Women - Menstrual Cycle and Weight Gain

brandi22479

Can someone tell me how my cycle is going to affect the scale. I'm doing so good these last two weeks and weighing every couple of days. I think I read a post one time that said we gain weight during our cycle. Does anyone know? Is it best to stay off the scale until I'm off? Thanks!!

Ariberri9

Hello!

I started working out and dieting five weeks ago, and I had my period during week 3. Before I started my period, I weighed 132 pounds. When I started, I weighed 136..I gained 4 pounds of water weight.

Seeing the sudden weight gain was disheartening, but I kept working out regardless. A few days after my period ended, I went back to normal.

It's mostly water that you'll gain. Oh, and you may be WAY hungrier than you usually are...I certainly was. I eat 1300 calories a day; but during my period, I ate anywhere between 1400 and 1600 per day. Just let it happen...your body needs the extra energy and nutrients.

monicamk1975

I gain about 4 pounds of water weight everytime. I weigh myself daily, for me its good to see how I'm doing daily. I like to see the fluctations in my weight. I keep track on a spreadsheet so I know when TOM comes what's going to happen. Its temporary. I wouldnt be afraid of the scale. Just know its normal and try not to eat all the chocolate and salty snacks in the house... like I am working on trying not to do tonight

likearadiowave

oh good, so it's not just me that feels like a ravenous hungry person before and during my period.

ReinasWrath

I used to FREAK out during period weigh ins! I never realized how much water weight would mess things up :grumble: BUT it's water weight. I would wait maybe 2-3 days after period ends to weigh in just to avoid any anxiety attacks.

Natihilator

For me, it's best to just stay off it for a week and a half. I've learned to just stay away from the scale a few days before, during, and a few days after my period. I know that it's just water retention, but I hate seeing those numbers go up. Some women can handle weighing in during their TOM, but for me, having PMS + seeing the scale number go up makes me so cranky haha.

139pilotwife

For those chocolate cravings-I found an idea on MFP that hits the spot. Take 4 ripe bananas and mix with 2 to 4 tablespoons of cocoa powder (depending how dark you like your chocolate) spread on a small pan or plate lined with wax paper. Let in firm in the freezer then break up into little chucks (about 10 - 15 calories for a 10g serving). I keep in the freezer & snack on it when I have those cravings.

I usually gain about 4 pounds and I struggle with getting workouts in as I get very tired. Yes it does come off quickly after...it tends to makes me refocus & be stronger after my cycle-regenerates me!

buckeye86

I'm dealing with that right now. It generally makes me get all upset at the scale, but I'm doing better about it since I know it's just water weight (the silly looking pot belly even though my hipbones are showing proves that). Plus, if you're eating normally and put on 3-4 lbs in a day or two, it's pretty obvious that it can't be fat.

justavoice1989

IT HAS TO BE WATER WEIGHT.... IT JUST HAS TO BE :sad:

laurenrenee1025

I gain anywhere from 4-6 pounds...usually a week after I have a loss again

Mazzyx

Bleugh, if there was only a way that we would not gain water weight or crave chocolate, cheese and salty foods :grumble: lol
Has anyone got any other tips to banish these cravings?! (I unfortunately cannot eat bananas they upset me)

But yes I gain loads of water weight...everywhere, my fingers swell, my boobs grow (not complaining there like lol!), I swear even my feet swell. Like the other ladies have said, probably best to bypass the scales that week!

jenilla1

IT HAS TO BE WATER WEIGHT.... IT JUST HAS TO BE :sad:

Don't worry - it is. :laugh:

AssembledIncorrectly

For those chocolate cravings-I found an idea on MFP that hits the spot. Take 4 ripe bananas and mix with 2 to 4 tablespoons of cocoa powder (depending how dark you like your chocolate) spread on a small pan or plate lined with wax paper. Let in firm in the freezer then break up into little chucks (about 10 - 15 calories for a 10g serving). I keep in the freezer & snack on it when I have those cravings.

I usually gain about 4 pounds and I struggle with getting workouts in as I get very tired. Yes it does come off quickly after...it tends to makes me refocus & be stronger after my cycle-regenerates me!

I use Peanut Butter..my kids LOVE it too!!

meerkat70

You don't gain weight. You gain water. And for some it can be quite a lot of water. I'll gain 4-6lb, just before a period, and it stays with me for about a week, and then is gone by the time the period ends. Some people only gain a pound or two. Some people don't gain. But if you do find your scale number goes up, just shrug and wait a week or so. Don't stress about it. (Realistically, you're still a few pounds down on what you would have weighed that week, had you not been on mfp. you would have had a menstrual gain regardless)

J3SSP3NNY

Dark chocolate is ok to give into when you're on your period ladies. It helps reduce the cravings but isn't so sweet that you feel the need to eat every last bite. My favorite is Lindt Excellence w/ roasted almond. OMG! And 2 squares is good for the day (100 cal)

coolclimates

I've been freaking out today because I suddenly weigh 3 more pounds than I did 5 days ago. My period is almost over. But the last time I had weighed myself, I was down to my target weight so I changed my plan to maintain my weight, not lose anymore. I noticed it added 450 more calories on to each day that I could eat. But when I weighed myself today, I noticed I had gained 3 pounds! Now I've never really noticed my weight fluctuate much due to my period, but maybe I can blame some of the weight gain on my period? Nevertheless, I've changed my plan back to wanting to lose weight, as I want to lose the 3 pounds I just gained. Do you find that it you have to be done with your period for a few days for the weight to go back to normal?

