that time of the month/weight gain - ladies!

how do you ladies deal with that time of the month? it's a bummer to see the scale week before period and be 3-4 pounds heavier! do you bloating during, or before? how do you deal with cravings?

Replies

  • lmortiz4
    lmortiz4 Posts: 1 Member
    It's hard! I started using a period tracker, so I can see which week I'll be PMSing. If I'm aware that I'll be having a bad week, I can try not to eat out, buy bad snacks, and eat more healthy options. I don't let the scale play with my mind.
  • snickerscharlie
    snickerscharlie Posts: 8,578 Member
    It's just part of being a woman. No big deal.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    edited June 2016
    how do you ladies deal with that time of the month? it's a bummer to see the scale week before period and be 3-4 pounds heavier! do you bloating during, or before? how do you deal with cravings?

    You KNOW what it is. You wait it out. What choice do you have? B)

    That said: When I was losing (and had a ToM lol) I didn't sweat going over a bit if the munchies got the best of me because I KNEW I wouldn't want to eat once my period started. And I NEVER forced myself to eat when that happened. I highly recommend NOT eating when you're not hungry during ToM.
    I know MFP freaks when you don't eat enough, but the body doesn't reset at midnight. Let it average out during ToM. cheers
  • babyxfangs
    babyxfangs Posts: 14 Member
    I second using a period tracker. I use one called Clue, and you can track other things along with your cycle such as cravings, bloating, etc. This really helps me keep in check what is going on with my body and what to expect so that I feel less guilt.

    It's true though, I feel like I'm losing weight for a couple weeks, only to have it come back when I'm on my period, and then I have to work it off again.
  • CooCooPuff
    CooCooPuff Posts: 4,374 Member
    I just stay thankful that my periods aren't as bad as my sister's. A few pounds of water weight and some morning cramps aren't too bad.
  • kissedbythesunshine
    kissedbythesunshine Posts: 416 Member
    I don't care about the bloating because I know it will go away in a few days. The cravings are a different story. I usually give into them on the first and second day. Hasn't stopped my weight loss.
  • ldelgad62
    ldelgad62 Posts: 14 Member
    Don't weight yourself. I've been depressed the past two weeks that I've been on that time of month because my weight has been going up as much as 10 pounds! I've been off for 2 days now and my weight has gone back to normal :smiley: don't torture yourself.
  • Noelani1503
    Noelani1503 Posts: 378 Member
    I like the clue app. The water weight drops after, so I don't see it as a big deal. I usually don't give in to hormonal cravings, but when I do I just try to exercise a little more to keep my calories in check, even if my macros aren't. I tend to lose a little appetite right after tom (maybe the sudden absence of cravings?), so it balances out over the course of a week or two.
  • Lasmartchika
    Lasmartchika Posts: 3,440 Member
    I eat at maintenance when I get my hungry days and when I start bloating I'm not getting near the scale.
  • beautifulwarrior18
    beautifulwarrior18 Posts: 914 Member
    #1 don't step on the scale if it's discouraging. #2 well I haven't figured out the cravings yet. If I ever do Ill let you know.
  • ShrinkinMel
    ShrinkinMel Posts: 982 Member
    I get the hunger the week leading up to start day. The bloating, water retention usually doesn't start until during or right before with cramping and then about 2 days in its lighter and less/no cramps and bloating leaves and water retention starts going. But it varies.
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    edited June 2016
    There are hundreds of these threads with this same question. Yes we 'gain' weight during TOM, up to 5lbs for some, perhaps more which can last up to 7 days, its temporary and perfectly normal.
  • linziicb
    linziicb Posts: 42 Member
    i am having this problem today. i sat indoors last night and said i felt really fat and heavy even though ive been really good this week and at the beginning of the week i knew i had lost and it was looking good for Fridays weigh in. I have come on today an know that this is going to spoil things, its really annoyed me :(
  • Shells918
    Shells918 Posts: 1,070 Member
    I use a tracker as well called P Tracker. I gain/have cravings before my period, not really during but it helps when I'm super hungry yo look at the tracker and say "oh" and it makes sense why. But I try to eat on point and drink extra water, and I take pamprin, which helps with cramps, water weight and some pms symptoms.
  • seekingdaintiness
    seekingdaintiness Posts: 137 Member
    I just wait it out. I realize that I'm going to go up a little, but it comes back down with a couple days. I probably eat more sugar during this time, but I try to just fit it in.

    ^^ This. You know, your metabolism actually rises by about 200 calories for a few days - that's part of the reason for the cravings. The gain is mostly water bloat. I try not to weigh, or don't take the weighing seriously. It all comes off afterward anyhow, so long as I don't go completely nuts.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    edited June 2016
    I just wait it out. I realize that I'm going to go up a little, but it comes back down with a couple days. I probably eat more sugar during this time, but I try to just fit it in.

    ^^ This. You know, your metabolism actually rises by about 200 calories for a few days - that's part of the reason for the cravings. The gain is mostly water bloat. I try not to weigh, or don't take the weighing seriously. It all comes off afterward anyhow, so long as I don't go completely nuts.

    This is not true about the metabolism boost, totally false. It has to do with the two things called leptin and grelin and influences it has on hormones. Lyle McDonald explains this better than anyone else including my doctor. LOL

    Just keep the weight trends each month and know you will weigh a bit more. And actually in fact if you mark your trends women tend to retain water during two weeks of the month and that is both ovulation and the 4 - 5 days up to the actual menses.

    This video is something everyone needs to take the time to review. Its long (you can bypass the first several minutes of video if you already know who Lyle is and what he does.. it is a prelude to his next book.

    community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10360408/lyle-macdonald-nails-it/p1

  • caammph
    caammph Posts: 105 Member
    I just wait it out. I realize that I'm going to go up a little, but it comes back down with a couple days. I probably eat more sugar during this time, but I try to just fit it in.

    This. I just stay on track and know that it's just hormonal.
  • snickerscharlie
    snickerscharlie Posts: 8,578 Member
    Think how much more depressing this would be if the weight never came off again? But since it's temporary, it's no biggie. Stay off the scales for a few days if it upsets you. :)
  • tomteboda
    tomteboda Posts: 2,171 Member
    I like the woosh when it all comes off right after my monthly.
  • healthykaitlin
    healthykaitlin Posts: 91 Member
    I ask myself this every month, & then I experience the "whoosh" & don't think about it again for another month :D
  • mommyofanangelboy
    mommyofanangelboy Posts: 68 Member
    sorry I was posting because i was pregnant for 9 months and getting back into the swing of things postpartum. i noticed i still a few days before i am supposed to get it, that my weight went back down but i didn't lose anything. could that also be water weight?