Question for the ladies....

Yes. It's my TOM now and I ate a candy bar after closing out my diary yesterday. And already had one today. I give in to little indulgences so I don't end up binging. I try to keep under my calorie goal and eating healthy main meals so my snacks can be the chocolate bar etc.

As far as exercising I don't let it rule me, was I uncomfortable this morning with cramps YES, but I still made it to my Zumba class this morning. Did I get anything else done no I've laid on the couch now I'm gonna get my piyo in. If it's really bad like I can't move then that will be my rest day.

I don't weigh myself anymore before during or right after TOM. I'm trying to weigh once a month about a week after I'm done.

Usually the week before and the week of "it" I bloat. I gave up getting down about not seeing the scale go down for those couple weeks. I crave chocolate and sweets....milk oddly enough. I set aside calories to eat those yummy treats. I say if you know it's just those weeks than just hold your breath through it. Don't take the scale so seriously.

p.s. I exercise no matter what !

Do you find it difficult to exercise/eat healthy around that time of the month? I also find I retain a lot of water and hate it. Is there anything you do to push through?

I only want to stuff my face with sweet foods and be a couch potato (usually a week before) and then some days following, I feel to uncomfortable to exercise. This usually breaks my routine!!

How do you deal with it?

There are a lot of chocolate flavored low-cal foods that are a good alternative? Maybe eating 4 pieces of frozen dove chocolate instead of a tub of ice cream would be the way to go. Maybe the days you don't want to exercise, you could do something super fun and easy instead... like go bowling or something.

It may not feel like it at the time. But one of the best things you can do during TOM is exercise. It doesn't have to be strenuous but you might find it actually helps. As for the eating? Yeah that one I can't answer sorry! I'm the same on that score.

This. So much.

I get BAD cramps (sometimes they would leave me bedridden during high school, it's a known issue that I've actually seen doctors about), and although I do not exercise the first day (when the cramps are the worst), I exercise throughout the rest of the week (usually about 3 days) and find it actually helps with the cramps. Nothing has ever helped that first day (not midol, not birth control, not exercise, not bubble baths) but exercise throughout it helps prevent them from hitting me hard on the last day. I used to get the really painful ones on the first and last day.

Diet, I don't know. I struggle with it, too. I have a friend who craves eggs during hers. Sometimes, I wish I did. At least then I'd be getting a lot of protein and stuff. Instead, all I want to do is eat all the chocolates and peanut butter.

Do you find it difficult to exercise/eat healthy around that time of the month? I also find I retain a lot of water and hate it. Is there anything you do to push through?

I only want to stuff my face with sweet foods and be a couch potato (usually a week before) and then some days following, I feel to uncomfortable to exercise. This usually breaks my routine!!

How do you deal with it?

I can stay within my calories, but I will fit in any goodies I'm craving. I don't exercise or do much around my TOM. Honestly, the idea seems akin to the idea of being active when suffering from diarrhea. The last thing I want to do is be running and bouncing around.

I am sure it is different for everyone.....but for me.....I have quite a bit of extra, extra strong coffee through out the day, and I add sweetener (stevia drops with toffee fragrance) and a tablespoon of heavy cream. I have it hot in the morning and on ice during the day. I find it works like a diuretic for me, and the cream and stevia fight the sweet cravings. Also helps with energy levels. I tend to have the binge cravings post TOM week...especially for chocolate.....so I add chocolate extract to my coffee.

I sure hope that this helps some. :flowerforyou:

Every woman bloats and gains a bit of weight before their happy days and as soon as it is over you will weight your lowest, the best idea of tracking your real weight loss is to weight before and after for couple of months and then you'll know how much weight you gain before your period so you will know how you're actually doing based on your diet and not bloating just because your body hates you. as for food cravings i guess you can beat those with your will power xD good luck