PMS and weight loss? (sorry gentlemen)

Melysa1988
Melysa1988 Posts: 81 Member
edited November 12 in Health and Weight Loss
Many women suffer from PMS-related food cravings, bloating, fatigue, sleep disturbances, mood swings, and irritability -- any of which can hurt your diet.

How do you stay motivated? Do you gain,loose? Stay the same.

Replies

  • kriztyn723
    kriztyn723 Posts: 57
    I am on mine now... was up 3lbs from the weekend (had some choclate cravings but tried not to indulge as much). Was able to lose 2.5 lbs... by sticking to 1200 cals... but I have not worked out... so exhausted around that time of the month!
  • jenaissance
    jenaissance Posts: 302 Member
    i gain an average of 5 lbs water weight (sometimes as high as 7). And crave chocolate. I keep a stash of hershey's kisses on hand for the cravings, one kiss will do it, and avoid the scale for a week. I don't have a problem with motivation to work out, because my normal schedule is between 6 and 7am, so I'm always tired then anyway :P Power through!
  • ahealthy4u
    ahealthy4u Posts: 442 Member
    Many women suffer from PMS-related food cravings, bloating, fatigue, sleep disturbances, mood swings, and irritability -- any of which can hurt your diet.

    How do you stay motivated? Do you gain,loose? Stay the same.

    It all depends for me sometimes it is worse than others. No matter what I have the attitude now that I don't want to give up so even during that time of month I push forward with it and just deal with what the scale numbers say I know I will drop down again. I know I gain at least 5 or more lbs durning this time most of it is water weight
  • JSheehy1965
    JSheehy1965 Posts: 404
    This is my first Aunt Flo since eating healthily, and I actually haven't been craving chocolate like I normally do. I was thinking perhaps all the flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, greens, nuts, fish etc were the reason for the lack of craving? Perhaps next month I'll be a snarling witch throwing women and children over my shoulder to get to the Cadbury's Creme Eggs!!
  • TLC1975
    TLC1975 Posts: 146 Member
    I use to gain a few pounds of water weight around then, but now I stick to my diet, and workout the same, and no more water gain, no more bloating...so no it doesn't affect my weight loss at all..now..
  • sjflowers
    sjflowers Posts: 148
    I do the best I can. But I know that I am only human so, i am ok if i give in to some of my cravings. I usually gain as well, but it seems that I lose that weeks gain pretty quickly afterwards. I also try to work out each day, even if it is a half a*& effort. I also try not to angst and feel really guilty about falling off the MFP wagon.
  • darkmouzy
    darkmouzy Posts: 227 Member
    for me I crave anything really sweet its so terrible! but I will not check the scale until at least a day or two after I'm done because by then the water weight is usually gone.

    If my craving are totally dominating me I will find a really sweet fruit like strawberries or somthing to help curb the cravings :)
  • estinson79
    estinson79 Posts: 38
    I usually go up a pound or two, but I have learned that avoiding the gym has done me more harm than good, symptom wise. When I work out, it alleviates all of that nasty anxiety and mood swings, even cramps. And I sleep so much better. AS much as it sucks, I force myself to go workout because I know I will feel better all day. And plus, feel less guilty when eating all that chocolate :)
  • k_sharp
    k_sharp Posts: 100 Member
    I don't know but I'm suppose to start soon and I'm craving chocolate and salty snacks like crazy right now! I'm following a strict diet and I can't eat anything but what's allowed and right now I want to raid my kids candy! I sent my mom home with most of it just so I wouldn't be as tempted
  • Clarimusic00
    Clarimusic00 Posts: 96 Member
    I always maintain weight (or sometimes gain a pound) for a week or so prior to TOM and lose 1-2 pounds after it starts. Bloating and not losing weight is rough but I just remind myself that in a few days I'll be losing those couple pounds.

    As for cravings... When I get a food craving I try to find an alternative to eating (cleaning, reading, working out, take a walk) to keep my mind off that craving. Usually if I can get through a couple hours I'll be fine.

