Sorry Guys.............Ladies & PMS

I'm a compulsive weigher. I weigh in too often. I don't notice any specific fluctuations in my weight that I can point at and say 'that was monthly cycle related!' Our weight fluctuates normally and I can't tell any different at that time of the month. I do have to let my belt out a notch that week, but that's nothing new. I just bloat a bit more.

As for cravings... I'm not sure I'll be much help there. I might have an extra chocolate chip granola bar on those days, but that's about it. I guess I'm not much of a craver.

hi, it always use to be 2lbs for me but recently its been 6lbs - for half a month but thats rather extreme and i'm on tablets to reduce estrogen levels as i actually go up a full cup size too, i think 2lbs though is fairly typical but if you know you are eating right and exercising and eating all your cals plus what you should of your exercise ones and drinking plenty of water then rely on that fact - we can't stop mother nature but we can keep ourselves on the right path to weight loss victory :-)xx

For the cravings get something really small, i crave chocolate so bad so I bought some of those yoplait parfait delights with only 100 calories and there is just enough to satisfy my craving.
Also exercising first thing the first day of my period keeps cramps at bay. Hope that helps

1. weight gain: I usually gain about 2lbs but I have a friend who gains 8lbs! it will vary but I usually don't even pay attention to the scale during that time because I know it will go back to normal in a few days.

2. I usually give in to my cravings - in moderation. I always crave a big juicy hamburger (like McDonalds), but instead I will make one with lean meat, or I will get a small burger. If it's chips, then I get a small lunch sized bag and eat 1/2 of it. Usually that satisfies the craving, and the I fill up with healthy snacks.

3. I push myself to work out, but I usually do less because I'm just to worn out. But I keep moving because I know I will eventually get my energy back. Also, sometimes it helps aleviate the bloating and cramps.

Basically I do what I can to get through it, knowing it's only temporary! and I usually have extra energy when its over!

3. How do you all motivate yourself to get up and keep moving (excersizing) when all you want to do is lay down on the couch with a hot water bottel and moan and groan your way through the forst few days...lol.

See, I don't understand this. Unless you are in an extraordinary amount of pain, don't you just kind of live your normal life when you have your period? I mean, when I have mine, I still manage to go to work and handle any commitments with friends. I still clean up and cook my meals and do what I normally do.

What I don't get is why exercise wouldn't be the same as all of the other things in your life. If you're in a ton of pain, maybe take it a little bit easier than normal, but really, if exercise is a usual part of what you do, why would you treat it differently than any other activity?

I don't mean to be insensitive - I just sincerely do not understand.

When my Aunt Flo visits, I usually don't lose any weight for the duration. I'll gain about 1-2 lbs before, and then it won't fall off until the weeks over. Here are some thing I do:

-Drink lots of water to help flush out water weight.
-Avoid salty snacks (although I tend to crave them like no tomorrow)
-Try to stay active
-Don't weigh myself until it's over.

Once it's over, I tend to drop the water weight overnight and an extra lb or if I'm super lucky, 2.

Bit that's just me.

Ladies... I'm new here .. Just started this week but we don't HAVE to have a period! I used to get terrible cramps, I would cry for no reason, and really moody, and craved chocolate bad! I am almost 30 now and I begged my OB for a hysterectomy 3 years ago - only she wouldn't do it - said I was too young. But as an alternative put me on birth control (lybrel) to where I only have 1 period a YEAR !! And even then she said I didn't HAVE to come off the pill if I didn't want to. I have gone 2 years now without a period and it has allowed me to function normally again. Defin. worth it!

Okay...something we all love to talk about...our wonderful monthly visiter.
I have some questions and concerns as i am still new to this whole journay and dont want to sabitage myself just due to PMS...

1. Does anyone know on average how much water weightgain they get, as I would like to be prepared so I dont get into the "I've failed" mindset I have done so many years of my life. Knowing will make me just get through it.

2. Are there any secret better choices to deal with PSM cravings? Ie: I crave salt...like chips.

3. How do you all motivate yourself to get up and keep moving (excersizing) when all you want to do is lay down on the couch with a hot water bottel and moan and groan your way through the forst few days...lol.

Anyways; any advise would help in the days leading up tomy first crampy, moody, emotional eating...no will power PMS moment of my journay.

my tummy, mind and soul thank you in advance,
cheers ~ Nat

1. Different for everyone and may vary month to month based on your diet. I have not gone up, but rather thad my weight loss masked. I know I was retaining water (the sore boobs) but the scale just stayed flat for a week and then dropped like a rock the next. Just don't let it freak you out--if you've been eating properly and exercising, the only reason for the scale to have stayed flat or gone up is TOM.

