Why do I gain during that TOM?

jamaicanlady

Can someone please explain to me why during my period I put on weight no matter whether or not I stay below my calorie goal. It's like clockwork: I follow the 3500 calorie deficit religiously and lose 1 lb a week EXCEPT for the weeks during which it's that TOM. Just interested in the reasons for it.

Goldenbast

Metabolism and the big killer..water retention. Our bodies do crazy things whole on that TOM...I know mine does...crazy cravings, weight gain for the days I am on...mood swings...fun fun fun.

jamaicanlady

Metabolism and the big killer..water retention. Our bodies do crazy things whole on that TOM...I know mine does...crazy cravings, weight gain for the days I am on...mood swings...fun fun fun.

Our metabolism slows down? And we retain more water so our weight is probably from the extra water then? I can't recall having cravings but I know I stay below my calorie goal each and every time. But thanks for the info.

Charliestreet22

Your metabolism does NOT slow down. It speeds up. DRINK MORE WATER.

LabRat529

How do you guys know if our metabolism slows down or speeds up? I don't know what our calorie burn is like when we're menstruating. Can anyone back up what they are saying with scientific evidence? Does our metabolism actually change? Or are we just trading hear-say and myth back and forth?

TinaS88

You are probably just "bloated" and when it's coming on, a lot of women retain water. I have learned to hide the scale during TOM because the numbers just aren't accurate.

lorihalsted

MIne is water retention! I used to gain 7-10 lbs during my TOM sometimes. Now that I am getting water (most days!) I only gain 3-5 lbs. Hang in there and drink your water!

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Water retention.

I have *heard* that losing the lining of your uterus and some blood makes your body need more calories but I don't know that that's anything but an excuse to eat more chocolate. I do have more cravings, but I always figured that was a hormonal thing.

Megan2Project

How do you guys know if our metabolism slows down or speeds up? I don't know what our calorie burn is like when we're menstruating. Can anyone back up what they are saying with scientific evidence? Does our metabolism actually change? Or are we just trading hear-say and myth back and forth?

I have read many times that we burn up to 300 more calories per day during the Luteal Phase due to the progesterones thermogenic effect.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/295115-calories-burned-while-on-your-period/

Kikilicious84

You are probably just "bloated" and when it's coming on, a lot of women retain water. I have learned to hide the scale during TOM because the numbers just aren't accurate.

This! I'm going through this now.. I hate it but it's a part of life lol

Goldenbast

Weight Watchers has a nice little article about this very topic.

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=42321&sc=801

You can also get some info from WebMD and other web related sources on women troubles.

LabRat529

How do you guys know if our metabolism slows down or speeds up? I don't know what our calorie burn is like when we're menstruating. Can anyone back up what they are saying with scientific evidence? Does our metabolism actually change? Or are we just trading hear-say and myth back and forth?

I have read many times that we burn up to 300 more calories per day during the Luteal Phase due to the progesterones thermogenic effect.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/295115-calories-burned-while-on-your-period/

Thanks for the link. That's interesting. I didn't know that. Assuming the article is correct, that higher calorie would be prior to menstruation, not during. I assume most people use TOM to mean menses.