LisaF1163

Bleugh, if there was only a way that we would not gain water weight or crave chocolate, cheese and salty foods :grumble: lol
Has anyone got any other tips to banish these cravings?!

I never really go nuts for the chocolate, thank goodness But the cheese and the salty foods get me every time during my period! If anyone has tips to bypass those specific foods, I'd love the advice!

AshCakes88

I get really bloated so I usually don't weight myself until a few days after my cycle is over. Not to mention my craving for sweets is unbearable so i'm sure that adds at least a pound by it's self

neurogirl

I've noticed I will go up about 4 to 6 pounds a few days before I start and that sticks until about 2 days after I end. It's a trend I've noticed for years and try not to let it discourage me. I make sure to save calories for Chocolate since it really seems to be one of the few things that helps cramps, and remind myself the weight and cramps will be gone in a few days.

It can feel really discouraging if you haven't tracked your weight in the past and noticed a pattern, but it's just water weight (and bloating ugh!). I just started MFP again a few weeks ago and went through this very same thing. Good luck and keep up the great work.

Angelgirl040688

Can someone tell me how my cycle is going to affect the scale. I'm doing so good these last two weeks and weighing every couple of days. I think I read a post one time that said we gain weight during our cycle. Does anyone know? Is it best to stay off the scale until I'm off? Thanks!!

when u have your TOM u have retained water weight.... so its best to stay off the scale.. i will not weigh in till about 3 days after i get off mine.... we women just cant catch a break...lol

Hotanuri

yep, that water weight during my period SUCKS. And the chocolate craving is so bad! But I keep the little Dove dark chocolate pieces on hand for those few days, and one of those will satisfy me for most of the day. Also, I read somewhere that if you are craving chocolate, drink grape juice---something about the reaction and chemicals (science, it's not my forte) satisfies your body's craving for chocolate. Like it thinks you've had it, so the craving goes away.

laynunugawa

I'm glad you asked about this because I was wondering about it as well. However mine tends to be the week before my TOM and goes thru during. Does anyone else have this problem of it being more than a few days but a week before?

thekarens

A woman should only weigh in about once a month. Before her cycle water weight starts to creep up 5-7 days before, during her cycle which last another 5 days, then after her cycle 5-7 days the water starts to go away. That's a total of about 19 days of water weight.

She can do everything right, be perfect on everything but the water weight will hide her results. If I was a girl, I'd weigh in About 10 days after my cycle when water weight is at it's lowest.

That may be generally true, but isn't a fact for everyone. I haven't gained at all, even once since I started the second week of January. Now there has been a couple weeks where I didn't lose anything, but I've never gained. Those weeks when I didn't lose didn't happen to be during my cycle either.

If I did gain during that time I sure wouldn't sweat it. I just wanted to clarify that it's not everyone that it happens to.

ka97

I've made the mistake of stepping on the scales a couple of times. Even though I KNEW it was temporary, it still really upset me. So now I know enough to not get on the scale until 2 days after the end of my period. For me it's just not worth it.

darrcn5

I typically gain about 3-5 pounds right before I start my period. It sticks around till the fourth day or so, and then it is gone overnight. I also gain about 3 pounds during the time I ovulate, and it is normally gone within a few days, plus any weight I would have lost. I weigh everyday, so while it sucks to see it, I know it is normal and will go away soon!

coolclimates

I just lost 2 pounds from yesterday! Yesterday I was 135, now I'm 133. All I can think of is that it was period weight. I've just about finished this month. I did notice I had to pee a lot in the last 24 hours. Could the bloating just be water and that's how it's flushed out at the end?

MrsChasteen

Holy Crap this post is so reassuring!!!! I just starting back on MFP again two days ago and a few weeks ago I weighed 125, well when I weighed myself two days ago I had just started my cycle and I weighed 129....EXACTLY 4 POUNDS MORE!!! Just like you other guys! Wow and I just thought I was getting fat in the past few weeks! LOL this makes me feel so much better!

pundas

Thank god for this post! I've been working out really hard and wondered why I haven't lost anything all week! When Im on my period....all I crave is french fries...especially sweet potato fries! I make my own healthy version that is really good. Cut up a sweet potato in 1 inch strips to look like fries. I sprinkle them with sea salt and cinnamon and put them on a baking sheet with tin foil. Put them in the oven for 15 minutes on 425, take them out and flip them and put them back in for another 15. I use 2 table spoons of all natural ketchup and omg perfect snack for under 200 calories! I like the sweet potato because its healthier than a regular potato!

squirrelygirl82

All the women in my family are plagued with retaining water around that time of the month. To the point where we all have seen our doctors for it, and we all have a prescribed diuretic for when it gets bad. I have had as much as a 9# weight gain during my period. And yes, it does go away about 3-4 days into my period, but it is so incredibly uncomfortable. Some monthes are worse than others, and I have to resort to my prescribed diuretic about every 3-4 months. Being a woman can really suck. LOL.

danapenguin

when im on my awful week of crappiness, i feel like I can't do anything. I am so tired and bloated I dont want to do anything but lay on the couch and watch TV!!

bathsheba_c

Okay, so does anyone have any advice for an MFP newbie? I'm want to be able to figure out if I am recording food and exercise correctly, but I don't want to wait half a year to be able to know with statistical rigor how my period will affect me. I'm on the pill, if that's relevant (huge menstrual issues otherwise).