Insatiable hunger pre/during TOM

mkzara
mkzara Posts: 73 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So I know it's sort of a very personal question but I think that this actually does pertain to eating right and healthy weight loss for me.

During the week prior to my TOM I start eating like a crazy person. I crave carbs, I crave sugars, I crave salt. I am never full enough and all I can think about is eating more.

How do you manage the cravings during that time? Is there anything specific you eat to help with the cravings or is it just a mind over matter thing?

Any help would be appreciated.

Replies

  • MissAnjy
    MissAnjy Posts: 2,480 Member
    I usually know that's why i'm "craving things" so I just drink more water and brush it off. If you're aware of why you're wanting something, or doing something, it's easier to curb. Just tell yourself that you're not ACTUALLY hungry & it's just your TOM rearing it's ugly head.
  • AEFidgets
    AEFidgets Posts: 243
    I switch to maintenance calories on those days. Also try to exercise as much as possible. At this point in my journey I consider not gaining during that week to be a victory.
  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
    I just eat. I ate like crazy, gained a few lbs and it just ended a few days ago and my weight is back to normal. lol. It depends on the person, but one day I ate over 3,000 calories and that was using my self control, so imagine if I didn't. lmso
  • deb3129
    deb3129 Posts: 1,294 Member
    Ugh, I hate this! I do really well most of the time, but when that time comes around I just want to eat everything! I try to eat a little bit smaller meals, to allow me more room to snack. I try to make sure that my snacks are heatlhy, low calorie stuff like fruit. I drink lots of water, and I try to get a little more exercise than normal!
  • doubleduofa
    doubleduofa Posts: 284 Member
    I think it really is, as you put it, a "mind over matter" thing. I've been experimenting with letting myself eat a bit more for the 3 or so days before...like 2-300 cals more of a "healthy" food, to see if it quells the hunger. I haven't been perfect at it, and so sometimes, I just allow myself the extra calories as things I really want (i.e. everything bad for me...lol). Anyway, if I put a limit on it, it helps a bit. I still have to tough it out in the end because the gnawing hunger just stays with you. Popcorn helps too - I bought this really great prepopped one that is low in calories. Helps me with the "I just want to be chewing on something" feeling.
  • Charloo1990
    Charloo1990 Posts: 619 Member
    Omg, im exactly the same. The week before i wanna eat everything in sight and i especially crave chocolate like a mad woman. It actually drives me nuts. I haven't worked out for ages but i used to find that working out during that week and drinking hot chocs helped me. Other than that i could do with help on this one too lol.
  • shunggie
    shunggie Posts: 1,036 Member
    I have this question when I'm watching Biggest Loser. Are those women not ovulating or is that too personal to talk about on a national television show? I think it's an important issue for women. I agree that i feel a victory for maintaining that week. This month it corresponded with a work trip. I took my work out clothes but between meetings and a hotel gym being full everytime I went down there I only exercised 1 day out of 4. NOT GOOD! So, TOM, no gym, and event dinners where your options are limited. To be fair to the event planners they had healthy options at every meal, but the Italian dinner where everything was served family style was challanging. Not a good week for weight loss. Chins up ladies.....it's only 1/3 of the month. :(:grumble: :explode: :mad:
  • mgobluetx12
    mgobluetx12 Posts: 1,326 Member
    I just don't listen to them. YOU'RE in control during TOM and every other day, not your hormones or whatever you think is causing this. You decide what you put in your mouth, so just don't do it. It's not bigger than you.
  • sarahg148
    sarahg148 Posts: 701 Member
    I switch to maintenance calories on those days. Also try to exercise as much as possible. At this point in my journey I consider not gaining during that week to be a victory.

    This
  • kstrunk1
    kstrunk1 Posts: 462 Member
    I'm pms'ing BIG time right now and am finding that drinking herbal caffeine-free tea when I'm craving something unhealthy has been really helpful for the last two days.
  • misslyndseytaylor
    misslyndseytaylor Posts: 2
    I'm the same! What was really demotivating was weighing myself just before my TOM and I'd gained 2lbs, even though I hadn't strayed from my plan all week.

    It screws with your head lol

    Lynds
  • Naytahlee
    Naytahlee Posts: 53 Member
    I'm pms'ing BIG time right now and am finding that drinking herbal caffeine-free tea when I'm craving something unhealthy has been really helpful for the last two days.

    This. I have caffeine free tea on hand. Right now its lemon ginger or green tea. I put some Splenda in it and drink it hot. Gives me a full feeling, plus with the splenda its sweet too. It helps with "I feel like I want to chew on something" feeling too. When I crave chocolate I usually give in and have a little.
  • FitForLife81
    FitForLife81 Posts: 372 Member
    Yup this is how I know it is coming. I want CHOCOLATE and MORE CHOCOLATE.............
  • HisangelG
    HisangelG Posts: 96 Member
    Yup this is how I know it is coming. I want CHOCOLATE and MORE CHOCOLATE.............

    This. So, I allow myself one dark chocolate bar. It is good in small quantities, helps with secretion in levels, and it is a treat. I do not beat myself up for having treats. I allow those each day. Sometimes I eat them, sometimes not.

    Thankfully..TOM is happening less and less for me. YAY!
  • samanthawarren
    samanthawarren Posts: 120
    For me, I crave chocolate big time. I do usually eat more at that time, but in the past when I lost my first 20lbs about 2 years ago I noticed that it did not really affect my weight loss. I would always weigh more during, but when it is over I usually would lose any gain plus a lb or so. I thought it must be because my body was using more energy. I attribute the weight gain to bloating.
  • Yolanda_85
    Yolanda_85 Posts: 143 Member
    Ooooh yes, I'm fighting that battle right now. I'd mow down grandma if she got in the way of the candy aisle! I try to look at the nutrition labels before I go crazy and buy a giant size bag of peanut butter M&M's or Reese's cups, and try to find something I know will satisfy me and not kill my calorie goal for the day. I usually get frustrated being unable to find anything decent and wander off. I've actually gone in to Wal-Mart DYING for something sweet to the point I cruised the candy aisle a few times, looked at ice cream, wandered back to the candy aisle, then wandered through the bakery section only to leave with a few peaches and plums from produce....:huh: Would love to be able to do that again!! Sometimes drinking water or flavored water helps, sometimes I just have to feed the beast.
  • mkzara
    mkzara Posts: 73 Member
    Thanks for all the responses. So maybe the answer is to fight it as much as you can, and then know that if you give in, it's not the end of the world.

    I am trying to be in better control this month, we'll see how long that lasts. The crazy woman in me wants chocolate and chips.
  • DesireeLovesOrganic
    DesireeLovesOrganic Posts: 456 Member
    I drink a lot of tea, it makes me feel full. LOL I crave chocolate too, I buy the dark chocolate and have a couple of pieces. Sweet Riot 85% is my fave but it's harder to find so this time I bought the Green and Black's 70%. 21 cal per piece (3 pieces in a row, I never let myself have more than a row.) Higher fiber foods make you feel full longer too (oatmeal with nuts and fruit, etc.)

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