PMS is KILLING my hard work. Advice???

2

Replies

  • isazzzz
    isazzzz Posts: 95
    I make sure I drink lots of fluids. Water or hot soup. I'm usually bed-ridden due to cramps in the first two days lol. I do have crazy feelings of wanting to eat alot but when I think of the water weight that I already have due to my period, I don't binge. I know chocolate is bad but I have a few squares just to keep me satisfied :)
  • sezhep
    sezhep Posts: 57
    This is me right now. So bloated and lethargic, and hungry ALL the time! I am still motivated to go to the gym, as I find exercising helps with the cramps, but all I want to do is eat, eat, eat, eat, eat! I have recently started doing cardio in the mornings before breakfast (optimum fat burning time), and I don't think that is helping with the hunger cravings either, but hopefully once TOTM has passed I will get that under control. Mostly I just want to munch on sweet things, it's so hard as I live right around the corner from the supermarket, and just found myself in there buying some tasty treats :( One thing I am going to try is Options hot chocolate. Low calories and kills the chocolate craving? I'll soon find out! Definitely taking the protein advice on board, I know that is what keeps you fuller for longer, it's just so unappetising :( Haha, I'm a lost cause!
  • michellelhartwig
    michellelhartwig Posts: 486 Member
    There is good news. You actually burn an extra 300 calories when your body prepares and has it's period because of what is happening on a molecular level. That explains the intense hunger pangs and feeling of exhaustion (I can't remember the link but it was a medical journal type).

    Also, I've just been eating bigger portions of spinach or salad to feel full. And I've added Chia Fresca to my diet especially during and before my period. I replace the sugar with honey so I get the sweetness. The chia seeds expand so they make me feel very very full for a couple of hours. Also I will make chia pudding with raw cacao and it helps with chocolate cravings and I stil get the benefits of the raw chocolate. I think I have found my work around!!! CHIA SEEDS & RAW CACAO!!! :happy:

    http://www.ehow.com/how_6717636_make-chia-fresca.html
    http://www.losingweight.com/question/do-you-burn-more-calories-during-your-period
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/441187-do-i-need-more-calories-during-my-period/

    THANK YOU!!! :happy:
  • chattychick
    chattychick Posts: 90 Member
    honestly, I up my exercise on flo days (it helps with cramps), so that helps offset the munchies. And for th emost part (not always) I try to use mind over matter and force myself to eat healthier options. Like I said, I am not perfect in it, but I figure if for 80% of the time during flo days I am eating healthy, moderate amounts than the 20% coupled with exercise that I am not won't kill my efforts.
  • weighlossforbaby
    weighlossforbaby Posts: 847 Member
    I know the feeling. This weekend has been brutal and I have been craving chocolate all the time!
  • Showgirlbody
    Showgirlbody Posts: 402 Member
    I wonder what it is that makes you a bottomless pit? I wonder that every month. It's one thing just to crave the salty or sweet or both. Or meat. Must have red meat. But seriously, I don't get full when it's my TOM. Best time to go to the county fair since I can try everything. lol It's crazy. I don't know how to control it. I usually have single serving sizes of veggie chips or pringles, or whatever. At least it's not a super sized bag and I won't want to open and eat all of them. I also always have dark chocolate bars. I can usually eat one and not feel like getting more since it's richer than milk chocolate. More water, high protein and work in the cravings with your calories. It doesn't always work for me, but I try.
  • thebamboophoenix
    thebamboophoenix Posts: 58 Member
    I take a combined supplement of evening primrose oil and starflower oil and I swear it has changed my life. The capsules I buy are one-a-day but you actually need to take two per day to get the serum levels in your blood. No cravings, no sore boobs, no mood swings and sometimes my TOM comes as a complete surprise. It's not an instant fix, but persevere and after a couple of months you should be starting to feel a difference.

    I notice now if I've stopped taking them - I refer to them as my magic yellow pills. I climbed Kilimanjaro in February and still took them up the mountain!!