2. Don't get the 'cravings' and never have. I personally think that is BS. Just an excuse that women use to overeat.

3. You'll actually feel better if you get up and move. Also, if you have painful periods, start taking the NSAIDS a day or two BEFORE TOM starts. Much more effective than waiting until you're actually in pain.

As you lose weight, TOM should actually get a lot easier.

3. How do you all motivate yourself to get up and keep moving (excersizing) when all you want to do is lay down on the couch with a hot water bottel and moan and groan your way through the forst few days...lol.

See, I don't understand this. Unless you are in an extraordinary amount of pain, don't you just kind of live your normal life when you have your period? I mean, when I have mine, I still manage to go to work and handle any commitments with friends. I still clean up and cook my meals and do what I normally do.

What I don't get is why exercise wouldn't be the same as all of the other things in your life. If you're in a ton of pain, maybe take it a little bit easier than normal, but really, if exercise is a usual part of what you do, why would you treat it differently than any other activity?

I don't mean to be insensitive - I just sincerely do not understand.

I'm one of the lucky ones that rarely experience cramps. I have a female relative who during her drug-free labors birthing her childern she barely made a peep. Later she explained her labor contractions are exactly what she experiences monthly with her period so while they are very painful and obviously the whole labor process was more painful, she was already *used* to the pain.

We cried right along after with her. She's Japanese and a size 00. Her babies were in the 9lb area. I still shudder for her. My babies were all that size two weeks before their due dates but I'm thankful I ended up needing a cesarean!

Weight Gain: I don't really gain weight, but my stomach does look a whole hell of a lot fatter always.

Cravings: I just eat what I want but in small amounts... no sense in denying myself, because it will only make it worse later.

Exercising: I take birth control that takes care of all my cramps and what not. I still turn into a really crabby person, but I'm not in any pain.. and if I do have the rare cramp, it's not too bad. Plus that combined with the exercise that I have been doing since January, it has tended to halt my periods.. another lovely perk if you ask me!

1. I usually gain up to 5 lbs. so I don't really pay attention to the number on the scale. I have a body fat percentage monitor and that normally stays consistent.

2. I give in to my cravings but only a little. I crave crunchy things and chocolate so sometimes I'll put a few reduced fat wheat thins into a bowl or some pretzel minis with reduced fat peanut butter. mmm peanut butter. to curb the chocolate sometimes i'll have the 50 calorie skinny cow chocolate fudge pops or a small chocolate chip cookie. i work out extra the days before or even the day of so i'll have the calories to cheat a bit.

3. work out extra. the day before your period make sure your workout clothes are ready to grab and go so you don't have to think twice about it. working out helps cramps a lot. i used to absolutely HATE that time of the month because I was always in pain. I used to live on Motrin the whole first 2 days just to get myself out and used to go home and just sit on the couch or sleep after work. ever since i've been working out 3 - 5 days a week i don't even feel my period. sometimes the first day or two i'll feel disgusting but it comes and goes without me even noticing. its different for some people but as long as you stay active (cardio helps) a lot of people stop even feeling the cramps. The bloating and weight gain will come and go.

good luck!

1. Weight: I'm a bit odd but I always have a good weight loss during my period. I bloat up like crazy though! :grumble: But about mid cycle for about 7 days I tend not to lose. So not much help there.

2. Cravings: For me it's chocolate. I found better options. I like jello chocolate pudding. Maybe a few pretzels if you like salt and crunchy?

3. Exercise: I have cramps that make labor seem easy! I do more gentle exercises. Yoga and stretching is fantastic for the cramps and lower back pain. You could also try a slow walk.

Good luck with it! :flowerforyou:

1. I gain about 5 lb on average, but it can be anywhere from 2 to 7!

2. I treat myself in small portions. I tend to crave chocolate like WOAH (it consumes my thoughts every waking hour), and getting 100 calories of a chocolate snack usually takes care of that.

3. I usually get 1-2 days of really awful cramps, fatigue and joint aches (thanks, chronic illnesses that flare up with my cycle), so sometimes I just cannot do my exercises...instead, I'll go for a walk and do some gentle stretching. Some people do feel better with exercise, but I'm definitely not one of them. :P