PMS getting in the way of your diet???

chixdrag2

Any other girls out there feel like PMS is taking over your life??? Most of the time I am super-disciplined and I really do enjoy eating healthy and exercising, but once PMS hits ALL I can think about is chocolate and peanut butter and I get so tired that I actually consider skipping the gym (that's a HUGE deal for me, bc I never skip the gym!) I know that it is hormonal and maybe even a little psychological bc in my head I know it's coming so I use it as an excuse to cheat, but I can't seem to get past it every single month! This is so frustrating to not feel like you're in control! Anyone else feel this way? Please tell me I'm not the only one!

rvrtplus2

You are not the only one! I'm fighting the same problem as I type this!! I'm not sure how to stop it but we have to keep trying. Nt much help, I know, but I'm feeling the same way. Anyone else have suggestions of beating this?

My go to PMS treat is peanut M & M's

saraast

Whenever my period comes, I stock up on Skinny Cow....chocolate and ice cream for less calories?? yes please!

Romans624

I've been that way all my life. Usually gain a little on TOM week.

This last week was the first week I abstained from all chocolate ... and I did lose weight. It was tough. And I felt like utter crap yesterday. But all in all its worth it I guess. I would still like some chocolate!!! lol

RunDottyRun

Strawberries. Strawberries is how I get through it. They are delicious and packed with sugar, but super low calorie. Om nom nom. When they aren't in season or can't afford it... it's a hell of a week ><

jodyw83

Most women burn an extra 300 cals when they are menstruating. I'm starved the whole time too! But I fight it, because after it's over I have lost like three pounds!

JosieRawr

if I use midol (like timing my next dose) for the first three days, then the rest is managable... I also call those no gym days(the first three), if it's planned I feel in control and I walk or dance for exercise depending on how tired I am, I allow myself a little treat AFTER my exercise so that I'm being a little easier on myself and it's motivation haha

Melanie_RS

yes and yes and yes. and if my diet was the only thing my hormones screwed with I'd be happy.

:ohwell:

lish0710

I am SO going through this right now! All I want to do is munch munch munch.....and not on the healthy stuff. All I want are sweet and salty things. I allow myself one day to indulge and then it is back on track the next day.

mjnov

one of the blogs I read says that when you PMS, you crave chocolate, but what your really need is zinc to curb the craving. so red meat, seafood, leafy veggies or root veggies will work.

artickb22

I get a hersheys chocolate bar and just savor one square at a time...over the 4 days I'm on. And as far as working out I usually do something lighter than my normal workouts, like just go for a walk or do water aerobics. Just something that isnt' to intense since i'm usually already dealing with some pretty gnarly cramps.

supergr33n

I'm going through this right now! This past months PMS splurge has resulted in a 3 week binge of sorts. Trying to get back on track right... just in time to start over again. I will be strong!

Lovely135

this PMS thing sucks. I get the urge to munch 2-3 days before it comes, the urge continues for 3-4 days that it last, plus 2-3 days after it's gone. It's really getting on my nerve. Every month my wt. loss suffers a set back due to this damn thing. Please I need some advice too. keep it coming.

MissFit0101

You are not alone... but PMS only gets in the way if you let it. I have good days and bad days with it. Sometimes I resist the cravings and sometimes I indulge a little, or not at all. But when I want to be in control bad enough, I am. When I give in, it's only because I want to. You'll be okay just keep fighting the good fight, and believe that you have control over your PMS cravings, and you will probably surprise yourself.

Rroggiero427

I'm with you!!! Skinny Cow is a super yummy low cal chocolate TREAT!!! I usually get my cravings for about a week before i even start...really sucks. I have been blessed without cramps every month and I have recently discovered, through another blog I subscribe to (prayfit), that the best time to exercise is first thing in the morning (I like to stick with my regimen or I find that I have a hard time getting back into it hard core after my week. It said that you burn through carbs while you're sleeping so when you wake up, before you put anything into your mouth, do your cardio/strength etc, then eat after. Your metabolism will begin burning fat since it has already burned the carbs overnight and you will also have a better metabolism throughout the day! Also it said, if you do cardio and strength in the same day do your hour of cardio first to burn mostly carbs, then hit the hard core strength and burn more fat!! WOOT WOOT!! Good luck with your weeks ladies! We all need a little encouragement during our rush of crazy girl hormones!

Mamalicious0509

This is something I struggle with a lot! I bloat really really bad. I'm starting to learn to stay away from the scale. My PMS is so bad that my doctor thinks I have PMDD. And my periods are getting longer. Ugh. It is so frustrating. I feel like at least 1/3 of my month is devoted to period/pms. I have to remind myself to really focus and work hard the other weeks...my feel good normal weeks. lol

blonde71

YES!!! I'm pms-ing right now and all I want is something salty like pretzels. It's so hard to stay on-track when it comes to TOM. The cravings are killer.

GiGiBeans

I use to feel that way but now that I'm eating low carb and exercising more - no more bloating, no more psycho mood swings, no more skin breakouts, no food cravings and way less cramps.

jyuubi

I feel strange. It seems like a lot of women have issues with PMS, but while I can get cramps, and I have body aches, and maybe even get a little bit more irritable, it doesn't effect my eating habits or even energy level. I guess it's a stretch, but you could try ignoring all your wants, fighting it, or fitting in your wants with your diet.