    I have recently had a mirena coil fitted which may well alter my cycle, but I will continue to take them anyway.
  • sarahc001
    sarahc001 Posts: 477 Member
    For those chocolate cravings:

    dark chocolate sugar-free jello pudding: 60 calories
    Chocolate vitatops (deep chocolate and chocolate mint are my favorite!): 100 calories

    Even better: heat a vita top in the microwave, dump on some sugar free jello pudding, add a few strawberries and a small amount of fat-free reddi wip (2tbs is 5 calories) and you have an amazingly satisfying chocolate fix dessert for under 200 calories that is ALMOST as good as a brownie sundae.
  • ChasingSweatandTears
    ChasingSweatandTears Posts: 504 Member
    PMS is horrible for me! The emotional part aside, my food cravings are just terrible. I can eat from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed, and that's exactly what I used to do.
    Now, I recognize that this time of the month is going to have this effect on me, and I just deal with cravings. I have 70% dark chocolate in the house and I allow myself 5 squares a day, when It's that time of the month. I also make sure and drink tons of water and workout, which also seems to help.
    I gain between 3-7 pounds every month, during my TOM- I hate it! I am just glad it disappears as quickly as it appears! :)


    This is my plan of attack too! Also low cal versions or sugar free versions of stuff, even though I usually don't do artificial sweeteners, seems to help. I allow myself to eat crap when my cravings are bad, I just make it modified crap lol
  • chocoholicdiva
    chocoholicdiva Posts: 345 Member
    I just went through this myself - still got some leftover cravings on the go. I have a few little tricks up my sleeve for when this happens, however, so I don't have to worry about the TOM or my diet being wrecked. :wink:

    I know this is gonna sound crazy, but indulge. Yep, you read this right, that's what I said. But do it sneaky. Cravings for a bag of potato chips? Buy a single serving bag of baked chips. A fraction of the fat and calories. Want chocolate? Buy a peppermint patty. It's under 5g of fat for the entire thing. No guilt!!! Want something else altogether or are just a little short on cash? This is where I have my little bit of fun. You can also have this for your stash away from your fiance's junk. I keep a bunch of snack bars like Special K or those Temptations 100 calorie snacks around, and buy some sugar-free candy like Russell Stover and Sweet and Low so when I get a bad craving, this keeps me satisfied!!! And, there's no guilt with the candy. Try this and see what happens - just make sure your fiance doesn't find your stash!!! LOL :laugh:
  • skowalska
    skowalska Posts: 130 Member
    ahhh im a chocolate monster right now! going through TOM right now :(
  • jenga727
    jenga727 Posts: 185 Member
    I am totally opposite! When its that time of the month for me its like you cant get me to stop working out! I work out harder and longer during those 3 or 4 days than I do any other day of the month! I do have my cravings though but I dont over do it on them!
  • NetteH13
    NetteH13 Posts: 28 Member
    I personally don't have ANY cravings. Never have. But I definitely put on that water weight. I never see a weight loss during my TOM. Never! Such a bummer! Anyhoo, hope you find something that helps you out with this.
  • MindyG150
    MindyG150 Posts: 1,296 Member
    Black Licorice keeps it all at bay for me, I have no idea why.
  • Jeanne78832
    Jeanne78832 Posts: 16
    I had a lot of trouble with my period until i had my Dr. give me the Mirena-T IUD and now i don't have my period anymore. I have been using it for 7 years now and it is great not having my period.
  • junglejd13
    junglejd13 Posts: 55 Member
    I think every woman can relate, it's hard enough trying to get healthy without having all the fun associated with surfing the crimson wave. Recently, I had a really bad 2 weeks when it was around my TOM, but now I told myself that I wasn't going to throw away everything just because of my hormones. However, I agree with some of the other posts, if you crave something and nothing else can replace it, and it fits into your daily values, then go ahead and eat it. So if I splurge and eat something naughty(I love Chipotle) even when I feel miserable (cramps anyone?), I will force myself to exercise, even if it's just a short walk, and I usually feel better afterwards and it does help curbs bad cravings.(If you haven't already indulged).
    Try to eat a lot of greens and veggies to keep your water content up along with lots of water (especially if you indulge in some salty deliciousness) I know a lot of women crave chocolate, so eat some really nice and fancy dark chocolate, I for some reason crave peanut butter, so I indulge with almond butter, has less added sugar. I typically workout 6x a week and rest or light walk on day 7 and this really helps keep my TOM gain in check.
  • GoddessJuliya
    GoddessJuliya Posts: 49 Member
    BUMP! lol
  • giggitygoo
    giggitygoo Posts: 1,978 Member
    3 words

    Chocolate Almond Milk.

