Ladies... do you overeat ...

aliencheesecake

...during that one week or so when your period starts? I've been HOPING my gradual weight loss won't suffer because for the past four days are so, I've been going way over my calorie goals almost every night. Do you also find you want to eat everything in sight during the start of your cycle?

southernmom3

that time of the month causes our hormones to go crazy and yes I tended to over eat. You also have the bloating and sluggishness. Try and do your best during this time and if you are hungry find health snack ideas. I am not perfect but I do my best.

aliencheesecake

I try to eat healthy snacks, but days like today, it seems like all that does is delay the inevitable, when I binge on cookies. Like, maybe I should have just gave myself the damn cookies in the first place. haha!

SlinkySpencer

For some reason, I feel completely empty during that week, and I can't seem to stop craving... well, everything. So, simple answer? Yes. You are not alone.

aliencheesecake

YES! It's like your stomach feels like an empty pit no matter what you eat! I just hope the afterburn from the High Intensity Intervals I've been doing will pick up some of the slack.

quirkytizzy

Yes. Every period for the last 20+ years, so it's something I've come to expect. Dieting will not change the 2 decades of knowing my period.

Cat_Lifts

I tend to just crave the most ridiculously creamy, tart, sweet, salty, and sugary **** imaginable. Going to work during these times is tough, as I'm surrounded by everything I just mentioned above. :frown:

here

I don't get bingey, but I do crave chocolate, which I always let myself indulge in.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

I eat at maintenance that week. I'm not stressed about being at a deficit anymore so I just let myself have what I'm craving within my calorie goal. Being hungrier during your period is very normal.

Crazy4Healthy

I actually feel the opposite during that time, usually lose my appetite and have to force myself to eat. Cramps just don't make me feel like eating (or doing anything). If I do crave anything, it's usually salty. Working out seems to help the cramps, but not the appetite. Just feel bloated and full.

kcsnedah

The way my cravings change is actually one of the ways I can track if I'm on schedule or not. The week before, I crave any and every combination of tomatoes, carbs and cheese. Spaghetti, pizza, cheesy garlic bread, enchiladas, quesadillas, chips and salsa. I HAVE to let myself have pizza at least once during that phase or else I will keep craving it throughout the whole time. I can't figure out nutritionally what causes that craving, I just know it's my comfort food.

Once it actually starts, it's all about red meat and dark greens. I can eat beef & broccoli for 3 days straight. A hamburger is almost necessary. I would assume that it's iron that my body is going crazy for, since there's a ton of iron in the blood being shed.

As far as over eating, I'll allow myself to do it in a big way once that week (like have a 2500 calorie day). If I don't, my mind can't get over it and the emotional symptoms will get worse. Menstruation takes a LOT of energy and we have to replace it somehow!

aliencheesecake

Wow, thanks everybody! I feel a little better now. ...
Darn you, LOAF CAKE!

ellygolightly

I usually crave comfort savory hot foods like meat pies. And I WILL HAVE THEM, if I feel like it. But I also make sure I eat less calories during the day to compensate. Usually that gets rid of my craving and I am ok for the rest of the time

raccoon89

Hell yeah, I have a bottomless stomach when due on! It's weird, but it doesn't seem to increase my weight in long run. I don't weigh myself around that time anymore...it's really discouraging & you usually get back on track right after, when your appetite is back to normal.

rebekahrice1234

Just remember these numbers and you will either loose or maintain according to your calorie intake.. 80-20......80% eat healthy 20% endulge.............It's simple!!! You could have 5 good days for every 1 bad day!!!

Sandreeuhh

I always gain up to 5 pounds leading up to my heavy day. I crave everything and I always feel like a bottomless pit -.-
It always goes away a day or 2 after.

Drink lots of water.

Deb_kar

I need to eat more but I exercise more to balance it, and exercising makes me want to eat less. But it's one of those things isn't it. It's making lifestyle changes you can live with, if you can't do it one week....so what, just get on it when you feel better.

Unknown

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fattyfoodie

No, I haven't ever found any difference in my eating habits.

smantha32

...during that one week or so when your period starts? I've been HOPING my gradual weight loss won't suffer because for the past four days are so, I've been going way over my calorie goals almost every night. Do you also find you want to eat everything in sight during the start of your cycle?

Yes. Mostly salty stuff.

jnzema

In addition to having a greater cravings for sweets...oh a donut! I also tend to get hungry more often.

ilonawie

I eat like crazyyyyyy! have weird craivings from chocolate to pickles.... I do overeat, but I try to workout and burn off the cal I ate.

ilonawie

I always gain up to 5 pounds leading up to my heavy day. I crave everything and I always feel like a bottomless pit -.-
It always goes away a day or 2 after.

Drink lots of water.

Same here! I eat ...but then after like 2 days all that weight goes away

chercee

YES. This was me over the weekend. I'd done so well sticking to my careful plan - especially about sugar, since I'm trying to follow the Endometriosis Diet, which bans refined sugars. (Natural sugar is ok). Well I tried to do it yesterday with natural sugar, but no, my body wanted the real (fake?) thing, and I totally let it happen. And do you know what? I felt like a steaming pile. So, something to be said for sticking to the Endo Diet, I guess.This morning I felt bloated, nauseated, and generally sluggish. Partly the period, partly the food I ate yesterday. Stupid cravings.

I will say though, as an aside - this was the first period I've had since doing the Endo Diet and eating (mostly) clean, and the first period that I actually didn't gain any weight. I weighed myself each day, and I actually lost two pounds. I weight myself again this morning, and I've kept those two pounds off so far. My guess is the good eating leading up to the one bad day.

So... balance?

SCtolulu

I don't overeat like crazy even though I want to. However, I feel like I'm literally going crazy, everything sucks, no motivation. I hate it!

sPaRkLiNgLYFE

yes, only for a day or two

Mama_Jag

I think a lot of it is mental. I had a hysterectomy 10 years ago, but my ovaries are intact and functional. I do not know exactly when my cycle changes, and don't have episodes of wanting to overeat. Just a thought.

mssierra2u

I absolutely do overeat at that time. I try to make sure I am not completely going off the charts by making sure I put in the time at the gym. But sometimes you have to give in a little.

mandypizzle

Badly! I hate it!

McAmber84

I think this is fairly normal!

The problem that I have is that I am SOOO irregular (as a result of being so overwieght, but it's not PCOS according to my doctor).

Anywho, b/c I will either not have a period for months at a time, or the always fun period that last 1-3 months, I am very bad at realizing when my cravings are hormonal.

The best advice I can offer is that when you feel those cravings, allow yourself a small portion of whatever you are craving! Don't make the mistake I do of trying to satisfy the craving with 500 calories of healthy food, then give in and have MORE calories by eating what you wanted in the first place!

harleyjade2

Oh yes! Even when i am not hungry i feel the need to snack. When it is that time, i just try to have healthier foods in, so at least when i do go over my kcals, ive had all my nutrients. i also like to drink milkshake and sort if im wanting something sweet. I cant help overeating at that time...