A question for the Ladies

My periods are irregular (always have been, even at different weight levels, so I don't think it's a BF% thing, I think it's just genetic, as my sister is also irregular).

The day before my first half-marathon, I started my period. I figured this out when going on a short trail run (to get used to the trail, since I started training in the winter, on a treadmill), and I was suddenly just doubled over in pain (I get cramps so horrible people have tried to take me to the ER for them).

So, I ran 13 miles on my period the next day, with cramps so bad I thought I was going to puke. (If my periods were predictable, I would never have chosen to run a race on that day! Stupid "surprise" periods, WTF?!)

I ran that race faster than all of my previous practice runs, and shaved 18+ minutes off my goal finish time. When I turned the final corner and saw the finish line, with the giant clock, I though, "No way, that CAN'T be right..." I didn't tell any of my friends my finish time until I saw it officially uploaded to the site, and even then, I stared at it, and thought, "There's no way I did that!"

I have now decided that a period is a stupid excuse to skip a workout or not try as hard or eat chocolate all day. (Though I did take a long, hot, steamy bubble bath after the race and just sat there until the water turned cold LOL).

I used to always slack off the first two days of my period. I'm done with that. I have no valid excuse anymore. I think we tell ourselves and believe the lie that we just aren't going to do as well if we're on our period. And then our bodies follow suit since we've already made up our mind that we are somehow impaired because of it. I just can't buy into that anymore! My legs were all, "Shut up, we trained for this, we're going to do this, and your uterus can suck it! Let's go!"

I don't deprive myself of anything I'm craving, but I try and stay under my calorie limit. If I am craving chocolate, I will have a piece of chocolate. Not an entire chocolate bar or a giant slice of cake, but just enough to take the edge off the craving. Most cravings can be satisfied once you get a taste of something. You don't have to eat a ton of chocolate to satisfy that craving - or chips, or anything else.

I try my best not to let anything stand in the way, however I crave chocolate during that time. I continue to workout. I can't lie to you, I do slack of(normally the first day) and I limit myself to my comfort foods. Most of the time I stay within my calories.

This is how I am that first day is what kills me, I'm allowed 1200 calories and on the first day I tend to go closer to 1300. I am under my limit majority of the time. My TOM only lasts 5 days max and I usually work out at least 3 of those days. I am glad to hear I am not the only one who has to think about all of this.

I don't get cravings during my period. I get them during PMS (a week or so before it begins). Turns out your desire to eat more food during your cycle stems from thermogenesis that occurs during PMS when your body actually needs a bit more energy. By the time my period rolls around, though, I'm not in craving mode at all.

No, I don't tell myself to indulge just because of TOM. However, if I'm extra hungry that week and eat a little more than I should, I just don't beat myself up and move on.

Although I am brand new to MFP, I have always had a way to combat with cravings. My secret is peanut butter. I make my own home made, and eat a tablespoon whenever I get serious cravings.

- I know I'm not a sexy lady like you all.... just sexxy

anywayz.. my recommendation for stopping cravings is a sauteed mushroom and peeling and eating a cucumber raw - this for me will stop carb cravings immediately.

My periods are irregular (always have been, even at different weight levels, so I don't think it's a BF% thing, I think it's just genetic, as my sister is also irregular).

The day before my first half-marathon, I started my period. I figured this out when going on a short trail run (to get used to the trail, since I started training in the winter, on a treadmill), and I was suddenly just doubled over in pain (I get cramps so horrible people have tried to take me to the ER for them).

So, I ran 13 miles on my period the next day, with cramps so bad I thought I was going to puke. (If my periods were predictable, I would never have chosen to run a race on that day! Stupid "surprise" periods, WTF?!)

I ran that race faster than all of my previous practice runs, and shaved 18+ minutes off my goal finish time. When I turned the final corner and saw the finish line, with the giant clock, I though, "No way, that CAN'T be right..." I didn't tell any of my friends my finish time until I saw it officially uploaded to the site, and even then, I stared at it, and thought, "There's no way I did that!"

I have now decided that a period is a stupid excuse to skip a workout or not try as hard or eat chocolate all day. (Though I did take a long, hot, steamy bubble bath after the race and just sat there until the water turned cold LOL).

I used to always slack off the first two days of my period. I'm done with that. I have no valid excuse anymore. I think we tell ourselves and believe the lie that we just aren't going to do as well if we're on our period. And then our bodies follow suit since we've already made up our mind that we are somehow impaired because of it. I just can't buy into that anymore! My legs were all, "Shut up, we trained for this, we're going to do this, and your uterus can suck it! Let's go!"

I love your whole post and the bolded part made me laugh outloud (and then have to explain to my hubby "what's so funny?") :laugh:

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.

+1 to both these gals. Also, maybe I am in the minority here, but its just a period y'all. It's not like someone shot you in the head. After the initial shock at age 13 of having to learn where a tampon goes, how are we all not used to it by now?

I try my best not to let anything stand in the way, however I crave chocolate during that time. I continue to workout. I can't lie to you, I do slack of(normally the first day) and I limit myself to my comfort foods. Most of the time I stay within my calories.

This is how I am that first day is what kills me, I'm allowed 1200 calories and on the first day I tend to go closer to 1300. I am under my limit majority of the time. My TOM only lasts 5 days max and I usually work out at least 3 of those days. I am glad to hear I am not the only one who has to think about all of this.

So...you are worried about an extra hundred calories when you are probably nowhere near your TDEE anyway and eat less than the 1200 calories most of the time? Trust me, you could probably eat an extra 600 calories the first day and not see any real set back, especially if you are not eating back any exercise calories to start with (just kind of a blanket assumption when people claim to be eating the "allowed" 1200 calories). You shouldn't see any part of losing weight as torture. Plan for the increase in calories and be lenient on yourself the first few days. If you want some chocolate, by all means, eat the chocolate, just try to keep it in moderation and relax.

In my case, that TOTM meant so much pain and so much bleeding that I usually didn't want to eat at all. I never had any cravings or mood swings, just pain.