that also seems to make a huge difference as well.

PANZERIA

Ok, it looks like no one here knows the answer to this question. I have an appointment with my neutritionist on Friday and I will ask. I have thought about that too. I will post as soon as I get home on Friday.

Ooh! Please do!!! It would be awesome to know what they have to say.

Also, thank you EVERYONE who has posted so far. It's nice to know that I'm not alone or crazy with my TOM insanity, lol. I'll be picking up an iron and B12 supplement today, so thank you very much for that suggestion. Hopefully that will help.

Someone mentioned birth control as a partial cause (I'm sorry I can't remember who) but I am in between birth controls at this exact moment. Needed to change it. I am going to the doctor this week to get a new prescription. Any recommendations? I was thinking an IUD.

PA21

At my TOM I feel very tired and I can eat for hours. I usually want carbs and chocolate.
Here is what I've "collected" to keep me sane these last few years:
Go to bed early (9pm is early for me)
Eat more and drink more water
Lots more iron rich foods like dark greens and meat
I have started running and that helps so much especially during my period. My cramps have subsided (almost 100%), emotionally I'm more stable, and I sleep like a baby. I work out every day I have my period.

I hope no woman gives themselves a hard time because they don't work out or eat poorly during their time of the month. The body is working very hard to get rid of the uterine lining. There is an organ shedding. Imagine if all your hair or skin came off once a month and took 25 days to rebuild itself again! It's A LOT of work for the body, and it's all run by those ravaging, raging lunatic hormones. Give yourself a break. I'm not saying "eat whatever you want and don't work out." That is the opposite of what someone should do. I just hope everyone takes care of themselves! It took me about 8 years to figure this out.

PANZERIA

I have started running and that helps so much especially during my period. My cramps have subsided (almost 100%), emotionally I'm more stable, and I sleep like a baby. I work out every day I have my period.

I hope no woman gives themselves a hard time because they don't work out or eat poorly during their time of the month. The body is working very hard to get rid of the uterine lining. There is an organ shedding. Imagine if all your hair or skin came off once a month and took 25 days to rebuild itself again! It's A LOT of work for the body, and it's all run by those ravaging, raging lunatic hormones. Give yourself a break. I'm not saying "eat whatever you want and don't work out." That is the opposite of what someone should do. I just hope everyone takes care of themselves! It took me about 8 years to figure this out.

You are so right. I know I've done the TOM guilt-trip if I go over my calories for the day or haven't worked out due to lack of energy or cramping.

I've taken up running too, and that has seemed to help with the sanity and the cramping. I guess it's just weird because on all of the weight-loss shows, you never see them complain about TOM or talk about the different nutritional needs during it. It's almost like one of those things no one wants to talk about, but it ends up being something incredibly important for women to know.

bel738

are u guys getting enough water ? i was told at least 64 oz a day it will help with hunger and maybe needing more fibourous food as well

maria1993

Here is some info
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/upshot/got-controversy-milk-campaign-helps-men-deal-pms-214103675.html

corsetiere

When your TOM rolls around your body starts to flush sodium, phosphate, magnesium, iron and zinc out of the body through the fluids/lining expelled. The best thing you can do is make sure you take a multivitamin that contains these, drink as much water as you can and exercise lightly (don't push it too hard at first because that can actually make your period heavier and harder on you if you don't already have a steady work out routine).

Also add extra fruit and fiber to your diet at that time if you haven't already. Fruit contains natural b vitamins that help to give you energy and the sugar helps to combat the fatigue and food cravings as well. I usually eat bananas and mangos. The fiber my mom said helps to keep you 'regulated' and could keep your cramping and bloating to a minimum.

I never thought having a dietitian for a mom would come in handy for anyone else. lol.

jumcadam

I up my iron - will definitely start taking a supplement - but I tend to eat iron rich foods - a steak, spinach & broccoli and a glass of red wine. It's a treat of a meal, but makes a difference. I don't tend to beat myself up too much if I want some chocolate either - but try to stick to the darker variety! And, as always lots of water!


I also go for nice long walks at a brisk pace and do Pilates - as I find that running or anything too vigorous tires me out too much then. And Pilates helps the cramps!

cheshirechic

I absolutely cannot get enough chocolate right before my TOM. About five days before it actually starts, I start craving chocolate like CRAZY. I've been adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder to my overnight oats, which has really helped me (and it has very few calories). I'm trying to drink more water, too. You're definitely not alone.

And..."bump" for later because I want to see that post on friday.

leopardlushh

Exercise!!! Proven to help w/cramps, headaches, and bloating!

Eat lean meats!!! Supplements iron lost during "that time"=(

Indulge a little!!! Hello were suffering...i think some non-fat yogurt w/sprinkles or a little chocolate is a must!

rstoolmaker

I feel the exact same way, i really think biology screwed us women on this whole reproductive thing cause in addition to menstrating we also naturally have more fat than men do so we can have babies, lame, but back to your question usually for me my flow is a lot heavier my first two days so i allow myself to have a "ladies day" and for either my first or second day i eat what i want when i want no matter what it is or how much it is and i lay around watch bad tv or lame movies and cry or whatever, then for the rest of my period i try my hardest to be healthy. That one day is like a break or a reward and after that day i either feel relaxed for taking a break or i feel lazy and useless so the next day i get up and do things so i don't feel like i wasted it. hope this helped

amberdaniels

Howdy,

I asked two different people yesterday and got two totally different answers but both make a lot of sense. First of all, for the "blah" and cravings problem a lady nurse suggested dark chocolate. There is something in it that helps with the blah feelings and mood swings. It is also healthy to eat dark chocolate!

For the tired feelings another person suggested foods high in iron.

I promised to post. I hope this helps. It sure will help me.

Have a blessed weekend.