A question for the Ladies

Sometimes you just gotta. I do try to ramp up on my protein to help me feel fuller longer, and to try not to go overboard on those things I really want to have when TOM visits.

I let myself drink as much non-calorie (flavored seltzer water, etc...) as I can! It is a no-cal treat! Plus I feel better with added hydration. And I look forward to the first day "after" when I have been having huge drops in weight!!! YES!

Nah. I use to do that, and I never got anywhere lol. It happens every month. You're either going to have to get it under control, or let it set you back every time.

I hate that it makes me crave so much freaking food, and I NEVER get full during TOM. But it's just like any other annoyance of life. Gotta deal with it and move on lol

I wanted to tell you that I used to get the worse cramps and I would be bloated and tired and want to eat everything sight!!! I was going through a personal training session last year and I tried to cancel because I felt icky and crampy and could barely stand. My trainer motivated me to coming in anyways and about half way through my work out I completely forgot about the cramps and by the end I felt 1000X better! I continued to suffer and work through my cramps and now I barely even get them. As far as the eating...I wouldn't beat yourself up, we have to at some point treat ourselves, just be smart about it and don't binge...Just get something little to help curve the cravings or snack on sugar snap peas. I noticed when I stopped eating so many sugars and carbs, I craved them less...

Hope this helps girl ;-)

I don't use anything as an excuse to reach my goals. Women have been having periods for centuries. Make room for your cravings and you won't go over.

Or go over on the calories and deal with it.

I don't make excuses, I make decisions. If I make the decision to cater to my cravings, I do. I also accept the consequences of that decision.

I'll continue to workout but I also indulge a little. If I go over by a few hundred calories b/c of some chocolate, I don't sweat it.. I've had many days like that and I figure those are days I'm eating at maintenance or close to it. Although sometimes I'll skip working out the first day or 2 during TOM but usually it's because I'm just so tired I can't muster up enough energy to make a workout worth it. If you're really concerned about going over, just allow yourself to work in a couple sweets or a servings of ice cream that way you stay on track but still get to indulge

I don't use excuses. I fail when I use excuses. I may give in to my cravings, but I just say that I wanted it, so I had it. Now, I have to deal with the consequences. I pop a couple Ibuprofen and step up my exercise game, or just reduce my calories somewhere else in my day. And if I do it every single day of "that week" then I deal with it the next 3 weeks.

Keep your chin up and push through. You got this. Don't let that nasty little visitor stop you for sliding into your skinny jeans!!! :drinker:

Hey Ladies of MFP I have a question about that terrible time of the month. Do y'all allow yourself to eat over your calorie limit and use it as the excuse? I know I need to be exercising during this time but certain days it's hard because well frankly I cramp so much I don't want to move and all I want to do is eat my ice cream and watch movies. Are there any alternatives you know of that still allow my sweet tooth the satisfaction without going crazy or for these few days am I allowed to go over a bit so that way I am not mean?

Some of my friends cramp very hard and have flooding flows but I am lucky mine were usually light and without cramps so I am not sure what I would do if I was in a lot of pain or overflowing. Maybe exercise helps to reduce bloating if you sweat profusely? Anyway, my advice is to be nice to yourself but keep your goals in mind; and some people are mean even when it's not their TOM so don't worry about that ;-) just be yourself.

Ice cream can turn in to frozen yougurt! Less cals, which means it is more likely to fit in to your target

Apart from that, I just try and get more exercise (an extra 30 min walk gives more cals) so that I can have that bar of chocolate and still be under my target

I don't use anything as an excuse to reach my goals. Women have been having periods for centuries. Make room for your cravings and you won't go over.

Wait, periods are not a recent invention? *blink* Blink*

Actually I just started back exercise and slowly implementing eating healthy!
I basic eat want I want but try my best to cut my portions down to a serving size! (smile) I am a SERIOUS SWEET LOVER!!
I love fresh baked cakes and cookies and home made desserts.
This week I started my menstrual cycle and I walked 2 miles Tuesday morning came home and did 3-10 seconds planks ......did 45 squats and 105 kettle bell swings that evening.
Wednesday evening (yesterday) I walked 3 miles.
Starting with a 5 minute warm up then continued walking the first mile (my body seemingly is ready for intensity after the first mile) LOL
Then I alternated with a 1 minute jog/3 minute speed walk for the remainder of my workout with a 5 minute cool down.

This morning I only did a mile in 17 minutes!

SAID ALL OF THAT TO SAY.........I am on the rag NOW...not a lot cramping but MEANNESS! I take IBUPROFEN (800mg) before starting....while on the rag.....around the clock.....at least TWICE A DAY!

JUST STAY SEXY......

FIT~N~FABULOUS (SMILES)

I've seen several people advise that calories for the week overall are what's important.

I'm not sure, but if you just need to go over one or two days, maybe you can balance it (without going below 1200) on the other days of that week?

Another way could be to find low-calorie treats, for example the great three ingredient brownie recipe posted some days ago.

In summary, it was 122 g applesauce, 30 g hershey's unsweetened natural cocoa powder (though 10g does it for me) plus sweetner and a little baking powder. Heat it up, really nice treat with a low number of calories. Recipe thanks to andresconejo!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1168040-3-ingredient-microwave-brownie-2-recipes-pics-included

I give in to the cravings in moderation and try to stay within my calorie limit. Walking is a good exercise for TOM and I enjoy sitting in the sauna at the gym - helps with the extra water weight.

The last thing you want to do is a double negative - sit on the couch and eat ice cream! Don't use it as an excuse to binge :smokin:

I usually lose my appetite during shark week

LOL at "shark week." I've never heard that one before!