A question for the Ladies

Honestly, I find that going out on a good run helps allieviate my cramping and is a good way to banish that nasty, bloated feel I get around that TOM. Also beats the depression which I tend to get around then too - what with the good endorphins. I get the chocolate cravings but I just make room for it, or if I want a LOT of chocolate, I just go for a longer run. Best of both worlds. I feel better afterwards, and I get to eat more chocolate.

haha shark week...LOVE it.

I totally sympathize with you! When it's my time of the month, I want to go live in a hole of chocolate cakes and no gyms. Alas, I know this will hurt me more than help me in the long run, and I get my butt to the gym, and stay below my calorie limits. No, the cravings to go to Starbucks for a sugary caramel frap don't go away, but I've actually found that exercise (and a midol or two) actually HELP the cramping (TMI alert: I'm on day 3 of the dreaded red wave, and I just did an hour of cardio and I feel better than before I worked out). Just keep going. You will be happy you did afterword.

I could really make an excuse for any and everything, but I don't (usually). I'm not perfect, but I don't want to be either.

Oh, I most definitely use it as an excuse. I have endometriosis so my periods are especially painful. I still try to eat healthy (chocolate and strawberries, anyone? Haha) but I definitely don't exercise. It sucks because it's like a week lost in regards to exercise, but I literally can't because of the pain. Hope no one has to relate to this!

No excuses. Excuses become a slippery slope to not reaching goals. Can't workout for periods, cramps, headaches, heart breaks, worked to late, kid was sick and on it goes. There's no excuses.

The day I stopped having excuses was the day I started seeing results.

^^This. Excuses (I had one for every/any occasion) got me where I'm at. Every (except for those who don't) woman "deals" with this, since the dawn of time. I just said one day, "Enough." Done with the lame &ss excuses. Now, I will set a "buffer," meaning my usual 100-200 kcal snack may be replaced by a carefully measured junk food snack (mmm, I LOVE potato chips), but I will maintain my calorie deficit appropriately.

I usually know I am going to go over a little on the first two days, so I exercise more the rest of the week to make up for it and I am good. But I don't tell myself that "oh it is that time of the month, just eat what you want", I will listen to my body though and if it really wants a chocolate chip cookie and I can't fit it in that day I will probably still have it just make up for it over the next few days.

I sympathize. I get super hungry- I could just eat all day. And while of course I still have the ability to control myself- we all do- I find that my willpower is really weak just before and in the first few days of my period. It's suddenly 1000 times harder for me to get myself to do or not do things. Even for stuff that isn't related to food cravings or not wanting to exercise- I feel tired, painful, foggy and unmotivated- I have difficulty focusing on work, difficulty paying attention, and difficulty managing my impulses and emotions. I think some of us may just be more sensitive to hormonal changes.

That said, it's not an excuse- like others have mentioned already, it's GONNA happen every month, so you need to figure out how to manage it. It's hard but it's not impossible.

Things I've done to keep myself on track foodwise:

-planning out small treats throughout the day to keep snacking urges satisfied.

-not keeping a lot of junk food in the house! The tiredness will trump the craving most of the time, so I if I have to make a trip out to get a snack it's easier for me to stop myself.

-giving myself one day where I don't worry so much about going over my calories. I still log everything so I am aware of what I'm eating and I can keep it from getting out of hand. Sometimes you will feel better if you just let yourself have what you are craving. You can balance it out by eating better the rest of the week. You could even eat at maintenance for those few days a month your body is demanding more food- you're not going to gain from it and even if you didn't make it up later it's not going to make a huge difference overall. It's all about balance.

ethompso0105 aw I'm so sorry! It sucks *kitten*, I wish no one had to deal with it. I'm having a laparoscopy in a couple weeks, so I know I definitely won't be able to exercise then. Not looking forward to it! I'm trying to work hard now in anticipation of my period next week and well as the procedure two weeks after. No bueno hope you feel better soon! And I agree, I wish I could work as hard as these other ladies all the time!

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.

Yep.

The concept of bending over backwards trying to find an excuse to eat something is strange to me. If I want something, I'll typically have it while being realistic about the consequences. I usually set aside some calories for something sweet. There are some days, not just period days, where I eat at maintenance and I can live with that... doing so hasn't been holding me back at all, at least not to a degree I care about. Though I try not to exceed maintenance. I've never really bought into the stereotypes surrounding periods... I find that the pain and water retention/bloating are real though.

I don't exercise on the first day as the pain is too much. If you exercise most days and can anticipate when yours will start, why not arrange it so the first day lands on a rest day?

Only if there is legitimate need. If I am feeling weak, bloated, or any of the usual symptoms I will eat some iron-rich foods and get a little extra protein. However, I do not use it as an excuse to eat a pint of ice cream (in case that was where your questions was heading).

Drink lots of liquids, too. I find hot tea helps make nearly every TOM-related issue better.

When you are feeling crampy that is the time to exercise. Walking, stretching, yoga anything to get that area moving will lessen the cramps and distract you from cravings.

I still try to stay in my calories and work out. My workout may be at 75% instead of 110% that week but I get it in. I actually feel better physically with the workout and definitely lose a pound or more after. My first period on here I CRIED on Day 1 and 2. Yes cried. I had gained 4lbs with the bloating and water retention. 4 days later 3lbs dropped off, then another 2 days 2lbs came off. So I was 1lb lighter.

I would say maybe not weigh yourself during the beginning of your cycle if you're emotional like me, but definitely try to keep to your workout and calories. I do allow myself more salty foods during this time within my calorie limit. that's my craving popcorn and baked chips.

I try my best to stick to my plan but if I am going absolutely crazy, I will just eat at maintenance for a day which I count as 2100 for me. And I skip the gym.