    It saves me!
  • ili_s
    ili_s Posts: 66
    Cardio exercise is the one thing I really need. I get crabby, irritable and have a short fuse. When I start feeling that way I need to get out and move around. It also helps supress my appetite for a while afterwards, as well as acting as a distraction from the munchies.
  • slkehl
    slkehl Posts: 3,801 Member
    I am the same way! Just want to put everything in my mouth and lay around and watch TV. Bad stuff
  • enaves1986
    enaves1986 Posts: 46 Member
    What helps me get through pms is plenty of choclate protein smoothies and lots of water. As for the emotion part, try cardio kick boxing, it's great for releasing the energy.
  • aresbabe
    aresbabe Posts: 21 Member
    I am going through this right now!! You are not alone and I thank all the ladies for the help and support. My trainer/friend recommended teas (flavored) but they are not cutting it. I tried fruit and still hungry. My body wants chocolate and peanut butter for some reason. Reeces anyone? Lol.
  • nel0311
    nel0311 Posts: 248
    chocolate protien shakes for that craving
    put as many veggies in the worlds largest salad. I will also add nuts and strawberries for that salty sweet thing.
    make some whole grain or wheat muffins so it isnt as bad
    Frozen fruit for that sweet spot
    lots of water
    and long slow walks on the tread while watching a movie.
  • swisspea
    swisspea Posts: 327 Member
    Everyone's body is different- I agree that it helps, but even those 2-3 days before my period comes, I still sometimes have cycles where I feel totally starving, and it is related to PMS. I've been on the pill (in 3 different forms) for 6 years.

    I remember reading somewhere that the week before our periods, our BMR increases about 100 calories. Although this doesn't totally explain all the PMS stories here, it points to a larger, chemical change in our bodies. I wonder if anyone has done research on this.
    I understand that this isn't the answer for everyone, but continuous birth control to keep hormone levels stable may be an option to talk to your doctor about.
  • doctbone
    doctbone Posts: 3 Member
    Everyone's body is different- I agree that it helps, but even those 2-3 days before my period comes, I still sometimes have cycles where I feel totally starving, and it is related to PMS. I've been on the pill (in 3 different forms) for 6 years.

    I remember reading somewhere that the week before our periods, our BMR increases about 100 calories. Although this doesn't totally explain all the PMS stories here, it points to a larger, chemical change in our bodies. I wonder if anyone has done research on this.
    I understand that this isn't the answer for everyone, but continuous birth control to keep hormone levels stable may be an option to talk to your doctor about.

    By continuous birth control, I mean BC that keeps your hormones stable by taking continuously and not having off weeks and thus reducing or eliminating periods. For some people PMS and PMDD disrupt their lives so much that this is a good solution for them, with their doctor's approval.
  • pinkri
    pinkri Posts: 11
    Try taking some Primrose Oil Capsules, I take x1 1000mg (top recommended dosage) 3 consecutive days before i'm due on and it helps not only my cravings, but mood swings too!
  • delikium
    delikium Posts: 196 Member
    Hi!
    I have the same problem. My hunger is out of control, my emotions are out of control and I feel REALLY EDGY....my boyfriend tiptoes through the house on those days.
    It's like my whole body is screaming because this big event is coming up again.
    But I've noticed taking extra iron pills on those few days really makes me less tense, and when I'm less edgy I binge a liltte less too. Also the first day of my periods will feel more relaxed. IRON PILLS <---- try it!
  • cherchechristine
    cherchechristine Posts: 84 Member
    I found this website that was really interesting, it give ways on substituting junky for healthy but still hitting the 'spot' and also somethings that women with PMS may be lacking. Tackle these one's and the cravings may not be so bad


    http://www.ehow.com/how_2105392_deal-pms-food-cravings.html

    OMG… Just went there. Sounds like great advice, but right between points 2 and 3 is a link to WHITE CASTLE? Crack me up.
    bump
  • j3nnal3igh13
    j3nnal3igh13 Posts: 134
    wow. I forgot about this thread! Was good to read through again. Lots of AWESOME tips! Now time to try them again, since I'm back to it. :o)

    This past week was tough. Wish I would have seen this then!! lol
  • AmazingTech
    AmazingTech Posts: 23
    if I feel like eating during my TOM instead I decide to do something else to focus me, I know after wards I will regret eating a load of crap and feel worse so I do some running, do some shooting, do something to focus and then I tend feel better and if I still want to then I don't need to feel guilty because ive kind of earnt it
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