For the ladies: You and your monthly friend

I eat some of my exercise calories . I am a tad lenient with myself . I still try and stick with healthy choices . I was craving chips big time today so I ate a serving of baked Cheetos and a serving of Special K cracker chips .

I was just wondering if any one out there can tell me how they stick to their calories during their monthly friend or if you don't. I am currently on a 1240 calorie diet and now that my monthly friend is here I'm starving!!! What do i do?? HELP!!

That bi*ch is not my friend. I usually eat an extra 200-300 calories on those days.

protien shake, lots of water, lots of protien, and sometimes i just eat what im craving ( i notice when i dont---> when i need protien/carbs/etc.... my cramps are horrific) but protien shakes seem to always be the filler upper so you get full

Figure out what your maintenance cals would be and aim for something in between. I was ravenous last week but a 200cal boost helped me get through the days and I was still under maintenance cals so I wasn't going to gain from the extra but I also understood I may not lose as much. I only needed 3-4 days at a slightly higher cal level and now my weight is still down this week. Just make sure you're having quality foods for the extra, lots of protein helped me. I learned last week that an ounce of beef jerky is a fairly decent portion for 80cals. Nice and salty for that fix. I also made some of those "no guilt" Trader Joes brownie mix with apple sauce and made them in a mini muffin tin for 60 cal a piece. Great for the sweet fix. I heard somewhere your metabolism is a little higher just before and when your period first starts (haven't confirmed) but it doesn't hurt to bump up a smidge so you don't have to feel like you're suffering!

I try and stick to my calorie goal, but some days I get really hungry. On days like that, I will try and do some exercise which adds up to the same amount of food. On others I might just let myself go over. I often get a sweet tooth as well, I try not to have anything, but if I really crave it, I go and have some low calorie hot chocolate, I love the options chocolate here. It seems to keep me away from any chocolate binge which could potentially happen. The one I take is about 36 calories for 1 portion, which is a lot less then a chocolate bar generally.

I'm dealing right now and it's crazy! Yesterday I made a bunch of Red Seedless Grapes my b*tch! Like I couldn't stop poppin' them in my mouth! Then I started craving salt. I just turned the tv off, rolled over and went to sleep. Pissed.
Today is the 4th day for me - I pms for a week at least. If I break even on the scale, I'm lucky!
Gonna try and add more protein in today and see if it helps. Water is no problem for me. I love water.

I have on and off months, but I manage to pull through. If I am hungry, I will grab a glass of water or find something proper to do, e.g. walk or find something interesting to read. If I really am hungry, I will stop myself from grabbing something sweet. I will eat dark chocolate, grab a piece of fruit or just make a simple cup of tea or coffee. Last month I really struggled, but I managed to pull through. I had nasty cravings for Haribo - and yes I had some, you just need to learn to eat in moderation.

I was actually pondering this same question the other week. I dont have regular periods due to the implant. I had one for the first time in six months last week and it knocked me for six! I was tired, emotional and I didnt try to stick to any sort of diet. I think its okay to wander off the track for a couple of days, we need some sort of comfort!

I just woke up this morning and realized I now too have the monthly friend, and I literally groaned. Ugh...I was doing so well this last week, getting back on track...now this!! Well, its just part of life, and life shouldn't totally shut down for a couple of days just because of it. Normally I have a sweet tooth that wont quit when I get my period...my goal, is to not give in this time!!

Its 11:30am and I have already eaten ALL my workday snacks. I have planned food for the rest of the day and I am going to need to burn at least 500 calories at the gym tonight so I can stuff my face even more when I get home.

And crap, my graze boxes just arrived. I might have to put 2 hours in!

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Ok, so after reading all of these, I feel like I am way out of place!

During the week of TOM, the first day I usually cannot get out of bed because even the best of Rx can’t relieve the pain, but days 2-6 I have more energy and motivation than any other time! I am not overly hungry, and I don’t seem to lose my apetite either.
The next week I have a little less motivation, but I am still fairly active and can keep my hunger under control.
I have learned that the problem week for me is the week that I am ovulating I want to eat everything under the sun! I love the carbs, the sweets, the salty, the spicy, and protein of any kind, just about anything that involves food is fair game! I seriously never feel full, and I am sure that I can get up into the 3000 calories range without even wanting to and I lose a TON of weight no matter how much I eat.
During PMS week I don’t have the same hunger again, but I have no energy and a bad mood swing into a helplessness state. And then it’s back around again.

Does anyone else have this problem?

usually during the other parts of the month, i eat closer to the 1200 goal i have (within the 1200-1300 range) and then allow myself to eat back more of my exercise calories during the week that i'm with my *monthly friend*
the extra calories definitely help! (not with the bloating, but with the cravings at least...)

Wow. This is usually the time that I do lose weight; can't stop throwing up long enough to eat. :sick:

you throw up during your menstruation?? As weird as this sounds.. sometimes I wish I did that because at times I eat soo much!!! And today is my birthday so I am doomed!!

For at least the first three days. It is horrible. I'd love to trade with you
Happy birthday!