Question for the WOMEN !!
ajeyahk
Posts: 9 Member
Okay so I try to stay on track with my dieting and working out but when I get my period I just fall off the wagon. I start craving high sodium foods and I binge on everything and normally I'm in too much discomfort and pain to workout so I can't burn those calories off. Any advise ??
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
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Replies
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Honestly, the thing that has helped me the most in this area is trying to make sure my hormones are in better balance. I have drastically reduced the amount of estrogenic products I use (bath and beauty products especially) and that has made my cycle fluctuations much less dramatic. I don't have nearly the cravings and cramps/low energy that I used to have, and I can even do my full exercise all through my cycle now.
I'm not saying for sure that this is something that would help you, but I might just offer it as a suggestion. Hopefully others will have better advice as well.0 -
If you are craving sodium, perhaps try adding extra sodium to your diet in the days proceeding the expected craving. A half teaspoon of salt in water may do the trick.
I used to crave carbs before going LCHF. Candies, pop and chips. Gone now though.
Good luck.0 -
why not just make room in your calories for those things you want to eat? Plus, at TOM, out bodies burn MORE calories - now granted, i wouldnt go and binge out on anything, but having an extra snack on those days wont do any damage- even if its a little bag of chips or half a candy bar....0
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I overeat before my period and undereat after, so it all balances out.
The period cravings are insane. They suck. But I load up on fruits and veggies and if I want extra bread, I just have it.
I don't load up on sugary sweets, though. I look hard at donuts because I really would love to eat them. They're exactly everything I'm craving. But I just won't buy (or make) junk food anymore. Mostly, it's not an issue, but if I run into the 7/11 for some water and they're there, I'll see and smell them. It's hard, but I walk on by.
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Try a heat pad on your stomach it helps me0
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I keep a stockpile of very low calorie snacks at my desk for just such an occasion. That way I can skip my meals and just eat snacks nonstop until I don't feel like chewing my own arm off. I'm embarrassed for people to see my diary on those days. No meals, just all snacks.0
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I overeat before my period and undereat after, so it all balances out.
The period cravings are insane. They suck. But I load up on fruits and veggies and if I want extra bread, I just have it.
I don't load up on sugary sweets, though. I look hard at donuts because I really would love to eat them. They're exactly everything I'm craving. But I just won't buy (or make) junk food anymore. Mostly, it's not an issue, but if I run into the 7/11 for some water and they're there, I'll see and smell them. It's hard, but I walk on by.
Pretty much this.
I eat enough to gain a pound the week before my period because the hunger is insane (yes that's 1800 calories over maintenance for me, pretty much). But it stops on the third day or so, and the two weeks after are easy because I'm not very hungry... so I make sure to keep a nice deficit those two weeks. Then I start ovulating and have a couple bad days again... that's pretty much how I've been maintaining for a year (I never had that issue until I got 3 pounds from my goal thankfully, or I honestly don't know where I would be now).
The key really is to make sure you stay on track the rest of the time, and to try and minimize the damage on bad hormonal days. Yep, donuts, sweet breads etc are my downfall those days... Typically things I crave are bagels, sandwiches, paninis, pizza, pasta, donuts, croissants and brioche... cookies sometimes... basically all the stuff I try to limit in my diet. They satisfy me but only for a couple hours. So it sucks, because they are high calories. And nothing else satisfies me (meat, veggies, nuts, I've tried them all, and I try to avoid sweets because they don't help at all with the cravings and just add calories).
But I still exercise. I alternate Advil and Tylenol every 3 hours if I have to, but they really help with the pain. I'd say, try that, if you're not already, and for your cravings, go for high fat/high protein salty things, like a good steak, chicken legs etc.
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Periods are a pain. I have intense salt/sweet cravings during mine. I track my cycle through an app on my phone and the week before and of my period I snack on about 10 pieces of pretzel M&Ms throughout each day when I feel a craving. It's not as good as binging on a chocolate bar, but it does the trick and it fits in nicely with my calorie count. I also allow myself to eat it every day, so I never get overwhelmed by cravings. Give in to the craving in the smallest way possible, I say! It's always worked for me and has not hurt my weight loss. 0
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Okay so I try to stay on track with my dieting and working out but when I get my period I just fall off the wagon. I start craving high sodium foods and I binge on everything and normally I'm in too much discomfort and pain to workout so I can't burn those calories off. Any advise ??
Thanks in advance
Try tracking your period on an app (I use iPeriod) so you know exactly what/when to expect it. That way, you can use MFP to bank some extra calories in the week before or after those hell days. (The MFP phone app has a report that tells you your weekly deficit.) Good luck!0 -
I haven't got mine this month
I drop 10 kgs (4 before using MFP and 6 since I joined MFP ) or so. I went to a clinic and was given vitamin B by the doctor to improve my metabolism (and also a prescription of a hormon regulating meds that I have to take if the vitamin doesn't work. Primolut, anyone familiar with it?). I thought it was weird, I've been in caloric deficit (only for 4 months actually), but that is because I swap fried food to grilled/boiled, reduce the amount of starch carbs and work out. I've finished up my vitamin B. However, the period still hasn't come. Now I'm taking the meds, I hope my period come back... 0 -
I found the liquid forms (hot cocoa for chocolate; warm soup for salty food) help balancing this situation. The down side is more trips to the bathroom and might not be helpful if you're not sitting at home relaxing...
