Alright ladies spill it....

cjsgrimlin

What do you do during TOM and before to help you get through? Whats your tricks? I have been told green tea, and chocolate, small amounts of complex carbs, and larger amounts of protien heavy meats.

So what is your secret to beat the bloat, hunger, and crabbiness??

_beachgirl_

I never bloat, get hungrier or get crabby so I don't have any tricks!

HollyLLillis

Lots and lots of water!!:flowerforyou:

ChirishGirl

I drink a lot.

LorinaLynn

Being physically active. Running burns out my aggression and irritability! :happy:

candb

Lots of water and stomach crunches help me with cramps.

atomicpunk1974

For me intense exercise works really well, so I run until I drop.

ilookthetype

I run more the week before, and avoid all dairy the week of and continue to work out. I noticed I don't get cramps when I'm active.

maryd523

I skip my period by taking continuous birth control pills. Perfectly safe and doctor approved.

stormieweather

Ignore it. Eat chocolate if ncessary.

FluffyLadii

Water, green tea (no sugar), light exercise, and lots of naps! :bigsmile:

dancingphoenix

I drink a glass of wine during the worst part of it... but other than that, more meats and/or protiens like you said I also take the hottest bath possible to ease pain.

Amo_Angelus

Excercise. It' the last thing anyone wants to do during the TOM, but excercising really reduces the pain and crabbiness.

otr12

Redbox.

Qarol

nookie. It gets rid of the cramps and the crabbiness.

littleali

I have no tricks - I just reach right for the carbs I HAVE found that exercise helps but as I get excruciating cramps (like...throwing up and crying in pain...) I avoid running. The elliptical is really great for me, I've found.

FabCheeky

Just keep moving---do whatever exercise you love and GO HARD. I know that you won't want to at first, but it burns off SOOOOO many negative feelings and sets you up for an endorphin rush. Exercise helps. Small amounts of dark chocolate are great. Put 2 cups of epsom salt in a very hot bath (as hot as you can stand) and soak in it for at least 20 minutes. Drink more water and eat more iron rich proteins than you usually do. A sweet potato with a drizzle of extra virgin coconut oil---maybe sprinkled with a touch of allspice or cinnamon and chopped walnuts--- can also help with the hungry feelings. Get rid of your caffeine addiction if you have one. Caffeine increased the estrogen that your body produces and that results in more violent TOM.

thedreamhazer

Waterwaterwater. I also try to make myself go to the gym no matter how cruddy I feel, because it usually helps. Also, if cramps are your issue, try hot/cold packs. They can do wonders. Also, hot baths, crying, and forcing someone (usually a partner, but whatever works for you!) to massage your abdomen. Then again, those last three might only work for me.

Also -- I admit it. I pop a midol every now and then. As a point of reference -- I have a LOT of hang-ups about taking any kind of medicine. Not with other people doing, but me. Personally, I hate it, and I would sooner suffer than medicate. I get this from my dad --- trying to be less silly about it, but it's pretty well-etched into my head. So when I take a Midol, it's serious business.

morganadk2_deleted

I never bloat, get hungrier or get crabby so I don't have any tricks!

lucky you :frown: i crave bread!

MB_Positif

Honestly I just fight the cravings...and doing that probably fights the bloat...the crabiness...hmmm...haven't figured that one out!

audram420

Lots of water and exercise...I agree that exercise is usually the last thing you want to do when it's TOM, but I usually feel refreshed and like I've accomplished something!!

lizziebeth1028

OMG I wish I had a full proof trick or tips! I get SO tired, all I want to do is sleep and the carb cravings!!! Arghhh! I do find that a shopping trip helps! If I'm out looking at all the cute clothes and new fashions it reminds me that I LOVE clothes!!! And I want to be able to wear all the latest styles and not shop in the grandma section lol!

I'll try to do something new and interesting with my work outs too. If I'm tired and pms-ing and don't feel like going to the gym or pulling out an exercise DVD I'll try and pick up a new exercise DVD to keep me motivated or I'll try a different gym. Sometimes they have a free trial pass or a walk in fee.

leynak

I run more the week before, and avoid all dairy the week of and continue to work out. I noticed I don't get cramps when I'm active.

Yes, stay active. I just had TOM last week & I noticed that helped A LOT. I don't really bloat so not sure about that but I notice I always get kind of tired (lazy) :laugh: when I have it so I have to get up anyway and I think the staying active helps with my cramps. BTW, I never had cramps until after my kids- How crappy is that :laugh:

NicolCook

I usually gain 6-8lbs durning TOM and spend the rest of the month getting it back off. Just to reach a new low and have the same thing happen again. About 3 months ago, i decided to try and change that. Durning TOM, I still get in my exercise and I make sure to drink LOTS of water. I try to get nearly a gallon of water down a day. So, for the last 3 months I have made it through without any gaining.

I try to VERY conscious of what I am eating too. No special foods or tricks, I just make it a point to stay within my calorie goal. If that means sacrificing a little food for some chocolate....I do it. A girl has to have her chocolate that week

Crabbines....that is just there. Midol helps when I want to strangle someone. Maybe a beer or wine or something if you do that. Best of luck!

baisleac

I up my calories to maintenance... and continue to lose weight.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/246100-tom-experiment-preliminary-results

noexcuses1218

Prozac.

SunshineKisses_2012

Being physically active. Running burns out my aggression and irritability! :happy:

^ That. I try to avoid people that I know will aggravate the &^%$ out of me (not always avoidable, but I can handle myself in short spurts). I also crave chocolate like you wouldn't believe, so I resort to Nature Valley Granola Thins covered in dark chocolate and skinny cow ice cream. Last month I lost weight on TOM. I'm curious to see how next month is going to be!

CakeFit21

Well, I don't have have any tricks because it's been happening for like 24 years and I know that in about 4 days it'll all be over.

I just keep doing what I always do.

change_happens

try working out... it works. eases the cramps and the bloat.

Mkleder

nookie. It gets rid of the cramps and the crabbiness.

What she said...works every time. The best cure for cramps is "O".

bunchesonothing

I run.