    I can't work out during TOM - it just doesn't happen due to a multitude of TOM symptoms. But I still do well with sticking to my calories and trying not to be too much of a couch potato.

    Anyways - this is what has been my experience the last 3 months or so. At first I was flabbergasted and confused by the weight change prior and after. But now I understand better how my body works and I'm able to 'manage' it as best as I can.
  • dmouse0225
    dmouse0225 Posts: 104
    Sometimes gain, sometimes lose, sometimes stay the same. No matter what, I blame all the negative behavior (i.e. over-eating, not enough exercise that week, chocolate, etc...) on the PMS and move on the next week :). That may sound like an excuse, but I find it much easier to "move on" if I don't get down on myself because of it. (for the record... any of those other week's where I may face the same challenges, I take full responsibility for!! Still have to get over it and move on though).
  • mes1119
    mes1119 Posts: 1,082 Member
    Working out keeps me from feeling all of those effects. I just make sure I drink A LOT of water during that time. Being on The Pill helps a lot with those symptoms for me.

    I do get very moody and stressed during that time though. But Stress = No Eating for me, which in turn usually makes me lose weight.
  • momof8munchkins
    momof8munchkins Posts: 1,167 Member
    I tend to gain anywhere from 4-10 lbs and I always crave chocolate- usually I indulge in a little.. it's part of life if your a woman of child bearing age, so we should not let it discourage us.. I make a point to work out during PMS and AF, it helps with cramps .. I drink extra water and watch my sodium closely during that week so I don't bloat too much. I also tend to get very fatigued the first few days so I nap when I get the chance.
  • wendyapple
    wendyapple Posts: 323 Member
    no matter how little sodium i have, no matter how much water i drink, no matter how much i sweat, lift, or do nothing, the ten days prior to my period, and two to three days after, i am easily 5-7lbs more than i average the rest of the month.

    i bloat like a dead body thrown out to sea, i crave massive amounts of everything, and i'm moody as an underappreciated not-that-great rock star.

    oh and the constipation. i basically keep the laxative companies in business for those ten days.

    all that aside, since i've lost weight my periods are a BREEZE! mild to no cramping at all, energy levels are consistently high, and i have an incredibly light flow.

    but if there's a surefire way to beat the bloat and cravings, i'll buy it. (chasteberry helps, but not enough)
  • Melysa1988
    Melysa1988 Posts: 81 Member
    Thank you ladies. this is my first time counting calories on my cycle. I wanted to see what to expect.
  • Chloe_Chaos_
    Chloe_Chaos_ Posts: 150 Member
    I think I'm in the minority here but I believe I feel skinnier on my period. I do crave a lot of sweets (anything by Reese's PLEASE!) but my jeans are looser and I feel better. But I have never weighed myself so I'm not sure if I actually weight less. But I do get vicious cramps and crazy cravings.

    Oh and I ALWAYS ALWAYS work out because that's what relieves my cramps.
  • Daydreams406
    Daydreams406 Posts: 249 Member
    OMG...I have been griping about this in my blog all week lol. I just started today. But I have been PMS'ing for over a week now!! I gained 3lbs...the three i lost...so that is tough for me just starting out. It has been a real motivation crusher. I try to keep in in perspective by blogging about it. But seriously! At least two weeks of this? It has been horrible! At least now I will know what to expect next month! I feel really super crummy today....headache from hell, bloating, gas, and cramping. Took some pamprin, hoping it helps with something. Mostly the irritability...I have been horrid this last week. Eeeghads! My poor family.
  • Reeny1_8
    Reeny1_8 Posts: 277
    So glad to know someone was thinking the same thing! I get super tired, cranky, and eat anything in my way! Peanut m&m's is a favorite that I wish I didnt like so much. I can always tell because my "inner b*tch" wants to come out and sometimes you just have to let her off the leash!
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