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I actually raise my calorie intake for that week. An extra 200 calories makes all the difference for me. Then it's right back to my usual goal after my period is over. I find that if I'm too restrictive with my calories, I end up "snacking" without logging and that usually amounts to around 500+ calories. If I give myself a bit more calories I tend to just eat bigger meals, log them, and not mindlessly graze my way around the house.0
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elga_thres wrote: »I haven't got mine this month I drop 10 kgs (4 before using MFP and 6 since I joined MFP ) or so. I went to a clinic and was given vitamin B by the doctor to improve my metabolism (and also a prescription of a hormon regulating meds that I have to take if the vitamin doesn't work. Primolut, anyone familiar with it?). I thought it was weird, I've been in caloric deficit (only for 4 months actually), but that is because I swap fried food to grilled/boiled, reduce the amount of starch carbs and work out. I've finished up my vitamin B. However, the period still hasn't come. Now I'm taking the meds, I hope my period come back...
You might be undereating. That will cause loss of periods, and even hair and nail loss, and other very serious problems.
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elga_thres wrote: »I haven't got mine this month I drop 10 kgs (4 before using MFP and 6 since I joined MFP ) or so. I went to a clinic and was given vitamin B by the doctor to improve my metabolism (and also a prescription of a hormon regulating meds that I have to take if the vitamin doesn't work. Primolut, anyone familiar with it?). I thought it was weird, I've been in caloric deficit (only for 4 months actually), but that is because I swap fried food to grilled/boiled, reduce the amount of starch carbs and work out. I've finished up my vitamin B. However, the period still hasn't come. Now I'm taking the meds, I hope my period come back...
You might be undereating. That will cause loss of periods, and even hair and nail loss, and other very serious problems.
I might be undereating... But doesn't it take a long time to cause loss of periods, etc? I don't have low body fat and I work out only 2x a week.0 -
elga_thres wrote: »elga_thres wrote: »I haven't got mine this month I drop 10 kgs (4 before using MFP and 6 since I joined MFP ) or so. I went to a clinic and was given vitamin B by the doctor to improve my metabolism (and also a prescription of a hormon regulating meds that I have to take if the vitamin doesn't work. Primolut, anyone familiar with it?). I thought it was weird, I've been in caloric deficit (only for 4 months actually), but that is because I swap fried food to grilled/boiled, reduce the amount of starch carbs and work out. I've finished up my vitamin B. However, the period still hasn't come. Now I'm taking the meds, I hope my period come back...
You might be undereating. That will cause loss of periods, and even hair and nail loss, and other very serious problems.
I might be undereating... But doesn't it take a long time to cause loss of periods, etc? I don't have low body fat and I work out only 2x a week.
Talk to your doctor.
Also, eat close to your calorie limit as possible without going over, and eat back 50-75% of your exercise calories. You will still lose weight, and will be fuelling your body appropriately, and also not risking the "crash and burn" yo-yoing and bingeing that often follows periods of undereating.0 -
elga_thres wrote: »elga_thres wrote: »I haven't got mine this month I drop 10 kgs (4 before using MFP and 6 since I joined MFP ) or so. I went to a clinic and was given vitamin B by the doctor to improve my metabolism (and also a prescription of a hormon regulating meds that I have to take if the vitamin doesn't work. Primolut, anyone familiar with it?). I thought it was weird, I've been in caloric deficit (only for 4 months actually), but that is because I swap fried food to grilled/boiled, reduce the amount of starch carbs and work out. I've finished up my vitamin B. However, the period still hasn't come. Now I'm taking the meds, I hope my period come back...
You might be undereating. That will cause loss of periods, and even hair and nail loss, and other very serious problems.
I might be undereating... But doesn't it take a long time to cause loss of periods, etc? I don't have low body fat and I work out only 2x a week.
Talk to your doctor.
Also, eat close to your calorie limit as possible without going over, and eat back 50-75% of your exercise calories. You will still lose weight, and will be fuelling your body appropriately, and also not risking the "crash and burn" yo-yoing and bingeing that often follows periods of undereating.
Thanks for your advice, I did talk to my doctor and will talk to her again if I still don't get my period back...0 -
My fiance was sweet and made low calorie truffles. The only calories we had from them was from the chocolate and cream since he used no cal sweetener. Threw some raspberries in for good measure. There are always alternatives if willpower isn't cutting the cravings (because I totally understand the urge to eat all the things during).0
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My appetite shoots up two days before my period and I eat at maintenance then and for the two heavy days. I don't exercise during the heavy days cuz I lose so much blood that walking up the stairs is hard enough. Before this was the case I didn't not exercise due to having my period - if my back hurt I would do gentle yoga or walk.
While I'm hungrier, I'm not having cravings, so I mostly eat normally, just 500 calories more. I made brownies this month cuz there was room in the calorie budget for them.