And skipping the gym every now and again isn't a big deal. Everyone needs a break.

BAFilek

Most women burn an extra 300 cals when they are menstruating. I'm starved the whole time too! But I fight it, because after it's over I have lost like three pounds!

So there's hope for me yet? I exercised like crazy and ate really well, but only lost .8 pounds. I hope to see more when I step back on that scale.

MinMin97

Any other girls out there feel like PMS is taking over your life??? Most of the time I am super-disciplined and I really do enjoy eating healthy and exercising, but once PMS hits ALL I can think about is chocolate and peanut butter and I get so tired that I actually consider skipping the gym (that's a HUGE deal for me, bc I never skip the gym!) I know that it is hormonal and maybe even a little psychological bc in my head I know it's coming so I use it as an excuse to cheat, but I can't seem to get past it every single month! This is so frustrating to not feel like you're in control! Anyone else feel this way? Please tell me I'm not the only one!

I have noticed all those symptoms you describe, i can relate. I've noticed for me the more fit i am the less all that occurs, so take heart, you're headed in the right direction:)

Have you taken the supplement evening primrose oil? you may like how it balances your hormones.

Try to do what your body is asking for at those times. It's a cycle to respect: rest. it's not cheating, it's smart. track your water. track your food and eat sensibly. do you take a multi? Get a whole foods multi.

Those are my suggestions...don't fight your body, it is intelligent...work with it...it is beautiful.

mamasmaltz3

The last two months I decided to just go ahead and eat what I want the day I start. If I want it I eat it. Periods are rough enough, I need my chocolate therapy. Then I get back on the wagon and don't weigh myself for at least two or three days after my period ends. I don't want to get discouraged over water weight gain. If I have gained weight from that one day I have never known it. I also find that since I have been eating healthier and smaller portions I am satisfied by smaller portions. Yesterday, my first day btw, I had a Hershey bar. That was all the chocolate I had all day and it satisfied my craving. Then, of course I had to have my salty snack, but then again I was satisfied by a much smaller portion. I was over in calories for the day but not crazy over and I feel good about that. Once upon a time I would have eaten crazy amounts of food and felt horrible.

MSsl1m

Yes i have horrible cravings that I cant shake!! I lounge around as much as possible ooo and I avoid the gym

Shelgirl001

I try to make sure I take multivitamins during those days and to keep up on exercise. This way if I do eat high calorie foods and such, at least I have the calories to spare. Sometimes the salt really causes cramps as does the caffeine. It is so hard to deny myself some chocolate or salty stuff though. I usually try to have a fiber one bar when that really won't go away.

cheyennetheeventer

The cravings can be pretty bad if you ask me, but the worst part is indulging slightly, then looking in the mirror the next day to see how bloated you are, and being so upset because it looks like that little treat made you gain 5 pounds. It took me months to figure out that the indulgence and random 'weight gain' wasn't actually linked to each other..

Bobby_Clerici

Yes, my wife's cooking is lousy for 4 days straight.....:smokin:

Moyzilla

My cravings the week before are absolutely crazy and I'm really worn down then too I try to stock up on fruit and vegetables so that even if I can't eat what I want I can still eat something. I can always go to town on a boatload of carrots while imagining the thai take out of super greasy fare my hormones are screaming for.

whamann1

As someone approaching perimenopause, I have good news and bad news...
The good news is you are not alone (obviously!). The bad news is it only gets worse...unless you do something ... losing wieght, exercising and eating healthy as we all already know, but you can support yourself by taking

extra B complex: in the morning and at night. I have liteally felt relief 20 minutes after taking it. It is water soluable so you won't hurt yourself by taking it.

5 HTP: find it in the health food store. Improves mood, sleep and evening cravings.

St John's Wort: weird name, great herb! Also calms you and helps your body make its own serotonin.

L-Glutamine: stop sweet cravings, enhance relaxation.

Google these and see what you think. They seem to give me the edge I need during PMS time.

Kari089

I hit the chocolate hard when PMS hits..its bad because I am also very disciplined and I try to workout more to even out the damage. But even so, I see it has become a little ritual for me every month. Now it's getting out of hand though because I am starting to see it as a routine 'cheat'. You are not alone girl!

charitas32

I've found my period less troublesome on a lower, not low, carb diet. I rember having a magazine diet plan years ago which basically zig zagged the calorie amounts the week of your period, so you could eat a little more the days before and a little less towards the end of your period ( I always find I am worse just before then fine once actually on my period), maybe planning treats might help.

I find I am more perceptive/unsure of myself with PMS so it's actually a good time to sort things out in my head, go for a long walk.

PS St John's Wort is a great herb, but it does induct the production of enzymes in the liver which also break down other commonly taken medication. So if you are taking birth control pills or epilepsy medication they may become ineffective.

CassieReannan

Yes, it really does. I notice I am more hungry a week before my period and then the week of my period.