Here's how I got my cravings under control:
- Eating less foods like brownies and ice cream, and when I do have them, do so at the end of the day
- Eating more protein, fiber, veggies, and fruit
- Taking a magnesium supplement
- Exercising
- Drinking plenty of water0 -
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kshama2001 wrote: »
That chart really doesn't do anything for me. If I'm craving carbs during PMS week, believe me, fish, meat and nuts are just NOT going to cut it. They don't satisfy me at all. I heard that salmon can help, and I've tried it.. lies. Just lies.0 -
I made a whole bunch of changes at the same so I don't know which to credit, but I suspect a combination of eating less carbs in general, exercising, and taking a magnesium supplement. http://www.iherb.com/p/211420
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kshama2001 wrote: »I made a whole bunch of changes at the same so I don't know which to credit, but I suspect a combination of eating less carbs in general, exercising, and taking a magnesium supplement. http://www.iherb.com/p/21142
Yeah that never works for me. Down to the magnesium supplements.
But I guess it wasn't bad while I was losing either. It's when I got close to maintenance that it started being awful.0 -
When I had a lot to lose, I had no problem sticking to a deficit before/during my period. Now that I'm leaner, I do really struggle. Not with cravings, but just absolute hunger. I have some tricks, mostly involving volume and sludges I make with protein, coco powder, yogurt, etc. Still, I go over. I take so many extra licks before my period I doubt I'm even in a deficit that week.0
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arditarose wrote: »When I had a lot to lose, I had no problem sticking to a deficit before/during my period. Now that I'm leaner, I do really struggle. Not with cravings, but just absolute hunger. I have some tricks, mostly involving volume and sludges I make with protein, coco powder, yogurt, etc. Still, I go over. I take so many extra licks before my period I doubt I'm even in a deficit that week.
Wow thank you so very much for this... it's been exactly the same for me. No problem until I got leaner. I feel much better knowing it's not just me!0 -
arditarose wrote: »When I had a lot to lose, I had no problem sticking to a deficit before/during my period. Now that I'm leaner, I do really struggle. Not with cravings, but just absolute hunger. I have some tricks, mostly involving volume and sludges I make with protein, coco powder, yogurt, etc. Still, I go over. I take so many extra licks before my period I doubt I'm even in a deficit that week.
Wow thank you so very much for this... it's been exactly the same for me. No problem until I got leaner. I feel much better knowing it's not just me!
Yeah, not sure if it's a body composition thing, or the fact that I need less calories to maintain in general, but it has absolutely been harder! Not just you. When I'm in a deficit now around my period I find that I need to be a bit careful about what I eat because if I'm not getting the right nutrients I feel like death.0 -
OP, I just plan to eat at maintenance level for 2 or 3 days for this reason, and use those extra calories to feed the cravings. That way my moody-guilt at going over my normal target calories doesn't cause me to eat even more! I do push myself to do my workout though, because it definitely helps me feel better. I tell myself, "Just do 10 minutes, you can always stop early if you need to." And I usually end up building up some energy and getting it all done. Hang in there!0
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niniundlapin wrote: »I found the liquid forms (hot cocoa for chocolate; warm soup for salty food) help balancing this situation. The down side is more trips to the bathroom and might not be helpful if you're not sitting at home relaxing...
good idea. I am going to get some hot cocoa for my next time I am craving something chocolate. 0 -
elga_thres wrote: »elga_thres wrote: »elga_thres wrote: »I haven't got mine this month I drop 10 kgs (4 before using MFP and 6 since I joined MFP ) or so. I went to a clinic and was given vitamin B by the doctor to improve my metabolism (and also a prescription of a hormon regulating meds that I have to take if the vitamin doesn't work. Primolut, anyone familiar with it?). I thought it was weird, I've been in caloric deficit (only for 4 months actually), but that is because I swap fried food to grilled/boiled, reduce the amount of starch carbs and work out. I've finished up my vitamin B. However, the period still hasn't come. Now I'm taking the meds, I hope my period come back...
You might be undereating. That will cause loss of periods, and even hair and nail loss, and other very serious problems.
I might be undereating... But doesn't it take a long time to cause loss of periods, etc? I don't have low body fat and I work out only 2x a week.
Talk to your doctor.
Also, eat close to your calorie limit as possible without going over, and eat back 50-75% of your exercise calories. You will still lose weight, and will be fuelling your body appropriately, and also not risking the "crash and burn" yo-yoing and bingeing that often follows periods of undereating.
Thanks for your advice, I did talk to my doctor and will talk to her again if I still don't get my period back...
Good, but don't leave it too long to see your doctor. Maybe make an appointment if it's been 2 months and no period.0 -
For what it's worth, none of my doctor (GP and GYN) seemed to worry at all when I skipped two periods. The GYN said it's perfectly normal for women to only have 10 periods a year (news to me, but two of them told me the same thing), and the doctor said it just happens when you lose weight and exercise sometimes.
It came back when I increased my calories anyway... like clockwork. 28 days. So I have 2 good weeks, one not that great, and a horrible one.0
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